A maioria Vancouverites are used to the press gushing over their city. Afinal de contas, 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.

Claro, como qualquer grande cidade, Vancouver is not without its problems. No entanto, como a cidade se prepara para sediar a 2010 Jogos Olímpicos de Inverno próximo mês de Fevereiro, the press gushing seems to be intensifying.

SmarterTravel.com already named Vancouver one of the top five “Destinos para assistir em 2009,” e, mais recentemente this article from EUA Hoje dubbed Vancouver “the supermodel of North American cities.”

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

Fotografia © Carolyn B. Heller