Photographed in Whistler and Vancouver, both during late Summer '17 
{Kindly supported by the province of British Columbia}

Welcome to Hollywood North, Raincity, Vansterdam or just: VANCOUVER.

Arriving in the city of rain on an overly sunny day certainly is a good start to 48 hours of pure bliss, arriving into a suite of The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver even more so. When we walk through the entrance on 900 West Georgia Street we have no clue what to expect. Royal Halls are greeting us, a warm welcome by the incredibly friendly staff and the feeling we just jumped straight back into times when the Pacific Railway Company built such châteauesque beauty all over the country. Tired from a full day of traveling we make our way into our rooms and for a second we can hardly believe our eyes. Have we just been invited to a cup of tea at Daisy Buchanan's? The suites are huge, come with modern, yet incredibly classy and elegant interior, serious bathroom goals and the comfiest beds we've most likely ever slept in. The perfect mix between the now and back in the day. In the morning we open the curtains to a bright blue sky and a magnificent view over downtown Vancouver. The breakfast hall is beautiful, as well and comes with such amazing historic decor that we are not sure if we didn't somehow end up in the 1930s and are suddenly traveling the country by train - a highly luxurious one, that is. Such nostalgic glamour and elegance, we are immediately in love. We order french and avocado toasts and and well if you dine in a 5* luxury hotel you do certainly expect good food - it exceeds our expectations by far, though. This surely all sounds like a hymn of praise but we are not exaggerating, at all. The french toast is still remembered as the best one ever eaten and even though we tried to recreate it at home several times by now, we always failed. No idea what the chef did exactly but damn, it was the breakfast of our dreams. Another plus of the Fairmont Vancouver is it's amazing location. Our plan for the day is to take the sea plane to Whistler Blackcomb and the walk to the terminal is only a 10minute stroll through beautiful downtown, which is more than convenient. We have slight trouble to say goodbye to the hotel, already but the next adventure is waiting for us and we secretly swear that we will make our way back into those incredible halls, one day. We mean, both of our honeymoons aren't booked yet… 

What makes Vancouver such a perfect spot for one is the city, of course, located at the water and surrounded by mountains but also how close it is to so many amazing destinations. Whistler is within reach, so is Nelson, Fernie and countless other getaways in the Rockies. No better place to be located for a few weeks filled with amazing views, sights and activities and perfect for those that just can't decide between a city trip and an outdoor adventure for their holidays. 

On our way to the Harbour Air Seaplanes (the world's largest all-seaplane airline) we take in the warmth and sunshine, enjoy a coffee to go and gaze at all the tall buildings of the impressive skyline. The harbor is beautiful with the mountains afar, the glittering water, the busy sidewalks and the humming of the landing and starting seaplanes. We've never before had the chance to fly with one of them and are beyond excited - especially since it's such a perfect day with no cloud in sight. We board the tiny machine and sit directly behind the pilot (which is quite helpful since Caro's is super afraid of flying and can now keep a close eye on the one in control of the plane). We rush over the blue water and gently lift up into the air - the view is everything and more. We are overlooking most of the city, the water reflects the sunlight. Flying over the mountains is one of the greatest experiences we've ever had in our lives with the peaks so close and a breathtaking panorama all the way to the horizon. Snowy tops and tons of lush greens, deep blue lakes, sun and happiness. We land on Green Lake (that color, though :O) and can't believe how lucky we are. It's super warm, sunny and a light breeze leaves the plane softly swaying on the water. (There are daily flights between Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria and the Gulf Islands - such an amazing way to travel, make sure to try it at least once!) We get picked up by the hotel transfer and after only a few minutes drive we arrive in Whistler Village and at our stay for the night - Delta Hotels Whistler Village Suites. We settle down in our apartment and quickly change into something more suitable for a mountain adventure to then head straight back out to get fueled for the day. 

We end up at Hunter Gather, a highly recommended and fairly new place in town, where the food is locally made and they offer good craft beer and wine from the Okanagan. We opt for salad bowls with freshly baked bread and some ginger carrot soup and it's all heavenly delicious. Satisfied and happy we make our way to the Gondolas to set foot on beautiful Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Whistler Village is a unique place. We feel a little like being in Disneyland and wonder what it must be like to live here. Such colorful setups, so many restaurants, little shops and hotels - it's the perfect holiday destination for all outdoor lovers and offers everything from bike/ski/snowboard rental to the massive (and world famous) bike park, lakes to swim in, paddle board tours to book and so much more. We upload via Whistler Village Gondola and even further to the summit with the Peak chair lift and then enjoy the view over the village, the lakes and all those snow capped peaks. A clear blue sky, bright sunlight and some granola bars make for the perfect afternoon and instead of taking the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola (that takes you from Whistler to Blackcomb mountain in one fell swoop) we decide to go on a little hike, instead as it is just way to nice outside to sit in a Gondola. We explore Whistler mountain and are in love with the view so immensely that we totally loose track of time and manage to almost miss the last ride down. In our defense: there are so many possible trails to go for a hike on that it is hard to decide if you only have one afternoon!

About the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola

"After opening December 12, 2008 the massive gondola revolutionized the way skiers and riders experienced the mountains. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, as part of the world’s longest continuous lift system, introduces summer guests to unprecedented access to Whistler Blackcomb’s high alpine for sightseeing, hiking and mountain-top dining. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola travels a span of 4.4 kilometersgiving sightseers and hikers a serene aerial flight showcasing flora and fauna, including black bears in their protected habitats, inhabiting the flanks of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains; the Coast Mountain Range’s many glaciers and peaks; and Whistler Village, surrounded by gem-like lakes. Sightseers can complete a loop from lift-to-lift with gentle walks and stunning look-outs on either mountain, while hiking enthusiasts can embark on 18 trails of varying difficulty spanning over 50 kilometres on both mountains. Visitors in all seasons enjoy a one of a kind mountain-to-mountain experience while gaining a greater appreciation of the importance in preserving Whistler’s natural environment."

We download back to the Village and scout for something awesome to eat but after many days of nonstop traveling we all of sudden are so incredibly tired that we can hardly stand anymore and only manage to get a pizza to dine on over Netflix. It's a shame, really since there were so many things we initially wanted to try and experience. The Scandinave Spa (8010 Mons Road), for example. Next to all the outdoor fun Whistler also has this absolute gem of relaxation in store for it's visitors. A huge Spa inspired by all the Nordic goodness we love so dearly. Right in the middle of nature and equipped with a beautiful view you get the 'silent treatment', literally. Complete silence is mandatory, so is no cellphones and cameras. A true rarity these days, guaranteeing you utter relaxation. It's a cycle of hot/cold and relax areas - like eucalyptus steam rooms, outdoor hot baths and Finnish wood-burning sauna for ultimate warmth, refreshing Nordic waterfalls, rain showers and cold plunges to cool down and finally a lounge area next to an outdoor fire pit, a quiet room in front of a fireplace or a fully equipped yoga studio far absolute relaxation. Needless to say we are pretty bummed about our own fatigue the next day but well, we really needed the rest.

The other thing we missed out on is a free summer concert where everybody seemed to be hanging out. Picnic blankets and wine bottles all over town square and some local folk bands playing for the masses. It really wasn't our night and in hindsight we should have probably just pushed through the tiredness and enjoyed our only night in Whistler Village. 

After a good nights sleep we find ourselves in an absolutely amazing little bakery called Purebread where we equip ourselves with some delicious savory and sweet treats and then head over to Whistler Eco Tours (it's located directly at the Delta Whistler Village Suites) where we rent two bikes to explore the valley. It's such a beautiful sunny morning, again and we cruise along the river to Green Lake where we sit down and enjoy our breakfast overlooking the turquoise water. There is an entire network of trails named "Valley Trail Network" that connects all of Whistler’s neighborhoods, lakes, viewpoints and picnic spots while being car free and mostly paved - so you can spend all day biking and eating, relaxing and bathing. Whistler Blackcomb really is a great place for an outdoorsy holiday mixed with relaxation and good food. 

Around noon we take the bus (Pacific Coach Line) back to Vancouver - such a scenic drive, unbelievable! - where we store our suitcases in the Fairmont and then head out to explore Vancouver's shopping scene. Especially the Vintage stores are absolutely awesome and we might have ended up with several bags filled with the coolest retro clothes. Mom-Jeans, dresses, oversized sweaters, jackets - yep, one could say our suitcases gained several kilos within one sunny afternoon. Vancouver is full of life, has a vibrant restaurant scene and is rich in cultural events, it absolutely is worth an own trip and we really wanna go again, to not just shop way more of those vintage goodies, but also to explore the art scene, visit concerts, stroll through the parks, take a trip to the islands and eat in at least one of the Sushi restaurants we've been recommended!

Unfortunately, our stay in Canada is coming to an end and with our new treasures we are taking a cab back to the airport where we once more check in to The Fairmont Vancouver Airport. We bathe, order room service and enjoy one last view over to the mountains. While witnessing a magnificent good-bye sunrise we watch the planes start and land until we re-pack our bags (Tetris, whoop whoop) and go to bed. It's so absolutely convenient to spend the night directly at the airport, especially when you have an early flight. The Fairmont Airport Hotel is luxurious, soundproofed and comes with a great spa and amazing breakfast (and dinner). The walk to our gate the next morning takes no longer than 15 minutes. Oh Canada, you were amazing! We fell in love with your friendly inhabitants, your incredibly good food, your landscapes, your smell, sound and atmosphere. We are SO coming back, just wait and see! <3