Features

A complete guide to Vancouver's Gastown neighbourhood

Gastown is more than just cobblestone streets and a landmark steam clock. It’s Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood, lined with historic pubs, hidden galleries, trinket shops, cafes, boutiques, and sprawling patios that are perfect for the upcoming season. So if your goal is to roam the city and discover some new spots, consider hitting up Gastown first.The origins of the neighbourhood as we know it can be traced back to the days of “Gassy Jack” and a single tavern, in what was then known as the Cit...

Vancouver's rarest and most popular cherry blossoms were cultivated over hundreds of years

There’s still time to enjoy Vancouver’s stunning cherry blossom season – undoubtedly one of the most beautiful times of year – and one we always wish lasted longer. Hailing from Japan and symbolizing spring renewal, flowering cherry trees (also known as cherry blossoms) are considered the ornamental versions of the fruit-bearing trees, cultivated by humans over hundreds of years.We spoke with naturalist, author, and local cherry blossom guide Nina Shoroplova about the logistics of cultivating Va...

Scientists bring back the long-extinct dire wolf that once made its way to Canada

It seems that the legendary, long-lost dire wolf has come out of its 10,000-some years of extinction to make a few headlines, thanks to Colossal Biosciences, a company that claims to be “the world’s only de-extinction company.” While some experts dispute this “scientific breakthrough” with claims that ancient DNA is too fragile to clone, the story has already captured the world’s attention.

Vancouver has a new place for cold plunging with the largest sauna in the city

Kolm Kontrast is the newest addition to Vancouver’s cold plunging scene, providing a relaxing space for guests to unwind after a busy day, regulate their nervous systems, and take advantage of all the health benefits that hot and cold cycling has to offer. Translating to “three” in Estonian, Kolm (pronounced ‘calm’) is all about achieving community connection and personal growth through its three pillars of “relax,” “recover,” and “reconnect."

The chef behind the second-best paella in the world shares his most popular dish in Vancouver

It takes a lot to capture the heart of a country’s cuisine while outside of that country, but it’s something that Chef Javier Blanc of Paella Guys has down to a science. By replicating some of Spain’s most traditional paella recipes right here in Vancouver, Chef Blanc has nailed down the essence of what makes paella such a popular dish – and become a paella pioneer in the process.

B.C.'s SmartSweets founder just launched a program to support female entrepreneurs under 30

Tara Bosch has always had an affinity for ideas that could change the world for the better. Her million-dollar idea came to her after a conversation with her grandmother, who expressed regret over the amount of sugar she’d consumed in her life. This led the Surrey, B.C., native to months of recipe-testing in her kitchen, where Bosch would eventually craft SmartSweets – delicious candy without all the added sugar.