Vancouver

Situated on the picturesque western point of a large peninsula, overlooked by the North Shore Mountains and watered by broad rivers that run towards the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver boldly symbolizes the concord between man and nature which is at the heart of Canadian life.

Named after Captain George Vancouver of the British Royal Navy who arrived at its western coast in 1792 – three hundred years after Columbus landed on the East Coast of America – Vancouver has grown, over two hundred years, into the vibrant, modern city of today. Here high-rise glass and steel towers mount over the older, natural vales and present a happy riposte to the problems of urban sprawl experienced by other 21st century cities. This commitment to sustainability and quality of life has reaped its rewards: Vancouver was voted “Best City in the Americas” in 2010, and Mercer’s quality of living survey followed suit the same year, ranking Vancouver as the fourth most liveable city in the world, behind Vienna, Zurich and Geneva.
The natural landscape of Vancouver – its beaches, rivers and mountains providing hiking, bathing, skiing and sailing – offers unique promise to the adventureseeking elite traveler. It has the mildest climate in Canada, averaging around 70°F in summer, but is also a city of cosmopolitan luxury, and the third largest film-producing location in North America. From bohemian Gastown, to its museums, restaurants and nightclubs, Vancouver represents a full, diverse range of Canada in the 21st century.