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Vancouver viewed from Grouse Mountain

British Columbia holidays

Vancouver viewed from Grouse Mountain

A seaplane flight over British Columbia’s fragmented coastline reveals shards of forested land scattered across the Pacific, the surrounding waters plied by orcas, humpbacks and dolphins. On land, old-growth rainforests provide habitat for black, grizzly and spirit bears, which you can see from dedicated bear-watching lodges. As you journey eastward, the gentle, vineyard-covered hills of the Okanagan Valley give way to mountains, and the Canadian Rockies loom in the distance. Our Canada specialists have visited each corner of this popular province and will use their first-hand experience to plan your holiday to British Columbia around your interests.

The provincial capital, Victoria, is known for its manicured public gardens and streets lined with British-colonial buildings, which you can see from a horse-drawn carriage. You can learn about First Nations culture on Haida Gwaii — a string of sparsely populated islands that are the ancestral home of the Haida people. Then there’s Vancouver, a cosmopolitan metropolis of skyscrapers, multicultural restaurants and designer shops where you’re still never far from green parks, sandy beaches and snowy peaks. Wherever you want to explore in British Columbia, our specialists can recommend things to see and do that will suit your tastes.

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Places to visit in British Columbia

Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting British Columbia, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travellers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.

Suggested itineraries featuring British Columbia

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in British Columbia, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of British Columbia

Places & hotels on the map

    Places in and around British Columbia

    Our expert guides to exploring British Columbia

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting British Columbia, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate British Columbia at its best.

    • In the path of the grizzly: bear watching in Canada
      Grizzly bear, British Columbia

      In the path of the grizzly: bear watching in Canada

      In the path of the grizzly: bear watching in Canada

      Canada is well-known for its wildlife, but the stars of the show are arguably its resident bears. These often solitary creatures can be difficult to find, but our Canada specialists can recommend intimate bear-watching experiences that allow you to see them in their natural habitat.

      11 min read

      Read this guide
    • Highlights of the Canadian Rockies
      Banff National Park

      Highlights of the Canadian Rockies

      Highlights of the Canadian Rockies

      With glacier-fed lakes, thick pine forests and sharp, triangular mountains, the Canadian Rockies are a true wilderness area. Activities can include hiking, canoeing and visiting glaciers. Canada specialist Emily explains how you can make the most of your trip to the Rockies.

      10 min read

      Read this guide
    • Honeymoons in Canada
      Lake Louise

      Honeymoons in Canada

      Honeymoons in Canada

      Country specialist, Caroline, picks some of her top places to stay and things to do on honeymoon in Canada. Her highlights include where to spot Canada’s wildlife, taking a food tour in Vancouver, finding seclusion in the Rockies and staying on an authentic ranch.

      11 min read

      Read this guide
    • Self-drive holidays in Canada
      Jasper National Park

      Self-drive holidays in Canada

      Self-drive holidays in Canada

      Whether you choose a route circuiting western Canada’s renowned mountains, glaciers and lakes, or you’d rather go off-grid exploring the traditional fishing villages and coastal drives of the Maritimes, Canada’s well-maintained, easily navigable roads make it an excellent self-drive destination.

      7 min read

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    • Self-driving in western Canada
      Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park

      Self-driving in western Canada

      Self-driving in western Canada

      Canada specialists Kerry and Annie share their tried-and-tested self-drive routes in western Canada. You might want to follow a lesser-known loop through the Canadian Rockies, detouring to the Okanagan wine region. Or, take in British Columbia’s coastline and Vancouver Island.

      9 min read

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    Accommodation choices for British Columbia

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit British Columbia. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.