Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/809166
reservations@wedgewoodhotel.com • 1.800.663.0666 • wedgewoodhotel.com Downtown Vancouver, Canada - Luxury Boutique Hotel linking everything from the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre to the Audain Art Museum (www.whistler.ca). Chewy or crispy, steamed or fried, filled with soup or stuffed with meat—who doesn't love Asian dumplings? Get your fill along the Dumpling Trail in Richmond ( www.dumplingtrail.com). CITY LIGHTS Beauty and personality—Vancouver has it all. Think craft beer and food truck festivals, yoga on the beach and glitzy shopping destinations such as North America's only McArthurGlen Designer Outlet ( www. mcarthurglen.com). Embraced by the ocean and mountains, the city features a livable mix of high-rises and heritage homes, graceful gardens and funky neighbour- hoods. At its heart is the lushly forested 400-ha (1,000-acre) Stanley Park, one of the world's great urban parks. But Vancouver is also the glittering glass towers of down- town; the multicultural neighbourhoods of Chinatown, Little Italy and Little India; the hipster cool of Gastown and the trendy restaurants of Kitsilano; as well as attrac- tions including Science World, the North Shore ski hills and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park ( www.tourismvancouver.com). Across the Strait of Georgia, at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is a city of historic charm, passionate foodies and endless outdoor activities. It is considered by many to be Canada's most cycling-friendly city, and is home to several spectacular gardens, including the world- renowned Butchart Gardens. Many of the city's attractions cluster around the bustling Inner Harbour, including the floating homes of Fisherman's Wharf, the Royal BC Museum and the neo-baroque BC Parliament Buildings ( www.tourismvictoria.com ). Head inland to the Okanagan Valley and you'll come to Kelowna, a bustling centre of commerce, technological innovation and wine culture ( www. tourismkelowna.com ). THE GREAT OUTDOORS In British Columbia, the great outdoors truly is just that—great: from ocean playground to mountain peaks, windswept plains and fertile farmland. Head for the hills—there are plenty of them. This mountainous province boasts 13 major ski resorts (and many smaller ones) with epic powder, heart-stopping descents and pristine backcountry bowls, as well as miles of trails for those who prefer skinny skis and snowshoes. In summer, the resorts turn their lifts and trails over to daredevil mountain bikers and hikers eager to explore the alpine meadows. But you don't have to climb a mountain to find adventure here. Awash as it is with rivers, lakes and the Pacific Ocean, B.C. is popular for water sport enthusiasts. You can sail alongside orcas in Desolation Sound, paddle the Bowron Lakes, raft down the Fraser Canyon, surf the waves near Tofino or cast for trout in Lake Country. Those who prefer to stay on dry land can also hike through dozens of national and provincial parks or ride a horse under the endless skies in the grasslands. Even city slickers can find mountains to climb and waters to sail right in their own backyard. QUICK FACT THE ALASKA HIGHWAY TURNS 75 THIS YEAR AND, IN CELEBRATION, HAS BEEN NOMINATED AS A NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE. BC 67