Plus Vancouverites are used to the press gushing over their city. Après tout, if you spend even a brief time in Vancouver — particularly on a mild summer day when the entire city seems to be lounging at the beach or hanging out in a cafe — you’ll see that it’s a beautiful place.

Bien sûr,, like any major city, Vancouver is not without its problems. Yet as the city gears up to host the 2010 Jeux olympiques d'hiver next February, the press gushing seems to be intensifying.

SmarterTravel.com already named Vancouver one of the top five “Destinations to Watch in 2009,” et, plus récemment, this article from Etats-Unis aujourd'hui dubbed Vancouver “the supermodel of North American cities.”

We assume they’re referring to Vancouver’s dramatic natural setting, rather than its perpetually fleece- et yoga pant- clad population (droit, Montrealers?).

Photo © Carolyn B. Vrai démon