I never thought that a trip induced by the mandate of getting a US visa stamped outside of US would become a memorable one! Usually I get my US visa stamping in India when I visit Family, but this time I decided to get this done much quicker by saving a trip to India & chose Vancouver for the same. I am so glad that I took this decision because I absolutely loved the city, & have put together my experience for you guys!
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Stay:
We were booked for 7 nights at Marriott Pinnacle Hotel, Vancouver & the hospitality we received was amiable & welcoming! As gold Elite members with Marriott Hotels, we were given the Concierge floor which has a lounge access for the guests- serving Daily breakfast, Hors d’oeuvres most evenings and beverages & coffee available all day.
If you maintain brand loyalty with an airline/hotel, it is more likely that you’ll be eligible for upgrades and receive perks of being with them. Always make sure to sign up for loyalty rewards offered by hotels to ensure you are building up a profile with them! Our current favorites are Delta Airlines & Marriott Hotels!
The location of the hotel was in the heart of downtown surrounded by cafes & restaurants, just a couple of blocks away from the Fashion Hub at Robson Street & Pacific center.
Coal Harbor is at a walking distance from Marriott Pinnacle and offers stunning views! If you plan to take a Seaplane to Victoria/Vancouver Islands, it’ll take you around 10 minutes to get to the harbor. We opted for Ferry to visit Victoria as did not make advance reservations for a Seaplane due to the rain in the forecast. Spots are always limited for Seaplanes & I would recommend making advance reservations. Ferries on the other hand are usually available from a different terminal.
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Parks & Bridges
The city is known for its two spectacular Suspension Bridges – Lynn & Capilano. While Lynn Suspension bridge is mostly used by locals and is free, Capilano Park has an admission fee of $35 per person & is also more touristy. Capilano Park also features a Cliff walk which is enjoyed by many. We could not visit Capilano as it was heavily raining the day we planned it but going by the locals, our hotel staff & online reviews, this is a great park to visit as an outdoor attraction. However, if you are an adventurous hiker, you might not be pleased with the hike routes & I’d suggest you just consider it a nice Nature walk!
It was a real struggle to capture the bridge without other people in the picture!!
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Stanley Park
This Park has breathtaking views and is one of the main tourist spots in Vancouver. Its right in the middle of the city and the sudden change of atmosphere from skyscrapers to a dense green park is astounding. You can drive through the park and take pictures as there are plenty of parking spots at each picture location. You can also walk/Bike by the refreshing SeaWalk!
The Cherry Blossom Season
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The Hollow Tree at Stanley Park
Grouse Mountains
The Grouse mountain cable car gives you spectacular views of the snowy cliffs, Vancouver’s Skyline, Pacific Ocean & much more. The majestic views are worth every penny & time! The regular admission tickets are $56 per person & they usually have season specials, so don’t forget to inquire the same before you visit!
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Downtown Vancouver
Vancouver is one of the most exuberant cities and its downtown surely reflects the same. Robson street in downtown is always bustling with crowds looking to enjoy the scrumptious food, explore plenty of shopping options, visit the historical Vancouver Art Gallery & immerse in the effervescent atmosphere.
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The street is home to some of the most luxurious brands & is every shopaholics’ dream! The Pacific Center in downtown has variety of stores that fit within every level of budget. While the collection is mostly similar to that of US, I did find a few European & Australian brands that stood out, — ‘Ever New’ being the best one! I personally like to dedicate some time to shopping on my trips, so I can pick my favorite cities/countries for the same & I must say that Vancouver has definitely been added to the list!
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We wanted to try local restaurants with variety of cuisines & ofcourse the famous Afternoon/High Teas in Vancouver. I wasn’t sure if my afternoon tea experience in London can be surpassed, but to my surprise, it was no less in any way! We enjoyed the High teas at TWG Tea Salon/boutique & Ladurée , but TWG clearly stood out! Their Scones were to die for and to be honest, I feel they should be a part of everyone’s Bucket list.
We opted for the CHIC combo & replaced Salmon Horserdish with another egg sandwich as both me & Shaleen are not Salmon fans (Well, he is a Vegetarian)!
Laduree has always been my favorite when it comes to the ambience! The pink & mint cafe created a magical atmosphere for an afternoon tea & the fruit salad was my favorite of all the refreshments that accompanied the Tea!
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Did I mention that this city has amazing Cappuccinos??!!!! Downtown has an abundance of coffee shops & some of my favorites were 49th parallel, Artigiano, Medina Cafe & Blenz Coffee!! I would call Vancouver a Coffee lover’s Paradise..I was pretty much addicted to Coffee during my stay!!
The 2 sunny side up dishes are from the Famous Medina Cafe in Downtown! They are also famous for their waffles & ofcourse the maple syrup. Middle eastern food from Kabsa & Asian from Rice & Noodle restaurants were also delicious & both are located centrally in Downtown. I would also recommend Hungry Guys restaurant if you are a salad lover!
Victoria/Vancouver Islands
We took a Day trip to Victoria and you can also stay overnight if you wish, but I felt a day was enough for us. We took an early morning Ferry from Tsawwassen Bay, Vancouver to Swartz Bay, Victoria, and took our rented car along for an easier commute. The Ferry takes about an hour & a half & the route offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. If you take an early morning Ferry for a day trip, consider having Breakfast on the Ferry as it has a full restaurant offering variety of food. We tried managing breakfast before getting there which made us reach 20 minutes before the departure time but usually they suggest reaching at least 30 mins before departure. The ferry is huge with a lot of parking space for Cars, video game rooms for kids, cafes, restaurants & a lot of area to walk around. It costed us around $100 for 2 Adults & a standard vehicle for a round trip.
Restaurant on the Ferry
Lovely view from the Ferry
Our main destination in Victoria were the world famous Butchart Gardens, however we first made a trip to Victoria Downtown as the weather was getting better later in the day & we wanted to utilize that at the Butchart gardens. We visited the beautiful Craigdarroch Castle in Downtown but due to the time crunch, couldn’t cover some of the other recommended spots like BC Parliament buildings, Miniature World & Royal BC museum.
Butchart Gargens
We then made our way to the Butchart gardens and were right away mesmerized by its dazzling beauty! You’ll be lost amongst the countless daffodils, tulips, hydrangeas & will find yourself in a colorful world which has no end. They feature Japanese, Italian & Rose Gardens, beautiful fountains & entertainment during Holiday season! We were lucky to visit the Gardens in Spring & experience the cherry blossom season, but the park has something unique to offer in each season, check it out here!
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Vancouver is a very touristy, clean & safe city! The people are friendly, helping & make you feel welcomed, and to me that makes a huge difference to your holiday experience!! I’d definitely recommend visiting this city if you want a blend of adventurous & luxurious vacation!
If you need a Visa to travel to Canada, the process is pretty simple as you apply online with required documents & send your passport after the visa approval for stamping. Comment here or DM me on Instagram of you need more tips on Canadian Visa & I will be happy to help!
There had to be a Bollywood moment amidst those beautiful trees!!
