Each year around our anniversary, we skip the dinners and flowers and instead make a point to travel and go somewhere new.  Travelling is something we’ve been doing together since we started dating so it’s a huge part of our relationship and if we could do it more often, you better believe we would. This past June we celebrated our three year wedding anniversary by embarking on a road trip along the west coast. It’s something both of us have wanted to do since we were little and this seemed like the perfect time.

When we planned out the trip, the game plan was to explore as much as possible, hike whenever we could and find really good spots to eat! So with that in mind we started in Vancouver, British Columbia. It’s a city I’d always wanted to visit and I knew I’d love it for the outdoor lifestyle and how active the city was. It definitely didn’t disappoint. While our stay was pretty short (just two days) we packing in a whole lot and managed to do all the things we set out.

We stayed with a friend and she was the perfect tour guide! She took us to see the Olympic torch, to watch the sea planes take off at Harbour Flight Centre, and to Canada Place for Flyover Canada (which was super cheesy but also pretty fun). She even prioritized a nap for us since we had a really early flight. That night she invited some friends over for drinks and she made her infamous porchetta (and survived it with only a few minor burns!). While the rain was pouring down, we drank too much wine while making new friends. The next day we went for a hangover-cure-breakfast and then headed to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The views were beautiful but it was honestly way too touristy for me – our timing wasn’t the best because we wanted to go hiking after so I’m sure that didn’t help. Our friend had suggested going to a bridge about 20 minutes away that isn’t as popular so next time, we’ll do that.

After the bridge and cliffwalk we went to hike the Grouse Grind. I had heard about the Grind and even tried to prepare for it before the trip by taking the stairs in our building after every workout but I don’t think anything could have prepared me for it. It’s an incredible hike don’t get me wrong, but the whole time climbing it, I was miserable. Once you get to the top though, the fresh air helps you forget how awful it was and you actually feel really happy and energetic and even think you could do it again. I am pretty proud of it though, with an elevation of 2,800 feet and total stairs at 2,830 it’s an awesome accomplishment. I almost wish I lived there so I could do it more often and try to get better at it (almost!). At the top there’s a restaurant with lots of wine so that, and the incredible view, were my main motivation. We took the gondola down and took in the sights then headed home for another quick nap.

For dinner we went to Reflections at the Rosewood Hotel for some drinks and to people watch. In the lobby of the hotel is a piece of artwork by Patrick Hughes that is incredible to see in person – they are the coolest pieces I’ve ever seen and if you have a chance to see them, go! For dinner we went to The Flying Pig in Gastown. They have an amazing menu and their story is so sweet – when the owner was twelve he told his mom he was going to start a restaurant and she said “when pigs fly” so, he made the impossible happen and named it appropriately.

The next day we went to Granville Island for coffees, pastries and a quick tour around the shops and then went to pick up our rental car to head to our next destination, Seattle.

The next time we’re in the Vancouver area, we’d love to do the following:

• Stanley Park
• A day trip to Tofino
• Wine tour through the Okanagan
• Picnic on the Spanish Banks