Vancouver

• How I was Hooked - Canada
• The City of Food, Fun & Fashion - Montreal
• Montreal and all that jazz - Montreal
• Welcome to Brollywood - Vancouver

'YOU'VE BROUGHT THE WEATHER with you, I see,’ the driver joked as we wafted through the drizzle towards downtown Vancouver. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Vancouver, but I knew it would rain a lot. And so far so good, in the city that has been dubbed Brollywood.

Vancouver looked obsessively clean. Unlike London, the streets weren’t pebble-dashed with gum. And the air was so fresh that the first deep breaths made my head swim. None of this is surprising considering Vancouver is cradled between the sparkling Pacific Ocean and the gentle tranquillity of the Rocky Mountains. ‘Your hotel, sir.’ The Fairmont Vancouver isn’t as impressive as the mountains, but the lobby’s warm glow provided a welcome sanctuary from the drizzle.

My palatial corner room on the 14th floor was so large that I could hear my voice echo. From the window I looked out over Burrard Inlet, where seaplanes skim along before soaring up in to the wrinkled grey sky. It looked like an exhilarating way to get my bearings, so the next day, I strapped myself in to a 1958 six-seat Beaver. The cockpit looked alarmingly basic, but before I could protest, we were up and away on our 25- minute flight.

As we bounced through the air, I concentrated on the views of downtown, West Vancouver’s million-dollar mansions, and the ferocious snow-capped wilderness beyond.

Who needs peanuts and an in-flight movie?

After the Beaver had landed, I took the rather more sedate Seabus to the north shore in search of the Capilano Suspension Bridge, the longest and highest suspended footbridge in the world, stretching a precarious 450ft across a 230ft deep gorge.

Vancouver’s most popular outdoor attraction has chalked up a few celebrity visitors, among them Marilyn Monroe, the Rolling Stones and Margaret Thatcher, who liked it so much she did it twice.

The Iron lady might not have been one for turning, but as I gazed into the nebulous mist that swirled in the canyon and the raging waters 230ft below me, my stomach was.

Breathtaking panoramic views

Having satisfied the Indiana Jones in me, I collected my ‘I made it across!’ certificate of bragging rights, and caught the No 8 bus to the Grouse Mountain gondola, where 3,700ft up on the top of Grouse, I found an impressive complex that included shops, a gourmet restaurant, a skating rink, ski runs, and breathtaking panoramic views.

Near the complex was a bear enclosure, home to four orphaned bears. I had been told they would be hibernating, so it was a surprise when Grinder the grizzly bounded up and sat three feet away.

It was thrilling to see a grizzly so close up, but it was also heartstoppingly scary. The fence was electric, but it appeared to be made from garden canes and chicken wire. I doubted it would have held Flopsie the bunny, let alone Grinder the grizzly.

Back at the Fairmont, I struck up a better relationship with Mavis, the hotel’s lovable lobby dog, and together we set about exploring Vancouver on foot. In downtown it was a pleasure to wander among beautiful architecture, open spaces, and friendly coffee shops.

Many of the towering blocks are residential, so Vancouver feels more lived in than most other Canadian cities. In contrast, Gastown, the oldest area of the city, is a bustling place. Don’t miss the replica steam clock on the corner of Water Street which blasts out every 15 minutes. At Granville Market stalls sell a vast array of food and handmade souvenirs.

Maple syrup doughnuts

The fruit and veg astounded me. Every apple, orange and carrot looked the prize-winning entry in a village fete. Mavis liked the pasta at Duso’s Deli, but I preferred Mr Lee’s maple syrup doughnuts. Then, with Mavis returned to the hotel, I turned to Vancouver’s exotic blend of Pacific, Asian and European restaurants. With a good exchange rate, superb food is fantastic value.

But with so many restaurants and so little time, how is it possible to experience the full flavours Vancouver offers? The answer: to sample something at each. First stop was the Blue Water Café, where flashing knives prepared fresh seafood and sushi. ‘And what can I get you?’ asked the French manager. ‘Just a little taster please’ I said hopefully.

But asking Vancouver’s proudest French restaurant manager for ‘a taster’ was a bit like asking Gordon Ramsay for a chip butty. He returned with a defiant flourish and a three-tiered tower piled with crushed ice dripping with lobster, oysters and sushi. It was stuffed, and so was I. But I soldiered on to Piccolo Mondo, a classy Italian, enjoying the juicy scallop ravioli and even juicier celebrity gossip.

Finally, I arrived at Lumière, renowned for its glamour and extravagance. On the menu were scallops with grapefruit relish, black cod with mushroom emulsion, pan-fried foie gras and $250 pots of caviar. The chefs whisked out a cornucopia of dishes, and I left with a warm glow - useful because it was raining again. I had experienced some unforgettable highlights, from high-class cuisine to a highly strung bridge and an encounter with a highly dangerous bear. So if you want a vibrant urban destination with The Great Outdoors on the doorstep, consider a break in Brollywood.