Hugged by white snow-capped mountain peaks and surrounded by the peaceful waters of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is a universally agreed "must-see" destination.
British Columbia is not only beautiful, but it also strikes that perfect balance of natural scenery with impossibly charming urban landscapes.
A blend of glacial mountains, a stunning Pacific shoreline, fjords that shimmer with a hint of blue, expansive rainforests, and glistening vineyards make up the beautiful Western Province of BC. Amidst nature, there are multi-cultural urban hubs of astonishing beauty and striking, modern cities.
Like Vancouver: an extraordinary city that's overflowing with world-renowned cuisine, shopping and culture. Victoria: a bastion of British ancestry, offering a wealth of world-class parks and gardens. Then there's Whistler: a four-season resort community endowed with incomparable skiing and hiking.
Nature lovers are in for the holiday of a lifetime. From Vancouver, you can set off on a cruise across pristine waters alive with orcas, dolphins and seals, as you sail up the Pacific Coast towards Alaska. Or hire a car and journey through winding roads where the outstanding Rocky Mountains become your travel companion. There's also the option to unwind in the Okanagan Valley, Canada's premier wine region.
If you want to get really adventurous, then head into Northern British Columbia. Here you can hop in a rented RV and journey north along the Alaska Highway, or a journey west by road or rail through the Coast Mountains to the Pacific Ocean! Provincial parks offer hikes from easy to expeditionary; multi-day raft adventures along northern rivers that are the stuff of life lists; and the fishing here is legendary, especially for salmon and steelhead.
Let us help you decide where your British Columbia journey should take you.
British Columbia observes Pacific Time Zone, which is 8 hours behind the UK.
You can fly to Vancouver in just over 9 hours.
You’ll spot a subspecies of black bear here called the Kermode bear or spirit bear. A recessive gene gives the striking white fur! No, it’s definitely not a polar bear!
The first Monday of August is known as ‘BC Day’ in the province of British Columbia, it’s a pretty big deal. And who doesn’t love a party?