West Canada: from Vancouver to Calgary with Vancouver Island

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.

Kamloops lies in the interior of British Columbia, at the confluence of the two branches of the Thompson River, in a landscape of semi-arid hills dotted with lakes. The city boasts a sunny, dry climate that makes it pleasant for much of the year. Surrounded by over a hundred lakes, it is a paradise for fishing, golf, mountain biking and outdoor sports, while in winter the nearby Sun Peaks offers ski slopes. First Nations culture is alive in the region and recounted in interesting cultural centres. A convenient stop along the routes between Vancouver and the Rockies, Kamloops offers parks, riverside trails and an open, bright landscape. Sunny and active, it is a pleasant base for discovering the interior of British Columbia and its outdoor activities.

Blue River is a small and remote British Columbia settlement, immersed in the North Thompson River valley, framed by the peaks of the Cariboos and Monashees. Surrounded by boundless nature of forests, rivers and snow-capped mountains, it is famous worldwide as a premier destination for heli-skiing on powder snow, which draws off-piste enthusiasts from every corner of the planet each winter. In summer the land lends itself to hiking, fishing and wildlife watching, including bears and moose. Its closeness to the wild Wells Gray Provincial Park enriches the adventure possibilities. Between mountains, powder snow and wilderness, Blue River offers the thrill of the purest nature and boundless adventure.

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. Lake Louise is one of Canada's most iconic and photographed places, a glacial lake of turquoise waters set in Banff National Park, at the foot of snow-capped peaks and the Victoria Glacier. The spectacle of the lake, whose colour changes with the seasonal light, reflected in the waters along with the surrounding mountains, is simply unforgettable. On its shores stands the historic and sumptuous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, from which walks set off along the lake and trails towards mountain tea houses and nearby Moraine Lake. In winter the frozen lake becomes a stage for skating and skiing, while in summer it is ideal for canoeing and hiking. Wildlife populates the region. A symbol of the beauty of the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise is an unmissable destination, capable of enchanting every visitor with its natural perfection.

Breathtaking scenery through the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The road meanders between towering peaks, crystal clear lakes and lush forests, offering unforgettable views along the way. 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.