A Disney Cruise ship makes it way up to Alaska.

Along with Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Carnival Cruises, to name a few, also make their way into Vancouver’s port each year. The organization of the 27 cruise ships that come in and out of the port is a well orchestrated dance, and catching a glimpse of these large ships is a sight to be seen; even if you’re not taking a cruise yourself. These massive floating cities make their way up to Alaska, and some down to California, but Alaskan cruises remain the most popular. The immense glaciers are overwhelmingly beautiful and bring people from around the globe to cruise their way through frigid waters to view them up close and personal. While on the cruise, you may also see Orca, Humpback whales, Harbor porpoises, White-sided dolphins, Grey whales, Minke whales and Dall porpoises.

Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau Alaska

Vancouver continues to be a hot vacation spot for international visitors, and if your cruise leaves from Vancouver, it’s like getting a two-for-one deal. There’s plenty to do in the city any time of year, so make sure you give yourself a few extra days to stick around Vancouver and take advantage of the city. There’s a long list of hotels that are within walking distance from Canada Place, or are just a short cab ride away. The peak cruise season runs from April through September, which is the perfect time of year to make the most of Vancouver’s outdoor activities.

It's not uncommon to see sea lions taking a rest amongst the rocks.

If you only have limited time to kill while you’re in Vancouver before and after your cruise, here are a few places that are so close to the port at Canada Place:

• Bella Gelateria – Hands down, the best gelato in Vancouver. Unique flavors and quality ingredients create the perfect cold, sweet treat.
• Stanley Park – You will sail right by this beauty, but visiting the park is the best way to enjoy this lush urban oasis.
• Vancouver Aquarium – While in Stanley Park, stop in the aquarium to get a glimpse of the underwater life that’s living below the waters you’re sailing through.
• Vancouver Art Gallery – A few blocks up Howe Street is the Vancouver Art Gallery. After swooning over the glaciers, keep your eyes satisfied by looking at some impressive art work.
• Gastown – Boutique shops, excellent restaurants, charming cafes and the Steam Clock can all be found in one of Vancouver’s favorite neighborhoods a few blocks away from your ship.

If you’re planning on staying for a few days, then Vancouver is your oyster to enjoy.

Photo Credit: Numinosity (by Gary J Wood) Flickr

The YVR Art Foundation is run by a group of volunteers that are passionate about showing Canada’s First Nations exquisite art to the world.

“Land, sea and sky,” are the roadways of travel, and these are the themes for the Vancouver Airport. Spectacularly represented in British Columbia’s landscape, they are also central themes in Northwest Coast Aboriginal art. Encompassing many nations, Northwest Coast Aboriginal peoples have lived in British Columbia for thousands of years and they represent one of the world’s oldest cultural groups.

- The YVR Art Foundation

Photo Credit: sirispj (Flickr)

Throughout the airport you will see a few Totem Poles, wood carvings, a vibrant and wonderfully carved canoe, and plenty of other works of art.

Photo Credit: Jeff McNeill (Flickr)

Photo Credit: FHKE (Flickr)

The next time you fly in or out of YVR, make sure to take a little time to enjoy these lovely pieces of art made by Canada’s Northwest Coast Aboriginals.

Photo Credit: The Irish Heather

Nestled behind the Irish Heather is it’s sister pub, Shebeen, and they’re well known for having the most extensive whiskey and scotch menu in town. The atmosphere definitely leans more towards a typical pub that’s cozy from it’s dim lighting, lower ceiling and dark colors. The seating is more open in Shebeen than the Irish Heather, so if you’re going with a group, it may be a better option. They share the same drink menu, and the kitchen covers both sides, so you can’t go wrong with either location.

Younger crowds tend to flock to the more lively Irish pubs in Vancouver where they can drink, dance and be merry. If that’s more your speed and you’re looking to party, Ceilis or the Blarney Stone will be more up your alley. A few blocks away from Ceilis on Granville Street is Doolins Irish Pub, where things are more low-key, the people are friendly and you can grab a bite to eat.

Cheers!

Photo Credit: matt griffin (Flickr)

Bacchus Lounge, The Wedgewood Hotel & Spa: The soothing sounds of the pianist set the perfect back-drop to an enjoyable hour or two.  The over sized velvet chairs, roaring fire and adorable carafes of almonds and peanuts only add to the charm. It’s both romantic and an ideal spot for a rainy Sunday.

Credit: The Wedgewood Hotel & Spa

YEW, The Four Seasons: This chic bar and restaurant attracts both businessmen and groups of gals looking for a tasty cocktail to enjoy while having a little gab session. On a Friday, they feature Foxy Friday where they serve a complimentary appetizer (chef’s creation) to those wearing a little, or a lot of pink. One of the best kept secrets is their 50% off bottles of wine on Sundays.

Credit: Four Seasons Hotel

Hawksworth, The Hotel Georgia: Sparkling chandeliers, impeccable interior design, craft cocktails, great people watching and an expensive wine list make this one of the more indulgent experiences, when it comes to a hotel bar in Vancouver.

Credit: Hawksworth Restaurant

Gerard Lounge, The Sutton Place: The Gerard gives off a slightly similar vibe as Bacchus, in the sense that it’s cozy, yet swanky, traditional in decor and the service is pleasantly reliable. Stop in for a night cap, or come in for dinner.

Credit: Sutton Place Hotel

Xi-Shi Lounge, Shangri-La Hotel: Put on one of those new frocks hanging in your closet, or new crisp shirt and enjoy the sexy crowd that Xi-Shi attracts. Whether you’re stopping in for a pre-dinner drink, an afternoon refreshment or evening cocktail, Xi-Shi’s chic atmosphere and delicious food are the perfect accompaniment to a inventive cocktail.

Uva Wine Bar, Moda Hotel: This lovely boutique hotel has got their guests covered when it comes to hunger and thirst. Attached to the hotel is Red Card Sports Bar, where you can grab a pint and a hand tossed wood-oven pizza; perfect for game nights. Should an exceptional meal be on the evening plans, Cibo, will please your palate with their lovely Italian fare. Late night snacks, plenty of wines by the glass and an inviting room are what makes Uva such a great hotel bar. Start at Uva and move over to Cibo, or stay there for the night, before retiring to your room. Both Cibo and Uva are located right off of Moda’s hotel lobby.

Credit: Uva Wine Bar

Lobby Lounge and Terrace, Fairmont Pacific Rim: The open concept lounge offers clean lines, a soaring ceiling and live music six nights a week. The roaring fireplace brings an element of warmth to this large space that’s ideal for an after work liquid stress reliever.

Credit: Fairmont Pacific Rim

Tableau Bar Bistro, Loden Hotel: Pull up a stool along the long bar and enjoy a classic cocktail, or freshly pulled draft. Tableau provides locals and guests with the quintessential neighborhood bistro/bar atmosphere, while the food and service draw regulars back frequently.

Credit: Loden Hotel

Photo Credit: Milano Coffee

Revolver – Coffee snobs, you may have just met your match after stepping foot in here. They even know how to make a perfect cortado.

Coffee Bar – Excellent coffee, delicious baked goods and a lovely atmosphere make this an easy spot to hang out and chat for ages with a friend.

Photo Credit: Milano Coffee

49th Parallel – Exquisite coffee and brewed perfectly each time. Grab a cup and head down to Kits Beach to enjoy it.

Milano – A hip atmosphere is the perfect backdrop to a beautifully brewed espresso.

Commune Cafe – Not only a great spot for a coffee or tea, but they serve great breakfast, lunch or a light dinner. They’re pretty much all made in house.

Photo Credit: Commune Cafe

Nelson the Seagull – It’s like walking into your friend’s house where they serve you homemade almond milk with your coffee (if you want) and they make ridiculously good ciabatta bread.

Photo Credit: Commune Cafe

Elysian Coffee – Each cup is brewed to order, making it fresh and tempered to perfection.

Whether you’re looking to take a break from a drink after work, spend a few hours on your laptop, or catch up with a friend, each of these cafes will satisfy your caffeine urges in a cozy environment.

Are you an outdoor and adrenaline junkie?  These are for you.

Lighthouse Park – Accessible by bus and car, it’s the perfect escape from the city for a pleasant (and easy) hike/walk. On a sunny day, don’t forget to pack a picnic!

Photo Credit: Chase N. (Flickr)

Lynn Canyon – Capilano Suspension Bridge is a lovely attraction, but if you would rather avoid the crowds and save some cash, Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is free, and beautiful. There are also plenty of hikes to do after (or before) snapping a few shots of the bridge.

Photo Credit: loloieg (Flickr)

Zip-Lining and Para-sailing on Grouse Mountain – Grouse is definitely not an off-the-beaten-path tourist attraction, but not everyone knows about the zip-lining and para-sailing at the top of the mountain.

Photo Credit: Keepitsurreal (Flickr)

Bowen Island – This little gem is a 25 minute ferry ride from Vancouver and is only accessible by boat, Granville Island ferry, or BC Ferries. Go for a day trip, or stay the night and feel as though you’re a world away from busy Vancouver.

In need of some mental stimulation? These three attractions will fulfill inquiring minds.

Vancouver Police Museum - A few gruesome areas are tossed in with an interesting display of Vancouver’s policing history. Not to mention, the museum itself is in the city’s old morgue.

Photo Credit: kennymatic (Flickr)

Museum of Anthropology – Most of Vancouver’s galleries and museums tend to be in and very close to the downtown core, but the MOA is a bit of a drive and is worth the visit out to UBC.

Hastings Mill Store Museum – Vancouver’s most unique museum with plenty of trinkets from Vancouver’s past.

After all that exploring around the city, you’re likely to have developed an appetite and a hankering for a glass of wine.

Cooking Class at the Dirty Apron – Chambar and Cafe Medina are high on the list when it comes to places you can find a good meal at in Vancouver; learn the tips, tricks and recipes at the Dirty Apron, which has the same owners as Chambar and Medina.

Domaine de Chaberton – A pleasant drive out to Langley will take you into a mini wine country; Domain de Chaberton is charming and the bistro is lovely.

Photo Credit: Domaine de Chaberton

Les Faux Bourgeois

A trip to Paris may not be in the cards any time soon, but a visit to Les Faux Bourgeois will temporarily take your taste buds there. Vancouver has a few long-standing French establishments that are known for excellent food and impeccable service, but they do come with a heftier price tag. Les Faux Bourgeois gives you the great service and delicious French service, while staying within a comfortable budget. The sweet French servers start your meal off with amiable service and are happy to run through the menu and give you advice, based on your tastes and their personal favorites. The atmosphere is cozy, dimly lit and perfect for a date night, while the food is exceptional, especially for the value. Enjoy plates like steak frites, moules mariniére, coq au vin, and crème brûlée.

Credit: Les Faux Bourgeois

Cafe Il Nido

Right at Robson and Thurlow is an Italian gem that’s worth putting on your must-visit date night list. Everything about Cafe Il Nido is charming; the atmosphere, the service, the food and owner Franco Felice. Walk through the covered courtyard and into Franco’s kitchen. An impressive side note is that Cafe Il Nido has been creating beautiful food since 1988. It’s one of those Vancouver-classics where you will see regulars on a daily basis. The menu is set up to enjoy your own meal, but sharing is caring, so take advantage of the tempting starter menu. When you’re ready to move onto some pasta, it’s useful to know that you can order a half portion so that you can taste a bit of this, and a bit of that. The forty seat dining room is cozy, intimate and ideal for sneaking a leg graze under the table.

Credit: Cafe Il Nido

Q4 Restaurant

On West 4th Avenue, you will notice an foliage covered building that appears to be a restaurant you might see in LA. Q4 Restaurant has built a mini-empire of Italian eateries that serve traditional cuisine with a healthy dose of old-school swank; think rich wood, mood lighting, crisp table cloths, bold Italian wines and stellar service. This is a more than fabulous date spot any day of the week, but on every Monday and Tuesday night, you can get a $10 bowl of pasta from a list of ten to choose from. They’re the same filling portions and nothing is different about the quality and great taste.

Credit: Q4 Restaurant

Chambar

If we were to classify one of these five restaurants as the sexy sister, Chambar would definitely be her. The exposed brick and beams, mixed with the modern black and red decor, mingle with good tunes and amazing food. The atmosphere is intimate, yet hip, and lends itself well to a night out with the girls, or a hot date. The lamb tagine and Congolaise mussels are unforgettable.

Credit: Chambar

Rodney’s Oyster House and Joe Fortes

Our fifth spot is based around oysters, and depending on the atmosphere you’re after, you’ve got two choices. Rodney’s serves up an impressive variety of oysters with a half dozen sauce options that are all made in-house. The atmosphere is fun and lively, and feels much like the interior decorator just got back from a trip to the East coast and brought along plenty of trinkets from the trip to hang on the walls. The all male serving staff may give you something to laugh about with their somewhat abrasive and jokey demeanor.

Joe Fortes ups the ante when it comes to how restaurant service should be, and looks like a well orchestrated dance. On the oyster front, they also offer a plentiful variety of fresh and delicious gems to choose. Moving onto their dinner menu, you will find a number of lovely options to choose for you main meal. When you think of a classic seafood and steakhouse, Joe Fortes stacks up in all categories across the board, and a date there is an indulgent reprieve away from the kids.

The closest to Vancouver would be Cypress, Grouse and Seymour mountains that make up the North Shore. You won’t find world-class skiing, but they fit the bill if you’re looking to just go for a day and don’t want to drive very far. They’re also great for those that don’t have much experience skiing, and there are plenty of other activities to keep the non-skiers in your group entertained. Think snowshoeing, tubing, cross-country skiing and ice skating. These slopes will satisfy city dwellers that like to hit the hill during the day, and go out on the town at night. Not to mention, the lift tickets are quite a bit cheaper than the much larger mountains outside of Vancouver.

Photo Credit: Tim Gage (Flickr)

The most popular destination that people flock to would be Whistler, and that’s for a number of reasons. Whistler is easily accessible, either by your own car or chartered bus, and takes about two hours to get there. Whistler Village and Creekside are ideal locations to rent a condo, or stay in a hotel. If you’re planning on spending a few days up there, renting a condo, cabin or room with a kitchen is likely your best bet. Many of the hotels in Whistler offer apartment-like set-ups that give you access to a kitchen, which makes that early morning breakfast before you put on your ski boots quick and convenient. It also helps keep your costs down so that you don’t have to go out for all of your meals. If you’re looking for accommodations with the aforementioned amenities, you can’t get much closer to the Whistler-Blackcomb gondola at the base of the mountain. However, there are those times where it’s nice to be pampered and spoiled, and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Pan Pacific, Nita Lake Lodge and the Four Seasons are all fabulous choices that will be the icing on the cake to your luxury ski trip. A one day lift pass for an adult costs $96, and the more days you buy a pass for, the more of a discount you can receive.

Photo Credit: Hyougushi (Flickr)

Whistler isn’t the only major destination that skiers and snowboarders flock to, Sun Peaks in the Okanagan is a beautiful ski village with stellar slopes and lovely accommodations. It’s definitely a much longer drive, but the Coquihalla Highway makes it a pretty direct route and it’s just 45 minutes outside of Kamloops, where there is an airport. So, you can either make a road trip out of it, or catch a flight and be there in no time. Just like Whistler, there’s a charming village that’s the main hub of Sun Peaks, where you can grab groceries, go out for dinner, do a little shopping and take in the mountain views. The accommodation is plentiful and will suit the needs of  small or large groups. Make sure to bring your bathing suit, because many accommodations in Sun Peaks and Whistler offer hot tubs and pools and your muscles will appreciate the warm TLC at the end of the day. Lift tickets for adults start at $74/day, but if you’re planning on going for more than two days, you can buy a multiple day pass that will be slightly cheaper.

Photo Credit: Yannick Carer (Flickr)

Sometimes you can find a hotel and ski pass combination, which can save you quite a few dollars, so look into those types of deals before booking your accommodation.

Photo Credit: Mafue (Flickr)

After you’ve got the ball rolling, a cab ride into Gastown for dinner at the Pourhouse will make sure that your feet are saved for dancing later. The Pourhouse will satisfy those indulgent cravings and give you the fuel you need to break out a sweat on the dance floor. Everyone knows that getting to the club early is a definite no-no, so kill some time and whisk yourselves over to the Keefer Bar. Their beautifully crafted and unique craft cocktails will go down like candy, and the vibe of the place will temporarily transport you to New York City.

Photo Credit: http://www.donnellygroup.ca/barnone/gallery/7/1/4.html

As you’re in the area, Fortune Sound Club is just a block away and is perfect for busting a move. Another fun option is jumping in a cab from the Keefer and going to the Waldorf to hang out in the Tiki room where oldies blast from the speakers and everyone gets a little footloose. Should you and the girls prefer to dance to Top 40 beats, Bar None in Yaletown pounds out all the familiar tracks so that you can sing and dance along to them for the night. And, did we mention how close you are to Fritz Fries, Vancouver’s most sought after late-night poutine spot?

Photo Credit: Matthew Grapengieser (Flickr)

The holiday season sees many people packing their bags and heading to new and old time favorites each year. Between packing your bags, booking your flight and hotel, and combating unpredictable weather, the holidays can be stressful. Here are a few tips to make sure your visit to Vancouver is stress free:

Packing an umbrella is the number one thing you will need when you visit Vancouver and it’s like a double edged sword that protects you during the pouring rain and blustering snow. It will keep that hair perfect for the holiday party you’re going to.

If you can, book a hotel close to one of the Canada Line stops. The Canada Line is the best way to get to and from the airport; it’s budget friendly and quick.

Checking-in online can be a huge time saver, especially when the airport is already full of travelers waiting to board their flight.

Shopping can be a bit of a hassle, but YVR airport has some lovely shops where you can find things like smoked salmon, maple syrup, spa items and other trinkets that will bring a piece of Vancouver to wherever in the world you plan on visiting.

When you think of British Columbia, snow may be the first thing that comes to mind, but in the city, we rarely get lots of the white stuff that sticks to the roads and sidewalks. However, when it does, it causes traffic to slow down and this could hinder your time planning if you don’t look at the weather. You don’t want to miss your flight, so make sure that if the weather calls for snow, to give yourself an extra hour of time to get to the airport if you’re going by car.

Walk by St. Paul’s Hospital to get into the spirit of Christmas with their opulent light’s display. It’s so big that they start putting it up months before Christmas and it’s put on by volunteers and sponsors.

Here’s to happy and safe travels this holiday season!