West Canada: from Vancouver to Calgary with Pacific Rim National Park and Inside Passage

Vancouver is one of North America's most scenic cities, set between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains on Canada's west coast. Surrounded by water and forests, it combines a lively urban life with extraordinary nature, ranking consistently among the world's most liveable cities. The vast Stanley Park, a green lung facing the sea and crossed by a famous seawall, invites scenic walks and bike rides. The historic Gastown district, with its bohemian atmosphere, the lively Granville Island market and Chinatown reveal the city's many faces. The skyline of glass towers reflects in the waters of the bay, while nearby mountains, such as Grouse Mountain and Cypress, offer skiing and hiking just minutes from downtown. The dining scene, rich in fresh seafood and Asian cuisine, is excellent. Between sea, mountains and culture, Vancouver embodies the perfect balance between metropolis and nature.

Upon arrival on the Pacific coast at Horseshoe Bay, I boarded the ferry to Vancouver Island in the Strait of Georgia. The crossing is breathtaking, with dozens of sailboats and a wide variety of birds and marine animals. Victoria, capital of British Columbia, lies at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, facing the ocean and famous for its British-flavoured charm. The city preserves an elegant and refined atmosphere, with historic buildings such as the provincial Parliament and the iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel, overlooking the picturesque Inner Harbour. Its flowering gardens, particularly the famous Butchart Gardens, are among the most beautiful in the world and earn the city the nickname "city of gardens". The downtown streets invite strolls among shops, tearooms serving afternoon tea, and cafés facing the harbour. From Victoria, excursions set off for whale watching and discovering the island's nature. Mild and welcoming year-round, Victoria combines colonial elegance, lush gardens and marine beauty, one of the most charming cities in western Canada.

The drive from Victoria to Tofino offers an extraordinary experience through breathtaking scenery on Vancouver Island. From the capital of British Columbia, with its historic buildings and lush gardens, head west along the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) to the town of Duncan, known for its totem poles and First Nations culture. From here, the road continues through rainforests, mountains and beautiful lakes along the Pacific Rim road (Highway 4), offering spectacular views along the way. Finally, you reach Tofino, a fascinating coastal destination famous for its spectacular beaches, perfect surfing waves and unspoilt wilderness. The trip is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Canada's west coast. Tofino is a community on the west coast of Vancouver Island, facing the Pacific Ocean at the edge of the Pacific Rim National Park. Famous for its wild, wave-battered beaches, it is the Canadian capital of surfing and one of the most beloved destinations for "storm watching", observing the spectacular winter storms. Surrounded by ancient, lush temperate rainforests, it offers hikes among millennia-old trees, kayaking among the islands and whale and bear watching. The town retains a relaxed, creative soul, with its little harbour, fresh-fish restaurants and hot springs reachable by boat. First Nations culture is deeply rooted in the area. Between wild ocean, forests and waves, Tofino is a fascinating and authentic destination for lovers of the most untamed nature on Canada's Pacific coast.

Campbell River is a town on the east coast of Vancouver Island, famous worldwide as the "salmon capital", one of the best places for sport fishing of this prized fish. Facing the strait that separates it from the mainland, it is surrounded by extraordinary nature of forests, rivers and coasts rich in marine life. The area is ideal for spotting bears, eagles and whales, and for activities such as kayaking, diving and exploring the nearby islands. Campbell River is also the gateway to the spectacular Strathcona Provincial Park, the oldest in British Columbia, with its mountains, waterfalls and alpine lakes. First Nations culture is rooted in the region. Between fishing, wildlife and grandiose nature, Campbell River is a fascinating destination for lovers of adventure and outdoor life.

Port Hardy is a town located at the northern tip of Vancouver Island, facing the life-rich waters of the Pacific Ocean. Set in wild, remote nature, it is the gateway to the most untamed landscapes of the north of the island, among rainforests, rugged coasts and open sea. The town is the departure point for ferries that travel the spectacular Inside Passage towards Prince Rupert, one of the world's most scenic voyages. The area is a paradise for spotting bears, whales and other marine wildlife, as well as for kayaking, diving and fishing. The culture of the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations is deeply rooted in the territory. Remote and immersed in grandiose nature, Port Hardy is a fascinating base for those seeking outdoor adventures and wild landscapes in the heart of Canada's Pacific coast.

Prince Rupert is an evocative port on the northern coast of British Columbia, immersed in a lush coastal rainforest wrapped in atmospheric mists and beaten by rain. An important maritime and rail terminus, it is the gateway to the wild Haida Gwaii archipelago and the spectacular Inside Passage coastal voyage. Its waters, extremely rich in marine life, make it a paradise for spotting whales, orcas and grizzly bears, while the living Tsimshian First Nations culture permeates every corner of the region. The harbour, among the deepest in North America, welcomes ships from everywhere. Between sea, rainforests and Indigenous heritage, Prince Rupert offers the authentic essence of Canada's northwest coast.

Smithers is a picturesque town in northern British Columbia, set in a valley at the foot of the imposing Hudson Bay Mountain, along the historic route to the northwest. With a curious Bavarian alpine-themed centre, complete with a statue of an alphorn player, it is a lively base for outdoor lovers, with skiing, hiking, fly fishing on the region's renowned rivers and mountain biking. The surroundings offer grand scenes of mountains, glaciers and waterfalls, while the living culture of the Wet'suwet'en First Nations permeates the land. Wildlife abounds in the surrounding forests. Between mountains, rivers and alpine atmosphere, Smithers embodies the authentic charm of northern British Columbia.

Prince George is the main city of northern British Columbia, located in the geographic heart of the province, at the confluence of the Fraser and Nechako rivers. An important transport hub and service centre, it is nicknamed the province's "northern capital" and serves as a strategic base for exploring the vast wild territories of the north. Surrounded by forests, rivers and lakes, it offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities, from fishing to hiking, while its location makes it a stopover along the routes towards the north and west, such as the one towards Prince Rupert and Alaska. The city has parks, museums and a lively cultural life linked also to First Nations culture. Practical and immersed in northern nature, Prince George is a convenient stop for those travelling through the great wild spaces of northern British Columbia.

Jasper is a mountain town set in its namesake national park, the largest in the Canadian Rockies and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wilder and quieter than nearby Banff, it is surrounded by grandiose nature of imposing peaks, glaciers, emerald lakes and endless forests, where wildlife is easily encountered along the roads. From Jasper, excursions set off to natural wonders such as Maligne Lake, with the famous Spirit Island, the Maligne Canyon and the Miette hot springs. The legendary Icefields Parkway, one of the world's most beautiful scenic roads, links Jasper to Banff along the Columbia Icefield. Recognised as a dark-sky preserve, the park offers extraordinary night skies. Between glaciers, lakes and silence, Jasper is a paradise for lovers of pristine nature.

The journey from Jasper to Lake Louise/Banff is one of the highlights and most spectacular parts of the trip; you travel along Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic roads in North America, amidst majestic mountains, vast forests, and enormous glaciers, in a wild region. Banff is Canada's most famous mountain resort, set in the heart of its namesake national park, the country's oldest and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the picturesque town is the ideal starting point for exploring landscapes of extraordinary beauty, among turquoise lakes, glaciers and forests. Nearby are natural jewels such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, with crystalline waters framed by mountains. The Banff Upper Hot Springs invite relaxation, while Banff Avenue offers shops, restaurants and the iconic view of Mount Cascade. Wildlife, from elk to bears, populates the region. In every season, between skiing, hiking and canoeing, Banff offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Rockies, one of the world's most spectacular nature destinations.

Cross the land of the cowboys, passing through the Rocky Mountains and leaving Banff National Park, towards the plains surrounding the vibrant city of Calgary. Calgary is a dynamic city in Alberta, built at the foot of the Canadian Rockies, famous for its western spirit and the legendary Calgary Stampede, one of the world's largest rodeos and cowboy-culture festivals. Grown as a centre of the oil industry, it boasts a modern skyline of skyscrapers and a lively city life, with districts such as Inglewood and Stephen Avenue, rich in restaurants, bars and shops. The Calgary Tower offers a panoramic view over the prairie and the mountains on the horizon. The city is above all the ideal gateway to the Rockies, less than an hour's drive from Banff and the national parks. Its green spaces along the Bow River invite walks and outdoor activities. Welcoming and growing, Calgary combines urban energy, cowboy tradition and grandiose nature, a perfect base for exploring western Canada.