2020-03-01_Wanderlust

44 wanderlust.co.ukMarch 2020

EXPLORE EXPERIENCES

Vancouver

Watchorcasbreach,cycleStanleyPark,

ortakeasustainablefoodietourin

Canada’sgatewaytothegreatoutdoors

andoneoftheworld’sgreenestcities

Takeacitytourto

spywhalesinthewater

Withaspoutofwaterasthey

surfacetobreatheandagiant

splashastheyreturndowntothe

depthsbelow,whale-watchingis

anunforgettableexperience–

especiallywhenyoucandoitjust

astone’sthrowawayfromthe

hustleandbustleofthecity.

FromMarchtoOctober,thousands

ofwhalesmigratethroughthewaters

betweenVancouverIslandandthe

mainland–fromhumpbackstogrey

andminkewhales.Buttherealstars

ofthecity’scoastlinearetheorcas

thatcanbespottedbetweenMayand

TRYTHIS... October.Whetheryougokayaking,

takeahigh-speedZodiac,cruiseor

seaplane,thisisoneofthebestplaces

ontheplanettospythesemarine

mammals.Whileyou’reonthewater,

keepalookoutforsealions,otters

anddolphinsintheSalishSeaand

seabirdssoaringoverhead.

PrinceofWhalesWhale&Marine

WildlifeAdventuresofferahalf-day

tourdepartingfromdowntown

Vancouveronasemi-covered

74-personcruiserwithanexpert

marinemammalguide.

Half-daytour,from£100,3-5hours;

princeofwhales.com/whale-watching-

adventure-tour/vancouver/half-day-

whale-watching-vancouver

A whale of a time

Orcas can be spotted

in the waters between

Vancouver Island and

the mainland

Alamy; Dreamstime; Shutterstock

Alternatively...

Go cycling in an

urban rainforest

Vancouver has an extensive network

of cycle paths, but if you’re looking

for a tranquil escape in the heart of

the city, then Stanley Park is the

perfect green space. Rent a bike near

Denman Street and cycle along the

9km Seawall for views of the ocean,

mountains and Lions Gate Bridge.

Rent or explore the park’s 4 km sq

of temperate rainforest, gardens,

beaches, wildlife and historical

landmarks on a tour.

2 hour 30 minutes, £37;

getyourguide.co.uk

Join a sustainable

foodie tour

Grab your reusable shopping bag and

head to Granville Island. Since the

1970s, this waterfront spot

has been transfor

industrial wastela

Vancouver’s main

cultural and

culinary hub. Wh

more, it’s workingtowardsbeing

a zero waste island. Take a foodie

tour for a guilt-free shopping spree

and taste of local produce.

2 hours,£38, various dates; foodietours.

ca/granville-island-market-tour

Take a hike up Mother

Nature’s Stairmaster

Up for a challenge? Hike the Grouse

Grind, a 2.9km trail up Grouse

Mountain, also known as ‘Mother

Nature’s Stairmaster’, for

a mountain top adventure. The peak

of Vancouver boasts views from

1,127m above the city, and you can

visit a wildlife refuge or dine at The

Observatory. The GetYourGuide

tour also includes a walk along

Capilano Suspension Bridge.

6 hours 30 minutes,£105;

getyourguide.co.uk