TUESDAY, JULY 11, 2017 THEPROVINCE.COM | TRAVEL | 23 TIME Stick around TO GET for summer AWAY staycation [email protected] LESS STRESS: Think is an open air museum for contem- porary art in Canada. like a tourist and Tours By Locals offers “Artful Van- couver,” a three-hour walking tour you’ll find plenty that explores public art, street art, of fun things to do First Nations art and unique galler- ies. JANE MUNDY Popular with visitors is “Vancou- ver’s Exquisite Gardens,” a driving t’s the dog days of summer, and and walking tour. there’s still time for a getaway Uninterrupted is an amazing Ithat’s stress-free and won’t dip 30-minute cinematic event depict- into your savings. Technically a stay- ing the journey of salmon in B.C. riv- cation means staying at home, but ers projected nightly on the under- with the money saved by not ventur- side of the Cambie street bridge. You ing far, leave work on Friday after- can see the show in Coopers’ Park. noon, check into a swanky hotel and Staycation in Style: There are within an hour your staycation has three rules. Act like home is thou- started. sands of miles away, don’t run home Like any vacation, planning and a because you forgot your toothbrush, few general rules are key to making and don’t tell co-workers where you a staycation as memorable as a far- are. away excursion. At the Fairmont Pacific Rim, you First, think like a tourist and you’ll may not want to leave the building. find there’s a lot you have never After taking in live music and cock- done before. What would you nor- tails at the Lobby Lounge and din- mally do on a vacation? Visit an ing at Botanist, Vancouver’s hottest art gallery, cycle parks, make new new restaurant, next morning you’ll friends? require a massage at the 8,500-sq.-ft. A walking tour is a great way to dis- luxurious Willow Stream Spa. cover a city, even if you have lived There’s no need to book a room here for years. at The Westin Bayshore to enjoy its Amber Sessions, communications outdoor pool, with the seawall just manager with Tourism Vancouver, outside the gate. For $100, a VIP recommends Forbidden Vancouver day pass gets you a reserved chaise walking tours. Discover the history Circumnavigating Stanley Park on a bike is a great way to spend a vacation day. — NELSON MOUELLIC FILES longue and changing cabana, cool of Gastown and Stanley Park. Take perks, liquid yoga and a $25 food a riotous behind-the-scenes tour of ethnic cuisines. rant in town is the Blue Water Cafe take Grouse Mountain’s Skyride and beverage credit. Top your day notorious adult entertainment hot Take an evening hands-on cook- in Yaletown. Surf Adventure — a new way to go with a treatment at the Vida Spa. spots, where speakeasies lined the ing class at the superb Dirty Apron. Sip a nightcap on the Sylvia Hotel’s up and down the mountain. The Loden Hotel supplies styl- Granville Strip during prohibition. Stroll over to Chinatown for dim patio with a killer view overlooking View the city from the sea on a ish cruiser bikes to circumnavigate Foodies: Sessions says foodies sum, and for cheap eats, a bowl of English Bay. Zodiac. The Sea Vancouver Tour Stanley Park or a Lincoln Town Car love “Off the Eaten Track” and “Van- ramen at lower Robson and Den- Soft Activities: Rent a bike and leaves from the Westin Bayshore. that will take you anywhere down- couver Foodie Tours.” man can’t be beat. circumnavigate Stanley Park — the Nat Bailey Stadium is a great place town. The second floor is dedicated “Flavours of Vancouver” from More upscale, Forage restaurant paved seawall is flat and easily done to spend a sunny summer afternoon to yoga and wellness. Tours By Locals explores everything at the Listel Hotel offers exception- in an hour. Cycle City tour guides eating hotdogs and cheering on the Balance wellness with indulgence from food trucks to juice shops, pop- al local cuisine. provide excellent commentary. hometown boys. at the award-winning Tableau bar ups to bakeries and a multitude of Arguably the best seafood restau- Paddleboard in Deep Cove or Culture: The Vancouver Biennale bistro adjoining the hotel lobby. ™ Pack Blue Pack Canada’s most trusted brand of travel insurance for a chance to win. to Win Visit pac.bluecross.ca BC’s #1 Health ™Trusted Brand is a registered trademark of Reader’s Digest. Benefits Provider Contest runs until August 31, 2017. For full details visit pac.bluecross.ca VANSAW22628_1_1.