And of course
all of it is surrounded by the stark natural beauty of the areas
coastlines, rain forests and snow capped peaks.
Most visitors
make their way to the island on one of the regions ferries (flights
from the lower mainland and Washington State are also available),
which is an adventure unto itself, particularly for the kids. If
you're bound for Victoria from the mainland catch the ferry to Schwarz
Bay from Tsawwassen or if you're heading to the Pacific Rim, the
Nanaimo ferries from Horseshoe Bay are your best bet.
British Columbia's
capital, Victoria lies at the southern tip of the island. A small
city with big city amenities. You'll find an active arts community,
fine restaurants, exceptional accommodations and a fascinating mix
of cultures. Not to be missed is high tea at the Empress Hotel,
which will impress even the most jaded traveler with it's imposing
structure and fascinating decor. The hotel stands facing the Harbour,
while the provinces parliament buildings lie just across the street.
Just next door you'll find the IMAX Theatre and the Royal British
Columbia Museum.
Victoria is
rapidly gaining a reputation for its gastronomy, which more and
more includes local ingredients gathered from the islands shores
and rain forests. On the island healthy food doesn't take a back
seat to delicious food, rather they go hand in hand. The west coast
style of cooking is gaining a broad audience and the chefs of Victoria,
Nanaimo and Tofino/Ucluelet are acquiring well deserved reputations.
The Pacific
Rim is quietly emerging as a second prime destination for island
visitors to explore. Located on the largely untamed outer coast
of the islands western shoreline, you'll find two unique fishing
villages, Ucluelet and Tofino. Don't let the rugged setting fool
you, fine restaurants and exceptional resorts are springing up everywhere
along the coast. In addition the area is home to one of Canada's
spectacular National Parks, Pacific Rim, which includes within its
boundaries, the legendary West Coast Trail.
Vancouver Island
is a world of adventure. The coastal areas surrounding Vancouver
Island arguably afford the finest sea kayaking in North America.
Hikers and backpackers have a wealth of world class areas to choice
from, including Strathcona, Cape Scott as well as the Juan De Fuca
and West Coast Trails. Cyclists can follow the Galloping Goose and
Lockside Trails for nearly 100 km or head into the dirt in a variety
of exceptional areas, of which Mount Works outside Victoria is a
stand out. Divers have wrecks to explore off Nanaimo which, according
to the late Jacques Cousteau has some of the best diving in the
world. Surfers can choose from Long Beach at Pacific Rim or the
Juan de Fuca area west of Victoria to catch some waves.
Heritage Canadian
has recently set aside a patchwork of land with beaches, hiking
trails and campsites, on a string of islands, which now make up
the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve in the Straight of Georgia.
This newly designate park protects one of the more delicate balances
between natural and human requirements in Canada. You'll also find
a number of beautiful Provincial Parks with both front country and
walk-in campsites, the most notable of which is Salt Spring’s
seaside Ruckle Park. In addition there are regional parks on many
of the islands, which rival their better know brethren when it comes
to natural beauty, making them well worth a visit.
Outdoor
Adventure
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