Think you know tea? Maybe. But we bet you’ve never experienced it like this.

Imagine a wine bar, replace the wine with tea, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at O5 Tea, Vancouver’s new Mecca for tea enthusiasts. While sitting under Molo-designed paper lanterns, we opted for a tasting flight of three rare teas ($17). To open up the palate we began with Balkyocha Noeul, a chocolate-y oolong from South Korea, and then proceeded to the grassy Long Jing green tea from the Zhejiang province of China, and finally finished off with Ghorka Estate, a Nepalese tea with notes of pumpkin, apple and clove, ideal for the holiday season. We snacked on Gang Jung ($7), Korean Imperial sweets made in-house with a healthy dose of fruits and nuts.

Truly an afternoon delight. —Anya Georgijevic

O5 Tea, 2208 W. Fourth Ave., Vancouver, 604-558-0500, http://o5tea.com

A girl can never have too many shoes, too many bags, and too many macarons.

Don’t believe us? Then try and resist Soirette’s 17 delectable takes ($2 each) on the most precious French confectionery. Freshly settled in Coal Harbour, Soirette Macarons & Tea will easily break through any will power you may think you have when you say “I’ll just have a couple.” Start with a sweet coconut Malibu, add a savoury element with Caramel Fleur de Sel and Pink Peppercorn, then get nutty with Pistachio before getting intense with chocolate and, lastly, freshening up with some Mandarin. One, two, three… Who’s counting? —Anya Georgijevic

Soirette Macarons & Tea, 1433 W. Pender St., Vancouver, 604-558-3308, www.soirette.com

In the land of coffee known as Yaletown, a teashop emerges.

Teaja, the neighborhood’s littlest gem, is a slick, contemporary tea boutique, carrying its own loose-leaf tea infusions. Options are plentiful and so eloquently presented on the “tasting wall” encased in elegant glass jars. Among the flavours are the irresistibly aromatic Genmaicha Grace, the luxurious Double Cream Earl Grey, and the heavenly peony concoction Bai Mu Dan. This teashop does have a small sitting counter, ideal for people watching. Too busy? Take a cup of tea ($3.00) to go. — Anya Georgijevic

Teaja, 1072 Mainland St., Vancouver, 604-558-3252, www.teaja.com

You’ll have to pry the iced tea from our cold, dead hands, because we aren’t ready to say goodbye to summer yet.

Denial is best steeped in an Eva Solo Iced Tea Maker ($99.95). Shaped like a milk bottle, the glass carafe comes with all the fittings for making homebrew, so you simply place your tea leaves in the filter, fill with hot water, let cool in the fridge then serve.

We suggest turning The Ô Dor citrus-bergamot rooibos blend Trahison Byzantine ($18/100ml) into the tasty tea sangria they serve up at The Urban Tea Merchant by adding white grape juice, a splash of fruit syrup and sliced fruits.

Sip it while shopping for fall sweaters to ease into the season that isn’t summer.

Tea and tea maker at Urban Tea Merchant, 1070 Georgia St., Vancouver, 604-692-0071, www.urbantea.com

See photos of our afternoon tea on today's Editors' Diary.

To celebrate the release of Alice in Wonderland, there has been all matter of Alice-themed paraphernalia. But we think the best way to honor Lewis Carroll’s classic is with a very merry un-birthday tea party.

Hotel Vancouver has rejigged its afternoon tea to be Wonderland-inspired. Playing cards are strewn across the table underneath your tier of treats. The standbys we love, like melt-in-your-mouth scones and Devonshire cream, are still on the menu, but the dessert tray now boasts flamingo-esque profiteroles and cupcakes. And then there’s the lovely little discount you receive for bringing your movie ticket stub or wearing a pretty party hat.

An all Alice afternoon this Easter weekend will solidify your station as Coolest Aunt Ever.

Mad Hatter’s Tea (adults $36, children $16) runs until April 30, 2010 at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 West Georgia St., Vancouver, 604-662-1900, www.fairmont.com/hotelvancouver

Desiring more than cookie-cutter vases and dime-a-dozen decor, we headed to Wanted, a new lifestyle boutique on the edge of Chinatown (look for the sign—it’s the only storefront on the entire block).

Owner Susan Schroeder fills the quaint shop with pretty little things, like indoor plants (think creeping figs, lemon button ferns and peace lilies sourced from local nurseries) and a succulent garden arranged by hand—don't miss the unique selection of bonsai trees.

Add to that clutches and coin purses made from recycled wool blankets, beautifully decorated vases that start from tin pails, charming stationery, locally-crafted soaps, teas and jewellery, and vintage flash cards, quilted blankets and quirky stuffed animals for tots.

What more could a girl want?

Wanted, 436 Columbia St., Vancouver, 604-633-0178, www.wantedshop.ca