This 14-day trip combines a city visit to beautiful Vancouver along with a drive through the awe-inspiring Canadian Rockies.
Start your trip in Vancouver, which has deep, wide bays backed by stunning, snow-capped mountains and might be the most beautiful city in the world. Take a walk along the seawall at Coal Harbour and admire the gleaming white boats. Or explore the natural and human history of the area by taking a Stanley Park tour with an indigenous guide. At night, check out the restaurants, nightlife and hip cocktail bars of Gastown and Chinatown. Granville Island has tremendous shopping, as well as a distillery and public market.
The drive from Vancouver to Penticton takes you past the thick forests of Manning Provincial Park. Penticton and the Okanagan Valley are famous for fruits and wines. Nk’ Mip is an award-winning winery run by indigenous Canadians and has a great patio overlooking Lake Osoyoos. If you want to cover a lot of ground without driving, try renting an electric bike from Pedego in Penticton.
The trip from the Okanagan to Revelstoke takes you past spectacular waterfalls that tumble from the mountain peaks, as well as deep, crystal-clear lakes. On your way to Banff, enjoy the natural splendour of Glacier National Park and Yoho National Park in B.C., where you’ll find the towering Takakkaw Falls and the Natural Bridge, a rock formation that straddles a rushing mountain river.
In Banff, a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain is one of the great thrills in all of Canada, with views that go on forever. You also can take a boat tour on Lake Minnewanka, or check out the stories of women pioneers and other Banff trailblazers at the Whyte Museum, which is right downtown. Nearby Lake Louise and Moraine Lake both offer aquamarine waters fronting jagged, snow-capped mountain peaks.
The drive between Banff and Jasper is regarded by many as the most beautiful driving trip in the world. You’ll pass massive slabs of exposed mountain peaks, with snow-covered peaks and lakes in shades of blue you’ve never seen before. The stop at Bow Lake is great for photos, as is the on-high view of Peyto Lake. Mistaya Canyon offers a beautiful, rushing river that slices through a narrow canyon of ancient rock.
Jasper is another great mountain town. Take a walk around the ruggedly beautiful lobby of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, or take a trip on the Jasper SkyTram for sensational views. From Jasper you’ll make your way past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains. Wells Gray Provincial Park and the Cariboo region offer great opportunities for exploring nature, with canoeing, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding and other outdoor activities.
100 Mile House was built as a roadhouse/stopping point for miners headed to the Cariboo Gold Rush, which began in 1861. From here it’s on to Whistler, a year-round playground that’s famous for skiing in winter and golf or hiking in summer. Wander the village and stop at a pub for a pint, or check out the indigenous Canadian displays at the Squamish-Lil’wat Cultural Centre. The Audain Art Museum offers up world-class art displays.
Between Whistler and Vancouver is the engaging town of Squamish. Try the Sea-to-Sky Gondola in Squamish for fabulous views and pure, fresh mountain air.