British Columbia, Canada’s westernmost province, has an intriguing location at the center of a compass: cosmopolitan cities to the south, unspoiled wilds in the north, Pacific Ocean fjords and islets in the west, and the snow-laden peaks of the Canadian Rockies in the east.
Visitors can do anything here from ziplining and glacier skiing to kayaking with whales and salmon fishing to gold panning and ghost town touring. The region has nine national parks and hundreds of provincial parks. British Columbia is renowned for its natural bounty, but there are plenty of tempting, lively cities with a sophisticated culture.
Vancouver, a major port in the southwest corner of the mainland features performing arts, museums, bars, art galleries, Stanley Park, the cobblestone Gastown District, Chinatown’s Night Market, dining and uptown boutique shopping on Robson Street. Ten minutes from downtown is the shaky Capilano Suspension Bridge spanning a temperate rain forest canyon.
Just north of Vancouver is breathtaking Whistler, a resort with 200 marked ski runs on two gigantic mountains. At the southern tip of offshore Vancouver Island is British Columbia’s capital, Victoria. Tour its inner harbor, upscale residential neighborhoods with Victorian architecture and Butchart Gardens’ English, Italian and Japanese displays.
The picturesque Gulf Islands are dotted with artist colonies and quaint seaside villages. The Queen Charlotte Islands are inhabited by several Aboriginal communities. For something different, follow the Okanagan Wine Route, with 60 vineyards and follow it up with a round at one of the area’s many golf courses.