Vancouver, British Colombia: 25 Jun 2009 to 26 Jun 2009

Deemed one of the top ten places to live or visit by a host of publications (including Forbes and Condé Nast Traveler), Vancouver is a lively, contemporary metropolis set amid stunning natural beauty. Check out the panoramic city views from atop Harbor Centre Tower or ride the gondola up Grouse Mountain for a different perspective. Walk or bike around Stanley Park, a 400-hectare (1000-acre) urban rainforest at the edge of the Pacific; although heavily damaged by a windstorm in the winter of 2006, the park is open to visitors once again.

The old Gastown neighbourhood and Chinatown are each worth a visit for their colourful buildings and shops. Grab a water taxi or ferry to nearby Granville Island and peruse its multifaceted Public Market, one of the best in North America. Vancouver will host the Winter Olympics in 2010, with many events scheduled in nearby Whistler.