Western Canada
Vancouver
Host city of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, vibrant Vancouver is one of the world's premiere and most beautiful city destinations. It is a young, hip and friendly coastal metropolis surrounded by spectacular wild scenery with an ocean foreground and an amazing backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Named the world's "Most Livable City" by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and voted one of the "Top Cities in the Americas" by Condé Nast Traveler, Vancouver is world-renown for its lively outdoor spirit and eclectic food/wine scene.
No other city can offer such a diversity of urban and nature experiences from snow shoeing at the top of a mountain, hiking through lush temperate rain forests, kayaking coastal coves and shorelines, cycling picturesque seawall paths, whale watching, ziplining to viewing grizzly bears at Grouse Mountain. Visitors can indulge in outdoor activities and wildlife viewing – on land, on water and in the mountains. The city also offers interesting neighborhoods to explore, such as artsy Granville Island, chic Yaletown, historic Gastown and relaxing Kitsilano. Then, there are the unique attractions, like the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Treetops Adventure. With so many great experiences to offer, it is simple to see why Vancouver is so easy to visit and hard to leave!
Whistler
Nestled in the spectacular Coast Mountains less than two hours from Vancouver Whistler is Canada's premier year-round destination for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike. Distinguished by impressive twin mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, and surrounded by forested valleys, rivers and lakes, the resort offers countless outdoor adventures. Skiing and snowboarding are the biggest draw, but golf, mountain biking, and a long list of other winter and summer activities bring people here, and bring them back again and again.
The mountains blend seamlessly with Whistler Village, a vibrant town centre with every amenity for the traveler: diverse accommodations, local and international cuisine, shops, arts and cultural centers, wellness spas and entertainment venues. Much of the village is pedestrian-only. Whistler is consistently rated one of the world's top year-round destination resorts, and has received international recognition for its visionary and innovative work as a sustainable community.
Victoria
Victoria is full of life! Victoria has the mildest climate in Canada with gardens blooming year-round. The wild beauty of the Pacific coast and the adventure of the great outdoors are within the city limits and ocean and mountain vistas will follow you wherever you go.
Victoria is a year-round tourism destination that offers a friendly, safe haven for all visitors. Getting here is very easy, and, once here, you will feel a million miles away. With a clean environment and charming ambiance, it is no surprise that Victoria is one of the world's favorite destinations.
Golfing Victoria and Vancouver Island golf courses is a golfer's paradise. With a climate encouraging golfing year-round, Victoria and Vancouver Island are home to many of Canada's most beautiful and challenging courses. Victoria's attractions are so many, that when visiting you are more likely to run out of time than run out of things to do. From the Royal London Wax Museum to the Royal British Columbia Museum, from the colors of the Butchart Gardens to the charm of British Afternoon Tea, to the adventure of ZipLining and Whale Watching, Victoria offers activities for all interests and age groups.
Canadian Rockies
Discover the Canadian Rockies - Towering over the plains of Alberta and British Columbia are the peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains - mighty, rugged, and exquisite. Each season in the Rockies has its own special beauty and selection of activities. Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Fernie, Kimberley, Waterton, Canmore, Kananaskis, Invermere, Revelstoke, Golden, Valemount and Cranbrook are alpine towns sprinkled throughout the Canadian Rockies and are ideal starting points for mountain adventures. The Icefields Parkway is also an ideal area for exploring Canada's wild. Kananaskis Country, Waterton, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Glacier and Yoho National Parks are recreational areas with alpine activities and splendor. The hot springs at Radium, Fairmont and Nakusp are rejuvenating and can be enjoyed year round.
Vancouver Island
The Vancouver Island region is a large, sparsely populated area, encompassing Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, as well as a portion of the mainland. Condé Nast Traveler magazine's 2009 Readers' Choice Awards ranked Vancouver Island second in the "Top Islands of North America" category.
It has one of the world's most diverse ecosystems: rain forests, marshes, meadows, beaches, mountains, oceans, rivers and lakes create habitats for multitudes of wildlife species. In fact, the region is one of the world's premier locations for whale watching, birding, as well as salmon and trout fishing.
Much of the island is protected parkland. It contains many pockets of old-growth fir and cedar forests, as well as rare, naturally occurring groves of Garry oak. Vancouver Island is bisected, north to south, by the Beaufort Mountain Range, which is home to one of Canada's biggest all-natural ski bases. The beauty and tranquility of this region has long been a draw for artists and artisans. Galleries, studios and shops selling unique, locally produced arts and crafts are found in many population centers, particularly on the Gulf Islands
