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Vancouver Island, British Columbia -

Vancouver Island is anchored off the North American mainland in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Blessed with one of the warmest climates in Canada, the destination lures visitors with an exceptional range of attractions, experiences, and activities.

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Victoria -

Victoria, set on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, is the capital city of British Columbia. An attractive and historic destination, Victoria serves as a gateway to the rest of the island.

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Royal British Columbia Museum -

Located in Victoria, this is where to browse the region's fascinating history and culture. Permanent displays include a large collection of First Nations artifacts. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Craigdarroch Castle -

Dating back to the late 1800s, Craigdarroch Castle is a historic, Victorian-era Scottish Baronial mansion. Open to the public, it's one of Victoria's most popular tourist attractions.

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British Columbia Parliament Buildings -

Join a free guided tour and familiarize yourself with the impressive Neo-baroque home to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. This is Victoria's finest example of late 19th-century architecture.

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Chinatown -

Get a taste of the Orient in Victoria's colorful and lively Chinatown. The location of Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in Canada, this is the place to dine on authentic Chinese cuisine and discover numerous bars, galleries, and several historic attractions including the Tam Kung Buddhist Temple and the Gate of Harmonious Interest (pictured).

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Beacon Hill Park -

Popular with visitors and locals, Beacon Hill Park is Victoria's city oasis, a tranquil green space that features woodland and shoreline trails, playgrounds, a waterpark, and landscaped gardens.

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Whale-watching -

Vancouver Island is a whale-watching hot spot. The best time to see these majestic creatures is from May to October, but it's possible to spot them year-round, especially resident orcas, pictured here at Johnstone Strait off the Broughton Archipelago.

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Big Bunsby Marine Provincial Park -

The fact that it's accessible only by boat lends this park a gloriously exclusive allure. This is a great place to spot migrating Pacific gray whales during March and April, and you're also very likely to observe bald eagles patrolling the skies above too.

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Ucluelet Aquarium -

Unique in that all specimens showcased at this aquarium are collected from the Pacific Ocean and then seasonally released back into the ocean—a wonderfully sustainable initiative! (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Tofino -

Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island is one of the destination's must-sees. Just ask the surfers, hikers, bird watchers, campers, and whale watchers who escape here to seek communion with Mother Nature.

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Cox Bay -

Cox Bay Beach Resort is a boutique vacation hideaway near Tofino. Blessed with a beautiful beach, it's a popular surf spot.

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Local brews -

Exploring Tofino can work up a thirst. To quench it, why not order a tasting flight of different beers from local craft brewery Tofino Brewing Company?

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Strathcona Provincial Park -

The largest park on Vancouver Island is famous for Della Falls, the highest waterfall in Canada, and Buttle Lake (pictured). An extensive network of hiking trails serve both. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Pacific Rim National Park Reserve -

Rugged coastlines and temperate rain forests characterize the landscape of this pristine national park. Outdoor recreational activities include surfing at Long Beach and sea kayaking.

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Roosevelt elk -

Vancouver Island is home to a wealth of wildlife, and supports most of Canada's Roosevelt elk population. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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MacMillan Provincial Park -

Spend time here with your significant other and be awed by the collection of ancient Douglas fir gathered together in Cathedral Grove. Some of the trees are more than 800 years old and 9 m (29.5 ft) in circumference.

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Cowichan Bay -

Set on the east coast of southern Vancouver Island, Cowichan Bay is a thriving fishing community that is also known for its arts and crafts. Dozens of artisan stores line the harbor. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Butchardt Gardens -

A blaze of color greets visitors to these outstanding gardens, which are laid out in Brentwood Bay near Victoria. Designated a National Historic Site of Canada, Butchardt features a Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, and the Ross Fountain, among other landscaped features.

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Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site -

Perched at the mouth of Esquimalt Harbour at the southern tip of Vancouver Island is the first lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. The former lighthouse keeper's residence is open to the public and contains displays and exhibits about the site's history.

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Vancouver Island marmot -

Endemic to the island is the Vancouver Island marmot. It's a critically endangered species.

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Chemainus -

Call in at this logging town to marvel at the extraordinary 50-plus collection of outdoor murals that literally illustrate this quirky destination. Some are so life-like they regularly get mistaken for genuine shopfronts. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Bear necessities -

You may encounter a black bear or two during your travels. But don't expect to meet a grizzly—North American brown bears are absent from the island.

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Cape Scott Provincial Park -

It doesn't get more secluded than this. If you want to get away from it all, take a stroll along sandy and deserted San Josef Beach. Much of the Cape can only be reached by boat or helicopter.

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Raft Cove Provincial Park -

Located south of San Josef Bay, remote Raft Cove Provincial Park is black bear territory, an environment the animal shares with wolves, cougars, raccoons, and river otters. It's also a favorite surf spot, attracting the more adventurous boarder.

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Englishman River Falls Provincial Park -

The Englishman River Falls Provincial Park lies west of Parksville. It's named for a First Nations legend that mentions the skeleton of a white man found near the falls. Watch your step!

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Woss Lake Provincial Park -

The seldom visited wilderness that is Woss Lake Provincial Park draws hardcore outdoors enthusiasts to its steep and rugged landscape. There are no recreational facilities anywhere—you really are on your own when you venture here.

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Rifflandia Music Festival -

This four-day multi-venue music festival is held annually in Victoria and hosts some of Canada's finest bands and DJs. Lineups also include international acts. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Empress Hotel -

It's worth splashing out to stay at one of Victoria's oldest hotels, and certainly its most historic. Previous guests include Hollywood child star Shirley Temple, as well as King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, who attended a luncheon during their 1939 royal tour of Canada. (Photo: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Mount Washington -

Looming over Namaimo, a city on the east coast of Vancouver Island, is Mount Washington, one of the most popular resorts on the island and a buzzing winters sports destination. Have fun indulging in snowshoeing, snow tubing, skiing, and snowboarding.

See also: The world's most exclusive celebrity destinations.

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