British Columbia General Interest

With the Pacific Coast bordering this province's western edges, British Columbia is a great place to explore seaside beaches. From sandy expanses of land with clothing optional areas, to ultimate surfing and taking a dip in warm ocean waters, BC offers a nearly innumerable amount of seaside recreation areas

The best wines in the world seem to come from temperate, warm places like France, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, South America and California. It sometimes comes as a surprise to people, then, that Canada—often associated with cold, harsh weather patterns—has a booming wine industry that has been producing world-class vintages for decades. Canadian wine has garnered the country international recognition as a producer of fine, award-winning vino.

The land officially known as Canada since 1867 has a human history that can be traced back 10,000 years. The west coast of Canada, with a temperate environment and rich fishing waters, had a particularly dense concentration of Aboriginal societies. Their cultures are not only reflected in the ancient structures that have survived thousands of years, but in First Nations communities that still exist, many of which still practicing their traditional art and cultural celebrations.

Upon thinking of Canada, one cannot suppress images of open space, diverse landscapes and striking hospitality spread among urban centres and rural communities. With a total area of 9,984,670 sq km (3,855,103 sq mi), plus natural attractions such as...

Spas have a glorious history, dating back to the ancient Babylonians, when people would travel miles to bathe in hot springs and mineral rich pools for their restorative effects. While water based treatments remain popular with the European spa goer, spas in Canada and the United States are seeing an increasing interest in a variety of holistic experiences grounded in the traditions of the middle and far east.

One only has to look around to be inspired in Vancouver. Spectacular mountains reach up out of the ocean and rub shoulders with gleaming urban high-rises, stunning coastal waters intermingle with a vibrant cosmopolitan centre and its people embrace each other, the environment and a healthy dose of culture.

The coolest season in the world is a Canadian winter—and not just because it gets so darned cold here. Simply put, Canada is a big place with unlimited wintertime possibilities. The country spans from Newfoundland and the Atlantic Ocean to Vancouver Island and the Pacific, with borders that reach from

Canada is a hotbed for heart-thumping, adrenaline-pumping action. Geographically, it is the second largest country in the world and accordingly, it offers one of the most diverse landscapes in the world. Canada is known internationally as a world-class skiing and snowboarding destination due to long northern winters, heavy snowfall and a wild assortment of mountains and peaks that span the nation. But the country also offers many other activities that cater to hardcore thrill-seeking individuals. From the tides of the Pacific to the flatlands of the Western Canadian prairies, this enormous country has the right fix for any adrenaline junkie.

In the past few decades, Canada has started to shed its image as a frigid land of vast wilderness in favour of a sophisticated, urban persona. Canada's major cities are now being seen for what they are—vibrant, modern hubs of activity. The country's urban centres boast many attractions, one of the most significant being their world-class shopping facilities.

When it comes to Christmas, no one does it better than Canada. The holiday season brings blankets of thick white snow, a multitude of holiday traditions and, thanks to Canada’s northerly location, plenty of darkness. So it should come as no surprise that a favorite holiday practice in the Great North, is setting up beautiful light displays.

People eat with their eyes. From the visual presentation of the food on the plate to a restaurant's decor, these visual cues add to the dining experience. All across Canada, top restaurants excel in these departments and several take that visual component to the next level--literally.

Exhibiting the flora of Canada's vast landscapes and often exotic species from afar, the country's public gardens foster an appreciation of the planet's diverse, precious and vital plant life, and offer brightly coloured, sweet-scented and lovingly tended natural sanctuaries for anyone to enjoy. The Great White North's publicly accessible gardens bloom among the world's best and here are WorldWeb.com's Top 10 picks.

Although widely regarded as a hotbed for Winter sports, regardless of the time of year Canada hosts a large array of top-notch sporting events. Spanning sports as diverse as ice-hockey and equestrian show jumping, to golf and Formula One racing, no sport is ill-represented in this country of 33 million inhabitants.

Perhaps the most relaxing way to experience Canada's natural wonders during the chilly months is the old fashioned way—by train. Passengers can sit back, stretch their legs and stay warm and cozy while watching the magical scenes of a Canadian winter unfold outside their window...

Canada has the reputation of the frozen north, but to Martin Luther King and thousands of other black Americans, Canada was a sort of North Star—a gleaming beacon of hope that they followed and fought their way to. From 1840 to 1860, Canada emblemized freedom from oppression, and it was there that many brave enslaved people risked their lives to enter. This struggle was known as the Underground Railroad.

Imagine a place with white sand beaches, plenty of boating and fishing opportunities, an abundance of outdoor recreation facilities and hardly any rain. It may sound like a tropical paradise, but it's not. It’s Canada’s own Sunshine Coast -- a destination so naturally beautiful and culturally diverse, it’s sure to captivate even the most discriminating tastes.

Canadians welcome, celebrate and appreciate summertime in a way that only residents of a country which receives six months of cold and snowy winters can. For many, one of the most anticipated and exciting aspects of summer, along with the long days and hot weather, are the many music festivals that take place in the country between June and September.

Between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, BC Ferries' fleet of vessels have become a common part of the local scenery. Each day from early morning till late evening, these massive vehicles effortlessly navigate through the often tight waterways that separate the Southern Gulf Islands.

Located in British Columbia’s lush Okanagan Valley, the city of Kelowna is a virtual summertime playground for both kids and adults. Boasting near picture perfect weather with hot sunny days and warm evenings being the norm, and situated on the shores of the massive Lake Okanagan, the city and surrounding area offer a mind-boggling array of exciting outdoor activities.

An ailing man in his 80s, once physically strong but still strong in spirit, stands silently, listening to his own breath that inhales the air of freedom as he stands on Canadian soil remembering the land that he fought for. With courage, he remembers friends, family and allies whose breaths were taken away by war.

Being stuck in an airport with less than stellar amenities or services can be quite frustrating. The criteria for what makes an airport great or the best can vary among travellers. For those travelling on business, the importance of having access to wireless Internet may be paramount, whereas

British Columbia’s Okanagan region is a paddler’s paradise with an abundance of lakes and rivers that offer a variety of experiences and sights for both novices and experts. Whether paddlers are looking to participate in one of the many dragon boat festivals or solo across a quiet lake, there are endless opportunities to enjoy this relaxing and athletic pastime.

Although there is a lot of speculation surrounding the origin of the famous Nanaimo Bar treat, since little solid evidence exists today, the city of Nanaimo has offered its theory about the three layered treats.

"Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles." Olympic Charter, Fundamental principles, paragraph 2

Scattered in the Pacific Ocean just off of mainland B.C. are a multitude of islands with gem-like brilliance. Some have emerald rainforests, others polished communities, and all are surrounded by crystal waters. Each precious rock, from large to small, has its own story and its own rhythm, appealing to a variety of residents and visitors.

The city of Victoria—capital of British Columbia and seat of the provincial Crown. Long has it been since Queen Victoria ruled here, yet to this day it remains as regal as ever, revered far and wide for its sensible blend of history, culture, style and adventure.

You don’t need to be a tea-totaller to enjoy Victoria’s most popular brew. Tea has a grand tradition here that stems back to the city’s British roots. Over the years, it has morphed into a tradition that is uniquely Victorian, becoming integral to the city’s identity.

Encompassing one of the largest and most visited ski resorts in the world, and boasting a number of other top-notch facilities, Whistler is a resort town that attracts upwards of 2,000,000 visitors a year. Because of this massive influx of tourists, the village offers a wide variety of amenities including lodging, eateries, activities and more, for travellers of all ages and incomes.

Most people will shiver at the mere mention of the term Canadian Winter. Images of igloos and parkas accompanied by snowstorms and well below freezing temperatures usually prevail when one envisions January north of the 49th parallel, but those who think of Canadian winters as harsh and unforgiving probably haven't spent a winter on B.C.'s Vancouver Island, a destination known for its mild, even warm winter season.

Think Canadian winters, and a few of the images that come to mind are icicles, toques and hockey sticks. And while many Canucks delight in the sight of a fresh covering of snow, conjuring visions of powdery white ski hills, few are enthusiastic about the frigid temperatures accompanying the white stuff. Unbearable winters may be as much of a Canadian trademark as the beaver itself, but not everyone in the country is feeling the sharp tines of Old Man Winter quite so severely.