Vancouver Top Picks:
Vancouver is cool. Not in the way hip cities like New York or Tokyo are, but cool if we take into account the emerging definition of what makes a cool place cool.

In the age of global warming and 100 dollars per barrel oil, (not to mention a credit crunch in the US) current definitions of cool and hip based on consumption and luxury will soon go out of style. The new definition of cool, I believe, will have less and less to do with materialism. Instead cities and communities that are able to harness happiness and ecological balance will make the new list of hot cities. Yes, cities like Vancouver which emphasize multiculturalism, the environment and social welfare will slowly find themselves on the top of travelers lists as they have been on those of immigrants' for many years already.

Vancouver is global and yet it maintains a small town feel. The city is high tech and wired but technology has not replaced the old fashioned need for local community. Vancouver can match the talent and resources to copy places like Shanghai or Singapore, but it prefers to be a bit more like Stockholm. Understated yet highly creative and always looking out for the greater good of the community.

Some find the city boring, but that's because they haven't looked hard enough. Here are my top picks:


Made in Canada.
A walk down Robson street in downtown Vancouver pretty much defines the local sense of style. Claimed to be the city's prime shopping avenue, it could pass for a back alley in London. While today's cities are littered with the usual multinational retail brands, it's heartening to see that the locals prefer their own. Sure, it's hard to avoid the presence of Banana Republic or Nike, but high quality Canadian brands like Roots, Aldo and Club Monaco are just as popular.

High taxes make Vancouver relatively expensive so stick to brands you can't buy elsewhere. In between the Canadian big-brand stores you'll find many artisanal shops selling food, personal care and home products that can only be found in this part of Canada.

With the mountains and coast of British Columbia a short car ride away, locals can't get enough of the outdoors. Many stores along Robson and Granville specialize in outdoor gear in mind boggling brands and styles.

Yaletown.

Yaletown is Vancouver's answer to ignorant comments about the Canadians' lack of style. The district is experiencing its moment and hipsters won't be disappointed by the range of local ateliers and multi-brand stores that stock the latest designer wear, accessories and furniture from around the world.

The Opus boutique hotel is a favorite among style-setters and visiting celebrities but without the obligatory snobbery you'll find elsewhere. This is Vancouver, remember? The cafes, bars and restaurants of Yaletown are popular for their sophisticated charm, and yes, minus that snobbery once again.

Main Street.

A bit off the tourist trail, Main Street is what you'd imagine Vancouver to look like if it weren't the important business center it is today. If you like shopping for vintage and antique goods - you'll enjoy the many antique and crafts stores along this unusually quiet street. Alongside the usual granny finds are truly unique creations by local artisans. The odd mix of merchandise gives the neighborhood an accidental and entirely unselfconscious hip factor so rare these days.

The Great Outdoors.
It's not just the abundance of parks that give the city its lovely sense of expansiveness, but also its proximity to the coast and mountains. The popular mountain resorts of British Columbia are so close by you can ski or mountain bike in the day and still be back for dinner.

Fishing and boating are also very popular and most locals own a boat which they use whenever the weather is good. With so much activity happening just outside the city its no wonder first time visitors mistakenly think downtown Vancouver is one boring place to be.

When Vancouver hosts the 2010 Winter Olympics the whole world will finally realize what they've been missing all these years.


Whistler.
Although less famous than Aspen, Whistler, doesn't fall short in terms of glamor and exclusivity. In social equity conscious Canada Whistler is as exclusive as it gets with its fair share of luxury hotels and ski lodges. But the real attraction of Whistler is its topography - perfect for winter sports.

Skiing is still popular but the naturally informal Canadians are increasingly taking to snowboarding. This explains the presence of many young visitors in Whistler and their energy is spilling over to the resort town's nightlife.

Currently Whistler is trying to attract more than just hardcore fans of winter sports. They now offer a wildly enjoyable zip trek that takes you through mountain ridges. Nature treks are also being introduced for less athletic types.

When the snow melts in the spring, Whistler reinvents itself as a top destination for mountain biking and camping trips.

Okanagan Valley.
The nearby valley produces much of the country's agricultural produce and the local economy still counts on the harvest of apples and berry fruits for its wealth. The ideal hill and lakeside climate have also put this part of British Columbia on the wine making map of the world.

Book a visit to any one of the many fine wineries and estates in the Okanagan to see how the valley's famous Rieslings and Icewines are made from grape to bottle. Quails' Gate is a small winery that produces award winning whites which they sell in a store in the property. There's an in-house restaurant where diners can pair dishes with the estate's wines. The friendly owners offer an educational tour of the winery with some free tasting thrown in as well.

On a grander scale is the Mission Hill Family Estate. The winery and vineyards sit on a gentle slope with fantastic views of the lake and hills beyond. Mission Hill offers tours of the property and their underground cellars with a generous wine tasting session at the end where visitors can chat with the estate's winemakers.

Their wine store is perfect for taking home some of their highly regarded Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Blancs and the odd bottle of Pinot Noir. Down some of their excellent Riesling Icewines and watch the sun set over the beautiful valley surrounding you.