deep cove kayak

A kayaking tour of Vancouver 

If you’re the sort of person who loves to paddle around and ride the waves, then you’re in luck: there are hundreds of great little kayaking and canoeing trails all around the city of Vancouver, and even more wondrous little trips if you’re willing to make the short hop to Vancouver Island.

vancouver killer whale

A guide to whale watching in Vancouver 

Whale watching in Vancouver is one of those awe-inspiring experiences that you have to see to believe. Seeing these majestic, otherworldly creatures come up for air, occasionally with the backdrop of the metropolis, is something else, and a constant reminder that no matter how big and smart we think we may get, nature will always be able astonish us.

Vancouver

For the wanderluster who wants everything at their doorstep but isn’t so keen on spending hours travelling from location to location, there’s no better destination than Vancouver. The Canadian city has an abundance of rare wildlife, some of the most gorgeous mountain scenery and hiking trails on earth, and a thriving cultural scene that can go toe to toe with anything in the Old World. And that’s not mentioning the world class skiing facilities just ninety minutes away.

The great thing about the city is it so seamlessly blends everything you could want, while maintaining a high standard of, well, everything. It’s why you can eat at a world class restaurant on the same day you go whale spotting, or spend an afternoon taking in a serene hiking route and the evening strolling around thriving, historic Gastown. It’s also one of the only cities in the Western world where over half of the residents aren’t native English speakers (hence the varied culinary offerings). Vancouver is a city of extremes, definitely, but one that does them all so well you’ll be wondering why anybody ever leaves.

Aerial view of Kualoa area Mountains of Oahu in Hawaii

Hawaii

Is there a more adventurous set of islands than Hawaii? Thrills are as abundant as the beaches. And, frankly, we wouldn’t want it any other way. If you’re going to give skydiving a go, why not do it in one of the world’s most beautiful drop zones? Take a similar approach to weddings – or pro-posals – if the mood takes. Pop that Hawaiian lei on for the inevitably sumptuous photography and you’ve got yourself a wedding Instagrammers can merely dream of. Already wed? Hitched or single, you’ll do well to venture into the rainforests, lava fields or coral strewn sea beds to feast your eyes on nature’s colour-packed bounty.