If you’ve mentioned Vancouver to someone who’s visited, you’ve probably noticed the wide-eyed, dreamy response you get. “VANCOUVER!” they’ll gush. “It’s BEAUTIFUL!” And it really is. The fairy-tale mountains rising above glassy water right next to gorgeously modern high rises would be enough to enchant anyone. But the international flair (especially the food!) and Canadian spirit (really, everyone is painfully courteous–Atlanta drivers, take note) cement it as a worthy travel destination.
The convention center looks over the harbor.
Believe it or not, I had to go to Canada to experience my first sighting of our national bird (outside of a zoo).
Totem pole inside the convention center.
Is any post of ours complete without a nod to transportation logistics? Shipping containers!
The train station.
A market in West End, the neighborhood where we stayed.
Downtown.
The Gastown district is a fun place to walk around…
… and spot a sweater-clad dog in a boutique.
Vancouver’s crown jewel is the 1,000-acre Stanley Park.
Beaver Lake is a serene spot that quickly makes you forget about downtown.
View of Lions Gate Bridge from the park.
A considerate division.
Watch out for rabies.
Prospect Point is worth the hike.
Although Vancouver always ranks well on livability lists, you better have wide pockets to live there. Whether it’s a neighborhood home…
… or pricey new construction …
… living by the fairy-tale mountains requires a similarly unreal amount of cash.
Vancouver is replete with Asian cuisine options, so we decided to try something new: izakaya, which is like Japanese tapas. That baked pumpkin roll stuffed with egg was worth every Canadian cent. This popular but low-key spot even offered us blankets on this chilly night. We were so inspired that we checked out Atlanta’s izakaya restaurant (definitely not low-key–and no blankets).
Cape to Milan 
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