Cities on the Edge of Nature – Vancouver, Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver on the west coast of Canada, with its stunning backdrop of the snow-capped Olympus Mountains, is said to be one of the best places in the world to live. And the impressive 400 hectare Stanley Park as well as the Salish Sea, a popular whale-watching location, are both on its doorstep. Like Victoria, Vancouver is certainly another wonderful city on the edge of nature.

Stanley Park is just one of a number of green spaces in and around the city. It has miles of walking trails through temperate rainforest teaming with wildlife including bald headed eagles and raccooons, as well as sandy beaches, First Nations’ totem poles and beautiful gardens.

Vancouver is also said to be one of the cleanest cities in the world and the mayor has pledged that by 2020 it will be one of the greenest cities too.

Unfortunately, I only have one morning here but it starts with a fabulous zodiac tour with Sea Vancouver. You’ll find their offices in Westin Bayshore Vancouver Hotel on Bayshore Drive. Here we don the bright red survival suites that make you waddle like a duck when you walk in them. They keep you nice and warm as you zoom across the waves and act as a floatation device should you happen to fall in. I didn’t put that to the test though. The tour takes you around Vancouver Harbour through Burrard Inlet around Stanley Park and into False Creek. With plenty of information about the city provided by the skipper the trip is not only great fun, it’s really interesting too. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).