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

Vancouver is a bustling metropolis located on Canada's west coast, in the province of British Columbia, notable for its spectacular geographical location, surrounded by towering mountains and the Pacific Ocean. This unique combination offers panoramic views and a wide range of outdoor activities. One of the jewels of the city is Stanley Park, a vast urban park offering forests, trails, beaches and breathtaking views of the city and ocean. It is a great place for walking, jogging, cycling and simply enjoying nature. Vancouver is one of Canada's most culturally diverse cities, with a cosmopolitan population reflecting a variety of traditions, languages and cuisines. Neighbourhoods such as Chinatown and Little Italy are testimony to this rich diversity. The city is also an important economic and financial centre and a focal point for innovation and technology. It is home to numerous technology companies and offers opportunities in sectors such as film and television production. The city is often ranked as one of the cities with the best quality of life in the world. This is due to its clean environment, rich cultural offerings, accessible outdoor activities and its lively, welcoming atmosphere. Sports enthusiasts will find many options in Vancouver, from skiing in the surrounding mountains in winter to water activities in the ocean in summer. The city is also home to professional sports teams such as the Canucks (ice hockey) and the Whitecaps (football). In summary, Vancouver is a city that combines urban modernity with natural beauty, offering a wide range of experiences and activities for residents and visitors alike.

arrival at Horseshoe Bay on the Pacific Coast. Boarding the ferry to Vancouver Island, through the Strait of Georgia. The cruise is an enthralling experience – between sailboats, seabirds and all sorts of marine fauna peeping through the waves. Victoria is the capital of British Columbia, located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Famous for its charming historic downtown, the elegant Inner Harbour, the Butchart Gardens, and Victorian-style architecture, the city blends British tradition with a Canadian coastal atmosphere. It is also renowned for its museums, boutiques, cozy cafés, and vibrant cultural scene.

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. Included in the package is an exciting whale watching experience in a local feeding area, with opportunities to see killer whales, gray whales, and humpback whales, as well as harbor seals, sea lions, otters, and porpoises, as well as puffins, blue herons, and bald eagles. The excursion is operated in a 12-seat Zodiac.

Campbell River is a coastal city located in the northern part of Vancouver Island. It is renowned as the "Salmon Capital of the World," offering abundant opportunities for sport fishing. The city is surrounded by spectacular natural beauty, including fjords, rainforests, and mountains that provide numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, wildlife spotting, and kayaking. It is an ideal destination for those who wish to immerse themselves in the wilderness of Western Canada.

Nestled in the Bulkley Valley, Smithers captivates with alpine charm and pristine nature. The Twin Falls Trail near Hudson Bay Mountain is a must-see for hikers. In summer, enjoy fishing and kayaking, while winter attracts skiers and snowboarders. Its picturesque Main Street evokes the charm of a Swiss mountain village.

Prince George, the gateway to northern British Columbia, combines urban comfort with wilderness adventure. Cottonwood Island Park invites visitors to take relaxing walks along the Nechako River. Explore the Exploration Place Museum to learn about the region’s history. The surrounding mountains and forests offer endless outdoor adventures for nature lovers.

Jasper National Park is the largest park in the Canadian Rockies, famous for its spectacular landscapes made up of turquoise lakes, towering glaciers, wild forests, and abundant wildlife. Iconic sites such as Maligne Lake, Mount Robson, and Maligne Canyon make it an ideal destination for those seeking unspoiled nature, adventure, and breathtaking scenery.

the trip from Jasper to Lake Louise/Banff is one of the most breathtaking moments of the journey: a wild land, crossed by the Icefield Parkway (one of the best panoramic roads in North America), amidst majestic mountains, vast forests and colossal glaciers. Banff, surrounded by mountains, forests, waterfalls, and hot springs, is not just a simple resort town, it is the ultimate Canadian resort town, both in summer and winter.

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. set between the foot of the Rockies and the great Canadian prairies, Calgary has developed from an oil-boom, former frontier town to a rich, wealthy city. It owes its celebrity to the Calgary Stampede, a huge cowboy festival that is held annually in July. Calgary hosted the XV Winter Olympic Games in 1988.