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.
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.
Sun Peaks, B.C.
Sun Peaks is located in British Columbia, approximately 50 km northeast of Kamloops. It is known for its alpine ski resort with long runs, excellent terrain and cross country trails, and an average of 2,000 hours of sun a year. The village offers shopping, excellent dining and night life, spas and accommodations and services for the whole family.
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.
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 Nordiq Canada 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.
Calgary
This modern cosmopolitan city of Calgary was once home to Blackfoot Indians for at least hundreds of years. Fort Calgary came into existence as a Northwest Mounted Police settlement in 1875, and Canadian Pacific Railway arrived in 1883. With the close railway, Calgary became a transportation and meatpacking hub. The world-renowned Calgary Exhibition and Stampede has been held since 1912. A museum worth a visit is Glenbow Museum and Art Gallery. The Calgary Tower offers a first class view of Calgary area. It is a landmark symbol that became well known during the 1988 Winter Olympics - when a flame burned from the top. Besides an observation gallery, there is a revolving restaurant and cocktail lounge. Canada Olympic Park houses many facilities used for the 1988 Winter Olympics. The Olympic Hall of Fame is a museum paying tribute to the Olympics and its athletes. Heritage Park Historical Village authentically portrays life in a typical town of Canadian west prior to 1914. Calgary Zoo is one of the best in North America.
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.
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.
Sun Peaks is located in British Columbia, approximately 50 km northeast of Kamloops. It is known for its alpine ski resort with long runs, excellent terrain and cross country trails, and an average of 2,000 hours of sun a year. The village offers shopping, excellent dining and night life, spas and accommodations and services for the whole family.
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.
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 Nordiq Canada 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.
This modern cosmopolitan city of Calgary was once home to Blackfoot Indians for at least hundreds of years. Fort Calgary came into existence as a Northwest Mounted Police settlement in 1875, and Canadian Pacific Railway arrived in 1883. With the close railway, Calgary became a transportation and meatpacking hub. The world-renowned Calgary Exhibition and Stampede has been held since 1912. A museum worth a visit is Glenbow Museum and Art Gallery. The Calgary Tower offers a first class view of Calgary area. It is a landmark symbol that became well known during the 1988 Winter Olympics - when a flame burned from the top. Besides an observation gallery, there is a revolving restaurant and cocktail lounge. Canada Olympic Park houses many facilities used for the 1988 Winter Olympics. The Olympic Hall of Fame is a museum paying tribute to the Olympics and its athletes. Heritage Park Historical Village authentically portrays life in a typical town of Canadian west prior to 1914. Calgary Zoo is one of the best in North America.
