British Columbia Vacations

British Columbia is a western province of Canada and is famed for its natural beauty. Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia and it is the 15th largest metropolitan region in Canada. The largest city is Vancouver and it is the third-largest metropolitan area in Canada and the second-largest in the Pacific Northwest. The land area is 944,735 square kilometers while the coastline stretches more than 27,000 kilometers. There are mountainous creeks and about 6,000 islands, most of which are uninhabited.

There are plenty of activities and attractions for visitors to this Canadian province. Some of the famous tourist destinations are Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistle. Some of the popular activities here include various cultural events like plays, movies, and museum shows. The Salt Spring Island, the Southern Gulf Islands, Bella Coola Valley, Queen Charlotte Islands, Stewart, Hyder, and the Dawson City are the must-see places in British Columbia. If you are a nature enthusiast, you can visit the Skoomumchuck Narrows Provincial Park and the Kluane National Park and Reserve.

There are over 200 airports throughout British Columbia. You can use the water ferry service to travel to the islands. Trains are also an easy alternate for traveling. British Columbia's rail network grew rapidly after the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Cars, busses, and taxis are other options available for travel around the province. Public transit in British Columbia consists mainly of diesel busses. You also have plenty of lodging options in the province. You can stay in luxury hotels or budget type motels and bed and breakfasts.

The varied climate is influenced by latitude, elevation, and ocean proximity. It is generally warmer in the southern part of the province and cooler in the northern regions of British Columbia. Visitors are advised to check the weather before planning for a trip to this place.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a coastal city and a major seaport located in the lower mainland of southwestern British Columbia. To the east, you can find the Rocky Mountains and to the west, you can view the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy a leisurely meal at one of the gourmet restaurants, or simply wander around the safe streets of the city. You can visit the popular destinations of Denman and Hornby Islands, Nanaimo North Vancouver Island, Quadra and Cortes Islands, and the Campbell River. Other interesting places that you can visit in this city are Long Beach Unit, Oceanside, Port Alberni, Port Hardy, Tofino, and Victoria.

Whistler/Blackcomb Mountains

Whistler is a Canadian resort town in the province of British Columbia. In North America, Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains offer the highest lift-serviced vertical skiing area. This is also one of the largest skiing terrains in the world. Whistler is an ideal place for hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, swimming, mountain biking, golf, tennis, in-line skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, skating, hockey skiing, and snowboarding. There are plenty of opportunities for fine dining and shopping. An interesting fact is that Whistler is co-hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics along with Vancouver.