Time zone: GMT -8 time zone. Vancouver observes daylight savings between March and November, so it will move an hour forward (GMT -7 time zone). 

Weather: Vancouver enjoys four seasons but they are not very distinct from each other—summers are comfortable at around 21 degrees Celsius, while winters are mild compared to the rest of Canada, with temperatures between four and eight degrees Celsius.

Hottest months: July and August with average temperatures reaching 22 degrees Celsius. 

Coldest month: January with temperatures at the lowest of three degrees Celsius.

Electricity: 120 volts, using the below plug:

Rarely can you experience wild alpine mountains so close to the city, so if you have a day to spare in Vancouver, make a trip up the sprawling Grouse Mountain located just 15 minutes from the downtown core. 

Rising 1,250 metres, the mountain is a playground for all seasons of the year. You can ski, snowboard, and take a sleigh ride in winter. For the rest of the months, try trekking, paragliding, or taking the chairlift for an unparalleled view.   

And if you are a Black Pan Pacific DISCOVERY member, do redeem the once-in-a-lifetime experience Breakfast with the Bear at the mountain. You will get early access to the cable car Skyride and watch grizzly bears Grinder and Coola have their morning meal, before enjoying your own breakfast at the Grizzly Lookout. 

Get directions to Grouse Mountain Skyride

Looking for more postcard perfect vacation spots? The pretty and quaint historic town of Steveston, located just an hour away from Pan Pacific Vancouver, will not disappoint. Founded in the 1880s, the picturesque fishing town has painstakingly restored several important buildings to their former glory—visitors often feel that they have travelled back in time. 

The town boasts of two National Historic Sites: The Gulf of Georgia Cannery and the Britannia Shipyards. Take time to explore the Steveston Museum, too. Once the town’s first bank, it has a Living History programme where you can participate in historical activities led by guides in period costumes. 

And as a final nod to its Insta-worthiness, Steveston has been the site of filming for many television series and films—most notably the fictional magical town of Storybrooke in the popular TV series Once Upon A Time. 

Get directions to Steveston

After charming Steveston, continue journeying back in time with a taste of the rugged life in the 1880s. 

At the Fort Langley National Historic Site—a former fur trading post dubbed the birthplace of British Columbia—you can watch costumed interpreters share its history as well as stories of its original inhabitants of fur traders, boat builders, and farmers. 

Explore how blacksmithing, barrel-making, or gold-panning was done in the past. You can even try your hand at shooting a 19th century musket! Look out for special events held throughout the year, such as Brigade Days, Grave Tales walking tours, and the much vaunted Vive les Voyageurs Festival celebrating the food, music and culture of 19th century French-Canadian and Métis fur traders.

Get directions to Fort Langley National Historic Site

If the long hours of sightseeing have left you with sore muscles, follow what the local Sts'ailes First Nations (the indigenous peoples in Canada) have done for thousands of years—take a relaxing soak in the Harrison Hot Springs. 

Revered as an ancient healing place, the mineral springs are believed to bring relief to sufferers of rheumatism and arthritis because of its naturally high mineral content of sulphur, iron, magnesia, Epsom salts, iodine, potash, and alum. 

To access it, head to the indoor Harrison Hot Springs Public Pool, which contains water pumped from the springs and cooled to a soothing 38 degree Celsius.

Get directions to Harrison Hot Springs Public Pool