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Welcome to a Sizzling British Columbia

A flower filled, fragrant spring followed by equally dazzling summer days... heralds of a season of festivities in British Columbia. The western province, particularly in Vancouver and Vancouver Island, offers a banquet of attractions and special events.

From innovative museums to resplendent garden attractions, from intriguing wilderness excursions to luxury resorts, you'll find a sizzling warm-weather season in BC.

Sit under the mammoth blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau at Concord Pacific Place in Vancouver to experience one of Canada’s most renowned and best-loved presentations, Cirque Du Soleil, for a glamorous presentation of breathtaking aerial contortions, colorful clowns, amazing, ongoing antics all set to stimulating music. It is not to be missed.

Elsewhere in Vancouver, you'll want to see two of the most popular attractions — one under the busy routes of Gastown and one in North Vancouver treetops.

Located underground is Storyeum: A Magical Mystery Tour. On an enchanting, ‘virtual’ journey that entails live performances and storytelling visitors relive British Columbia’s past. Once transported by elevator, guests move back through time, strolling a salmon stream, into an ancient forest, stop at a Long House, board a tall ship and there are visits to a gold rush village and a rail road town. It’s a little like moving from one dramatic movie set to another.

Meanwhile at Capilano Suspension Bridge there is action in the evergreens. The new Treetops Adventure sees non-vertigo sufferers venture along 200 metres of walkway strung throughout the trees for an eagle's eye view of this verdant green space.

Visitors have always flocked here to cross the wood-and-cable bridge that hangs 70 metres above a rushing river and steep canyon. Now, the multi-functional park that boasts totem poles, interpretative walks, gift store and restaurant, adds this swaying walk amid lofty evergreens as well as the new 'Cliffhanger Walk' that borders the canyon's edge.

Vancouver visitors now have the option of an easy day or weekend excursion to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Harbour Lynx is a high-speed, comfy, passenger ferry, that takes 80 minutes for the harbour-to-harbour trip. You arrive at the prettied up waterfront in Nanaimo and everything from fine restaurants, galleries, antique shops, historic points, and museum are nearby. There are six departures daily.

On southern Vancouver Island, Victoria is always a must-visit with its heritage sites, gorgeous Inner Harbour setting and an easy stroll to many attractions — and magnificent gardens. The Royal British Columbia Museum is always a much-talked-about attraction and this summer will be no different.

One of Vancouver Island's premier attractions: Butchart Gardens, the 22-hectare bloom-adorned, beauty spot just north of the city, celebrated its 100 anniversary in 2004. Celebrations included whimsical topiary creatures that will adorned the garden and two nine-metre-high Totem Poles by aboriginal artists. Fireworks are held each Saturday evening. Guests who enjoy a stroll through the luxuriant gardens that include a fragrant rose garden, Japanese and Italian gardens and the favourite of many, the Sunken Garden, can have tea and enjoy a special exhibit of archival photos and stories. It is fitting that a new variety of tulip was christened ‘Jennie Butchart’ in honour of the imaginative gardener who started it all. Butchart Gardens are open daily; there are two restaurants, coffee shop and a seed and gift shop.

Bloom-lovers visiting the Island should keep in mind that it boasts a bounty of efflorescence. Nineteen gardens have joined forces in The Gardens of Vancouver Island to showcase some of the best. Don't miss Milner Gardens and Woodland in Qualicum Beach. It is 28 hectares of Douglas fir woodland and luscious gardens (over 500 Rhododendrons) sweeping around a seaside estate that has a nice touch of history.

A visit to Vancouver Island is not complete without experiencing some of its myriad outdoor adventures. Go whale watching, walk or cycle well-maintained trails like the Galloping Goose or the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. See big trees in Carmanah Pacific Park, go fishing at Campbell River, kayak Clayoquot Sound on the west coast, or explore the wonderfully wild Cape Scott Park on the northern tip. For many paddlers, the waters of British Columbia are known as 'kayak heaven'. The Wilderness Kayak Institute assists novice paddlers as well as the more experienced. Run by experienced kayak teachers and guides, the Institute operates out of Port Hardy in the waters of Queen Charlotte Strait and the Central Coast. Since the multi-leveled courses are set in true wilderness, it means paddlers gain practical experience while learning all the skills of kayak touring.

Try a visit to Great Bear Lodge, a uniquely British Columbian experience. Trips depart from Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Islands, to reach the floating lodge located in the Great Bear Rainforest on the central coast of BC. Surrounded by an enchanting, silent wilderness, the lodge focusses on grizzly bear viewing. It is a magical, unforgettable vacation.

A visit to British Columbia combines the great outdoors with any number of attractions and not to be forgotten is spa time. The spa scene in this province, simply keeps getting better.

Soothing spa treatments are nothing new in this part of the world. Vancouver Island boasts a Spa Trail that begins in the deluxe Willow Stream Spa at Victoria's Fairmont Empress Hotel and follows up Island visiting four spas. The tour ends at the Ancient Cedars Spa at the Wickaninnish Inn on the west coast. As appealing and action-packed as the southern section of this western province is, it is also a doorstep to a Mecca of many more pleasures. The sunny Thompson Okanagan lures with lakeside resorts and wine tours.

Golf is great in BC. Some highlights? The mountain-rich Whistler Resort thrills with four courses. Within 30 minutes of Victoria are eight championship courses. The Bear Mountain Golf & Country Club, opened August, 2003, has already garnered a huge following. Golf gurus know to head to the Rockies where a challenging game at places like Radium Hot Springs, can be followed by an oh-so-soothing soak in a natural hot springs. Guaranteed to improve the swing!

History buffs revel in gold rush trails. There's a tour that leads them along the fabled route ending at Barkerville. You can experience the heady times of gold fever at this historic site. In the surrounding Cariboo Country, city slickers can experience cowboy cattle round-ups, fly fish at some 16,000 lakes and be surprised by the amenities at some ranches and resorts.

For untouched beauty and seldom-seen wildlife, Northern BC is the last stand. Drive the Alaska Highway, take a boat to visit the hauntingly, beautiful Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haiada Heritage Site on the Queen Charlotte Islands, marvel at moose, bear, mountain goat, stone sheep and more. This region north of Prince George is a haven of wilderness.

Also see -> British Columbia Wineries & Vineyards

Okanagan Wine Trail