It may be early December, but it’s been a beautiful past couple of days in Vancouver–cold but sunny– which is a timely reminder that outdoor activities are not just for the summer here, they’re for any time it’s not raining!

Lighthouse Park is a perfect destination for a winter or summer ramble, a combination of classic west-coast forest with soft paths and giant tree stumps (and giant trees) and picture perfect rocky cliffs complete with, of course, a lighthouse. The dark density of the forest makes a striking and beautiful …

North Vancouver is literally bursting with recommendable restaurants, far too many to list in one entry, so I shall attempt to group them logically. And first up is….
The Greek Triumvirate: This is not a restaurant, but a representation of Greek food in North Vancouver, of which there is plenty. Mythos Taverna, voted year and again the favourite Greek restaurant on the North Shore, is a classic. Order a half-litre of retsina, a pleasantly piny tasting Greek wine, and dive immediately into their excellent pita and hummus …

Vancouver is a city that hovers somewhere between urban and rural, and a lot of people think it should stay that way. The downtown is a maze of shops, cafes and galleries but wildlife and a small town feel are always only a short drive away. And if you’re staying in North Vancouver, an even shorter drive…
Deep Cove, a stunning and tranquil bay nestled in a bay of Burrard inlet in the far east of the North Shore, is one of the highlights of North Vancouver tourism. …

The main problems with Capilano Suspension Bridge are the price and the crowds, both of which are happily absent from the smaller, more natural, locals-favourite version, the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge.
From downtown Vancouver it’s slightly farther away than Capilano (perhaps a 25 minute drive versus 15, and similar with the seabus/bus on public transit) whereas from Beckside both locations are no more than a ten minute drive, only in opposite directions.  The extra distance is more than made up for by the price–it is free.  The thrills are the same: …

Undoubtedly the most famous and advertised tourist attraction in North Vancouver is Capilano Suspension Bridge, and it is a fantastic afternoon out, so long as you’re not deathly afraid of heights– and even if you are it’s an enjoyable personal challenge.  A delicate and faintly swaying plank bridge stretches across a steep ravine, with a rocky, swift-currented river at the bottom.  As entertaining as crossing it yourself is watching other people cross it: some trying to pretend it’s just a normal walk in the park, others clinging to the sides …