Elite Traveler March-April 2015

EXPLORE SHANGHAI

EXPERIENCE

COMING SOON...

The 63-story Trump Tower will be the city’s second tallest building when it opens next year. Opportunities for residential investors include 217 units (ranging from644 to 4,700 square feet) which come with private jet or Rolls-Royce hours [useage] for all owners. A Trump- branded hotel will take up the first 23 floors, along with a spa (by Ivanka Trump), Vancouver’s first hotel champagne bar and a pool bar nightclub with a wading pool and glass ceilings. trumpvancouver.com

The Eye of the Wind turbine and its 213ft-high observation pod

Make it a cultural urban adventure at the Vancouver Art Gallery with an exclusive before-hours tour in the company of an art expert and a lavish alfresco breakfast on the private patio or among breathtaking floral arrangements. Discover the secrets of the gallery’s turn-of-the-century heritage building and explore one of the featured exhibitions. Recent highlights have included Douglas Coupland: everywhere is anywhere is anything is everything, and The Forbidden City: Inside the court of China’s emperors.

TAKE THREE/// ESCAPE THE CITY

Consistently voted North America’s number one ski and board resort thanks to its twin mountains and 8,100 acres of varied terrain, Whistler is Vancouver’s adventure playground, just 90-minutes drive or 30-minute helicopter ride (charters@helijet.com, +1 800 665 4354) into the mountains. Sharpen your skills in a one-on-one lesson with an Olympic gold medallist on the slopes. Rise before the sun to board a Blackcomb Aviation helicopter to the plateau of Grouse Mountain. Once there, head to the Eye of the Wind turbine 3,950ft above the city and its 213ft-high observation pod for an private sunrise yoga class. Gain a sense of serenity as you enjoy 360-degree views of the Fraser Valley, Georgia Strait and stunning Coastal Mountain range as the first rays of the sunrise greet you. grousemountain.com, guestservices@ grousemountain.com, price on application

vanartgallery.bc.ca, tourism@ vanartgallery.bc.ca, price on application

MUST TRY: SENSE SPA – ROSEWOOD HOTEL GEORGIA

Current exhibitions at Vancouver Art Gallery include Emily Carr and Landon Mackenzie (left) and

You don’t have to be an outdoorsy type to embrace the city’s most invigorating elements, thanks to a treatment designed to emulate the feeling after a walk on Vancouver’s iconic seawall. The 80-minute Signature Sensation will leave you with an effortless rosy glow following 80 minutes of being rubbed, spritzed, showered and scrubbed using locally-harvested seawood, douglas fir and ‘glacial mist’ – for the ultimate in revival pampering. From $145. rosewoodhotels.com/en/hotel- georgia-vancouver/wellness/spa

Cezanne (below)