I'm here once a week, bouncing round the park with my dog Martha, generally yelling her name trying to stop her eating poo or lick little kids faces, usually one after the other. There are so many parks and woods and mountains in and around Vancouver, but for some reason this place just works for me - maybe there is less of a fear of being eaten by a bear or bugs?

This nice little New Orleans inspired bistro serves all things creole and cajun. Cool drinks and hot food, accompanied by authentic live Louisiana Jazz, makes this the perfect spot for a dinner out. For something with a bite to it I can recommend the mussels Lafayette.

The place to go for a refreshing morning walk. Here you can really see and feel the magic that occurs when the mountains, the city and the ocean meet. Close by is also the Museum of Vancouver which, among other things, holds some colorful displays of the local 1960s hippie movement.

This quaint, cottage-cozy cafe is the perfect place to go with your bestie for a cup of coffee and tasty treats. I highly recommend their fresh baguette sandwiches-the pear one (with blue brie, prosciutto & roasted walnuts) is my favourite!

Despite the stigma that surrounds East Vancouver, the alleys are often adorned with amazingly colourful offerings. I find it very inspiring to take a stroll through a select few and pick out literary scrawling, graffiti, and the layers of vibrant history that cover the walls.