Vancouver has been named one of the best places in the world to live, and it should come as no surprise: with its idyllic setting, laid-back yet vibrant culture and benign climate, it's easy to see why residents are so proud of their city. But you don't have to migrate out West to experience beautiful B.C. – Vancouver is a worthy travel destination any time of year. Here are six reasons to visit Vancouver, B.C.

1. The natural beauty
It's not often you can recommend an urban environment for people who want to get back to nature, but Vancouver is truly the best of both worlds. You can spend the morning at the Vancouver Art Gallery or wandering the shops, then go hiking all afternoon, whether it's a short jaunt through Stanley Park or a longer hike along any of the trails surrounding the city, such as on Burnaby Mountain or on Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver. Or for a lazier couple of hours in the summertime, relax and go for a swim at Kitsilano Beach.

2. Shop till you drop
Robson Street is the place to start, with a wide range of stores both local and international. For more offbeat choices, head to Commercial Drive, home of many hip boutiques featuring local designers. And if you're looking to splurge, don't miss the beautiful new Holt Renfrew department store, which opened in June 2007 and features designer goods for men, women and kids as well as a comprehensive beauty department and a full-service spa.

3. Whistler – just around the corner
Okay, it's a bit farther afield, but if you're into outdoor sports – or even if you just like to sit by the fire while others do outdoor sports – Whistler's the place to be. The skiing and snowboarding can't be beat (one of the reasons that Vancouver and Whistler are to be home to the 2010 Winter Olympics), and in the off-season, Whistler's offerings include mountain biking (the Whistler Mountain Bike Park is considered among the best in the world), hiking, golf and kayaking. And after all that exertion, when you need to relax, don't miss the spa at the Four Seasons Resort – try the 90-minute Sea to Sky Massage to get the kinks out.

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