Brits-Columbia reistips

Since operating as a winter sports centre, some 40 years ago, Whistler has become one of the most popular ski resorts in North America. Travelling by train to Whistler? Step aboard the Whistler Mountaineer for one of Canada’s great train journeys: three-and-a-half hours of unparalleled scenery - Opt for the “Glacier Dome” to get a panorama view. Once there spend the day exploring Whistler’s Olympic Village, majestic forests of giant cedars and Shannon Falls – with a drop of over 335 meters – before returning to Vancouver by road. Or for a more tailored experience, take a private tour via the Sea to Sky Highway, part of Highway 99. Starting at the US border you’ll past the Lions Gate Bridge, Pacific coastline, Shannon Falls and Brandywine Falls before you reach Vancouver.

The capital of British Columbia is Victoria, a medium-size town of about 350,000 some 60 miles (100km) southwest of Vancouver. Best known for its lush gardens and ornate architecture, the city is an easy day trip from Vancouver. Cruise to Vancouver Island for a full day guided tour. Spend the day exploring Victoria including world-famous Butchart Gardens and one of the city's several excellent museums. Covering 55 acres (22 hectares) in a former limestone quarry, the Butchart Gardens are one of the world's premier floral show gardens. Take a scenic seaplane flight to the famous island for a leisurely day of sightseeing before returning to Vancouver by ferry. Enjoy panoramic views of the city and its surrounds as you get a birds eye view of from the sky. Splash down and spend the day exploring Victoria's quaint antique shops and cafes, as well as the historic alleys of the oldest China town in Canada.

Elegant Victoria is the stately capital of British Columbia. This is a lovely city to stroll, especially beside the harbour and through the lush parks and gardens. Get to know the layout and character on a sightseeing tour passing through Chinatown, Antique Row, the residential districts Uplands and Oak Bay and the very English Rockland area. Make sure you put aside plenty of time for the world-famous Butchart Gardens, over 50 acres of floral plantings first laid out by Jennie Butchart in 1904. Put the icing on the cake by having traditional Afternoon Tea in the Butchart Home or Italian Garden. If you’re totally caught up in the whole royal fantasy by now, take a tour of the town in a horse drawn carriage or head out to Craigoarroch Castle, a Scottish baronial fantasy sitting at the highest point of the city. Despite its elegance and refinement, Victoria has another side. This is a coastal city, with spectacular seascapes and wildlife.

If you’re travelling to Whistler in the winter, you probably plan on skiing or snowboarding. The resort at Whistler-Blackcomb is open for skiing and riding even into July, and it opens during the falls first cold snap. Expect world-class runs and multi-class skiers and boarders – it helps to have some experience on a slope, but participants of all skill levels can find a run that’s right for them. In terms of a three-day winter itinerary, plan on hitting the slopes for two days and spend the third doing something different such as snowmobiling. Snowmobiling is an increasingly popular pastime here. If you’ve never laid your hands on a snowmobile, there’s an introductory, two-hour tour in which a guide will lead you over some scenic trails. You’ll get a feel for the vehicle and its fun for all ages. On the other hand, if you are more experienced or daring, there is a more challenging, backcountry snowmobile tour.