Harry Kane steps up and calmly slots his penalty home, Thomas Tuchel sprints onto the pitch to embrace his captain, the fans go wild, ENGLAND HAVE DONE IT. Football has finally come home.
In an ideal world, this is the euphoria we will all be experiencing this summer.
But, and it feels treacherous to even write this, there is a world where Kane gets injured in a warm-up game, Tuchel falls out with everyone, the fans kick off and suddenly England are dumped out at the group stages.
What then? How do you fill your long summer days?
Well, I have the answer: a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Canada’s buzzing Vancouver and beautiful British Columbia.
Yes, Vancouver is hosting games in its BC Place stadium, with a giant fan park nearby, but there is so much to enjoy that doesn’t involve a penalty miss or tears at full time, you’ll forget all about the Three Lions.
Instead you can follow a family of orcas, go surfing and then sample delicious cuisine in an endless array of restaurants. Not to mention enjoy a host of local beers from trendy breweries.
The options are endless – the Daily Mail breaks down the top eight ways to enjoy and explore this wonderful region.
Vancouver is the perfect location for those who want the best of both worlds – fantastic food and culture with adventures in the wilderness just an hour or two away
The coast near the town of Tofino on Vancouver Island boasts stunning beaches and dramatic waves
INDLUGE IN VANCOUVER’S FOOD SCENE
If you speak to Vancouver’s friendly locals, you will quickly learn that many people move to the coastal city solely to enjoy the beautiful wilderness surrounding it.
But you don’t need to pull on a pair of hiking boots or jump in a kayak to make the most of it, you can have a lot of fun simply by eating your way around the city. I know I did.
For instance, why not spend a lazy morning strolling around Granville Island Public Market where you can gorge on freshly baked rosemary salt bagels from Seigels and then wash it down with a delicious local lager at the Tap & Barrel brewery next door (it is 5pm somewhere after all).
Or if you really want to treat yourself, book a table at Glowbal where the bone marrow on sourdough and lobster pasta is to die for.
There is also a thriving Asian culinary scene in Vancouver and the unspeakably trendy Anh and Chi is also well worth a visit – get the delicious beef skewers – with cocktail bar Good Thief just next door, the perfect way to finish your evening.
Cycling through Vancouver’s biggest and lushest green space, Stanley Park, is the perfect way to work off indulgence at the city’s excellent restaurants
Spend a lazy morning strolling around Granville Island Public Market where you can gorge on a freshly baked rosemary salt bagel from Seigels
SEARCH FOR ORCAS AND BLUE WHALES
Spotting an orca for the first time is a surreal experience. Just being in the presence of these graceful, majestic creatures is such a privilege.
Prince of Whales tours offer wonderful trips where the eagle-eyed guides have the ability to spot whales more than 100ft away by the ripple of the water or the minuscule tip of a dorsal fin – all while you’re trying to figure out what direction to look in.
I visited Vancouver slightly early for whale watching (the shoulder season in April) and we still spotted a family of orcas within an hour and a half, not to mention blue whales, sea lions and bald eagles.
It was a delight – make sure you book ahead.
GRAB A SLICE THEN CYCLE
Spotting orcas is hungry work and AJ’s Brooklyn Pizza is a must-visit for slice-lovers.
The pepperoni and garlic twists with a hazy IPA went down a treat, but as the bill came so did that big-lunch guilt.
Cycling through Vancouver’s biggest and lushest green space, Stanley Park, is the perfect way to work off some of the indulgence.
There are bike hire shops everywhere around the park and they are a cheap and fun way to get about.
Cycle paths are clearly signposted and snake their way through the trees and along the coast line offering wonderful views.
It is a lovely way to spend a couple of hours until you are ready for dinner.
Orca spotting off the coast of Vancouver and British Columbia is a must-see experience
Taking a road trip to Vancouver Island is like weaving through scenery straight out of the movies
HIT THE ROAD
With the wilderness of British Columbia a two-hour ferry ride away from Vancouver, paradise really is on your doorstep.
Hire a car, rental chain Avis has a number of branches in the city, and head to the capital, Vancouver Island.
Soon you’ll be weaving your way through scenery straight out of the movies – giant snow-topped mountain ridges, endless forests, crystal clear creeks before hitting the highway on ‘The Infinite Coast’, a route along Vancouver Island’s western edge, for jaw-dropping views.
The beaches you pass along the way are so beautiful that you will feel the urge to pull over, sprint across the white sand and dive into the sea – don’t fight it.
STAY AT THE BEST HOTEL
The Wickaninnish Inn was voted the best hotel in Canada and third in the whole of North America in 2025.
As soon as you step into your room and rays of glorious sunshine burst through its French windows, with views of the stunning coastline, you will immediately know why.
Staying at this hotel is a dream. The rooms are elegant, the breakfasts are delicious and the staff are charming.
Its real draw is the location, nestled on a rocky outcrop, overlooking a beautiful white beach – it is genuinely a slice of heaven.
It was heartbreaking to leave.
The Wickaninnish Inn is a five-star hotel near Tofino on Vancouver Island boasting stunning views of the coast
The Wickaninnish Inn was voted the best hotel in Canada and third in the whole of North America in 2025
The real draw of the Wickannish is the location, nestled on a rocky outcrop, overlooking a beautiful white beach – it is genuinely a slice of heaven
HAVE A TOP TIME IN TOFINO
Often when visiting remote tourist towns you’re stuck with limited options – overpriced cafes dishing up mediocre food, a packed pub with nowhere to sit, a gift shop selling tat.
This is not the case with Tofino.
A beguiling little town surrounded by mountains, green forests and nestled on the coast, it has a frontier feeling but is surprisingly packed with brilliant restaurants and fun bars – all just a five-minute walk apart.
Highlights are dinner with a view at the fantastic Shelter, a burger in the sun at Shed, cocktails and small plates at Wolf in the Fog or a slice of decadence at Savary Island Pie Co.
TRACK DOWN BLACK BEARS (FROM A SAFE DISTANCE)
There are a lot of bears on Vancouver Island and thankfully you can spot them all from a safe distance thanks to Jamie’s Whaling Station.
Jamie’s expert guides whisk you off on a nippy speed boat with a large glass shell – there’s no disembarking during the tour for obvious reasons – tearing around the forest inlets and islands where black bears are known to forage for shellfish.
It is incredible to see them up close in the wild and the tour is an absolute must when visiting British Columbia.
Alex Matthews enjoys a beer at Shed, a restaurant in the small town of Tofino on Vancouver Island
Going on a bear tour along the coast is an absolute must when visiting British Columbia
A surf lesson is the perfect way to enjoy the stunning Vancouver Island beaches and a highlight of any trip
SURF’S UP
Surfing off the coast of British Columbia is a pinch-me moment. It doesn’t matter if you are experienced or a complete novice (like I was) the excellent team of all-female instructors at Surf Sister will ensure you love every single minute.
For those lucky enough to be staying at the Wickannish Inn, lessons take place on the beach right outside your room.
It is the absolute perfect way to enjoy the stunning Vancouver Island beaches and a highlight of any trip.
TRAVEL FACTS
Air Canada offers return flights from London Heathrow to Vancouver from £703.39pp (hand luggage only), or £813.39pp economy with one piece of checked baggage.
It also offers non-stop year-round services from Heathrow to Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa and Halifax.
For more details, visit aircanada.com or call 0808 812 6310.
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