Vancouver, a beautiful city surrounded by mountains and water. Downtown is to the north and the tranquil English bay to the south. Stanley park on the peninsula is a 1000 acre park of tamed wilderness, and is the largest park in north America. The 12km seawall walk goes around the majority of the shore of Vancouver.

Day 1, arriving in Vancouver

We arrived at Vancouver international airport mid afternoon, slightly tired after the 10 hour flight, back in the UK it was 10pm, here it was 3pm! The city is only a short taxi ride away, and soon enough we were checking into our 3 star hotel, The Buchan Hotel, clean, basic and situated near both Stanley park and downtown.

After a quick refresh we headed out to check out the neighbourhood. After walking 10 mins south to the English bay we found some modern restaurants, and choose the Cactus Club Cafe, a 2 story restaurant overlooking the water. The food and service was incredible, the appetizers were large enough to share (something that we are not used to). I had a twist on the classic quesadilla and my dad had lobster ravioli.

While we sat we watched the sun slowly going down reflected in the water, and we had a toast to our 1st day in Canada.

Day 2.

The harbour

After a long sleep we rose refreshed for our next day. This time we headed north towards the harbour. Walking past all the expensive yachts that were moored there and the apartments that overlooked the water. The further we walked towards the city centre the buildings grew taller and more contemporary.

The mountains rose beyond the water and it was so still and quiet. The stillness only occasionally broken by the sound of seaplanes taking off and landing.

We had a lovely traditional Dutch breakfast in De Dutch restaurant overlooking the water. After we headed to Canada Place to catch the free 25 min shuttle bus to Grouse mountain.

After visiting Grouse mountain Read about Grouse mountain we got the local bus to the Capilano suspension bridge, Read about Capilano

The free shuttle dropped us back to Canada Place and we wandered around to find a local bar to have a couple of drinks before dinner. We ate dinner in an Irish restaurant and after walked back along the harbour towards the hotel. Seeing the city lit up in the dark, was such a contrast to the day. We were definitely ready for another early night.

Day 3

Whale Watching & Granville Island

An early start and grabbed a quick breakfast in the famous Tim Hortons, which pop up everywhere. We headed towards Granville Island. I had booked a whale watching excursion for the morning. So we walked south towards the English bay, and along the Seapath, Joggers and dog walkers were about in abundance all stopping to say hi or nod.

We caught the Granville island ferry for about $5 return and the crossing only took 5 mins. We landed on the island and had some time to spare so we visited the very popular indoor market. Stalls selling local and artisan produce. From fresh fruit & veg, bakery items, freshly made salads to desserts. Everything you could possibly want and wow it all looked so fresh and tasty. The smells were immense, made us all so hungry. Unfortunately we had to leave to check in for our whale watching trip.

Wild whales Vancouver is who I decided to book with and they were a very good choice.

Read more about the Whale watching trip here

Stanley Park

Once the excursion was finished we took the ferry back to the mainland and decided to take a walk around Stanley park. The 12km seawall walk runs around the edge of the park. You can see views of the mountains across the water, and if you’re lucky glimpses of dolphins and seals in the bay.

Joggers and cyclists use this path a lot and I can see why, its just incredible.

The sun was out and it was just a beautiful walk. A couple cruise liners were leaving to their next destination, we watched them slowly sail by, a few people waving from the decks.

We turned inland and walked through the park back towards the city. The park covers 400 hectares, and there’s so much to see and do there. restaurants and cafes, gardens even an aquarium.  Horse & cart rides criss crossed our path taking visitors around the park.

Once we reached the city we turned towards the English bay again for dinner and chose the Boathouse restaurant across the road.

With another great view across the bay, we treated ourselves to cocktails.

The food was good, appetizers again were amazing and I treated myself to steak & lobster for my main. With our desserts and after dinner drinks we reflected on another incredible day in Vancouver.

The Next day we had breakfast in a local diner and headed back to the airport to pick up our hire car for the next part of our adventure….