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British Columbia Holidays

Reference WW37889

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 Holiday Highlights

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Vancouver Whale Watching

Every summer well over 80 Orca whales visit the waters south of Vancouver. Sighting chances are 90-95 per cent. Other marine wildlife you are likely to encounter include Humpback whales, Dall’s Porpoises, seals, sea lions, and bald eagles. On rare occasions Minke whales and sea elephants have been encountered. You travel protected from the elements in covered, comfortable, high-speed boats equipped with washroom facilities.

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Bear Viewing

Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains support a population of up to 50 black bears that have adapted to feeding, mating, and hibernating amongst ski area habitats. In this area are also other wildlife such as Coastal Mountain blacktailed deer, coyote, ruffed grouse, red-tailed hawks, barred and great horned owls, and western hoary marmots. Riding in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle, you are lead through a maze of ski area roads that traverse the area’s diverse forests, meadows, and stream environments. Take short walks to bear feeding sites, daybeds, rub trees, and old growth trees where bears have hibernated during the winter.

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Vancouver City & The Lookout Tour

Departing from individual downtown hotels The tour begins with an introduction to downtown including Canada Place, and Robson Street. Wind through historic and modern architectural wonders en route to Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre natural oasis, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. View the First Nations Totem Poles, and gaze upon rainforest and shoreline scenery on the way through the park. Get the camera ready for a photo stop at Prospect Point, with a great view of Lions Gate Bridge. Continue to the English Bay beach area, followed by the eclectic Granville Island Market. Top off this adventure with a glass elevator ride 169 metres above the streets, at the Vancouver Lookout, for views of the ocean, the Coastal Mountains, the city and rugged shoreline. This tour is a great introduction to the scenic and historic highlights of Vancouver

Canada Holidays - Capilano Suspension Bridge
Grouse Mountain & Capilano Suspension Bridge

Departing from individual downtown hotels This tour is all about adventure, as you take in the natural wonders surrounding Vancouver. Begin with a traverse through the green urban oasis of Stanley Park, and across the historic Lion’s Gate Bridge to Vancouver’s North Shore. At Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, stand above an old growth cedar forest and the Capilano River. Experience the awe of natural surroundings, view First Nations Artwork, and feel the rush of adrenaline at the Cliffwalk attraction. The Treetops Adventure walk showcases the beauty and diversity of the Capilano coastal rainforest. Continue to the Capilano River Hatchery, a project dedicated to several species of BC salmon and trout. Learn about the life cycle of salmon, with opportunity to view hatching and juvenile fish before they are released into a nearby river. Spectacular Grouse Mountain is next, offering up ever changing views as the Skyride ascends to the peak. Explore the wildlife refuge, awesome chainsaw carvings and learn about the local wildlife at the Theatre in the Sky. Be amazed and enchanted by the forests and mountains surrounding Vancouver on this memorable tour.

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TreeTrek Canopy Walk

Journey high among the treetops on a spectacular network of suspension bridges, suspended stairways, boardwalks and trails on our TreeTrek Canopy Walk. You’ll explore the magnificent old-growth rainforest and enjoy stunning vistas on this unique adventure. Perfect for all ages with no ziplining required.

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Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is a world-class attraction located in Whistler showcasing the distinct cultures of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations, two First Nations (Aboriginal) peoples of British Columbia. This extraordinary experience will include colourful indigenous art — seen nowhere else, historical and contemporary exhibits, textiles, cedar carvings, priceless collections, song, dance, traditional food, live artist demonstrations, interactive programs and an exploratory outdoor component. The Cultural Centre offers guests of all ages an authentic and fascinating resort activity that is not to be missed. This magnificent 3-storey, 30,400 square foot venue houses a Great Hall, Class-A Museum, 80 seat Theatre, 1200 square foot Gift Shop and a Café. The Squamish and Lil’wat people of British Columbia invite you to witness the richness of their worlds. Situated on six forested acres in Whistler’s upper village, the Centre is easy walking distance from all Whistler Village hotels, restaurants and shops. The SLCC is a shared legacy project of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

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Butchart Gardens Tour

From Victoria’s Inner Harbour, we take you to the Butchart Gardens, named a National Historic Site of Canada in 2004, the 100th birthday of the gardens. 22 Hectares (55 acres) of breathtaking gardens on the 53 hectare (130 acre) estate are visited by more than a million people each year. The gardens are glorious any time of year. Once at the gardens stroll through the floral splendor which greets you at every turn. Return to downtown Victoria on a shuttle convenient for you...

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Craft Beer and Culinary Tour

Craft beer in Victoria has exploded and on this tour we will visit 4 of the best brewpubs and restaurants that are creating and serving the best beers in the city! Join us for an afternoon tour that involves 7 beer samples, 3 food stops, and lots of history about the craft beer scene and the city.

We start the tour at the new Hawk and Hen restaurant on Yates Street. Here we sample a local Phillips beer and dine on their house made ricotta and tomato salad. Matt Philips has been making stellar beer in Victoria since 2001 and is a staple in the local beer scene. Next we head to the very trendy Drake Eatery for 2 ever-changing beers and a small bite to eat. The Drake carries over 25 taps that are always changing and always unique! After a walk through historic Market Square (once the loction of the largest Opium manufacturer in North America) we stop in at the iconic Swan’s Hotel and Brewpub. Here we try one of their beers made in-house by their brewmaster. Lastly we end at Canoe Brewpub where we will sample 2 of their in-house beers and another small bite to eat. Located in a heritage building along the Inner Harbour, this is a great place to either stick around and enjoy the view or continue East on the Victoria ale trail.

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Victoria Whale Watching

This coastal excursion is an exhilarating round trip of 50 to 80 kilometres in search of Orcas, minke whales, grey whales, porpoises, harbour seals and other marine wildlife. You will ride aboard a comfortable covered vessel or a custom-built zodiac boat that offers high speed with extraordinary stability giving you an exhilarating, safe and intimate whale watching experience. Comments by a certified marine biologist and naturalist are provided.

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Okanagan Valley

Unwind in one of Canada's most prestigious wine regions. Easily accessible by road and air, Okanagan Valley is home to over 170 licensed wineries and more than 50 18-hole golf courses, as well as four major ski resorts and some of Canada’s most dramatic wilderness parks!

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Kootenay Rockies

Lying along the western flanks of the Rocky Mountains, the Kootenay Rockies are home to four national parks as well as some of Canada’s highest peaks, most scenic golf courses, and hippest ski resorts—which morph into hiking, mountain biking, and rafting playgrounds each summer.

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Northern British Columbia

At half a million square kilometres (nearly 200,000 square miles), Northern British Columbia is a land of towering mountains, pristine rivers, ancient forests, and abundant wildlife. Rich in First Nations heritage and scattered with small, friendly towns and cities, this explorers’ paradise boasts some of Canada’s greatest road, rail, and sea journeys.

Popular British Columbia Holidays

Essential information for british Columbia

Time Zone

British Columbia observes Pacific Time Zone, which is 8 hours behind the UK.

Flight Information

You can fly to Vancouver in just over 9 hours.

Spot a Spirit Bear

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!

BC day!

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?

British Columbia Photos

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