British Columbia, or BC, is the westernmost province of Canada, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It is known to be the most beautiful and diverse province in the country. It is rich in cultural history with a large First Nations community, renowned for its food and wine and popular for its cosmopolitan cities.
British Columbia is a natural wonderland of rugged coastlines, majestic mountain ranges, lush forests, wildlife, and vibrant cities. The nature and outdoor adventures are endless here. The landscape is so diverse, you can go skiing or to the beach on the same day. You could walk through national parks and spot grizzly bears and moose. Or explore the world's most beautiful garden on Vancouver Island.
Your tour of the region begins in Vancouver, British Columbia's largest city and frequently ranked among the world's most beautiful and liveable cities. This bustling seaport metropolis is also surrounded by breathtaking nature, and offers a perfect balance between urban ambience and outdoor adventures. It's one of Canada's densest and most ethnically diverse cities, bordered by beautiful mountains, forests and beaches. Discover incredible outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing in its nearby mountains like Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain.
Downtown Vancouver is where most of the action takes place. Here you can enjoy culture, shopping and culinary experiences. Visit the historic Gastown district, explore the trendy shops and restaurants in Yaletown, and enjoy the cultural diversity in Chinatown. Vancouver is also a popular destination for art lovers, with numerous galleries and the iconic Vancouver Art Gallery.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is Vancouver's largest city park and is a true green oasis. There are kilometres of trails you can follow through the park, including part of the Seawall. The Seawall is a 28-kilometre-long boulevard, 9 kilometres of which leads through Stanley Park. Put on your hiking boots or hop on a bike and explore Vancouver's nature, from beaches to rainforest and wildlife. The park is also home to Vancouver's largest aquarium.
Located off the southwestern mainland of BC, Vancouver Island is about 460 kilometres long. Stretching from British Columbia's thriving capital of Victoria in the south to Cape Scott's wilderness and hidden beaches in the north, this unique destination combines large forests, rugged landscapes, rocky mountain peaks, and mysterious coastlines. Whether you want to escape to a lush vineyard, experience world-class whale watching, or conquer the waves of the Pacific, Vancouver Island has it all.
Your first stop on Vancouver Island is Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, and founded as Fort Victoria in 1843, it is often referred to as being more British than the British. It's a small, quaint city full of historic architecture, such as the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel and the BC Legislature building. Take a stroll through the picturesque Inner Harbour, explore the atmospheric streets full of boutiques and cafes and visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Victoria also has a thriving arts scene, with theatres, art galleries and regular festivals and events.
Culinary experiences in Victoria
Considered a gourmet's paradise, Victoria has more restaurants per capita than any other city in Canada. One of the best things to try in Victoria is the high tea at the Empress Hotel. Immerse yourself in Victoria's British culture and order fresh fish and chips near the harbour.
After your visit to Victoria, it's time to explore the nature of Vancouver Island. You can catch the ferry to Nanaimo directly from Vancouver. Explore Chemainus or Nanoose Bay, about 25 minutes outside Nanaimo, from the water by kayak or canoe, or climb to the top of Mount Benson. The Nanaimo area is also an ideal destination for spotting wildlife, such as seals, sea lions, bald eagles, orcas and humpback whales.
Whale watching
The place to go for whale watching, however, is Ucluelet, on Vancouver Island's west coast. From March to October, you can enjoy a spectacle in the water here. Hop on a boat for a tour and be overwhelmed by the immense sea creatures that live here. Grey whales migrate along the coast and humpback whales give a show by jumping out of the water. With a bit of luck, you will even see an orca!
Herring and salmon run
Back on Vancouver Island's east coast, a treat awaits you that will exceed all your expectations. The inlets between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia become hotspots for wildlife spotting in spring and autumn.
From the east coast, drive further north towards Telegraph Cove. Take plenty of time to visit this special place, as there is an awful lot to discover. In Telegraph Cove, you can soak up some culture. In fact, this place feels like a living museum, where every house has its own history. In addition, Telegraph Cove is a great destination for nature lovers and adventurers. This Canadian town is surrounded by water, making it the perfect place for kayaking, diving, snorkelling, and whale watching.
Great Bear Rainforest
You can also take a day tour from Telegraph Cove to the Great Bear Rainforest, and then go in search of grizzly bears! Join a native guide and listen to the cultural significance and stories behind the landscape as the tour heads towards the areas where the bears can be seen. Think the day can't go wrong already after seeing a grizzly bear? Then there's something else in store for you - spotting migrating humpback whales!
From northern Vancouver Island, you can return to mainland British Columbia in several ways. For example, you can catch the ferry from Port Hardy to Bella Coola, or you can drive back a bit and catch the boat from Courtenay to Powell River. You can then reach Horseshoe Bay via the Sunshine Coast Highway. The Sea-to-Sky Highway will then lead you to Whistler.
Whistler is a resort town in western BC, situated 125 kilometres to the north of Vancouver. It's Canada's most famous skiing and snowboarding destination. During the summer, Whistler becomes a hub for mountain biking and hiking. Besides Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain, plenty of other natural attractions are nearby. Visit the impressive Brandywine Falls, find the abandoned train wreck, go for a night walk at Vallea Lumina, or drive up to Pemberton and hike to the spectacular Joffre Lakes.
Time for a road trip! From Whistler, drive north. On the way, stop in Pemberton for a beautiful hike around Joffre Lakes. Then continue to Chilcotin Country, a rugged mountain region in British Columbia. Golden grasslands, forested mountains, glaciers and rivers make Chilcotin the Wild West of Canada. Visit one of the many ranches in Chilcotin and explore the wilderness à la Lucky Luke, galloping on a horse. Furthermore, you can spot grizzly bears in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, fish in one of the many lakes in the region and follow the Gold Rush Trail to historic Barkerville.
Wells Gray Provincial Park is on the edge of the Canadian Rockies, near the border of Alberta. This beautiful park is renowned for its abundance of cascading waterfalls formed by rivers and lakes that were carved by ancient volcanoes and glaciers. There are approximately 41 falls scattered around the park. The most iconic is Helmcken Falls.
After Wells Grey National Park, it is time to descend into southern Canada. Hop into your rental car and enter Kamloops as your next destination in your navigation. Kamloops is a city in the sunny, southern interior of the province of British Columbia. Kamloops is also known as the Tournament Capital of Canada because it hosts more than 100 tournaments each year at world-class sports facilities.
It's a beautiful mix of weird and wonderful and charming. Explore the downtown restaurants and bars, and you may even find a cowboy having a beer with a lawyer. Wander down the streets in the heart of the city and discover the cultural centre with art, events, and traditional music shows. Leave the vibrant city walls and adventure into the majestic wilderness of British Columbia. Visit Riverside Park for a hike or bike ride. Ski or snowboard at Sun Peaks Resort or learn about animals at the BC Wildlife Park.
From the prairie of Kamloops, you will travel on to the vineyards and fruit valleys of Okanagan Valley. The Okanagan Valley is situated in the south-central part of BC and stretches over 250 kilometres from Osoyoos in the south to Vernon in the north. The region is known for its dry, sunny climate and boasts about 86% of the province's vineyard acreage. Wine tasting is by far the most popular thing to do here.
The valley offers a perfect mix of sunny weather, scenic vistas and an abundance of activities. With its sprawling vineyards, crystal clear lakes and lush orchards, the Okanagan Valley is a wine lover's paradise and lends itself to outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling and boating. Watch the sunset over Okanagan Lake or go biking on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. This trail is 20 kilometres from Naramata to Penticton, and boasts the most beautiful views. And be sure to stop at the many wineries along the way and sample local wines.
The best time to travel to British Columbia depends on you and what you would like to do. The climate varies due to the mountainous landscape and coastline, ranging from mild and rainy, cold and snowy to a warm Mediterranean climate.
In general, the best travel time is during shoulder season (April to early June and September to October) for fewer crowds and better prices. Summer is great for enjoying the beaches, surfing and whale watching. In Autumn the changing colours of the leaves are incredible to witness and in winter, skiing or spotting the Northern Lights is spectacular.
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From the Okanagan Valley, you can easily travel back to your starting point, Vancouver. You will have completed a wonderful tour of the British Columbia Coast, with a variety of landscapes and experiences. A succession of highlights. Haven't you run out of Canada yet? We understand! There is so much more to explore. For instance, instead of travelling back to Vancouver, you can continue your trip in the Canadian Rockies.
Drive on to Canada's Rocky Mountains and discover enchanting national parks such as Jasper National Park and Banff National Park. Here, snow-capped peaks, azure lakes and beautiful highways await you - an unforgettable addition to your trip through Canada!
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