Travel to Vancouver, British Columbia for Romance

If you’re looking for romance, Vancouver is the place to be. The month of February will be filled with candlelight, sparkling wine, fabulous food and chocolate. Enjoy hotels that go all out for a night to remember, restaurants heating up the city’s sweetest aphrodisiacs and wine cellars brimming with delicious British Columbia wines. The following are some suggestions to make your time in Vancouver extra special.

1. Weather – Vancouver’s climate allows for year-round recreation. Ski in the morning, kayak in the afternoon.

2. Proximity – The city is close to lots of amorous destinations (Whistler, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands).

3. Stanley Park – This is the place for rainforest walks, tandem biking on the seawall and moonlit drives.

4. Granville Island – Wander up and down Railspur Alley shopping for local artisan wares then roam the Public Market in search of aphrodisiacs: figs, oysters, almonds, avocados and pine nuts (http://www.granvilleisland.com/).

5. Romantic walks – Enjoy picnics at Lighthouse Park, work up a sweat on the Baden-Powell Trail or walk hand-in-hand at the University Endowment Lands.

6. Stunning Views – Soak up spectacular views of the city from Grouse Mountain (http://www.grousemountain.com/), savour dinners in revolving restaurants, and get up-close with belugas at the Vancouver Aquarium (http://www.vanaqua.org/).

7. Sweets – Satisfy your sweet tooth with decadent desserts from Cupcakes, cinnamon gelato from La Casa Gelato (http://www.lacasagelato.com/) and handmade truffles by Thomas Haas of Diva at the Met.

8. Celeb-Spotting – Vancouver is a romantic escape for Ben Affleck/Jennifer Garner, Goldie Hawn/Kurt Russell and Nick Lache/Jessica Simpson…the list goes on.

9. Smarts – Pull up a chair at the inspiring Vancouver Public Library or various antiquarian bookstores around the city to impress your loved one with your high IQ.

10. North Shore Mountains – Reach new heights on Vancouver’s three local mountains – all within 15 minutes of downtown Vancouver (Cypress, Grouse and Seymour).

11. Gardens – Get lost on a garden trail at VanDusen Botanical Garden (http://www.vandusengarden.org/) or captivated at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden (http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com/).

12. Sports & Recreation – Romance your man with a night of beer and wings at a fun sports bar or cuddle up to keep warm while you’re out tubing, snowshoeing, skiing and skating.

13. Great Coffee – Looking for a buzz? Vancouver runs on caffeine, so cozy up with your honey and a latte at one of Vancouver’s favourite java joints: Murchie’s, Caffé Artigiano (latte art is a must!), JJ Bean or the Blue Parrott.

14. Shopping – Butter her up with a vintage jewelry find from a South Main antique store, trendy home-furnishings from South Granville or luxe items from Robson Street.

15. Spas – Treat your special someone to a day of facial pampering at Yaletown’s trendy skoah spa (http://www.skoah.com/).

16. Restaurants – Try some oysters and bubbly at Joe Fortes (http://www.joefortes.ca/), spicy fare at Rubina Tandoori or cozy up by the fire at Bacchus Lounge in the Wedgewood Hotel (http://www.wedgewoodhotel.com/).

17. Multicultural Experiences – Immerse yourself in a different culture. Soak up the sights and scents of Chinatown, sniff spices and sample sweets at the Punjabi market and stop for some hearty Italian snacks on Commercial Drive.

18. Nightlife – Dance the night away at Vancouver legend, The Roxy (http://www.roxyvan.com/), sample great Belgian beer and moules frites at Chambar (http://www.chambar.com/) or sip martinis at SkyBar surrounded by Vancouver’s well-heeled crowd (http://www.skybarvancouver.com/).

19. Arts & Culture – Inspire a romance wandering the halls at the Vancouver Art Gallery (http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/), learning about totems at the Museum of Anthropology (http://www.moa.ubc.ca/) or listening to smooth jazz notes at O’Doul’s Resaurant in the Listel Vancouver Hotel (http://www.listelvancouver.com/).

20. Hot Hotels – Celebrate a special occasion (or make one) in one of Vancouver’s top hotels. Experience timeless romance at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (http://www.fairmont.com/), panoramic views at the Pan Pacific (http://www.panpacific.com/) or old-world class at the Sutton Place Hotel (http://www.suttonplace.com/).

If You Go...

Get a Room
Couples searching for a romantic getaway with a twist are in luck. The Pacific Palisades Hotel is offers an ‘alternative’ romance package with something more than just wine and rose petals. The “Get a Room” package includes glow-in-the-dark body paint and a bedside black light along with wine, a fruit plate, chocolates and an in-room movie. The package is priced from $295 CAD (approx. $210 US).

Info: 604.891.5174
www.pacificpalisadeshotel.com

Multiple O’s at Opus
Nobody's more romantic than the French - aside from Canadians, of course. That's why the Opus Hotel romance package is about all things Français. Your night of amour starts with Moet et Chandon champagne and bon-bons upon arrival, plus le overnight accommodation, le parking and le late check-out time of 3:00pm. Plus - la pièce de résistance - le petit déjeuner, served in your room or in our très romantique French brasserie, Elixir (we recommend the French toast). Vive la France at Opus Hotel! Package priced from $409 CAD (approx. $310 USD).

Info: 604.642.6787
www.opushotel.com

ROMANTIC ESCAPE: STORM WATCHING AT THE WICKANINNISH INN
Did you know that storm watching can be a hobby? It’s true. Head to the Wickaninnish Inn to see for yourself and watch winter storms break on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Cozy up by the fire to view the spectacle of 20-foot waves or bundle up in rain gear (rain slickers and boots kindly provided by the hotel) and wander Chesterman Beach exploring through what the waves drag up. Make sure to make a reservation at the Pointe Restaurant and the Ancient Cedars Spa. The restaurant is set on top of a rocky promontory with a 240º view. The menu showcases fresh coastal seafood, Vancouver Island's farm fresh ingredients and a great selection of BC wines. The spa offers a “Cedar Sanctuary” room – a beautiful oceanfront room that overlooks the swells – for side-by-side massages.

Info: 250.725.3100
www.wickinn.com

HOT HOT HOT
Spend your romantic weekend with the Vancouver Symphony this year enjoying the sizzling hot sounds of Samba and Bossa Nova from Brazil. Brasilia joins Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik and the orchestra to perform the music of Carlos Jobim, Astor Piazzolla, Manuel de Falla and much more.

Info: 604.876.3434
www.vancouversymphony.ca

THE “BACHELOR PACKAGE” - A PERFECT GIFT FOR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE…
Fans of ABC’s hit show “The Bachelor” can get their own slice of reality at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver where Bachelor Byron courted one lovely bachelorette during the November 3 episode. This romance package includes a one-night stay in a courtyard suite, sparkling wine, chocolate dipped strawberries and a final rose in room upon arrival. Also included is a catered in-suite dinner, breakfast in bed and complimentary valet parking. This package is priced from $820 CAD (approx. $656 USD) and is bookable at www.tourismvancouver.com.

Info: 604.682.2222
http://www.fairmont.com

Hammam Together
Couple bookings are now available at Miraj Hammam. Share a moment together in the Jerusalem gold marble hammam steam and indulge in black Moroccan soap gommages in the low mist chamber. Next, relax in separate treatment rooms for the massage and/or facial treatment and then rejoin in the luxurious Sultana Lounge to share Middle Eastern tea and sweetcake.

Info: 604.733.5151
www.mirajhammam.com

TAKE A RIDE
Enjoy your evening and leave the driving to someone else - rent a limo to take you around for the evening. Here are a couple great suggestions:

AAA Star Limo: www.starlimousine.com

Limojet Gold: www.limojetgold.com

Vancouver All-Terrain (Extreme Limousine): www.all-terrain.com

ROMANTIC ADVENTURE
Since adrenaline releases endorphins, add a little adventure to your day. Sewell’s Marina offers fun nature tours of Howe Sound aboard their 28-foot inflatable zodiacs. You'll find yourself racing beside steep cliffs, exploring caves and viewing harbour seals at play.

Info: 604.921.3474
www.sewellsmarina.com

TWO FOR ONE DINNER
Don’t miss the Pacific Institute of Culinary Art’s February special: two for one meals in the restaurant. From Monday through Thursday, experience what Vancouver’s up and coming chefs are cooking up – at half the price!

Info: 604.734.4408
www.picachef.com