British Columbia

Canada's most westerly province is British Columbia, a place with diverse terrain that ranges from the mildest in Canada to the most treacherous with mountains, fjords, rugged coastlines, prairies, deserts and more. Most of the people live in the southwest corner (Vancouver and Victoria) where the climate is mild. It's said that people in Victoria don't phone relatives in the rest of Canada in February to talk about their flowering garden: they take too much abuse.

British Columbia is the third largest population with 947,800 sq. km (365,948 sq. mi.) and about 4 million people, making it the third most populous after Quebec and Ontario. The province is part of the Pacific Northwest and shares a geographic affinity with Washington State.

The native peoples were the last in Canada to suffer from European contact. Rumour has it that there are old native people who remember pre-contact life. Occupation by native cultures like the Haida on the northwest coast goes back 6000-8000 years. These groups undertook traditional hunting including whale hunting. When you see the equipment used by these folks (i.e. canoes) - to go up against Pacific Ocean whales - you wonder what they were thinking.

The fur trade and the Fraser River (as well as other) Gold Rush encourage Europeans to face the challenges of the Rocky Mountains.

British Columbia Travel is diverse and is broken into these BC Travel Regions:

Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia. Routinely rated as one of the most liveable cities in the world, it takes this because of its stunning water and mountain views as well as its mild weather. It's never too hot or cold, but like many Pacific Northwest towns has significant rainfall. But it's a real city with an opera company, a symphony, nightclubs, and a very visible and active Chinatown. One key attraction to visit is The Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park. A terrific walk is the sea wall that goes around Stanley Park, but plan 2 hours to do it. On the North Shore, try the Capilano Suspension Bridge. This will not only give you a thrill, but allow you to check out the huge trees that grow in the Pacific Rim. In West Vancouver, check out Lighthouse Park. If you are not mobility constrained, clamber over the rocks and take in the view. The trail is well marked and the trees in there are terrific. Cypress Bowl, which is a ski hill in winter, as an amazing lookout about halfway up. (A car is needed on that excursion.) For dining, check out the downtown neighbourhood of Yaletown. For a relaxing beach, try Kitsilano Beach or further west Jericho Beach.

Vancouver is a major port and is the start of many Alaska cruises.

Vancouver (along with Whistler) is hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics. This currently has the city is a bit of a frenzy of building and updating various sites in the area. Vancouver will be abuzz with activity.

Check out Vancouver Accommodations.

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia and is located on Vancouver Island. Its garden season begins in February and continues throughout the year. It is almost more British than England in some ways. It is a tourist town with a busy downtown. If you only have a bit of time, make sure to do these things when in Victoria:

• Visit The Royal BC Museum in downtown Victoria
• Admire the nearby Provincial Parliament buildings
• Drive past Beacon Hill Park and take Dallas road and follow the scenic seaside drive
• On that drive, stop in Oak Bay and take a walk in the quaint back streets.
• Stop in The Uplands and enjoy the stunning homes and gardens
• Head out to Brentwood Bay and visit Butchart Gardens
• Take a whale watching trip from the various providers in Victoria's Inner Harbour

The only way to get to Victoria is by plane or by ferry from either Vancouver's Tsawwassen ferry terminal for from Seattle. There is regular scheduled float plane service between the Vancouver and Victoria Harbours.

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Whistler is only about 90 minutes from Vancouver on the Sea-to-Sky highway, which is very scenic but fairly treacherous. The locals know every bend and turn and the tourists are understandably cautions. Whistler is a world renowned alpine destination, which is worth visiting all year round. Whistler is jointly hosting the 2010 Winter Olympic games with Vancouver. Winter activities include Whistler-Blackcomb skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. In summer you can golf, mountain bike, ride horseback and use the hiking trails (which range from easy to crazy).

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This is a huge British Columbia travel region that technically includes Whistler and Vancouver (but those towns think of themselves as a regions unto themselves). The most amazing spot is BC's Sunshine Coast. This includes towns like Sechelt (pronounced sea-shel-t), Gibsons and Powell River. It is on the BC mainland, but is accessed by ferry boat from Vancouver or Vancouver Island. This part of BC offers amazing scuba diving and scenery bar none. The Vancouver Coast and Mountains also has cowboy and gold rush areas that are a totally different biome, namely high altitude desert with sagebrush. Not what you'd think to find when travelling in British Columbia.

Check out Vancouver Coast and Mountains Accommodations.

The two key cities are Kelowna and Kamloops. Kelowna is blessed with Lake Okanagan which apparently has a monster in it (Ogopogo), but, more importantly is a winery district. Towns like Oliver, Penticton, Vernon and others have gotten into the wine game and produce good product. Wine tastings are often free. This writer's favourite winery is Gray Monk, closer to Vernon, which has one of the best views of Lake Okanagan.

Check out Kelowna Accommodations.

This is the BC side of the Rocky Mountains (Alberta with Banff and Lake Louise) is on the other side. This area is large and has fascinating towns like Kimberly and Cranbrook (this one has the airport you would use). Naturally this region has tremendous skiing opportunities. Make sure if driving to enjoy the stunning high altitude views in and around Golden and Revelstoke.

Check out Cranbrook Accommodations.

This region is insanely large and diverse. The Coast part of this includes Bella Coola. It is home to the unusual Kermode or spirit bear, which is a white coloured black bear. Huge efforts are underway to preserve ancient rainforest between the north end of Vancouver Island and Prince Rupert, which is this bear's normal range. The Cariboo is gold rush country and the Chilcotin is famous for cowboys!

Check out Cariboo Accommodations.

This part of the province reaches all the way up to Alaska. Prince George, Prince Rupert, Fort St John, The Queen Charlotte Islands are key business and tourism centres. The Alaska Highway's Mile Zero is in Dawson Creek BC.

Check out Northern BC Accommodations.

This region includes Victoria and is also pretty darn huge. At 500 km (320 mi.) long and 31,284 sq. km (12,076 sq. mi.) this island is about 3/4 the size of Switzerland. Some of the best whale watching is up in the north end of Vancouver Island from towns like Port McNeill. Port Hardy is from where the stunning ferry trip to Prince Rupert via the Inside Passage can be boarded.

In North Central Island Vancouver Island the towns of Campbell River and Courtenay are famous for sport fishing capital.

Oceanside, in the centre part of Vancouver Island, has two great towns: Qualicum Beach and Parksville - with stunning beaches. Nanaimo provides ferry service to Horseshoe Bay, which is one of two ferry terminals that provides service between Vancouver Island and Vancouver.

The Pacific Rim features the towns of Tofino and Ucluelet are must-see towns because of the stunning scenery and the world famous Clayoquot Sound. Make sure to check out Long Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park. Bamfield is one of the access points to the West Coast Trail, which is 75 km (47 mi.) of some of the most challenging and beautiful seacoast trail in the world.

The Cowichan Valley is an area of Vancouver Island has some award winning rural areas as well as a great totem pole collection in Duncan and famous murals in Chemainus.

The Gulf Islands, which are in between Vancouver Island and the mainland, are many and varied. Saltspring Island is the largest island and known for its arts and crafts. Northern Gulf Islands include: Denman Island, Hornby Island, Texada Island, Quadra Island, Cortes Island and Malcolm Island. Southern Gulf Islands include: Saturna Island, Mayne Island, Thetis Island, Bowen Island, Gabriola Island, Galiano Island, Pender Islands and Saltspring Island.

Check out Vancouver Island Accommodations.

British Columbia is one of the most diverse travel destinations.