WORDS CRAIG TANSLEY
You don’t have to travel far to appreciate the incredible diversity of landscape you’ll see on a holiday in British Columbia. There’s so much more than mountains here – though if you’re looking for big mountains, you’ve sure come to the right place. But what about the lakes, the wine regions … even the beaches?
BRITISH COLUMBIA
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Goat River, Prince George. There's a real variety of terrain in B.C.
Take a scenic drive from Vancouver along one of the world’s most scenic roads, the Sea To Sky Highway (Highway 99) to Whistler-Blackcomb. It’s a 200 kilometre journey through old-growth forest, past beaches and beneath 2000-metre-plus mountains. You start right at sea level, before eventually scaling much greater heights at Whistler. Just north of Vancouver, stop in for fish’n’chips as you scan the water for creatures of the deep like seals, whales, and even bald-headed eagles hunting for salmon at peaceful, tiny inlets like Horseshoe Bay and Britannia Beach (also home to quirky art galleries and cafes). Then stop at the ‘Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada’, Squamish. There’s a bit of everything on offer here, not least the Sea to Sky Gondola: an epic floor to ceiling glass capsule gliding 880m above sea level, giving incredible bird's-eye views of everything British Columbia.
B.C is, like much of Canada, an epic road trip destination.
Whistler Village.
Peaks & Grapes
10 DAYS | 9 NIGHTS
Peaks by the hundreds, glaciers, icefields, rushing rivers and stunning lakes combine with the wineries of the Okanagan Valley to offer a unique journey through one of Canada's lesser known regions. Enjoy spectacular drives, wine tasting and more.
FROM ONLY
$2015*
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Peaks & Grapes
10 DAYS | 9 NIGHTS
Peaks by the hundreds, glaciers, icefields, rushing rivers and stunning lakes combine with the wineries of the Okanagan Valley to offer a unique journey through one of Canada's lesser known regions. Enjoy spectacular drives, wine tasting and more.
FROM ONLY
$2015*
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Dusk hiking at the extraordinary Sun Peaks Resort.
SUN PEAKING AND THRILL SEEKING
Whistler is the largest ski resort in North America, but then, there’s just as much to do in summer. Its main pedestrian-only village is home to over 90 restaurants and bars, including some of Canada’s best regional ones. The village pulses with live music played at outdoor terraces. Adventure lovers can try anything from mountain biking and hiking to kayaking and swimming. Thrill seekers will love riding North America’s longest single zip-line. For those who prefer a slower pace, there’s four championship golf courses, designed by the world’s best course designers, like Jack Nicklaus.
Or you can just soak in the atmosphere of Whistler’s world-famous pedestrian-only village, home to some of Canada’s best regional restaurants and bars. And ride the world’s longest, highest gondola, the 4.4km PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains (be sure to keep your eyes open for bears). You could stay in Whistler for weeks, but there’s so much more to see yet. Take a five hour drive east to Sun Peaks Resort and blow your mind – it’s really great for families with all sorts of free summer activities and markets, perfect for kids of all ages. Its pedestrian-only European-style village is the perfect place to be on those long, late twilights of summer, surrounded by three mountains, with wildflowers blooming and 18 hiking trails leading from the village, all dotted with blossoms. You’ll receive over 2000 hours of sunshine in a year at the resort, so why not come and do something energetic, there’s downhill and cross-country bike trails, if you’d rather go faster than walking pace.
The famous PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola draws visitors from all over the world.
Going under the radar as a wine destination, there are actually over 300 wineries in B.C.
Then head down to the Okanagan Valley – Canada’s most under-rated region. There’s hundreds of wineries to visit here (producing everything from great Syrah to award-winning Chardonnay, sparkling wine and Pinot Gris), set around the city of Kelowna. The Okanagan Valley is dubbed the ‘The Napa Of The North’, grapes grow right to the edge of a 90-kilometre-long lake where there’s all sorts of water activities, and some sort of food or wine festival every other weekend through summer. It’s sunny and hot, so you’ll want to get out on the lake before your wine tasting, or long farm-to-table lunches and lively farmers’ markets (this is B.C.’s food bowl).
A future bottle of red.
There's plenty of sniffing and swirling to be done in the 'Tuscany of Canada'.
Take your time here (the valley stretches for 200 kilometres so there’s much to see) before heading west to Vancouver, on your way passing mountain ranges and the wild Fraser Valley, a patchwork of barns, dairies, and fields flanked by steep mountains.
TOP FOUR MUST VISITS IN GASTOWN
When you’re back in Vancouver, be sure to visit the city’s gastronomic epicentre. Gastown is Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood – home to some of the city’s best restaurants and cafes set around cobbled streets and historic Victorian-era architecture.
Make sure you don’t miss:
The lights of Water Street, Vancouver, the street's famous steam clock visible on the corner.
1
WATER STREET
This is the heart of the neighbourhood. Walk down this historic street with its vintage lamp-posts and restaurants which are set in buildings from the late 19th century and its statue of Captain 'Gassy Jack' Deighton (where the name ‘Gastown’ came from).
2
L’ABATTOIR
Everything sounds better in French, but L'Abottoir sounds pretty macabre in any language, right? But there is more to the name. L’Abattoir is a classy restaurant built in the city’s old meat packing district. You won’t find better food in all of Canada, with the French-influenced menu (and cocktails) all set to an industrial chic vibe.
The heart of Gastown - L'Abattoir.
3
THE DIAMOND
It’s not just about food in Gastown - the cocktails alone are worth a trip to Vancouver. The best cocktail lounge in these parts is The Diamond, a small, dark and full of character bar, with exposed brick walls and fancy chandeliers, and cocktails that pay homage to the best drinks of the late 1800s.
4
REVOLVER COFFEE
You don’t have to sit and eat a ‘proper’ meal to feel the vibe of Gastown. It’s also Canada’s coffee capital. And nowhere screams hip caffeine fix more than Revolver. It’s the place to hang out and really soak up Gastown.
SPEAK WITH AN ADVENTURE WORLD TRAVEL DESIGNER TO CREATE YOUR CUSTOM ITINERARY NOW!
Whistler & Canada's Pacific Coast
7 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | FROM $1769*
Discover a hidden gem of western Canada! With incredible beaches and rugged headlands, Vancouver Island is a perfect destination for a scenic drive.
Peaks & Grapes
10 DAYS | 9 NIGHTS | FROM $2015*
Peaks by the hundreds, glaciers, icefields, rushing rivers and stunning lakes combine with the wineries of the Okanagan Valley to offer a unique journey through one of Canada's lesser known regions. Enjoy spectacular drives, wine tasting and more.
SPEAK WITH AN ADVENTURE WORLD TRAVEL DESIGNER TO CREATE YOUR CUSTOM ITINERARY NOW!
Whistler & Canada's Pacific Coast
7 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | FROM $1769*
Discover a hidden gem of western Canada! With incredible beaches and rugged headlands, Vancouver Island is a perfect destination for a scenic drive.
Peaks & Grapes
10 DAYS | 9 NIGHTS | FROM $2015*
Peaks by the hundreds, glaciers, icefields, rushing rivers and stunning lakes combine with the wineries of the Okanagan Valley to offer a unique journey through one of Canada's lesser known regions. Enjoy spectacular drives, wine tasting and more.