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Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Vancouer Island is Canada's coolest and easier to visit than you might think
Hearing of Brits taking short breaks in the US is not that unusual – but a long weekend in Canada? Yet, flight times and costs are not so different and, for those with a sense of curiosity and adventure, Vancouver Island on the west coast is one destination not to be missed. A short four-night five-day stay in British Columbia's historic capital city Victoria is definitely doable, highly enjoyable and surprisingly affordable. Victoria is beautiful, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island between the Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits, and with its seascapes and pristine coastline it offers visitors plenty to see and do with fabulous places to eat and stay. Destination Greater Victoria, the official not-for-profit marketing group partnered with more than 900 local businesses, is helping drive sustainable growth in the area, and it highlights the city's 'unique' blend of old-world charm and new-world experiences. It says visitors can look forward to a delightful, small and friendly city where they can enjoy heritage architecture, colourful gardens and a variety of activities such as whale watching, kayaking, hiking, cycling and golf. It is also known for its culinary excellence and award-winning beverages. Quite the line-up, then. Victoria also boasts Canada's mildest climate, year-round greenery and natural beauty and is recognised for its sustainability efforts with a Responsible Tourism Institute's Biosphere certification. Set beside the Salish Sea, Victoria lies on the ancestral lands of the Lekwungen-speaking Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. Deeply rooted in its indigenous culture, the area is also proud of its British and royal connections and Asian traditions, all elements reflected in the city's architecture, galleries, cultural events, artworks and celebrations. Indigenous people lived in the harbour area long before British colonists arrived in earnest in the 19th century, pushing the original residents out when they built a fort and other buildings. Today's Victoria took its shape from the fur trading post of the Hudson Bay Company and the city would develop to protect British interests on Vancouver Island. The harbour area is still significant to the indigenous people, now a place to see their artworks as part of the Placemaking Project aimed at connecting residents and visitors to the First Nations' culture. New gates and umbrellas installed at the harbour feature images of whales, birds and sea creatures helping to keep the ancient stories. Esquimalt Nation Hereditary Chief Ed Thomas greets visitors in Lekwungen, the traditional language in southeastern Vancouver Island, and shares stories of the whales and wolves central to his people's story of origin. The history of the indigenous people and the colonisation is also featured among a raft of exhibits and stories told at the Royal BC Museum. You could easily lose yourself for hours taking in the exhibits or an IMAX film. Near the museum is Thunderbird Park, home to colourful hand-carved indigenous totems (or story or knowledge poles). For those seeking excitement, the Malahat SkyWalk attraction is a short bus ride from Victoria. It offers an accessible 650-yard tree walk through a forest leading to a spectacular spiral ramp that sedately takes walkers 105ft up to see breathtaking views. The more intrepid come back down via a spiral slide, which takes about 10 seconds. For those seeking less adrenalin, the 100-year-old Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of glorious floral displays, fountains and fairground carousel, makes for a pleasant afternoon. Alternatively, you can hop on an electric bike, or ordinary bike, from Pedaler, for a tour – this proved to be a great way to take in the city and its peaceful suburbs. The route took us via British Columbia's Legislative Assembly, colourful Chinatown, Bastion Square, Craigdarroch Castle (built by a wealthy Scottish coal baron), dramatic Oak Bay and Ross Bay Cemetery, where squirrels played and lone deer, unfazed by humans whizzing by, nibbled at the grass. Back in the city, its colonial past dominated the landscape with landmark buildings including the BC Parliament Building with its domed copper roof. The allure of gold also attracted Chinese migrants to the city who would later work on the Canadian Pacific Railway. The city has the oldest Chinatown in Canada and is notable for its historic buildings, lanterns and animal statues. It also has the narrowest commercial street in North America, Fan Tan Alley, once a hub for gambling and opium, now a popular destination for tourists exploring its quirky shops and a popularbakery. The city also offers a host of accommodation to meet all purses, from budget hotels, B&Bs and inns, to some of the most impressive luxury places to rest your head. No visit to Victoria is complete without a visit to the Fairmont Empress hotel, which has a selection of packages and promotions whether you are planning a quick weekend getaway or longer trip of a lifetime The award-winning five-star property, known as Canada's 'Castle on the Coast', sits beside the Inner Harbour. Dating back to 1908, the National Historic Site was named for Queen Victoria and is proud of its British connections and royal associations. With 431 rooms and suites, it also includes a hotel-within-a-hotel – the Fairmont Gold experience, with its gorgeous rooms, fine dining and elegant terrace to sip cocktails or enjoy breakfast from its lavish buffet. It has been serving traditional English afternoon tea for well over a century and the menus showcase lavender from the hotel rooftop garden, honey from its own hives and fresh, local produce and exquisitely decorated handmade chocolates. Dainty finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with strawberry jam and tempting pastries are served on exquisite china. Carefully selected loose-leaf teas are ethically sourced from leading suppliers and include an intriguing and popular brew coloured blue and aptly named Blue Suede Shoes. You can get a selection of the most interesting, important and fun travel stories sent to your inbox every week by subscribing to the Mirror Travel newsletter. It's completely free and takes minutes to do. The hotel is just a stone's throw from downtown Victoria with its many shops, bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes. At the modern Inn at Laurel Point, my luxurious room was light and spacious with a large balcony boasting expansive harbour views, a sumptuous king-size bed and sofa area, as well as a palatial bathroom with a walk-in shower and a deep soak tub to die for. The hotel also has the fabulous Aura Waterfront Restaurant + Patio where chefs combine regional, farm-direct ingredients and use herbs grown in the hotel garden. There is also a curated wine, craft beer and cocktail list to pair with the quality local ingredients. Just around the corner, passing a young seal playing in the sea, was another treasure waiting to be discovered – Fisherman's Wharf. Its a unique destination with its colourful floating buildings, kiosks and ice cream and seafood vendors and is where you can hop on one of the iconic yellow water taxis. A hop over the water and it was a short walk to Phillips Brewing & Malting Co, a quirky and friendly micro-brewery to sample a heady selection of beers before heading off to Eva Schnitzel restaurant to tuck into a German-inspired supper. So much variety and enjoyment in one city. What a place!
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
This lesser-known region of Catalonia should top your spring travel list
Curled into Catalonia's western edge, the province of Lleida stretches from the sunny olive-growing plains of Garrigues to the snow-dusted heights of the Pyrenees on the Spain-France border. It might not draw the crowds of Barcelona or the Costas, but those that do explore this sprawling inland region will find startlingly blue lakes, dense pine forests and 9,000ft-plus peaks, punctuated by rolling vineyards and villages built from honey-coloured stone. Much of Lleida's appeal lies in its active-tourism offerings, whether you fancy hitting the quiet hiking trails in Catalonia's sole national park, whitewater-rafting down the Noguera Pallaresa river, skiing some of Spain's finest slopes in Baqueira Beret or tackling rock-climbing routes across the region. Lleida's cultural highlights, meanwhile, include the UNESCO-listed Catalan Romanesque architecture of the remote Vall de Boí and a thriving regional food-and-drink scene. Whether you're seeking history, activity or gastronomy, here's how to explore the area this spring. The most rewarding way to savour Lleida's natural drama is by diving into the Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici, Catalonia's only national park, which sprawls across 54sq miles of spectacular, elevated Pyrenean terrain. Here, some of the best hiking paths in the country — including a full-day route traversing the entire park from east to west — weave past cascading waterfalls, fir-forested slopes and hundreds of high-altitude lakes. More low-key trails are available for gentler hikers, such as that above Sant Maurici lake, where unspoilt mountain scenery is reflected in the glassy waters. Along the way you might spot golden eagles and griffon vultures swooping high above. A crop of Alpine-feel villages dotted around the national park's fringes — including Espot and Boí — make tempting bases for exploration. More high-altitude activities await in the 170,000-acre Parc Natural de l'Alt Pirineu, the largest protected area in Catalonia, which borders both France and Andorra. Thrills here range from the classic challenge of summiting Catalonia's highest peak, the 10,300ft Pica d'Estats, to going stargazing in the wild or learning to make cheese at local farms. Further east, head to the Parc Natural del Cadí-Moixeró, best known for its challenging walking and rock-climbing routes. This pocket of the Pyrenees' foothills is brimming with wildlife — keep an eye out for chamois, bearded vultures and golden eagles — and makes a great road-tripping destination. Both natural parks have been awarded the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas by the Europarc Federation, recognising local efforts to support low-impact development that prioritises conservation. And in 2024, the entire province of Lleida was named a Biosphere Gold Destination by the Responsible Tourism Institute, highlighting its strong ongoing commitment to developing tourism with a responsible focus. Peaks and parks aside, the region is also home to Spain's most important examples of Catalan Romanesque architecture, most notably the elegant churches scattered across the serene Vall de Boí. Built mostly between the 11th and 14th centuries, with distinctively narrow bell towers and astonishingly intricate frescoes (some of which now hang in Barcelona's Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya), they're a joint UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other Catalan Romanesque jewels include the 12th-century cathedral in the medieval heart of La Seu d'Urgell and the Romanesque cathedral perched above the provincial capital city of Lleida. This cathedral dates back to the early 13th century and is part of the striking monumental complex of Turó de la Seu Vella, where visitors can enjoy sweeping views across the city and its surrounding cereal and fruit fields. Lleida's rich regional gastronomy is packed with from-the-doorstep ingredients, which means you'll be feasting on local specialities like in-season mushrooms and cargols a la llauna (one of several beloved snail dishes). Superb local wines are also a key part of any meal, ideally from Lleida's Costers del Segre DO, which has made a name for itself over the last few years thanks to a variety of powerful reds and whites made from vines spread along the Segre River's basin. Olive oil is also a Lleida staple, with those from the DOP Les Garrigues gaining worldwide recognition for their high quality and distinctly fruity tastes. This year, the wider area of Catalonia was named 2025 World Region of Gastronomy, a culinary prestige that is well reflected in the many fine-dining restaurants in Lleida — including three Michelin-starred spots. Choose La Boscana in Bellvís for artistic dishes in sleek modern surroundings — don't miss two of the region's favourite ingredients in the pork and apple tartlet. Or make for family-run Malena in Gimenells for a modern twist on traditional grilled dishes such as Xisqueta lamb cooked with cinnamon and pepper. Further northeast, in the small town of Sort, Fogony has a menu that's centred around seasonal vegetables and locally sourced meats. April to November is typically the best time for hiking and other warm-weather adventures in Lleida's vast natural spaces, with autumn colours bursting into action across the region from mid-September. Winter sees the area's ski resorts swing into gear from December to March. Those visiting the region in June should be sure to catch the tradition of the Falles del Pirineu. These torchlight descents — named an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO — take place in villages across the Pyrenees on the Night of Sant Joan to celebrate the summer solstice and the triumph of light over darkness. This paid content article was created for Ara Lleida as part of a joint initiative with the Catalan Tourist Board. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
