Beautiful British Columbia

Vancouver

Get out there and explore the sights of Vancouver, a cosmopolitan outdoorsy city. Perhaps ascend to the top of the 168m Vancouver Lookout for stunning city views or walk across the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge – which looks particularly pretty when adorned with fairy lights at Christmas. Set off on a foodie adventure as you take a look around the fresh produce of Granville Island Market, and sample the city’s finest food – try the fabulous dim sum in Chinatown and the excellent array of stylish waterfront restaurants.

Osoyoos

Taste the local wine in Osoyoos, home to the warmest freshwater lake in Canada. It’s not just the water either – Oosoyos is known to have some of the highest temperatures in Canada so, no matter when you visit, you can expect a mild, dry climate, with limited snowfall in the winter. What are you waiting for? Grab your swimsuit and dive in! When not splashing about in the lake, check out the Osoyoos Museum, filled with Indian artefacts and historical tales, plus possessions from local miners and farmers.

Penticton

Hit the beach in Penticton, tucked between the shores of Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake. When not lazing on the sand and admiring the scenery, be sure to take a look around the SS Sicamous Inland Marine Museum, a dry-docked steam sternwheeler built in 1914. Other fun-filled activities include tasting some of the fantastic local wine and posing for photos with The Peach, a spherical snack stand painted to resemble a giant peach.

Kelowna

In the heart of British Columbia, on the shores of Okanagan Lake, stands the city of Kelowna. In the fine summer weather, swimming, boating and kayaking on the lake is the main attraction, while in winter it’s possible to ski at nearby resorts. Head down to the lakeshore for bars, restaurants, parks and museums, taste the local wines and look out for Ogopogo, the fabled lake-dwelling serpent, Kelowna’s very own Loch Ness Monster.

Clinton

Learn the history of the School on Wheels in Clinton, where you’ll stay on a ranch. On the 160-acre property, you’ll spend your time riding horses, hiking in Echo Valley, fly fishing for trout and making friends with the resident border collies. Perhaps take a half-day trip to Fraser Canyon for some truly spectacular views as well as a fascinating mining, ranching and aboriginal history. You can also choose to have a go at panning for gold, or try cross-country skiing in the colder months.

Whistler

Spend the day in Whistler, a resort town that’s chock-a-block with outdoor adventures in any season. In summer, hike the mountain trails and gaze over gorgeous scenery, or rent a kayak at one of the many lakes for a relaxing afternoon’s paddling. Perhaps take the gondola up Whistler Mountain for outstanding views of the entire region from above, and keep your eyes peeled for black bears, which sometimes put in an appearance – especially in spring and autumn. In winter, Whistler transformers into a skiing wonderland, with over 200 marked runs, three glaciers and 8,171 acres of snowy terrain. It’s easily one of the best places on the planet to hit the powder.

Victoria

British Columbia’s capital city has a feel of old-fashioned England about it, with quaint architecture, manicured flower gardens, horse drawn carriage rides and cosy pubs. It’s even named after Britain’s longest serving monarch, Queen Victoria, whose statue stands proudly on the front lawns of the sumptuous British Columbia Parliament buildings. Start exploring with a picturesque whale watching cruise in search of orcas among the Gulf Islands, before admiring the glorious floral displays of the world-famous Butchart Gardens.

Egmont

Continue to Egmont, a region of pristine lakes, forest-clad hills and an endless list of outdoor adventures. Take your pick from zodiac boat tours, sea kayaking classes, lake canoeing, hiking, mountain biking or fly fishing, or sail the Princess Louisa Inlet to take in the picturesque scenery. Better yet, take a helicopter trip over the mountain landscape. For something more relaxing you can pop into the local Backeddy Pub or make use of the on-site Archery Range.