{"id":124278,"date":"2017-05-31T10:44:38","date_gmt":"2017-05-31T14:44:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fourseasons.com\/magazine\/?p=124278"},"modified":"2017-09-29T08:44:32","modified_gmt":"2017-09-29T12:44:32","slug":"canada-weekend-getaway-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fourseasons.com\/magazine\/discover\/canada-weekend-getaway-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Spend 150 Hours in Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Age is\u00a0nothing but\u00a0a number \u2013 but certain milestones are worth commemorating. Case in point? Come July 1, Canada will\u00a0celebrate 150 years, a crowning achievement for any Commonwealth realm.<\/p>\n

From coast to coast, you\u2019ll find special events and exhibits, free admission to national parks \u2013 47 of them, to be exact \u2013 and an extra dose of glowing national pride across\u00a010 provinces and three territories. You’ll also find that visiting is easier than ever, with special offers available at Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver<\/a>, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler<\/a> and Four Seasons Hotel Toronto<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now is a perfect time to share in what Canadians love most about their country, from incredible restaurants in vibrant\u00a0cities to adrenaline rushes in the mountains.\u00a0Here, our top recommendations on\u00a0how to spend 50 hours each in Vancouver, Whistler and Toronto, for a total of 150 that will leave you wanting more.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Nothing beats Vancouver’s stunning West Coast views on a sunny day. “The city is best explored on foot, allowing for a more in-depth look at its many great neighbourhoods and views,” says Bertine Hage, Chief Concierge at\u00a0Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When it rains, simply gear up like a Vancouverite, get outside and explore.<\/p>\n

\u201cDitch the umbrella for a waterproof, three-quarter-length coat \u2013 say, from Lululemon<\/a> or MEC<\/a> \u2013 and walk freely without concern when the raindrops come and go,\u201d recommends\u00a0Hage. That way, you’ll always be\u00a0a few steps away from nature and culture when enjoying the following activities.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Rent a bike at Stanley Park and ride the sea wall<\/a><\/b>:\u00a0Stop\u00a0to see totems, sandy beaches, a lush rainforest and the Vancouver Aquarium<\/a>\u00a0along the way. Refuel at the park’s\u00a0Teahouse Restaurant<\/a>, a popular place to dine on B.C. salmon and watch the sunset over English Bay.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Photo courtesy of Getty Images\/Kris Bergen<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Take a walking tour of historic\u00a0Gastown<\/a><\/b>: Explore Vancouver\u2019s first downtown core. Cobblestone side streets offer an interesting mix of boutiques, film schools, recording studios and restaurants.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Photo Courtesy of Vancouver Tourism <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Cross\u00a0the 450-Foot Capilano Suspension Bridge<\/a><\/b>: Sway 230 feet (70 metres) above the Capilano River in North Vancouver.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Photo Courtesy of Vancouver Tourism <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Bake with Executive Pastry Chef Mark Burton<\/a><\/b>: In the Bake Shop of Four Seasons Vancouver<\/a>, learn\u00a0tips on selecting the best ingredients for desserts\u00a0and how to prepare one of his signature dishes.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Paddle an ocean-going canoe through a North Vancouver fjord<\/a><\/b>: While doing so,\u00a0a\u00a0guide from the Coast Salish Nation will sing songs, retell legends and show you the sites of\u00a0ancient villages.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images\/ Andriy Baranskyy<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Watch\u00a0Shakespeare on the waterfront at Vanier Park<\/a><\/b>:\u00a0From June through September, watch live outdoor theatre, or catch a live play or musical at one of several theatres downtown.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Photo by Bard on the Beach\/Christopher Gaze<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Take a\u00a0water taxi across False Creek to a\u00a0public market<\/a><\/b>: Enjoy diverse food stalls, fishmongers, flower vendors and restaurants on Granville Island<\/a>. Spend the afternoon hopping between artisan studios, meeting the island\u2019s potters, painters, metal fabricators and boat builders. Stay for a live performance in the theatre or comedy club.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Photo Courtesy of Vancouver Tourism <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Visit the Vancouver Art Gallery<\/a><\/b>: While there, don’t miss Emily Carr’s striking wilderness paintings. Afterward,\u00a0see First Nations public art installations celebrating Canada\u2019s 150th in several places\u00a0around the city, including the nearby Queen Elizabeth Theatre<\/a> and Larwill Park<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Photo Courtesy of picturelibrary \/ Alamy Stock Photo<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Visit orphaned grizzlies at the Grouse Mountain Wildlife Refuge<\/a>.<\/b>: Or, during the\u00a0winter months, ski one of three mountains <\/a> on the North Shore. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Photo Courtesy of Vancouver Tourism <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Shop designer boutiques on Robson Street<\/a><\/b>: Along the way, pop into high-end luxury outfits like Gucci and Christian Dior.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Photo Courtesy of Vancouver Tourism <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Enjoy ocean-inspired cocktails at YEW Seafood and Bar<\/a><\/b>: Lauren Mote has designed\u00a016 drinks\u00a0that\u00a0perfectly complement items on menu.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cPair the Fisherman Box \u2013 a great selection of delectable, sustainable West Coast seafood,\u201d suggests\u00a0Hage.\n<\/ol>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n