Big cities in BC Province are famous for their dazzling array of restaurants, shopping centers and urban scenery. But if you go further, you will find that there are still opportunities to enjoy forest bathing, whale watching, cycling and bird watching. These close contact with nature will take you out of the busy life of the city, return to nature and replenish your energy.
Explore Victoria's natural beauty and fresh farm food
There are many open spaces in parks and forests in Greater Victoria. These outdoor places are not only less crowded, but also diversified in experience. The Malahat Skywalk, 35 minutes' drive north of Victoria, is a new attraction. Visitors can walk along its 6-meter-long, 2-meter-high wooden trail through Myrica rubra and Douglas fir forest to enjoy nature. Walking to the top of the tower, you can enjoy the landscape of BC in 36 degrees and overlook Washington State, giving you a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of the two countries.
For those who like flowers, Butchart Gardens or Beacon Hill Park will definitely not disappoint you, and the sea of hydrangeas is unforgettable. For those who love nature, you can also take part in the travel experience of Elemental Magick Adventures. Under the guidance of the tour guide, you can visit the tropical rain forest in the park located in the suburb of Francis/Golden District and walk freely under the towering cedars, spruces and red bayberry trees. If you like challenging and exciting sports, you may wish to rent a kayak to go out to sea or take part in the sea experience tour of Ocean River Sports. You are more likely to see seals, otters, eagles and even whales in the course of kayaking from Victoria Inner Harbour and Oak Bay.
Some old blocks in Victoria also have a lot of space to explore. James Bay is home to the Dallas Waterfront Trail. You can see the sea view from this 7-kilometer-long trail and find the entrance to Fonyo Beach. Willows Beach, which is very popular with local people, is located in Oak Bay, a seaside resort just 1 minutes away from the city center. Before you leave, you can try handmade Italian pancakes on the roof of Faro restaurant in The Oak Bay Beach Hotel, or have a sip of special cocktails in Vis-à-Vis bar.
Ride, stroll or eat all over Vancouver to understand its unique side
This city has a leisurely cycling culture and more than 45 kilometers of cycling paths, and the multi-purpose green trails are also one of the characteristics of this city, such as Arbutus Greenway and the famous Stanley Park Seawall. Cycling is an excellent way to visit Vancouver. You can join a small cycling group organized by Cycle City Tours, and ride through Stanley Park together while keeping a social distance, or go to Chinatown, Gastown and Granville Island.
If you want to have a relaxed experience, you can join the guided walking group of Vancouver DeTours, enjoy colorful murals near Mt. Pleasant and experience the eclecticism of local art. If you love food, you can also take part in the advanced picnic and one-day tour of food experience provided by BC Adventure Company.
If you want to explore the aboriginal culture and history of this city more deeply, you can consider hiking in Talaysay Tours and taking a stroll in Stanley Park. This traveling team led by aborigines will explain the plants in the park and share local historical stories and artistic styles. If you want to have a more immersive experience, you can also stay at the Skwachàys Lodge Hotel, which is rich in aboriginal culture. The characteristic hotel has 18 rooms carefully built by interior designers and aboriginal artists, which are full of artistic sense.
Richmond is a perfect place for bird watching, cycling and whale watching.
Richmond is famous for its famous night market and fashionable shopping center, where all the fashionable things in Asia can be found. Not to mention the famous McArthurGlen Designer Outlet full of high-end brands, so you can enjoy the discount. Besides recreational activities in the city, Richmond, as a coastal city along the Fraser River, is also full of outdoor adventure activities.
In addition to bird watching, Richmond, with flat terrain, is also very suitable for cycling. The most popular route for cycling enthusiasts is from Richmond to Steveston Village, with a total length of 8 kilometers. This road was originally a railroad track and was converted into a multi-purpose single lane after being abandoned. When you arrive in Stevenson, remember to take a walk at the Fisherman's Wharf and feel the freshness of the sea breeze. You can also watch fishermen take stock of the fish caught that day, and when you are hungry, you can go to Dave's, the most famous local restaurant, to taste fish and chips. After a full meal, please lock your bike and join the whale watching team of Vancouver Whale Watch to explore the traces of killer whales, humpback whales, seals and dolphins.
if you want to experience outdoor activities more smoothly, you can consider staying at the airport hotel in Vancouver, Fermon. The hotel is offering a special bird-watching accommodation package, including a one-night stay, a convenient bird-watching bag with binoculars and maps, and an outdoor lunch for two prepared by the hotel chef, so that you can take it to Iona Beach Regional Park to replenish your strength.