Panoramas of Western Canada: from the Wild Pacific to the Rockies

Stretched between the bay and the mountains, Vancouver’s natural setting and trendy cosmopolitan atmosphere are immensely seductive, and you have two full days to discover the city. Not far from your hotel is another, the Hotel Vancouver, whose architecture (1929-1939) is typical of the grand Canadian railway hotels. At the foot of the hotel lies the neo-Gothic Anglican Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver's oldest church. And for fans of contemporary architecture, there's the Vancouver Public Library (Moshe Safdie, 1995). It's a few blocks west of Gastown, where the sawmill that gave rise to the town was located. The old, renovated warehouse district along the harbour is a must-see. To the northwest lies Stanley Park's 1,000 acres of cedar and fir trees. The people of Vancouver have an exceptional natural refuge here. To the south, Granville Island has recently evolved into a welcoming neighbourhood. Come here from downtown by water taxi to take a walk, do some shopping, see a show or an art exhibition and, above all fill your tote bag with food and handicrafts at the Public Market.

Your itinerary also includes a virtual flight with FlyOver Canada. See Canada's incredible landscapes, coast-to-coast on this remarkable flight simulation. The hemispherical screen and the special effects that accompany the projection create a breath-taking illusion: it feels like you're flying, the wind is blowing, you can smell the sea and the forest... but it's an illusion. It's an amazing experience as much for its technical prowess as for its splendid imagery. There is also the option to visit Capilano Park and walk along its suspension bridge 230ft above the river or explore Grouse Mountain, north of the city, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Vancouver and its surroundings. If you are a foodie fiend, wander through the city on a ‘tasting tour’ of all the independent gastro food trucks.

Hop on a ferry to Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, then drive to the west coast of the island. The Pacific Rim Highway (or Highway 4) cuts across the island from Port Alberni Island to Tofino, across the Mackenzie Mountains and through the Pacific Rim National Park, with its immense age-old forests and wild beaches popular with surfers. Continue on to Ucluelet, a charming fishing harbour and a favourite bear and whale watching spot. Less famous than its neighbour Tofino, Ucluelet is less crowded during the tourist season. Spend three nights in a charming wooden chalet with views of the harbour or the Pacific Ocean.

You have two more days to explore these lands and to discover Tofino and Ucluelet, two small ports on the edge of the wild Clayoquot Sound. From here, watch whales from a boat or floatplane, surf at one of the famous beaches, or just walk and enjoy the view. Your itinerary includes a whale-watching cruise off Vancouver Island accompanied by a nature guide, where you will sail between Alaska and the Sea of Cortes, discovering Barkley Sound and encountering the local seals, otters, sea turtles and birds. You will also have the opportunity to make the most of Ucluelet's remarkable natural environment. There is a five-mile trail that runs along the coast, offering breath-taking views. Finally, there is an option to head on a small boat trip to watch black bears from the sea, or kayak in the still waters of Pacific Rim National Park.

Start a new day in the wilderness, from one panoramic route to another, with a drive to Clearwater, gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park. The park's single road is a 45-mile dead end, but it offers you the chance to admire the park's many waterfalls, including the spectacular Helmcken Falls. Eagles soar over coniferous forests populated by moose, bears, and mountain lions. Salmon brave Bailey's Falls and beavers dam up the rivers... Your accommodation is large log cabins and cottages on lake Hallamore.

Welcome to Canada's wild, intense heart, the ultimate destination for outdoor activities such as canoeing, rafting, climbing, hiking and riding. In the evening, head out on a canoe trip to observe the local wildlife. At dusk, wildlife comes alive around the Golden Dreams River, from bright birds to the region’s famous black bears. This is the best time of day to canoe down the river as the sun sets over the glacier-covered mountains. Ziplining and white-water rafting are also available for an adrenaline kick.

Drive to Jasper on the Yellowhead Highway, which continues to Tete Jaune Cache and the entrance to Mt. Robson Provincial Park, watched over by Mt. Robson (12,972ft), the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Yellowhead Pass marks the entrance to Alberta and Jasper National Park. Your accommodation for three nights in a comfortable, modern hotel in central Jasper. The heated indoor swimming pool, spa and steam room are particularly popular.

Spend two more days in the pleasant little resort town of Jasper. Located just north of Banff and linked up by a beautiful road, Jasper National Park is the largest in the country. A cruise on Maligne Lake is a must. It is of the most beautiful lakes in the Rockies, surrounded on one side by pine-covered hills and on the other by snow-capped peaks reflected in the vibrant turquoise water. At the heart of the lake is Spirit Island, a wild islet straight out of a postcard, where you can take a short walk. While in Jasper, head to the Miette Hot Springs and Patricia, Pyramid, Annette and Edith lakes where all manner of water sports and activities are available. There is also the option to hop aboard the Jasper SkyTram, a dizzying cable car with exceptional views of the valley.

A quick, picturesque drive to Banff via the Trans-Canada Highway, a road coiled beneath Castle Mountain and Temple Mountain; an opportunity, perhaps, to surprise moose roaming through the forest. Enjoy a two-night stay in Banff, a luxurious resort at the heart of Canada's oldest national park, in a big, warm lodge hotel made of wood and stone.

The pantheon of Rocky Mountain fauna - grizzly bears, moose, sheep, white-tailed deer and mountain lions - bear witness to the symbiotic relationship between this majestic little town and popular tourist resort, and its wild forest environment. Your itinerary includes tickets for the cable car to the summit of Mount Sulphur, where the ridge-side hiking trails start. This is also where you can find hot spring baths. Head out on a cruise on the crystal-clear waters of Lake Minnewanka, where the Rocky Mountain peaks are reflected on its glassy surface. At the end of the day, grab a drink at the Banff Spring Hotel, an architectural gem of the late 19th century. For one last treat, you might fancy hopping in a helicopter and soaring over Mt. Assiniboine on the British Columbia/Alberta border.