A guided tour of Vancouver

Vancouver is undeniably the most diverse place in Canada. There is something about Vancouver that leaves you in awe of its grandiose natural beauty. You can live in Vancouver for decades and still be enchanted by its ability to surprise you. So to reduce experiencing Vancouver to three days is to merely flirt with paradise.

Day 1: Around town
Downtown Vancouver is the pulsating heartbeat of the Lower Mainland.

Start your day with a breakfast at one Vancouver's revolving restaurants the Empire Landmark Hotel overlooking the Harbour, Stanley Park and the morning rush of downtown. The 360-degree view of Vancouver is stunning — rain or shine.

As Vancouver is well known for its rain, even in the summer, it would be wise to take along an umbrella. From downtown Vancouver most attractions are within walking distance or
an inexpensive bus ride. After breakfast, walk through the morning rush of businessmen and women along Robson or Georgia Street.

Stroll into the book stores and coffee shops, the boutiques and little galleries as there are tons of marvellous sights to see along both streets. One of the main attractions of downtown is the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. One of the oldest hotels in Canada, its stunning architecture, elegant ballroom and timeless beauty leaves it unsurpassed.

If you are a sushi fan, downtown Vancouver is known for its all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants. If you prefer your food cooked, there are a variety of restaurants to choose from. Hop on a short Sky Train ride to Science World and be amazed by the structure that was built in 1986 for the Expo, housing some of the most unique scientific exhibits. Before nightfall, make your way to Granville Island and walk through the markets and shops selling souvenirs.

If weather permits, there is nothing like renting a boat from Granville Island and seeing Vancouver from the Pacific Ocean. One of Vancouver's finest restaurants is The Bridge
on Granville Island.

The view from water-front window seat is breathtaking.

Day 2: Uptown
Star your day early with a walk along Stanley Park's Sea Wall. Although the park was largely destroyed by a storm in 2006, it still maintains its magic. The fir, cedar and hemlock trees soar endlessly into the vivid blue Vancouver sky. Take a horse-drawn carriage around the park, to cover as much ground of the 1,000 acre natural playground.

Make your way to the Capilano Suspension Bridge for a jaw-dropping view of the rushing river 230 feet below. If you are afraid of heights, this is not the place to be.
The clock is ticking, so head off to Grouse Mountain and take the gondola (sky ride) to the top of the mountain for a breathtaking view as far as the eye can see. If you book in advance, there is an excellent fine dinning restaurant,
The Observatory, overlooking the mountains and Vancouver.
Depending on the season, you can't miss
the opportunity to ice-skate on top of Grouse Mountain. Make sure not to miss the last gondola ride or else you'll be skiing with your shoes down the mountain.

If you still have the energy and time, wrap up the night with
a relaxing walk along Robson Street for some night shopping or dance the night away in one of the posh clubs in Gas Town.

Day 3: Get out of town
Going to Vancouver without seeing its world-renown Whistler-Blackcomb Ski resorts would be as blasphemous as going to Cairo without seeing the pyramids. Home to the 2010, Olympic Winter Games, Whistler is in all senses of the word a winter wonderland. It boasts trail walks, mountain biking, horse-back riding in the summer, zip lining from one mountain to another and of course adrenaline-pumping double-black diamond ski runs.

If you prefer a quiet more chilled-out day, Kitsilano Beach is a prime spot to soak up some sun and send some wish-you-were-here postcards. If rain disrupts the plan, walk through the Vancouver Art Gallery or the Coliseum-looking Public Library or get a closer look into the sea world at the Vancouver aquarium.

All this and you still haven't explored beyond the mainland into the spectacular Gulf Islands scattered off its coast or driven through northern British Columbia's Okanagan. After only three days in the area you can understand why British Columbians boast that they live in "the most beautiful place on earth."