A Responsible Visit to Vancouver, BC

Being green doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun Vancouver has to offer, in fact – there’s even more options available to you.

Enjoy Enviable Views at Stanley Park

Follow the trail along the edges of Vancouver’s largest park and soak up the view. West Vancouver and English Bay make a beautiful background for a hike that’s as relaxing or as strenuous as you’d like.

Image courtesy of InSapphoWeTrust from Flickr

Enjoy An Eco Tour of Vancouver Island

Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours offer a four-hour tour in one of the most rich eco-systems in the world: Vancouver Island. The Nature Escape and Artisan Tour takes you through forest, to stunning beach views, and you’ll learn how to forage for edible berries on the island. A bonus stop at a local art gallery gives you the chance to support local artists with a memento that can become an heirloom. This is a much more sustainable way of shopping than picking up a trinket!

Vegans in Vancouver Love Eating at Meet

Whether it’s for a round of cocktails or some of their delicious appetizers – deep-fried sweet chili cauliflower, anyone? – Meet on Main is doing a great job serving up healthy comfort food.
Diving into the juicy Portobello burger with onion rings is best done along a lemon lavender fizz cocktail. Who knew eating clean could taste so good? The place starts to fill up after 7pm most nights, so if you want to have a quiet conversation, it’s best to go a bit earlier.

Discover The Soul of Vancouver By Bike

Even if tours aren’t your thing, you’re going to love what Cycle City Tours is doing in Vancouver. They offer a fun way to explore the city up close and personal by bike – they even offer self-guided tours such as the Taste by Bike Food Tour where you cycle the city, checking out great eats along the way. This is perfect for an independent traveler who still likes local guidance.

Image courtesy of Jeff Turner from Flickr

Stay at the All – Encompassing Hotel BLU

Right on Robson street, Hotel BLU is a piece of prime real estate making a statement to their eco-friendliness. As a four-star hotel, you can expect every level of service you would expect plus a whole load of earth-friendly bonuses. If you’re traveling by electric car, you’re in luck – there are free charging stations and you will enjoy complimentary valet parking.
Even the roof over your head is clean and green at Hotel BLU with over five roof sections planted and outfitted with a smart sensor for water control. The whole hotel is a plastic water bottle free zone. Instead, you will find fresh water drinking stations on each floor of the hotel.

Rooms include a Samsung Galaxy tablet for your convenience, bath and body products made by Elemis, and the nightly rate includes free shuttle access to the downtown area. This is one hotel where going green is the best thing you can do both for yourself and the environment.

With these tips, you’re doing your part to help the planet while truly enjoying your vacation in Vancouver.

Please note : This is part of a series for #HipmunkCityLove. Hipmunk.com is low-cost and budget travel service that I use while planning budget travel, and am thrilled to write for. I know you will find the articles as well as their services useful.

Remember, you are my first priority and I only work with or support companies whose products and services I believe in. For all the nitty gritty on this check out my disclaimer. It’s even got pictures of monkeys.