Western Canada, from the Rockies to the Fjords

For views of some of the finest mountain scenery on the planet, few places can rival the seven parks of the Canadian Rockies. The mere mention of Canada likely brings to mind snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes and the park lodges of Banff and Jasper, straddling the border between Alberta and British Columbia.

The region comprises four national parks (Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay), which account for most of the 23,000 km² World Heritage Site. They are joined by three British Columbia provincial parks: Mount Robson, Mount Assiniboine and Hamber. Over the half-century following Banff's founding as the first national park, the protected area expanded to encompass a wealth of natural wonders: jagged peaks and conifer-covered slopes, glacial turquoise lakes and silt-laden streams, the vast Columbia Icefield, and the labyrinthine Castleguard Caves. A journey into the vastness of the Canadian Far West, into wild and unspoiled nature.

Around Tofino and Ucluelet, on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, the wild landscape is dominated by the island's ancient rainforest, which can be flown over by plane or explored on foot to feel its full timelessness. The West Coast Trail, for instance, runs 75 kilometres along the route once used by shipwreck survivors, crossing old-growth forest, open beaches and suspension bridges spanning rivers and streams. 

On the edge of Tofino, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, which runs the full length of the Pacific coastline here, is steeped in both nature and history. Whether you spend part of the day watching waves crash against the rugged coastal rocks in rough weather, or strolling long stretches of beach under clear skies, there's always something special about hearing old legends told by park wardens or by the Nuu-chah-nulth, First Nations people who have lived here for hundreds of years.

The city where a skyline of shimmering glass skyscrapers reflects the beauty of the surrounding ocean and coastal mountains. The city where you can swim at the beach and hike in the mountains on the same day. The city where the cuisine is world-class and the nightlife is buzzing. Vancouver is truly spectacular by nature.

One of Vancouver's great assets? Its proximity to some of the finest destinations in all of Canada — this dynamic city is brimming with restaurants, ski slopes, hiking trails and attractions just as renowned. With its feet in the Pacific Ocean and its head in the coastal mountains, Vancouver perfectly blends striking nature with urban entertainment. Consistently ranked among the world's top 5 most liveable cities for years, this cosmopolitan, laid-back coastal city shares its good spirits, love of the outdoors and stunning scenery.