British Columbia – Canada

Double your pleasure – Victoria and Vancouver

By Linda McClain, CTA

Do you live for the great outdoors? Would you enjoy exploring a destination with diverse attractions, spectacular wildlife and cultural significance? Such a destination is just hours from the Capital Region by air. Canada’s most Northwest province, British Columbia, has been blessed with breathtaking beauty and a rich colonial heritage. If you go, you can anticipate stunning scenery that is as natural and appealing as Canadian hospitality.
In fact, “You’re just too good to be true”, is a song that could have well been written for British Columbia, one of Canada’s most admired destinations.

How do I get there?
Flights from the Capital Region can have you landing in Vancouver before noon, local time. Plan to take advantage of the Pacific Northwest diversity and visit both Vancouver and Victoria on the same trip. Include Seattle, Washington, if you have enough time.

Weather
Summer: High 83F-Low 72F. Positioned on the South Coast of Vancouver Island, Victoria has the mildest climate in Canada. Summer temperatures along the coast can be enjoyed with very little humidity and pleasant sea breezes.
In contrast, Vancouver is surrounded by the ocean. This tends to make weather conditions somewhat unpredictable. Bring an umbrella for those unexpected showers.
Fall: High 66F-Low 46F. Some of Victoria’s and Vancouver’s most glorious weather can be experienced in September.
Winter: High 47F-Low 36F. Victoria and Vancouver have a slight chance of snowfall while other areas of British Columbia may face fierce winter weather conditions.
Spring: High 56F-Low 44F. Unlike the United States, the rainiest month is December.

What can I do there?
Vancouver – Gateway to the Canadian Rockies
You will soon discover that Vancouver and Vancouver Island are not one of the same. Queen Charlotte Strait and the Strait of Georgia separate the land mass between Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Victoria is positioned at the southern tip of Vancouver Island.
Great for families and couples alike, Vancouver has an eclectic blend of demographics which make dining and shopping fun. It is home to Stanley Park, the largest city park in Canada. Vancouver is also a major port of embarkation, and the gateway to Alaska Inside Passage cruise itineraries from May to September each year.
Getting around the city can be like a treasure hunt. Love the monorail? Try the famous sky link, Vancouver’s monorail system.
Prefer to explore by watercraft? The city’s sea bus connects passengers from the downtown waterfront to North Vancouver, which is divided by False Creek. The ride is just 10 minutes in length, but a great way to enjoy the skyline, as well as a close-up of some of the many ships that dock.
A winter visit to Vancouver is not complete without a trip to famous Whistler Mountain. This exclusive ski destination is just an hour-and-a-half away and easily accessed by a variety of ground transportation services.
Victoria – The Garden City
Victoria is the capital city of North America’s largest coastal island. It has a wealth of colonial history, charming architecture and British influences. Ride an authentic British double-decker bus, take a horse and carriage tour or try the open air trolley tour. How about a classic car tour of the city? Sit back in a model T or classic 50s sedan while your driver narrates your city tour.

Places of interest:
Butchart Gardens – Stroll among 50 acres of enchanting theme gardens and “petal perfection” in Victoria’s most famous attraction.
Craigdarroch Castle – Built in the late 1800s and considered a superb masterpiece of Victorian architecture, both inside and out.
Gulf Islands – Located between the mainland and Vancouver Island, the BC ferries have scheduled service to many of its’ islands. When it comes to outdoors, the list of things to do is endless: hiking, biking, boating, camping, fishing, golfing, nature watching and more. There is also endless wildlife viewing featuring orcas, seal colonies, grizzly bears and bald eagles, to name a few.
Trivia facts
• Readers of Conde Nast Traveler Magazine rated Victoria the second best city in the world for environment and ambiance.
• Number of passengers traveled by ferries from Victoria to Vancouver in 1997- 22,259,246.
• Number of restaurants in greater Victoria – 762.
• Ranking given by Cousteau Society to Victoria, for winter diving – 2nd in the world.
• Number of objects in the Royal British Columbia Museum collection -10 million.
• Number of lights on the parliament buildings in Victoria – 3,333.
• Visit Victoria and Vancouver for a memorable vacation!
Currently, a valid US passport is required for all travel to Canada.

Linda McClain, CTA, is owner of Capital Region based Linda McClain Travel Services “From The Islands To The Highlands, No Dream Is Too Far From Here!” For more information call 372.7657 or visit www.lindamcclaintravel.net.