The temperate Vancouver climate is classified as Oceanic with warm, dry summer weather (June to August) and cold, rainy winters (December to February). Summer temperatures reach an average high of 72°F (22°C), while winter temperatures can fall below 32°F (0°C).

One of Canada's most cosmopolitan cities, eating out in Vancouver is something of an event and is a popular pastime for many locals. With eateries of just about every nationality, you can be sure to find something to suit your taste while dining out in Vancouver. Many restaurants offer tapas-style tasting plates to share, so you can be adventurous.

With a strong emphasis on British, French and Chinese cuisine, the food in Vancouver is generally quite international with a few specialities waiting to be discovered. Fish like salmon, halibut and Atlantic cod are popular, as well as wild game such as venison, which can be found on most menus. Salt-cured fish, beef and pork are also something to be experienced. Those with a sweet tooth should try the decadent Nanaimo bar, a local dessert which comprises a wafer crumb-based layer, topped by a layer of custard or vanilla butter icing, covered in chocolate.

Most of Vancouver's best restaurants are situated around the West End, downtown, Yaletown and Gastown areas. Most restaurants require reservations and it is customary to tip waiters around 15% as no service charge is added to restaurant bills.

The integrated Translink public transport system is both highly efficient and good value. The computerised SkyTrain (light rail) has six underground downtown stops as well as an elevated track. Its latest addition, the Canada Line, now connects downtown to Vancouver International Airport. The Translink system also includes buses; electric trolley buses; West Coast Express trains (week days only) and SeaBus passenger ferries that connect downtown to North Vancouver. The network reaches every part of the city, including the beaches and ski slopes. After midnight the regular bus system is replaced by a limited 'Owl' night bus service on main routes. Fares are based on a zone system and tickets are valid for buses, the SkyTrain and SeaBus with transfers valid for 90 minutes from the time they are validated. Various travel passes are available, but the cheapest is probably the DayPass, which allows unlimited transport and is valid across all zones. Taxis are easy to come by at taxi stands, hotels or by telephone, but can be difficult to hail outside of the downtown area. Vancouver's traffic and road situation is fairly well-ordered, but hiring a car is not necessary in the city because the public transport is more than sufficient.

Vancouver is a paradise for kids on holiday. During the summer months, visit Stanley Park, where plenty of kids activities abound, such as the Spray Park near Lumberman's Arch and the Children's Farm, a fantastic petting zoo for the younger tots. Families can even enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the park and your kids will love it here, so much so that you may find yourself coming back on more than one occasion.

Animal lovers will have a great time exploring the Vancouver Aquarium and the Greater Vancouver Zoo, while older kids should visit Granville Island's Water Park and Adventure Playground for a day of water fun.

On rainy or cold days when outdoor activities with kids are not an option, head to the Science World at Telus World of Science or the Space Centre for a fascinating day out, or for something really fun, visit the Richmond Go-Kart track for a day of racing. There are also plenty of indoor playgrounds available such as the Kerrisdale Play Palace in the Kerrisdale Cyclone Taylor Arena, or Kid Zone at the Park Royal Mall South Shopping Center.

The official languages are English and French (predominantly in Quebec).

The currency used is the Canadian Dollar (CAD), which is divided into 100 cents. One-dollar coins are also known as loonies (due to the picture of a loon, a type of bird, on the coin), and two-dollar coins as toonies. Banks and bureaux de change will change money and travellers cheques, as will some hotels, but the rate will not be as good. Major credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are plentiful. US Dollars are largely accepted, though due to fraud, larger notes might not be and change is usually given in Canadian dollars.

With the stunning mountain backdrop and the outdoors on your doorstep, the nightlife in Vancouver is second to none. With plenty of pubs, clubs, lounges, and everything else in between, there is no shortage of entertainment when the sun sets on this vibrant city. Until recently, city regulations forced bars and pubs to masquerade as restaurants, so you'll find many watering holes with token menus.

Vancouver's British heritage plays a part in it being a pub paradise, the heart of which is downtown, with countless pubs and bars tucked away and nestled in between shops, businesses and bistros. Chamber and Chill Winston are names to remember in Gastown's cobblestone streets, which are reminiscent of Amsterdam and bring tourists flocking here to imbibe and socialise.

Most of Vancouver's clubs and discos can be found downtown around Granville Street and Water and Pender streets in Gastown. The Roxy in Granville is a must and is one of Vancouver's top nightlife spots. Another busy entertainment district is Kitsilano with the Cellar Restaurant and Jazz Club, while a third is the up-and-coming nightlife district of Yaletown, which is a more upscale bar and lounge zone with options like the Opus Bar and Yaletown Brewing Company.

The Orpheum Theatre, the Queen Elizabeth Complex, and the Vancouver East Cultural Centre are the top venues for the performing arts in Vancouver. You can see the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, touring theatre and ballet companies, as well as high-profile music concerts. For a less formal experience, check out the Bard on the Beach in Vanier Park during the summer months.

Vancouver also hosts several large festivals, including the Vancouver Fringe Festival, centred on Granville Island every September; the Vancouver International Film Festival, the Vancouver Jazz Festival and the Vancouver Folk Festival.

Check out the weekly Georgia Straightor the Thursday edition of the Vancouver Sunfor nightlife and entertainment listings while you're in town.

Shopping in Vancouver ensures a diverse range of products and quality, with everything from haute couture to laid-back flannels, as well as jewellery and home accessories available in malls and shopping areas throughout the city.

Commercial Drive is known as 'Little Italy' and has very trendy boutiques, while Davie Village in the West End is home to great bookshops. Chinatown, encompassing Main Street and Keefer, trades in ginseng, green tea, silks and exotic fresh produce; there are weekend night markets here in summer. Another Main Street also offers a wide selection of antique and home accessory shops. Granville Island Market sells fresh produce, meats, fish and baked goods, and there are a diverse range of shops, stalls and galleries in the area.

Downtown Vancouver and Gastown have shops offering high fashion, jewellery, shoes and home wares. The Sinclair Centre has upmarket fashion and art shops, Royal Centre is made up of a variety of underground shops and the Pacific Centre is home to the famous Holt Renfrew shop. Nearby Water Street is home to art galleries, antique shops and native art stores, as well as souvenirs in the many speciality shops. Note that a Goods and Services Tax is levied on most things, but Canada no longer offers a refund scheme.

Brimming in history and culture, Vancouver is one fascinating city and has plenty of sightseeing opportunities for everyone. From museums and historic and trendy neighbourhoods to botanical gardens and Granville Island, visitors will have no problem finding things to see and do in Vancouver.

Explore Chinatown and soak up the culture, colour and eateries, or visit the exciting enclave of Gastown famous for its cobblestone streets, antique gaslights and pulsing nightlife. Nature lovers should head to the VanDusen Botanical Garden, Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park for an invigorating day out and culture vultures will love Museum of Anthropology and the Vancouver Art Gallery.

For a panoramic view of the city, climb "nature's stairmaster" up to Grouse Mountain, or take the tram for a less strenuous trip. You can also ride to the top of Vancouver lookout for 360 degree views. The Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver allows visitors to walk from treetop to treetop on delicate walkways suspended dozens of metres above the forest floor.

Visitors should buy a See Vancouver and Beyond Smartvisit Card, which gives the bearer access to 50 attractions in and around Vancouver as well as maps and travel tips. Two, three and five-day Smartvisit cards are available for adults and children starting at $175.

Canada covers six time zones, from GMT 8 in the west to GMT -3.5 in the east.