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Regional Snapshots
There are four diverse destination areas that make up this remarkable region. No matter which direction you go, there are abundant opportunities to see and do the best British Columbia has to offer!

Metro Vancouver
Vancouver is regularly ranked as one of the best places to live in the world. And the North American Travel Journalists picked Vancouver as the best international destination for 1998. In a way, they are confirming what the nearly two million residents and nearly eight million visitors a year to Metro Vancouver already know: there isn’t anywhere else on earth quite like it.

It’s not just the West Coast location and gorgeous setting where mountains meet the sea. And it’s not just the balmy climate that makes the communities of the Metro Vancouver Regional District a year-round paradise for sports and outdoors-minded people. It’s also the sheer range of enjoyment for body, mind and soul. You can ski, golf and go sailing here all on the same day and then catch an opera or Broadway musical by night.

• Host city for the 2010 Winter Games
• Shopping, Shopping, Shopping
• World class, “uniquely British Columbian” attractions & events
• Urban Gardens, parks & beaches

Mighty Fraser Country
Named after explorer Simon Fraser, the first European to navigates its waters, “the Mighty Fraser” River has shaped much of the Mighty Fraser Country, carving an astounding passage through the Coast Mountains, creating a lush valley of fertile farmland.

• Agri-tour & farm circle tour itineraries
• First Nation aboriginal tour opportunities
• Canadian History package opportunities
• Adventure tour opportunities such as fishing and river rafting

Sea to Sky Country
Travelling the famed “Sea to Sky Highway 99”, the Sea to Sky Country follows the coastline from ocean to mountain in majestic wonder. Starting in picturesque Horseshoe Bay, (site of a B.C. Ferries terminal), the road winds through mountain communities that have also become welcoming havens for lovers of every manner of outdoor recreation on land, and in water and air. This country is also rich in archaeological and historical lore. Salish First Nations have lived here for thousands of years, and prospectors streamed north from Lillooet for the Fraser River gold rush back in the 1850s.

• Year-round Outdoor Adventure from rock climbing to heli-skiing
• Whistler Resort – site of the 2010 Winter Olympics
• Eagle watching opportunities
• Awe-inspiring views of Howe Sound

Sunshine Coast
Just a 40 minute BC Ferry ride away from Vancouver and tucked into the southwest corner of mainland British Columbia, the Sunshine Coast is a 180 km (110 mile) stretch of paradise where the mossy rainforest drops from a sculpted shoreline into the Strait of Georgia, and winds itself northward beneath the Coast Mountains from Howe Sound to Desolation Sound. Named for its 2,400 hours of annual sunshine, the Sunshine Coast could also be known as the Scuba Coast, the Fishing Coast, the Serene Coast, the Wildlife Coast, the Arts & Culture Coast or the Health & Wellness Coast – reflecting the many attributes of the region.

• Perfect for self-drive and FIT itineraries
• Scuba diving to kayaking to boat tours up the Princess Louise Inslet
• Follow the “Purple Banner” route to renowned arts & craft studios and galleries
• Coastal Circle Tour route opportunities to Vancouver Island

 

Click here for a collection of sample itineraries.

For more information or further assistance, please contact:

KEVAN J. RIDGWAY
President & CEO
Direct: 604-638-6930
Toll Free: 1-800-667-3306 ext 106
kevan@vcmbc.com