Best of the Pacific Northwest Tour

Dubbed 'The Emerald City' due to its abundance of lush, evergreen trees and its spectacular views of the snow-capped Cascade and Olympic mountains, Seattle is a laid-back, friendly city which is set apart by is its remarkably beautiful natural setting and its progressive, multicultural inhabitants. The city is perhaps best known for its seafood, its incredibly wet weather and its famously obsessive coffee culture as well as the staggering diversity of its neighbourhoods: Grand stately manicured suburbs; hip and trendy urban areas; pockets of eclectic, artsy boutiques and cafes; and rows of glistening state-of-art skyscrapers - Seattle has it all. With nature on its doorstep, it’s hardly surprising that an outdoor lifestyle prevails, with plenty of boating, skiing, and hiking facilities on offer as well as a vast array of fascinating museums, galleries and cultural sights. No matter when you’re travelling to Seattle, there are more than enough attractions to hold your interest, come rain or shine!

Situated on the southern end of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, the charming town of Victoria serves as the provincial capital. It is known for its numerous outdoor activities, heritage architecture, and its colourful gardens. The surrounds feature ancient rainforests, majestic mountains and a wild Pacific coastline. Visitors can look forward to partaking in the tradition of afternoon tea, discovering the city’s world-class culinary delights, and enjoy a variety of adventure options with everything from kayaking to whale-watching. Other attractions include: the stately Craigdarroch Castle, a historic Victorian-era Scottish Baronial mansion; Butchart Garden, with its immaculately kept grounds; and the extensive network cycle paths, Victoria has more cycle routes than any other Canadian city.

Located at Canada’s southwestern border, the city of Vancouver boasts majestic mountains, sparkling ocean, rainforests and beautiful foliage in all four seasons. A vast multicultural population, endless activities, and excellent infrastructure ensure Vancouver is welcoming to all. While the city has excellent public transportation, it is a great walking city - easily accessible, clean, green and safe. Vancouver caters to almost any interest throughout the year; visitors can enjoy world-class shopping, gourmet meals, outstanding live entertainment, sporting events, theatre, outdoor adventure, a huge array of watersports, and spectacular sights and attractions. The city is also known for its easy access to Whistler, the Canadian Rockies, Victoria, and Vancouver Island. Don’t miss the opportunity to traverse the thrilling, famous Capilano Suspension Bridge and its new related activities, including palpitation-inducing cliff walks and historical tribal sites.

Idyllically located just off Canada’s Pacific Coast in the British Columbia Province, the massive Vancouver Island is home to stunning natural scenery offering an abundance of adventure sports, and a wealth of historical and cultural wonders. The wave-whipped beaches and verdant forests of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve provide the ultimate opportunities for surfing and hiking, and the chance to see cougars and other endangered animals. Turquoise natural pools are surrounded by gigantic peaks and lush greenery, constituting picturesque locations for swimming, kayaking and other watersports. Small, friendly communities rich in cultural history are scattered across the island and enjoy telling visitors ancient legends around the fire and showing off their range of tribal artefacts. In the capital, Victoria, a rich architectural heritage and variety of cultural museums provide further insight, and visitors can enjoy the many cosmopolitan and modern city delights.

Stretching along Canada’s western border, British Columbia has it all – a strong ‘first nations’ heritage, exquisite scenery, prolific wildlife and a vibrant, cosmopolitan capital. The province consists largely of untamed wilderness – rugged mountain peaks, lush forests, alpine lakes, sparkling rivers and coastal surf – making it a prime destination for outdoor activities, from fishing, kayaking, surfing and rock climbing, to hiking, biking, skiing and golf. If it’s ritz and glitz you’re after, there’s plenty to be had on the island of Vancouver, which encompasses BC’s capital, Victoria – five-star cuisine, lively nightlife and countless options for retail therapy. In the winter months, the Northern Lights put on a fantastical light display in certain parts of BC, including Dawson Creek and Muncho Lake Provincial Park.