Vancouver, Victoria, Coastal Vancouver Island

Take a 1 hour, 40 minute ferry ride across the Strait of Georgia. Head to the front (bow) for the best views, including Bowen Island to the west. Enter Nanaimo, a picturesque waterfront hamlet. The pristine harbor bobbing with sailboats, fishing vessels, kayaks and float planes suggests many possibilities for exploring Vancouver Island's coves and inland waterways.

Hwy. 1 runs through the fertile Cowichan Valley and parallels the coast just far enough inland at certain points to bypass rustic fishing villages and seaside artisans' communities. Victoria, the Queen's namesake city, flaunts its quintessential British bent with its stately parliament buildings, glorious gardens and cultural amenities.

A ferry takes you through the scenic Gulf Islands, crossing the U.S. border twice before it deposits you in Delta, a town that juxtaposes upscale homes with gardens and farmland. Avid avian admirers flock here for migratory bird sightings, and summering orcas frolic in the bay to the delight of onlookers. The bay and beaches allow for a variety of water sports.

Perpetual blooms paint Vancouver's many gardens with eye-popping color, thanks to a mild rainforest-like climate. Witness more color in First Nations totems and Chinatown’s jades, lanterns and silks. This dynamic city is a shopaholic’s dream and draws hipsters to its thriving nightclub scene. Foodies will be spoiled by an abundance of enticing restaurants.