Things to do in British Columbia: 7 scenic excursions from Vancouver

I spent the first seven years of my life in the United Kingdom and still have some British terms and phrases in my vocabulary.

Now that we’re collectively becoming more and more aware of how commuting by way of airplane is not exactly a sustainable travel option to be indulging in all the time, a trip via train is becoming much more appealing—and honestly, so many of us are quick to jump on an international flight to far-flung destinations, sometimes it’s nice to get to know our neighbors.

As I bowled along the roads linking Herefordshire’s ‘Black and White Villages’ (named in honour of their two-tone buildings), I believed, for a second, in time travel. Here, in one of England’s least populated counties, little appeared to have changed for decades, centuries even.

Brits have an interesting vernacular that includes words and phrases that might confuse many Americans.

A few days before I was due to return to London from Sydney, I upgraded my $6,500 British Airways ticket from business class to first class for an additional $500. 

You may remember the 100,000-mile bonus for new British Airways credit card sign-ups in 2010.

At the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver, something is abuzz. Fairmont hotels might be synonymous with luxury, but at this one, travelers can take one of the best free tours in Vancouver—a beekeeping demonstration.

When the food on a British Airways flight from the Caribbean to London went bad over the weekend, the crew came up with an im-peck-able plan B — with a little help from KFC. 

Tucked between Vancouver Island’s pristine waterways, lush forests, and rugged wilderness is some downright delicious coastal cuisine. Chefs, distillers, and purveyors here rely on locally grown ingredients to infuse their creations with the flavors of the destination itself.

Passengers on a 12-hour British Airways flight from the Caribbean to London over the weekend were fed a single piece of KFC chicken each after a catering mishap left the plane without regular meals, the travel website One Mile At A Time reported.

Cushioned by the North Shore Mountains, Vancouver is interrupted by pockets of greenery and bay views. The natural landscapes are matched by the port city’s art museums, vibrant food culture, and wine bars that show off what British Colombia is capable of. Downtown Vancouver, BC, hotels put you within walking distance of the main sights and are just a short subway or boat ride to outlying spots. These are the best luxury hotels in Vancouver for living the high life on Canada’s West Coast.

Whether you’re hitting the trails or planning a deep dive into First Nations history, the chances are you’ll pass through YVR during your time in Vancouver, British Columbia. Vancouver International Airport is located on Sea Island in the neighboring city of Richmond, BC. Although the Canada Line links you to Downtown Vancouver and the cruise port in less than half an hour, spending a night at one of the nearby Vancouver Airport hotels spares you the risk of sprinting for the red-eye.