Ever wish you could jet off around the world and explore all those exotic, far-away places? Maybe you’re captivated by the desert and all its beauty; or perhaps you long to explore remote wild areas. Most of us have that yearning to see and experience as much of this earth as we can before we leave it. But what if you could experience some of that same magic without all the travel? This blog will help you find those special places and experiences close to home. Stick with us and learn how to turn ordinary, local travel into remarkable and memorable adventures in your own backyard. Capture the world…without leaving home.
Scottish Highlands
BC has a number of regions that can look a lot like the Scottish Highlands with their rugged beauty, dramatic mountain peaks, romantic vistas, and mountain scenery. Here are some BC locations that may appeal to those who have visited the Scottish Highlands:
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Kootenay Rockies: With their steep mountain peaks, steep valleys and lakes, some areas of the Kootenay Rockies resemble the Scottish Highlands. Cities such as Revelstoke and Golden are close to some very romantic alpine scenery.
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Vancouver Island: The Tofino/Ucluelet region with its rocky shoreline, foggy forests and mountain backdrops has a Highlandesque quality to it. The Cowichan Valley and the Sooke region also has some gently rolling hills and green landscapes that remind me of parts of Scotland.
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Cariboo Mountains: A remote and rugged area with alpine meadows, steep mountain ranges and abundant wilderness make the Cariboo similar in beauty to the Highlands. One of the highlights in this area is Wells Gray Provincial Park with its many waterfalls and variety of wildlife.
The Alps’ Dramatic Mountain Peaks
BC has many regions that can be compared to the alpine areas of the European Alps with their majestic mountain peaks, glaciers and beautiful mountain vistas. The Canadian Rockies, with their breathtaking scenery, are a prime example. Below are some of the areas in BC that will make you feel like you are somewhere in the Alps:
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Rockies and Purcell Mountains:
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Kootenay National Park: A Canadian Rocky Mountain park with majestic mountains, glaciers and alpine meadows. Banff National Park, known for its stunning natural beauty, is also part of this region.
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Bugaboo Provincial Park: A Purcell Mountain park characterized by picturesque granite spires and glacial landscapes comparable to the Swiss Alps. Jasper National Park, with its scenic attractions, is another must-visit destination in the Canadian Rockies. Glacier National Park, with its wild landscape, hiking trails, and outdoor activities, also offers a similar alpine experience.
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Lake Louise, renowned for its surreal turquoise waters, offers various outdoor adventures and hiking opportunities.
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Undefeated beauty! This park which is located near Whistler, BC has a rugged mountain terrain with glaciers and alpine meadows. The Garibaldi Lake in particular has turquoise blue water surrounded by snow-peaked mountains which really gives this area an Alpine look. Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Rockies, is also known for its breathtaking landscape and abundant wildlife.
Ireland’s West Coast
There are many areas along the coast of British Columbia (BC) that remind us of Ireland’s dramatic and rugged coastline, rocky beaches, green landscapes, and coastal scenery. These are some of the places to visit in BC that remind us of Ireland’s coastal scenery:
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A park situated on Vancouver Island’s west coast and known for its rocky coastline, dramatic cliffs and verdant rainforests. In the Long Beach and Broken Group Islands areas, you can enjoy some beautiful ocean panoramas and coastal scenery. The southern coast of British Columbia also offers expansive sandy beaches that add to the region’s charm.
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Tofino and Ucluelet:
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Also on Vancouver Island’s west coast, these two towns are surrounded by wild, rugged coastlines, sandy beaches and dense, lush rainforests. The waves crash against the rocky, tree-covered beaches and the coastal views are similar to the Atlantic coast of Ireland.
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On the southern end of Vancouver Island, this park is filled with spectacular coastal views with rocky beaches and cliffs, as well as coastal rainforests. Hikers will enjoy the ocean views on the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail and the comparison of the rugged coast to that of Ireland’s windswept Atlantic coast.
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Palm Springs’ Desert National Park
The Okanagan Valley (particularly around southern Osoyoos) is the closest area in British Columbia to the Palm Springs, California desert region. Here are some points of interest in this desert-like area:
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Osoyoos: A hot, dry locale in the very south of the Okanagan Valley. Its desert-like landscape includes dry hills, sagebrush, and sandy soil. One of Canada’s few true desert areas. Also famous for its warm temperatures like Palm Springs in the summer.
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Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre: A cultural centre located in Osoyoos that interprets the special desert environment of the area. Exploring the surrounding area with its dry plants and rugged landscape is like a mini desert adventure.
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Kamloops: Not as obviously desert as Osoyoos but it has a semi-arid climate with warm summers and dry land. Rolling hills, grasslands and sagebrush stir memories of desert landscapes.
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Thompson Plateau: A semi-arid climate similar to the Okanagan and Kamloops areas with dry open land and sparse vegetation. Part of this area is included in the Okanagan and Kamloops regions.
BC is usually thought of in terms of dense forests and coastal rainforest but the Okanagan Valley and surrounding areas offer a special experience for those who like desert like landscapes. So if Palm Springs and arid landscapes are missing from your life, think of a mini vacation in the Osoyoos area.
Italy’s Wine Regions
BC has a few zones that can easily recreate the vineyard scenery you would find in Italy. Rolling hills, scenic views, and a culture deeply rooted in wine; the most famous of these regions is the Okanagan Valley which has been dubbed the Tuscany of BC and Canada. Compare and contrast some of BC’s prime Italian-like zones:
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Kelowna: Central to BC’s wine industry, this city is home to hundreds of vineyards and wineries. Scenic, rolling hills couple with breathtaking views of Okanagan Lake to create an atmosphere perfect for producing top notch wines. Warm, dry weather and varied terrroir make this area comparable to any Italian wine district.
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Naramata Bench: A scenic area near Penticton known for its beautiful wine experiences. Terraced vineyards coupled with gorgeous views and top quality wines make this area a must see when visiting the south Okanagan. The picturesque Naramata Bench reminds many of the Italian landscape.
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Oliver and Osoyoos:
Oliver is known as the “Wine Capital of Canada” with the highest concentration of wineries and vineyards in the Okanagan Valley. The warmest area of the Okanagan, its unique terrain, diverse soil types and climate, allows for the widest variety of grape varietals to be grown, much like you would find in an Italian wine region.
- Summerland: The rolling hills and sandy beaches provide a picturesque backdrop for vineyards and wineries with stunning views of Okanagan Lake. Imagine those quaint Italian vineyards.
Similkameen Valley:
- Situated just west of the Okanagan valley, the Similkameen valley offers plenty of rugged natural beauty and fantastic wineries. Like some of Italy’s lesser known wine valleys, this area enjoys hot summers and has soil conditions perfect for growing grapes.
Cowichan Valley (Vancouver Island):
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A milder climate region on Vancouver island features plenty of rolling hills and pastoral farmland with vineyards sprinkled throughout. The Cowichan Valley is still a very young wine region with a beautiful landscape that reminds us of some of Italy’s coastal wine areas.
Each of these BC regions not only produce some fantastic wines but also feature beautiful scenery and landscapes that remind us of some of the quaint and character filled vineyard areas of Italy. From the rolling hills of the Okanagan Valley to the pastoral Cowichan Valley, any wine lover will surely enjoy a visit to some of BC’s beautiful wine country.
Fjordland New Zealand UNESCO World Heritage Site
The region of British Columbia that most closely resembles the Fiordland region of New Zealand in terms of dramatic fjords, sheer cliffs, temperate rainforest, and beautiful waterways is the Great Bear Rainforest and the Central Coast. The following are specific sub-regions of that area that offer similar scenery and attractions:
Great Bear Rainforest: A vast and isolated wilderness on the central and northern coast of BC. Deep fjords, temperate rainforest, and an abundant variety of wildlife grow here. Steep cliffs fall directly into the sea in many areas. The landscape and vegetation of this region are quite similar to Fiordland.
Fiordland Conservancy: Central coast of BC. Named after New Zealand’s famous Fiordland, this conservancy contains many fjords, inlets and high mountain ranges that resemble its namesake.
Knight Inlet: Knight Inlet is a narrow and long fjord located on the central coast. It boasts impressive cliffs, glacial waters and wildlife including grizzly bears. This inlet’s natural beauty rivals that of Fiordland.
Bute Inlet and Toba Inlet: Located on the southern region of the central coast of BC, these fjords are characterized by steep and forested mountain ranges and deep glacial inlets. The remoteness and ruggedness of these inlets offer similar experiences to those found in Fiordland.
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Located at the northern end of the Sunshine Coast, Desolation Sound features a network of fjords and inlets surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery. The calm, deep waters and lush surroundings are reminiscent of Fiordland’s serene yet rugged environment.
These regions in BC offer stunning fjord-like landscapes, dense rainforests, and breathtaking natural beauty that closely resemble the famed Fiordland of New Zealand. Whether exploring by boat, hiking through the forests, or viewing the abundant wildlife, visitors can experience a taste of Fiordland’s dramatic allure right in British Columbia.
See the World in British Columbia
In conclusion, you can travel the world without ever leaving British Columbia. You can explore the rugged mountains of the Scottish Highlands in the Kootenay Rockies, or get lost in the towering peaks of the Swiss Alps in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Witness the striking coastlines of Ireland at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, and marvel at the geographical features and attractions along the east coast of Canada. Experience the warm, dry desert of Palm Springs in Osoyoos, and compare the landscapes and landmarks of British Columbia with those in Eastern Canada. Enjoy the rich, vineyards of Italy’s wine country in Oliver, and appreciate the historical significance and seafaring traditions of Prince Edward Island. Discover the dramatic fjords of New Zealand’s Fjordland in the heart of the Fiordland Conservancy, and highlight the significance of the St. Lawrence River in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, particularly north of Quebec City. No matter the destination, each location in British Columbia offers diverse, breathtaking landscapes and unique experiences that resemble some of the world’s most iconic destinations. Come and see the world in British Columbia, because every adventure is just around the corner.
