Starting and ending in Vancouver, this trip will take you straight to the literal and metaphorical heart of the Canadian Rockies.
Vernon, B.C.
Vernon, B.C.
Ideally nestled between the beautiful Swan, Kalamalka, and Okanagan lakes in the North Okanagan Valley, is the city of Vernon, the oldest community in British Columbia's interior. Originally inhabited by the Interior Salish People, the discovery of gold and the luxuriant growth of bunchgrass in the valley attracted both gold miners and cattle ranchers to the region in the 1860s and 1870s. By the turn of the century, Vernon had become a bustling town, and was ideally located for the river traffic and sources of irrigation that caused it to prosper as a major ranching and orchard centre. Today, Vernon is a major vacation destination for those flocking to the Okanagan Valley, and is one of those rare cities where unsurpassed beauty and an abundance of recreational and cultural activities combine to create an exceptional quality of life enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
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Jasper
Jasper
Located in the heart of Jasper National Park in Alberta's Rocky Mountains, Jasper's friendly alpine hospitality and the promise of adventure will make your visit unforgettable. It is easy to get to Jasper by car from a number of nearby visitor destinations including Edmonton, Hinton and Banff.
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Destination Guide
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Canmore
Canmore
Canmore, a former sleepy mining town turned robust community, is a recreational paradise. It's a straight shot west of Calgary via the Trans-Canada Highway, one hour from the city and 90 minutes from the international airport. In winter, the splendid cross-country trails developed for the 2010 Olympic Games remain the major draw. Officially called the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, it boasts more than 40 mi/65 km of groomed trails for classical skiing and also skating lanes. Rental gear and lessons are available. The venue still hosts Canadian and international ski races, including the Haywood Ski Nationals. In summer, the site morphs into an 18-hole disc golf course, four orienteering courses, more than 62 mi/100 km of single- and double-track mountain bike and hiking trails, nearly 4 mi/6 km of paved roller-ski trails and a mountain bike skills park. Several annual events also take place in Canmore, including the Canmore Folk Music Festival and Highland Games.
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Destination Guide
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Kamloops
Kamloops
The popular interior city of Kamloops is in the heart of High Country. Visitors to the city can choose to learn more about the intriguing history of the area or take advantage of the abundance of recreational facilities and opportunities in the area. The city itself is located where the South and North Thompson Rivers meet, hence the name "Kahm-o-loops", the Shuswap Indian word for "meeting of the waters". The surrounding countryside is a combination of dry forests, grasslands and desert like hills. While forestry has now surpassed ranching as the primary industry, ranching is still an important component in the makeup of the area. Kamloops can be used as a headquarters for exploring nearby wilderness areas such as Wells Gray Park to the north and the grasslands of the Nicola Valley in the south or the numerous fishing and recreational lakes surrounding the entire area.
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Destination Guide
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Victoria, B.C.
Victoria, B.C.
British culture and island informality collide in Victoria. This sophisticated seaside city is full of historic sites, parks and gardens. Take a walking tour - many of which begin at Parliament Buildings at Victoria's Inner Harbor. Combined with majestic Empress Hotel, these monumental buildings give the city a regal European feel. See equally impressive modern structures, such as Royal British Columbia History Museum, or replicas of large, native Northwest Indian houses at Thunderbird Park. Unique attractions include Undersea Gardens, Miniature World, Maritime Museum, Chinatown and Royal London Wax Museum. A memorable places to visit is world-famous Butchart Gardens, with 5,000 fauna varieties. The dazzling gardens on Saanich Inlet are beautiful at night, when hundreds of lights sparkle along winding paths. Additional gardens in Victoria include Crystal Garden and the gardens surrounding Government House and near Craigdarroch Castle, a towering Victorian mansion complete with a tower and turrets. Tour this city in a horse-drawn carriage.
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Destination Guide
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Whistler
Whistler
Nestled in the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia, just 75 miles north of Vancouver, lies Whistler Resort, a charming alpine village, and the Home of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Rising one vertical mile from a village of award-winning West Coast architecture, Whistler & Blackcomb Mountains offer the greatest vertical rise of any ski area in North America, and its massive high-alpine terrain rivals the major ski resorts of Europe. Whistler is also a popular summer destination as well, with many recreational activities for the whole family.
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Destination Guide
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Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a thriving metropolis surrounded by natural beauty. With parks, beaches, gardens, museums, art galleries and the second-largest Chinatown in North America, Vancouver lives up to its promise of offering something for everyone. With modern buildings set against green, rolling hillsides, this city is breathtaking; no location offers a more spectacular view than Stanley Park - with a zoo, aquarium, totem poles and honking geese. A short walk from the park leads to Robson Street, which offers the town's best window-shopping. Stores with European flavor share the avenue with delicatessens and tea rooms ready to serve. As architectural heart of the city, Robson Square features a central plaza with a food fair and an old provincial courthouse, which now houses Vancouver Art Gallery. Be sure to stop at 8 Pender St. - "the narrowest building in the world." Other points of interest include the Museum of Anthropology; Japanese-style Nitobe Memorial Garden; and VanDusen Botanical Garden. Capilano Canyon is site of the world's longest and highest suspension footbridge.
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Destination Guide
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