Cosmopolitan, cultured and a hub for outdoor activities, Vancouver sprawls beneath snow-capped mountains on the west coast of British Columbia. It’s considered one of the most beautiful (and liveable) cities in the world, with thriving art, music and dining scenes. Delve into the country’s First Nations heritage at the Museum of Anthropology and stroll the cobblestone streets of Gastown, then get your culinary fix at Granville Island’s bustling market.

Perched on the southern end of Vancouver Island, Victoria serves as the stately capital of British Columbia. It’s been dubbed “The Garden City” due to its flower-filled parklands and oozes charm with landmark buildings such as the Empress Hotel and the Neo-Baroque Parliament Buildings. Stroll through the stunning Butchart Gardens and gaze up at the colourfully carved totems of Thunderbird Park before exploring one of North America’s oldest Chinatowns.

Synonymous with skiing and snowboarding, Whistler is a charming resort town that nestles at the base of two huge mountains - Whistler and Blackcomb. It’s surrounded by wild rivers, rugged peaks and azure lakes, which can be explored on the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway. When you’re not revelling in the great outdoors, while away your time exploring the boutique stores, art galleries and international restaurants of the chalet-style village.

Often overlooked in favour of its headline-grabbing neighbours, Kamloops is a town offering a wide array of attractions, situated at the confluence of two branches of the Thompson River. Sample produce at the city’s pioneering wineries and craft breweries, and discover its past at its heritage railways, or visit BC Wildlife Park, an interactive wildlife experience that allows you to get up close and personal with some of BC’s indigenous species

Encompassing immense glaciers, alpine meadows and sparkling lakes, Jasper National Park is the largest protected area in the Canadian Rockies. Beneath the 3,363-metre-high peak of Mount Edith Cavell, you’ll find healthy populations of grizzly bears, moose and bighorn sheep, as well as thousands of species of plants. Explore the extensive network of backcountry trails, follow the scenic driving route to the Columbia Icefield and raft through the majestic Athabasca Valley.

Established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Banff National Park is the oldest national park in Canada. Its rugged terrain encompasses spectacular glaciers, coniferous forests and alpine lakes that provide habitat for grizzly bears, bighorn sheep and wolverines. Admire the castle-like Banff Springs Hotel and slowly paddle along the turquoise waters of Lake Louise before soaking up the sweeping vistas on offer from the Sulphur Mountain Gondola.