Vancouver, Whistler & Vancouver Island

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Includes  Why Go? Vancouver...... 367 Visitors to Canada’s westernmost province are never short Whistler...... 390 of superlatives when typing their travel blogs. It’s hard not Sunshine Coast . . . 394 to be moved by looming mountains, wildlife-packed for- ests and uncountable kilometers of pristine coastline that Vancouver Island. . 396 slow your heartbeat like a spa treatment. But British Co- Victoria...... 396 lumbia (BC) is much more than just a nature-hugging di- Cowichan Valley. . . 407 orama. Cosmopolitan Vancouver is an animated fusion of Nanaimo ...... 409 cuisines and cultures from Asia and beyond, while historic Ucluelet...... 413 Victoria and resort town Whistler have their own vibrant, alluring scenes. And for sheer character, it’s hard to beat the Tofino...... 414 province’s kaleidoscope of quirky little communities, from Campbell River. . . .417 the rustic Sunshine Coast to the laid-back Southern Gulf Port Hardy...... 418 Islands. Wherever you head, of course, the great outdoors Southern will always be calling. Don’t just point your camera at it. BC Gulf Islands. . . . . 419 is unbeatable for the kind of life-enhancing skiing, kayak- ing, hiking and biking you’ll want to brag about to everyone back home.

Best Places to Eat When to Go Vancouver, BC ¨¨Gabriel’s Gourmet Cafe °C/°F Te mp Rainfall inches/mm (p410) 40/104 16/400 ¨ ¨Purebread (p392) 30/86 13/320 ¨ ¨Vij’s (p383) 20/68 9/240 ¨ ¨Fable (p383) 10/50 6/160

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-10/14 0 Best Places to J FDM A M J J A S O N Sleep Dec–Mar Powder Jul & Aug Sep & Oct ¨¨Free Spirit Spheres (p412) action stripes the Beaches, patios Great surfing ¨¨Riding Fool Hostel (p417) slopes of Whistler and a plethora and the start of ¨¨Skwachays Lodge (p380) and Blackcomb of overlapping storm-watching Mountains. festivals enliven season lure many ¨¨St Regis Hotel (p379) Vancouver. to Tofino. 367 Vancouver, Whistler & Vancouver Island Vancouver

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