Bookended by the Rockies and the Pacific, British Columbia is a bit of a looker. And though it’s a large province with much to explore, its diversity can conveniently be found within easy reach of the cosmopolitan hub of Vancouver.
It’s just a few hours to the mountain resort of Whistler, to the heritage city of Victoria, to the wildlife and wilderness of Vancouver Island, to the beaches of the Sunshine Coast and to the wineries of the Fraser Valley.
Many of those visiting western Canada fly into Vancouver, so it’s important to know what’s on offer during the first few days of their holiday.
Popular highlights
Vancouver: The surrounding sea and mountains make Vancouver a great-looking city, but it also has depth. It’s a collection of districts, from the cobbled streets of historic Gastown to Chinatown, Little Italy and Little India. It’s a green city too, from downtown Stanley Park to the rainforest treetrop walk in Capilano Park, home to the world’s highest suspension bridge.
Victoria: Vancouver may be bigger, but historic Victoria on Vancouver Island is BC’s capital. It’s a compact, walkable city, with heritage buildings and a slow pace of life. Visitors often stop at the Butchart Botanical Gardens, take afternoon tea and meander among the craft and gift shops.
Vancouver Island: Outside Victoria, Vancouver Island is all about wilderness and wildlife. Whale-watching cruises are very popular, leaving from Victoria and Tofino, and are easily bookable through tour operators, as are bear-watching trips.
Whistler: Best known for its winter sports, Whistler and neighbouring peak Blackcomb hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics and are a mecca for fans of snowy pursuits. In summer it’s action central too, with hiking, biking, horse riding and rafting on offer. Those with a head for heights can try ziplining or get the cable car between peaks.
Whistler Mountaineer: The sea-to-sky highway, as the road between Vancouver and Whistler is known, provides stunning coastal and mountain scenery. Those who’d rather let the train take the strain can catch the Whistler Mountaineer, which takes three-and-a-half hours to make the journey, running through scenic Howe Sound and the Cheakamus Canyon before heading into the mountains.
Lesser-known gems
Wilderness Resorts: Many parts of BC are untouched, save for handily placed luxury resorts that enable clients to enjoy the tranquillity without forgoing gourmet dining and a respectable thread count.
Popular choices include the Sonora Resort on Vancouver Island and King Pacific Lodge on the remote north coast of BC – both offer activities such as salmon fishing and bear-watching. The former is accessible by helicopter or water taxi, the latter only by float plane.
Wines: The Okanagan Valley produces much of BC’s wine, but there are also vines in Fraser Valley, which is closer to Vancouver.
Sunshine Coast: Sandy beaches and a sunny microclimate make the meandering coast just north of Vancouver the perfect spot to relax. There are plenty of lodge resorts where clients can relax and make the most of the stunning scenery.
BC’s Rockies: Quieter than the Alberta hot spots of Banff and Jasper, BC’s Rocky Mountain resorts offer a similar alpine beauty. Skiers can head for
Fernie, Kimberley and Panorama, and the destination resort of Sun Peaks offers winter and summer activities.
Itineraries
Most itineraries start in Vancouver and then venture broadly one way or the other – east into the Rocky Mountains and over to Calgary in Alberta, or west to Vancouver Island. It’s possible to do both in a fortnight – see Thomas Cook Signature’s Western Adventure, which visits Calgary, the Rockies, Whistler, Vancouver Island and Vancouver in 16 days, starting from £1,258. Clients who have less time should pick one option or the other.
Those with only a week to spare can easily see Vancouver and the island, and many operators package up these trips with a wildlife focus due to the opportunities to spot whales and bears. Canadian Affair’s seven-day Pacific Rim Whales and Bears itinerary is typical, with two nights each in Vancouver, Victoria and Tofino. It costs from £645 including hotels, transfers and bear and whale-watching trips, but excluding flights.
Trips into the Rockies tend to last anything from a week to a fortnight, depending on pace and the number of stops. Twists on traditional self-drive and touring options include the famous luxury tourist train the Rocky Mountaineer.
There are three overnight routes: from Vancouver to Calgary via Kamloops and Banff, from Vancouver to Jasper via Kamloops, and from Whistler to Jasper via Quesnel. Kuoni offers all these itineraries from £499 in standard Red Leaf class and £1,015 in plush Gold Leaf class.
Another appealing add-on is an Alaska cruise. These run out of Vancouver, travelling up the Inside Passage and giving passengers stunning views of glaciers and the opportunity to visit frontier gold-rush towns such as Skagway.
1st Class Holidays offers a Rockies Marvel with Alaska Cruise itinerary. This combines an 11-day tour that visits Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria and various Rocky Mountain resorts, including a Rocky Mountaineer train journey, with a week on a Holland America Line Alaskan cruise. This itinerary starts from £3,265 excluding international flights.
