Legendary Splendour

Welcome to Vancouver, Canada's most beautiful metropolis, ranked as one of the best cities in the world in which to live.

Spend some time exploring the city's attractions such as Stanley Park and Gastown, and do some shopping on Robson Street and Broadway Avenue.

And let your Canadian road trip adventure begin!

Your first destination is the Okanagan Valley, the warmest region in Canada.

The Okanagan Valley is a lush valley lined with fruit trees, vineyards and a large lake. 

Be sure to take in a vineyard tour and wine-tasting: a classic activity for visitors to the region.

Spend the day exploring the charming town of Kelowna or the region's many well-known orchards. You can pick fruit from June to September (cherries, peaches, apples, pears...)

You won't want to miss the "Nicola Valley Loop" driving tour, starting in Kamloops.

Your next destination, Revelstoke, is known as a real photographers' paradise.

You can't leave Mount Revelstoke National Park without taking the road that winds up to the summit of Mount Revelstoke. The view is simply breathtaking!

Today's route takes you through Glacier National Park. Be sure to stop at Rogers Pass Discovery Centre, where you can admire the magnificent scenery and learn about the region's fascinating history.

Take the time to visit Yoho National Park with its many attractions including the Emerald Lake trails and Takakkaw Falls.

And for the "cherry on top", you find yourself in the famous Lake Louise. The nearby hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers is one of the most spectacular hikes in the region.

This morning you head for Banff.

Opportunities to see wildlife along the way to Banff are excellent, and are considerably higher during the two hours after sunrise.

Banff is a small mountain town at an elevation of 1380 metres, nestled in a superb alpine setting. 

Be sure to take a relaxing break at the Cave and Basin Hot Springs. After all, you are on holiday!

Today you go hiking on Sulphur Mountain. The mountain trails take you up through picture-postcard landscapes, and the summit provides a stunning view across the entire region. A gondola also goes up to the summit.

You might enjoy a visit to the famous town of Banff for a bit of shopping. The town's streets are lined with an assortment of boutiques where you are sure to find that something special.

This morning you set out for Jasper via the Icefields Parkway, considered to be one of the most beautiful roads in the world.

In addition to the breathtaking scenery, you may well have the opportunity to see some wildlife beside the road: black bears, grizzly bears, elk, mountain goats, moose and bighorn sheep are common in the area.

Plan for a stop at Athabasca Glacier. Along the way, the Sunwapta Falls and Canyon are a typical example of the geological formation known as a ''hanging valley''.

You have an entire day to spend in Jasper National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site.

Visit the most beautiful attractions, including the picturesque Maligne Lake and Spirit Island, the most photographed island in the world.

Take a hike along the spectacular trails of Maligne Canyon and Mount Edith Cavell.

For families with children or visitors looking for a less strenuous activity, the Peyto Lake trail offers an easy 15-minute walk to spectacular vistas.

Today's destination is Wells Gray Provincial Park.

Along the way, stop for a break at the foot of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

Wells Gray Provincial Park is one of British Columbia's most rugged recreational areas, famous for its impressive waterfalls.

Wells Gray Park, often known as the Waterfall Park for its many spectacular falls and rapids, is one of British Columbia's most spectacular wilderness parks.

In July and August, hiking trails lead to incredible sub alpine meadows of wildflowers on the slopes of Trophy Mountain.

And swimming enthusiasts are sure to want to cool off in the limpid waters of Clearwater Lake.

The road trip continues in the direction of Whistler.

Along the way, stop to take some photos at Helkmen Falls, cascading in a straight drop of 141 metres into an immense canyon.

Nestled in a beautiful natural mountain setting, Whistler is a vibrant and lively resort town with a wide assortment of restaurants, boutiques and sidewalk cafes.

You have a full day to discover Whistler, host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

If you look up, you will see the "Peak 2 Peak" gondola connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, offering the ultimate alpine experience. With a maximum height of 436 metres over Fitzsimmons Creek, Peak 2 Peak is the highest lift in the world.

Today you will take the panoramic ''Sea to Sky'' highway to the Pacific coast. Its stunning views will take your breath away. A ferry will then take you across to Vancouver Island, separated from the mainland by the Straight of Georgia, with the snowy peaks of the Coast Mountains for a backdrop.

Along the way to Ucluelet, be sure to stop at Cathedral Grove, a sacred place for the First Nations people where you will find enormous 800 year old Douglas firs. Take a walk through the forest and admire the enchanting ecosystem around you.

You reach your destination at the end of the day: Ucluelet, gateway to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Pacific Rim, a true paradise for outdoors enthusiasts and lovers of nature in all its splendour!

Here, like nowhere else in Western Canada, time has shaped nature into a unique ecosystem. With its sandy beaches and lush temperate rainforest, Pacific Rim is an enchanting location, both relaxing and invigorating in equal measure!

Today will be dedicated to exploring Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

The Long Beach section, a long stretch of fine sandy beach pounded by the Pacific surf, is definitely a must-see. Discover this magical place with the help of several easy hiking trails.

You won't want to miss watching the sun set over the ocean from Radar Hill: the view is just incredible!

Today you set a course for the southern end of Vancouver Island and Victoria, capital city of British Columbia.

Along the way, you could stop in the village of Duncan. Also known as the ''City of Totems'', Duncan is a real Indian village, with more than 80 totem poles lining its streets.

The Wharf Street Visitor Centre's Art Deco walking tour offers a stunning architectural perspective of Victoria: an excellent way to begin your visit.

In Victoria, be sure to take a scenic tour through the historic part of the city, with a view of the ocean. If you're lucky, you may even spot a whale.

The Capital is also a good point of departure for a whale watching tour.

Victoria's most renowned attractions include the Royal British Columbia Museum and the Butchart Gardens.

This morning you take an enjoyable ferry ride back to the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver.

Once you reach downtown Vancouver, pay a visit to the Harbour Centre Tower lookout, offering a spectacular bird's-eye view of the city from its height of 167 metres.  

The Vancouver Aquarium is also worth mentioning, with its large collection of marine mammals including dolphins, belugas, seals and sea otters.

Enjoy the last moments of your western Canadian vacation, before heading to the Vancouver airport for your flight home.

It's time to say goodbye to the land of lakes and rivers, your hearts filled with beautiful memories that will last a lifetime!