Vancouver, British Columbia–Everybody’s watching Vancouver, with the Olympics in full swing. It’s cool, it’s sophisticated, it’s laid-back, and one of the best cities to visit. Here are my top five favorite things about Vancouver:
Custom-made lattes. Get a latte, cafe au lait, cappuchino, double-shot espresso. Whatever your prefernce in coffee, Vancouver barristas serve it with style. At Caffé Artigiano, (I like the one at 574 Granville) they’ll pour a leaf design, maybe make Olympics rings. Ask and you shall enjoy.
Water taxis. Hop aboard a water taxi for a shortcut to the city’s sites. They’re so much fun you might want to take a taxi to nowhere. The most colorful: Aquabus.
Boutique bonanza. You don’t have to buy, but you’ll definitely be tempted by the many shops here. There’s a veritable bevy of fashion designers. Check out Smokin’ Lily on Main St.
Breakfast, Lunch, Pie. Coffee’s great, but if you really want some good grub, I’d head over to Sophie’s Cosmic Café in the Kitsilano neighborhood, 2095 4th Avenue West. She serves a mile-high pie to die for, tasty breakfast burritos. Oh, I’m drooling. Excuse me.
Stanley Park. It may be cliche, but Stanley Park really makes my stay. Walk amongst the trees, watch crew teams out on the water. It’s 1000 acres of park within a walking distance of major hotels downtown. An outdoor lovers’ dream.
