Vancouver may just be the ideal city – stylish bistros and bars, unparalleled access to both ocean and mountains, and a thriving tourist trade that attracts millions of outdoor enthusiasts and fashionistas alike.

The city, situated on the Pacific Ocean at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, is home to the world-famous Stanley Park and known as much for its rich culture, cosmopolitan feel and beautiful climate as it is for its trendy residents.

The city of Vancouver was named after Captain George Vancouver who first sailed into Burrard Inlet and English Bay in the late 1700s. In 1862, the discovery of coal attracted white settlers to the area and soon Vancouver was a thriving metropolis, thanks to the Canadian Pacific Railway and one of the city’s most famous pioneers, “Gassy” Jack Deighton, who first served thirsty workers in his saloon in what is now know as Gastown.

Like today’s Vancouver urbanites, visitors can indulge in the award-winning restaurants and hip eateries, fashionable clothing and antique stores, museums, art galleries and theatres, or simply take in the public parks, sandy beaches, and natural splendour that surround Vancouver. Windsurfers, kayakers, boaters and fishermen can be seen sharing the waters of English Bay with million dollar sailboats and massive cruise ships. Adding to the spectacular landscape are Vancouver’s famous bridges, which link the city and provide breathtaking views of its ocean and inlets.

Stanley Park, situated on a peninsula and spanning 1,000 acres, is one of North America’s largest urban parks. Grab a coffee, sit on a bench and watch the world go by along the famous Stanley Park Seawall, where joggers, walkers, cyclists and roller-bladers converge to take in the fresh sea air and gorgeous surroundings. Take a walk along the lush wooded trails, admire the vast gardens or enjoy some quiet time in one of the park’s many grassy areas. And don’t forget to visit the Vancouver Aquarium, where you can see some of Vancouver’s most famous residents, including whales, sharks, sea otters and dolphins.

When it’s time to do some shopping, Vancouver is never without. Shopping districts include the popular, family-friendly Granville Island, the cafes and haute couture of Robson Street, the uber-cool Kitsalano, the thriving Chinatown and the legendary Gastown, with its cobblestone streets and historic landmarks.

If music is to your liking, spend an evening at the symphony, take in one of the many pubs, clubs, and venues, or plan your visit around the Vancouver Folk Festival or the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

For a different cultural experience, visitors can take advantage of Vancouver’s many museums. The Museum of Anthropology highlights the arts, crafts and culture of the areas First Nations people, while the Vancouver Museum offers a peek back in time to the 1800 and 1900s. And in celebration of Vancouver’s long-time love affair with the ocean, visitors can enjoy the Maritime Museum.

With so much on offer, Vancouver is a city not to be missed, one where residents and visitors can go sailing in the morning and hit the slopes of the Rockies in the afternoon. It’s no wonder people call it Lotus Land.

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