Days 5 - 8: With a base in Downtown Vancouver, we hit the standard tourist spots - Lynn Canyon Park, English Bay, Lions Gate Bridge, Stanley Park / sea wall, Grouse Grind, and of course some shopping at the outlet malls.

Capilano Suspension Bridge, University of British Columbia and YVR Airport Station are just a short distance away

day 1

11:05 am: Arrival in Vancouver. From airport, take a taxi to the Patricia hotel

2:00 pm: Check into the hotel

2:00 to 8:00 pm Rest in the hotel till evening

8:30pm Arrive for Dinner at  Shangri-La Hotel.

10:30 pm – Back to the Patricia hotel

day 2

8:00 am – Breakfast in the hotel

9:30 am - Arrive at Cycle City Tours (648 Hornby Street) for cycling tour, which includes a three-hour ride to sites like Stanley Park and the city itself.

1:00 pm - Lunch at Nightingale restaurant in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour.

3:00 pm - Head over to Grouse Mountain by taxi

8:00 pm - Dinner at L’Abattoir in Gastown

10:00 pm – Back to the hotel

day 3

8:00 am – Breakfast in the hotel

10:00 am - Reach Granville Island, and meet the Vancouver Foodie Tour guide for a tour that lasts around 2 hours where we can try some locally produced cheeses, fluffy doughnuts, blended teas and some food.

2:00 pm - Explore China Town to see some of the shops, bars and historical sites. Visit Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and the Millennium Gate.

7:00 pm - Stop off for a drink at Keefer Bar and Fortune Sound Club and check out Rennie Collection at Wing Sang.

9:00 pm – Back at the hotel for dinner

day 4

8:00 am – Breakfast in the hotel

9:00 am - Pick up a rental car in downtown Vancouver for a day of driving and exploring outside of the city.

10:00 am. Drive to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal: This will take around 30 minutes or so but leave yourself plenty of time as you’ll be wanting to buy tickets for the ferry crossing to Langdale.  You can check the schedule, here.

9:25 am. Depart on Ferry: Depart Horseshoe Bay for Langdale. The crossing time varies ever so slightly but usually takes around 40 minutes or so.

10:10am. Arrive in Langdale and the Sunshine Coast: After driving off the ferry, it’s time to explore the gorgeous area around the Sunshine Coast. With over 100 miles of coastline, this area is a perfect place to explore the laid-back charm of British Columbia.

Drive to Gibsons Landing: Head over to Gibsons Landing to explore a little of this place.

Eat at Gibsons Public Market: This intimate little market has around 10-12 food stalls and shops that offer some of the local areas best produce. Make a stop, take a wander around this quaint place and head upstairs to enjoy some freshly prepped food and even some art when exhibitions are on show.

Hike to Soames Hill: One of the best ways to see this area of British Columbia is on foot and located just above Gibson and a few miles from the ferry terminal is a relatively short 40-minute (self-guided) hike to conquer ‘The Knob”. Once at the top, you’ll come across some amazing views of Gibson Harbour, Vancouver Island, Gambier and Bowen.

To access this trail, it’s best to enter from 481 Esperanza Road (SW entrance).

2:45 pm. Scenic Driver along Gower Point Road to Ocean Beach: Head on this coastal drive for an hour or so to enjoy some of the true wilderness of this impressive place. Follow the coastal road and stop off whenever you wish. It really is a lovely drive.

Head to Gibsons Tapworks: Gibsons Tapworks is an intimate microbrewery that prides itself on high-quality craft beer. Just make sure not to give any to the driver.

Grab some freshly caught oysters: One of the best things about the ocean is that there’s an abundance of seafood to eat. Head over to Smitty’s Oyster House to grab a few freshly prepared oysters.

5:45 pm. Persephone’s Brewing Company:  After eating all those oysters, you’ll need a little tipple to wash it all down. Head over to Persephone’s Brewing Company which is home to an 11-acre farm and microbrewery in Gibsons. Make sure to try their grapefruit beer – it’s too delicious to miss! As with the previous alcohol experience, I’m afraid the drive will need to sit this one out.

leave for Langdale Ferry Terminal: The ferry terminal is about 5 minutes drive from Persephone’s Brewing Company.

6:50 pm. Sail time: Set sail from Langdale (Gibsons) to Horseshoe Bay.

Vancouver: Arrive in Horseshoe Bay and drive back to your Vancouver hotel.

Day 5

8:00 am. Breakfast at Jam Café

10:00 am Depart for Sea to Sky Gondola: Hope into your car and head on a 1-hour drive from downtown Vancouver to the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish. The address for your GPS is 36800 Highway 99, Squamish.

11:15 am Head up the Sky Gondola: Relatively new to the area, the Sea to Sky Gondolais one epic ride that will take you to the very top of the mountains and alpine meadows. If you’re an experienced hiker, you can actually hike to the top. Alternatively, follow one of the designated trails once you arrive at the summit

1 2:00 pm. First Nations Guide: Meet your local First Nations guide at the fire pit at Bodhi’s Plaza and head out on a guided Talking Trees tour that lasts around 90-minutes.

3:00 pm. Departure: Depart Sea to Sky Gondola.

4:00 pm Arrive back downtown: Take a moment to relax and to rest up before dinner.

70 0 pm Dinner at Ancora Dining: 

Day 6

. Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

10:30 am. Drive to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park: About 20-minutes from the city centre.

11:00 am. Arrive at Capilano Suspension Bridge

1:00 pm. Head back to Vancouver: Drive back to the city.

1:30 pm. Lunch at Meat & Bread: 

2:30 pm. Explore more of Vancouver over 6 hours: Spend the afternoon spotting some of the main sites you have to see whilst in the city.

8:30 pm. Dinner at Savio Volpe: 

Spend your afternoon/evening here exploring the downtown area. There’s so much to see and do, whatever you don’t see today, you can experience tomorrow. Bike around Stanley Park, watch the sunset from one of its beautiful beaches, and have dinner in one of the city’s cool neighbourhoods. Yaletown and Gastown are both walking distance from downtown Vancouver, and have too many quality restaurants to choose from.

Day 5: Explore Vancouver

Spend a day exploring what makes Vancouver one of the world’s most livable cities. There are so many free attractions to enjoy, such as Stanley and Queen Elizabeth Parks, Granville Island, and Kitsilano Beach. For museum buffs, check out the Museum of Vancouver, Science World, and the Museum of Anthropology. If you enjoy shopping at independent boutiques and thrift stores, spend the afternoon exploring Main Street, which is also home to some of the city’s best local restaurants. Otherwise, visit Commercial Drive’s Little Italy community for dinner.

Day 6: See a different side to Vancouver

The Greater Vancouver Area is comprised of cities such as Richmond, Burnaby, and North and West Vancouver. Step out of the city and see a different side to Vancouver. Steveston in Richmond is one of British Columbia’s cutest seaside towns, while Burnaby has Burnaby Mountain, Burnaby Village Museum, and Metropolis at Metrotown Mall to keep people busy. North Vancouver is home to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Lonsdale Quay Market, Deep Cove, and Grouse Mountain, which is great to visit year-round. Pick the place that suits you best.

Day 7: Take the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler

It’s time to leave Vancouver and head north to Whistler. Fortunately, the drive along the Sea to Sky Highway is one of the most beautiful in Canada. Definitely stop at the Sea to Sky Gondola along the way, which has amazing views of Howe Sound, plus a suspension bridge and trails. Another great place to visit is Shannon Falls, BC’s third largest waterfall. Stop in Squamish for lunch, which is another cute coastal town too. Once in Whistler, head to Whistler Village for dinner.

Day 10: Drive to ferry and onto Vancouver Island

Drive back down the Sea to Sky Highway to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. From here, it’s time to hop on a ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Once you arrive in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, drive down the coast to Victoria, British Columbia’s capital. Stop along the way in Cowichan Valley, which is known for its vineyards and orchards as well. There probably won’t be too many hours left in the day to explore Victoria. So instead, simply head to the city’s Inner Harbour for sunset and dinner.