Canada road trip: Vancouver vibes and Rocky Mountains

Let's gooo! You board the plane and jet straight towards Canada's West Coast. Window seat bagged, headphones on, film at the ready – now it's time to simply lean back and enjoy the excitement! From above, you already get a taste of what's to come: endless forests, glistening lakes and the Rockies in the distance. Then as soon as you land, you grab the keys to your hire car and you’re ready to roll – your Canadian adventure can begin!

Welcome to Vancouver – where everyone wants to live, including you now! After all, it's supposedly the most liveable city in the world. Time to check it out for yourself! Pro tip: The SkyTrain goes straight from the airport to the city centre (optional, payable on site). If it's still early enough once you get there, it's worth making a detour to Gastown. Between the Victorian brick facades and cobblestones, everything here feels a bit like old-school Vancouver, until you glance over at the glittering skyline again. And when you hear an odd sound, that’s just the famous steam clock whistling! It marks the perfect signal to slowly wind down for the day, because your next round of city adventures awaits tomorrow.

Skyscrapers, water and – no matter where you stand – a totally next-level view of the mountains! Vancouver delivers absolute city vibes against a stunning natural backdrop, and you're right in the middle of it all. So you've just got to explore! Start out at Canada Place, where seaplanes take off and land every minute, then stroll along the Burrard Inlet and check out the swanky yachts in Coal Harbour. Next up: the world-famous Stanley Park, aka Canada's largest city park. You can even grab a bike (optional, payable on site) and ride around it all! Plus, because the park’s on a peninsula, it guarantees a super special view: giant, ancient trees on one side and the sea on the other – you can't find that just anywhere! And what’s definitely got to be on your DIY city tour? Granville Island, of course! Around 300 little shops, creative arts and crafts outlets and a foodie paradise await in the indoor market. From freshly caught salmon to shiny donuts and international street food, there's nothing you won't be able to find here!  

Today, it's time for the full Vancouver programme – a perfect mix of city and wilderness! First stop: Chinatown. Between vibrant street art, glowing red lanterns and sizzling street food, everything feels like a mini trip to Asia. And you can't miss a visit to the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, where bamboo rustles in the wind and koi fish glide through the water – Zen vibes in the middle of the city. After a quick stop for juicy dumplings or a refreshing iced matcha, you head out of town. Next stop: the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Hanging 230 feet above a deep gorge, the bridge can sometimes sway, but the view's totally next level. And if that isn't enough of a rush, the Cliffwalk and Treetops Adventure Park (optional, payable on site) are definitely worth a visit. Afraid of heights? Hopefully not, because the final destination's even higher: Grouse Mountain. Hop in the gondola and take in the view of the skyline, endless ocean and mysterious forests – you can see it all from up here (optional, payable on site)! Then wave hello to the two rescued grizzlies who hang out at the top, stroll along short trails and check out the viewing deck for the best sunset spot in the city.

Out of Vancouver and into adventure! Today, you're taking the legendary Coquihalla Highway towards Kamloops, and you're in for a mountain road straight out of a film: winding bends, sheer rock faces, lush forests and pure views as far as the eye can see. So keep your camera close by! In Hope, it's worth stopping at the Othello Tunnels, where old railway tunnels run right through the middle of a gorge, which are both easy to walk and super impressive. Then continue rolling through Canada's wilderness until you arrive in Merritt and enjoy a little break with a refreshing iced coffee in the local café before turning onto the home straight!

After a day packed full of new sights, Kamloops is ready to welcome you in the evening. So, hop out of the driver's seat and do a little vibe check in the city: stroll through the hip centre, grab an ice cream at Scoopz (trust us, it's worth it!) and then make your way to Riverside Park for the stunning sunset. Finally, it's off to bed – head full, heart happy.