Granville Island, an atypical neighbourhood

Not particularly charming, this area, located partly under Granville Bridge, is nevertheless not devoid of interest. First and foremost, its public market is a must, and you'll come across both Vancouverites and tourists. Since it was founded in 1979, the Granville Public Market has been a great place to buy quality products, including exotic ones. As well as fresh produce such as fish, seafood and meat, there are plenty of foreign specialities such as Asian, Greek and Mexican dishes. The market is generally shared by 50 traders, including farmers, craftsmen and caterers. This essentially culinary indoor market also has a miniature version: the "Kid Market", dedicated entirely to children, who can shop like grown-ups.

A second must-see is one of Granville Island's distilleries. We recommend The Liberty Distillery! Its popularity has made it a must-see in the town. The distillery organises tours when it's not in production and when staff numbers allow, so it's advisable to book and find out in advance. What's more, only 10 people at a time can take the tour, and only between 11.30am and 1.30pm. However, the tour is well worth the effort, and the advantage of it, apart from the tasting, is that Liberty Distillery doesn't focus on one spirit, but four! These are whiskey, gin, vodka and triple-distilled whiskey, so the knowledge passed on is multiplied and it can be interesting to compare the different production processes. The cost is $15 per person, including a tasting.

Are you more of a beer lover? If so, the Granville Island Brewing Co is the place for you. As a commercial port, Granville, like its market, specialises in international products. With this in mind, we recommend a visit to Artisan Sake Maker, a local producer of sake made from rice and British Columbia water; whether you're a connoisseur of this Japanese spirit or a complete novice, let the staff there guide you. If you love tea, head to Granville Island Tea Co for unforgettable flavours.

Granville Island is also the starting point for a number of tour operators offering whale- and orca-watching excursions at sea. Although the experience isn't cheap at $170 per person, it's still a unique experience. What's more, the activity lasts half a day, or 5 hours on the water. Naturalists and cetacean specialists are on board to provide visitors with information on the life of the animals. Hot drinks are also available. Many companies guarantee their customers a whale sighting by offering a second tour if no animals are spotted on the first.

Other less expensive and less time-consuming activities are available in the bay. For example, you can hire a kayak or paddle board for $20 an hour. For those who prefer speed, a jet ski in the bay costs $250 for 2 hours and 30 minutes' hire. There's something for everyone, from dinner on the water with fireworks, to a 1.5-hour express city tour, or a trip on a small boat to admire the sunset.