Take a carriage ride through Stanley Park
There are several different ways to get around Stanley Park, but there’s no way more elegant or romantic than a horse-drawn carriage. Step aboard one of the public trams for a narrated tour through Vancouver’s thousand-acre wonderland, with highlights like the Rose Garden, Empress of Japan Figurehead, and the Lions Gate Bridge. For something a little more intimate, indulge in a private carriage rental. Feel like royalty in a white Vis-à-vis style coach or a Cinderella pumpkin coach.
Drink some icewine
Though B.C.’s winemakers have an abundance of award-winning red and white wines, the signature wine style of Vancouver is icewine. A dessert wine made from grapes allowed to freeze on the vine, it’s a sweet wine that only a few regions in the world can naturally produce. Several wineries in Okanagan Valley make it and offer tours and tastings, but for anyone who doesn’t want to make the trip, bottles can be purchased in liquor stores in Vancouver. Make it the finishing touch to a romantic dinner at home or picnic. Best served chilled and served with strong cheeses, fruits, and nuts, it’s excellent for spring picnics or finishing off the evening at home.
Get pampered
Vancouver is not only trendy but health-conscious, meaning there’s plenty of spas to choose from for a day of pampering. Set up a luxurious couple’s retreat at Chi, The Spa at Shangri-La, where you and your partner can escape to a tranquil oasis with wraps, footbaths, and massages. For couples who appreciate nature, experience hydrotherapy in the outdoor baths of Scandinave Spa in Whistler. Relax together in hot and cold baths surrounded by the serene woods and mountains. The baths require no reservation, and there are several massage packages to indulge in for a couple’s spa day
Looking to get styled before a big date on a budget? Book an appointment at the Aveda Institute, an internationally recognized beauty school for future award-winning hair professionals. All the students have been given plenty of practice, and prices vary their level of experience. Give a future stylist some practical experience while getting a fabulous new look without breaking the bank before heading out to impress your date.
Dinner with a view
For fine dining in the mountains, there’s no better place than the Observatory Restaurant. Held at Grouse Mountain, this upscale West Coast dining establishment features options like baked Pacific oysters, golden ears smoked gouda & mushroom tart, sour cherry sorbet, and Brandt Lake Wagyu beef.
The only thing better than the food, however, is the view. Huge, slanted windows offer a supreme view of the sparkling ocean, towering evergreen forests, and Vancouver illuminated at night. Why not make reservations in time to bask in the romantic glow of the sunset, or when the stars are twinkling in the sky? Even better, admission tickets and access to Grouse Mountain activities are complimentary with advance dinner reservations, meaning you and your loved one will have plenty to enjoy before dinner.
-By Ettractions Digital Content Editor, ALLISON BENNETT
-Photos by Tourism Vancouver/ Coast Mountain Photography and Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC)
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