Sunshine to Alpine Western Road Trip

Ten nights by hire car with only three bases, which makes this the most relaxed British Columbia itinerary the operator sells and a good first visit.

Vancouver gets two days. Gastown is the oldest part of the city, named after a publican, with cobbled streets, a steam-powered clock and a dense concentration of bars and restaurants. Flyover Canada is a flight-simulation ride that is more fun than it sounds, and whale watching from the harbour is optional.

The Okanagan follows, a long valley of deep blue lakes and green hillsides that is Canada’s main wine region and warm enough in summer for swimming, which few people associate with the country.

Sun Peaks comes next, a purpose-built alpine village north of Kamloops that is the second largest ski area in Canada and in summer turns over to mountain biking, hiking and lift-served downhill. Whistler closes the trip, with Whistler and Blackcomb mountains immediately above the village, linked by the Peak 2 Peak gondola, which has the longest unsupported span of any lift in the world. Canadian Affair include the flights, the hire car, the hotels and the named attractions, with fuel, insurance and meals separate. The price is per person, and at 1,700 pounds it is among the cheapest things they sell. For travellers who would rather unpack three times than ten, and who want mountains and wine without the long drives the Rockies itineraries involve, this is well judged, and the Sea-to-Sky Highway into Whistler is one of the best roads in the country.