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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spectacular by nature

From women’s World Cup soccer to the world’s longest-running fireworks festival, there’s much to do in Vancouver, B.C.

Robyn Roehm Cannon Correspondent

Every year, Trip Advisor hands out Travelers’ Choice Awards to 25 of the world’s best destinations, based on criteria that include natural beauty found on mountaintops and beaches and urban attributes like top-notch hotels, award-winning restaurants and unique attractions.

In 2015, Vancouver, British Columbia, was named the No. 1 destination in Canada – and it’s less than a seven-hour drive from Spokane. If you break up your trip with an overnight in Seattle and depart the next morning, you’ll be there in time for lunch and a handcrafted brew on Granville Island.

From June to September are when this vibrant and ethnically diverse city best shows off its beauty, especially at the 125-year-old Stanley Park. This urban oasis has 1,000 acres of rain forest with more than 5 miles of seawall for biking or strolling and nearly 17 miles of hiking trails through old growth cedars, beautiful gardens, and a magnificent Coast Salish totem pole collection. To plan your day there: www.tourismvancouver.com/ do/explore/stanley-park- complete-guide/

A month of goals and hat tricks

Beginning Saturday, soccer fans have a great reason to visit. That’s when FIFA – or, Federation Internationale de Football Association – kicks off the quadrennial women’s football world championship tournament, culminating in the Women’s World Cup final match on July 5 at BC Place Stadium. Vancouver is one of six Canadian cities hosting semifinal matches. For dates and ticket information, visit: http://vancouver.fwwc2015.ca/ about-us/

Flying high and riding the sea

What’s it feel like to soar as a bird over the rushing waters of Niagara Falls or the highest peaks in Banff National Park? When you take the Flyover Canada Journey you’ll find out – and see the entire country in eight thrilling minutes. Shot with cameras mounted on low-flying helicopters, you’ll literally feel the wind in your hair, the spray from the falls, lift your feet for fear of getting wet and even smell the pine trees as you chase the famous Rocky Mountaineer as it passes over a train trestle in Alberta. When it’s over, you’ll leave with a desire to visit much more of Canada. The “Ultimate Flying Ride” departs Canada Place every 30 minutes. www.flyovercanada.com

To get a glimpse of Vancouver from the water, hop aboard a Sea Vancouver Zodiac vessel departing from the Westin Bayshore Hotel. In 90 minutes, you’ll stop at more than 30 points of interest with stunning views and when your skipper cranks the speed up to 55 mph across Burrard Inlet, hold on to your hat – it’s a hoot. http://seavancouver.com

Paint the sky, get in the groove and celebrate summer

June and July are packed with events. Here are a few of the best:

July 1: Canada Day at Canada Place is a free waterfront party akin to the U.S. Fourth of July, with music stages, ethnic food booths, family activities and a giant fireworks show. www.canadaplace.ca/events

June 8-July 1: The TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival offers a month of top-flight performances at venues and clubs around town, many of them free. www.coastaljazz.ca

July 25-Aug. 1: Honda Celebration of Light is BC’s biggest event and the world’s longest-running offshore fireworks competition. This year China, Brazil and Canada compete for best firework artistry in breathtaking displays. www.honda celebrationoflight.com

June 4-Sept. 26: The 26th annual Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival is one of Canada’s largest organized Shakespeare festivals. This summer, enjoy “Comedy of Errors,” “King Lear” and more at scenic Vanier Park on English Bay. www.bardonthebeach.org

Worldly tastes with Northwest ingredients

Looking for delicious food? Here are some award-winning chef teams that are cooking with locally sourced products, serving outstanding meals in enticing locations:

Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar: The former chef at Beverly Hills’ Polo Lounge serves immaculate raw seafood and artfully plated entrees. Must try: Seafood Tower for Two. http://boulevardvancouver.ca

Wildebeest: In the most romantic of rooms, meat-centric entrees and farm to table produce are ultra tasty. Perfect pairing: Horseradish Sour cocktail and local oysters. http://wildebeest.ca

Tableau Bar & Bistro: Off Loden Hotel’s lobby, this clubby spot is hopping, and wins award after award for food and ambiance. Unbelievably delicious: Creamy Mushrooms on Brioche Toast. http://tableaubarbistro.com

Homer Street Café and Bar: Mouthwatering rotisserie chickens are roasted golden before your eyes and served with crispy potatoes in a room straight from Paris. Walk out with: chewy peanut butter cookies. http://homerstreetcafebar.com

Medina Café: It’s worth the wait to get into Vancouver’s most highly awarded brunch spot. The room itself will make you happy, but just try the Liege-style Belgian Waffles with fig orange marmalade. Now you’re smiling. www.medinacafe.com

La Pentola: Multicourse Northern Italian menus are designed for your table and served in candlelit ambiance inside Opus Hotel. Definitely order: Dungeness crab and roasted cauliflower risotto. Check into their ongoing monthly Sunday Supper Series. www.lapentola.ca

Bella Gelateria: Gelato made with old-world technique and ingredients so pure that even the Italians awarded Maestro James Coleridge double gold medals in international competitions. Surefire sip: A Gelatini, boozy martini-style drinks made with gelato. http://bellagelateria.com

Exceptional beds

Vancouver has many fine lodging options, and most offer enticing summer and FIFA packages. The following pet-friendly standouts are located in distinct downtown neighborhoods:

Loden Hotel in Coal Harbour is quiet and serene, with beautiful architectural finishes and indulgent bathrooms. 1177 Melville St., (604) 669-5060. www.theloden.com

Opus Hotel Vancouver in industrial chic Yaletown is newly refreshed with colorfully glamorous midcentury design. 322 Davie St., (604) 642-6787, www.opushotel.com

Fairmont Waterfront and Fairmont Pacific Rim are timelessly elegant neighboring properties with stunning harbor and mountain views. Canada Day festivities and fireworks happen right outside their doorsteps. Fairmont Waterfront, 900 Canada Place Way, (604) 691-1991, www.fairmont.com/ waterfront-vancouver; Fairmont Pacific Rim, 1038 Canada Place Way, (604) 695-5300, www.fairmont.com/pacificrim

Robyn Roehm Cannon is a travel and lifestyle writer living in both Spokane and Seattle. Follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ robyn.r.cannon