Backpacker BUZZ: Issue 74, Springtime in British Columbia

Springtime hits the west coast earlier than the rest of the country so it’s an ideal time to visit British Columbia. Crowds aren’t as big but the flowers are in full bloom and summer-only operations are gearing up for the high season. Here are HI’s Top three destinations in B.C. in the springtime.

VANCOUVER
By the time springtime rolls around in Vancouver, much of the
Olympic hubbub will have subsided. This means the spotlight is off so shoulder season deals should be aplenty.

WHAT TO DO IN VANCOUVER THIS SPRING:
Vancouver Children’s Festival
May 17–24
20 sites around Vancouver
Jam-packed with music, theatre, dance, storytelling, pup-petry, circus arts and much more, the kids’ fest embodies the buoyant spirit and endless curiosity of children all over the world.  Translation: It’ll be fun for everyone.

Leonardo da Vinci: The Mechanics of Man
Until May 2
Vancouver Art Gallery
A collection of artist Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings of the human form with a focus on how it moves that date back to the 16th century. It runs alongside the Visceral Bodies exhibit, which displays works of contemporary artists on the human form.

Victoria
If there was a beauty contest for Canadian cities, this one would be a front-runner every year. The picturesque little harbour city knows how to put on a pretty face and does it well in the spring. The famous flower baskets line the streets and the harbour, southern resident orcas return from their winter vacations, and the sun shines down.

WHAT TO DO IN VICTORIA THIS SPRING:
Vancouver Island Outdoor Adventure Expo
April 9–11
Pearkes Recreation Centre
Brainstorm some ideas for summer outdoor activities on the island at this two-day event attended by industry leaders with the latest information.

28th Annual Victoria Conservatory of Music
Mother’s Day Garden Tour
May 8–9
Various private gardens around the city
Knock Mom’s socks off with a trip to Victoria and a wander through some of the Garden City’s best. Open gardens this year include a serene Japanese garden, a masterpiece of colour combinations, an eclectic collector’s garden and two adjoining hobby farms.

PENTICTON
The desert-like Okanagan Valley is a popular vineyard destination in the summer but the good stuff flows all year-round. If you’re not hiking the Kettle Valley Trail, wandering the beaches, or exploring the Skaha Bluffs, you might want to try out a few springtime beverage festivals.

WHAT TO DO IN PENTICTON THIS SPRING:
Okanagan Fest of Ale 15th Annual 2010
April 9–10
Penticton Trade & Convention Centre
A tribute to the fast-growing micro-brewing industry featuring some of the best of the Pacific Northwest handcrafted ales with events and tastings.

Okanagan Spring Wine Festival
April 30–May 9
Venues throughout the Okanagan Valley
Choose from more than 100 events, including luncheons and dinners with wine pairing, along with wine information sessions and consumer tastings.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 11:33 am and is filed under Hostelling International. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site. Add to del.icio.us.