Information on British Columbia
British Columbia (BC), from the tranquil Queen Charlotte Islands and Vancouver Island in the Pacific to the wilds of the Rockies, with their outstanding ski resorts, and the interior delights such as the pristine Okanagan Valley, is synonymous with the outdoors. To top it off, Vancouver also happens to be one of the world's most liveable cities.
Getting There
Vancouver International Airport is a major hub for domestic and international flights; the Airporter shuttle provides access to the city. Pacific Central Station is a bus and rail terminus for traffic from the US, and BC Rail Station has departures throughout the province. Highway 99 links up with I-5 from Seattle, while highway 97 runs north-south in the province and Trans-Canada Highway 1 runs through the major towns in the south from west to east.
Key Attractions
Vancouver, boasting a perfect setting nestled between sea and mountains, is chic and modern and is blessed with abundant sunshine in the summer, when the city's wonderful parks can be enjoyed the most. Vancouver also has some interesting urban delights such as Pacific Centre, and bustling Chinatown, home to a huge Chinese community.
Another urban delight in the region is the province's capital, Victoria, lying on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Victoria is the oldest city on the west coast and, with its grand 19th century architecture, has a distinguished English heritage plus some lovely gardens and waterfront walks.
Out and About
With one of the most diverse landscapes on earth, BC is perfect for any driving tour. Vancouver Island has great hiking trails, excellent surfing beaches and whale watching, while to the northwest of here are the outstanding Queen Charlotte Islands. BC is also loaded with ski resorts and Whistler/Blackcomb is one of the world's best and most accessible. The Rockies and Okanagan Valley offer breathtaking beauty.
Leisure Options
The choice of outdoor activities in British Columbia is simply staggering, with sailing, canoeing, surfing, windsurfing, scuba diving, river snorkelling, cycling, mountain biking, 4WD touring, caving, fishing, and skiing and snowboarding among the more popular active pursuits. The Gastown area of Vancouver is famous for its multitude of boutiques, restaurants and bars.
