British Columbia
Travel, vacations, tours and tourism

Travel, Vacations, Tours and Tourism information for British Columbia. Our topics inlcude Restaurants, Overviews, Attractions, Common events, Recreation, Tipical weather, Activities and more.

Situated on Canada's dramatic Pacific Coast, British Columbia presents a delightful dilemma, how to enjoy all of the province's cosmopolitan pleasures and all of its incredible natural beauty in just one vacation. Fortunately, the delightful city of Vancouver makes it easy to have both!

Tucked between the water and the mountains, Vancouver offers many reminders of nature's splendor. Just visit the Harbour Centre's observation deck, or take a walk in one of the city's parks, and you'll instantly feel connected to Vancouver's dazzling setting. One park in Vancouver you won't want to miss is Stanley Park, the largest city park in Canada. Ideal for a quick escape from the bustling streets, Stanley Park is a peaceful enclave with a seawall promenade, winding paths through the woods, horsedrawn carriage rides, the popular Public Aquarium and more. Other sightseeing options in Vancouver include Gastown, where cobblestone streets host trendy shops and cafes; and Chinatown, where you'll find the only authentic Chinese garden outside of China.

Meanwhile, in North Vancouver visitors can ascend to a lookout point atop Grouse Mountain via a gondola, or test their nerves by walking across a deep canyon on the Capilano Suspension Bridge, reputed to be the world's highest and longest.

Destinations in British Columbia

Vancouver/Whistler/Victoria, Canada

This is a "people place" best discovered by walking, biking, or riding a trolley through its diverse neighborhoods like Victorian Gastown, ex-hippie haunt Kitsilano, and the Chinatown marketplace. The city is surrounded by water on three sides, creating an exceptionally scenic walk along the banks of water that surround almost the whole of downtown. Snow-capped mountain peaks line the northern horizon, wide beaches border the Pacific bays, and inlets face lush green temperate rain forests. It's really no wonder that Vancouver is celebrated as one of the most beautiful and exciting cities in the world! In one day, you can exercise your outdoorsy nature by hiking, biking, sailing, golfing, and skiing. Then, change into your man- or woman-about-town clothes, have a meal fit for a king, and settle into a sophisticated evening of opera and art, or jump into an electrifying night of club dancing.

Victoria, Canada

Located at the southern end of Vancouver Island is Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. As if deliberately intent on countering the bustle and modern hip attitude of Vancouver, its neighbor across the Strait of Georgia, this "City of Gardens" is a laid-back and genteel place with an obvious British heritage. In fact, it is said to be "more English than England itself." Among the many reminders of its mother country are the double-decker buses that motor along flower-draped streets, and the High Tea served daily at the landmark Fairmont Empress Hotel. This isn't the city's only legacy, however, as you will quickly find while experiencing its distinctly Pacific Northwest flavor. Museums, cultural performances, restaurants, and lovely villages celebrate the ancient, nature-infused heritage of the province's First Nations.

Whistler, Canada

Pull on your boots and sling your skis over your shoulder, because you're headed for what a whole lot of experts, including the folks at Snow Country, Ski, and Skiing magazines, call the greatest ski experience in North America! Glance up at the 2 peaks towering over the Whistler Valley just as the sun is cresting and the snow sparkles like crystals dancing in the cold fresh air. You've got a decision to make - which mountain? Both, of course! Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains are twin halves of the world-famous Whistler Resort in the rugged Coast Range of British Columbia, Canada. It's ski heaven with incredible views from the top and expansive bowls, long cruising runs (the longest is 7 miles), chutes, and vast glaciers. With so many high-speed chairs, you'll get to the top in record time. When your thighs can't take another second of burning, kick back in one of the Bavarian village's many first-class restaurants, pubs, or clubs for an après-ski scene to rival Europe's greatest. And by the way, the season lasts from November to May!.

Back to Canada index Back to Travel-On-Vacations index