Located near Victoria, Butchart Gardens is a designated National Historic Site and one of the world’s best gardens. Almost one million people visit annually, as each season at the garden is different. There are the colors of spring’s new blooms, the entertainment and fireworks in summer, fall’s golden hues and the Christmas decorations in winter. Some of the Butchart Gardens highlights are the Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, concrete lawn walk and the Japanese, Italian and Mediterranean Gardens.

The Royal BC Museum, founded in 1886, is both the province’s natural and human history museum and the home of its archives. This combination has led the museum to be called one of Canada’s greatest cultural treasures, and following Queen Elizabeth II’s approval, HRH Prince Philip bestowed the museum’s Royal title in 1987. Featured collections currently include Royalty in BC, the Frederick Dally Collection and the First Nations collection.

There are three sections to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve: the Broken Group Islands, the Long Beach Unit, and the West Coast Trail. The combination of the land and sea area encompasses 511sq km (197sq mi). The reserve is known for its rugged coast and temperate rainforests, which visitors can experience along the 75km (47mi) West Coast Trail.

Tourism Victoria describes Victoria Harbour as “one of the most beautiful harbours in the world” – and though they’re probably biased, we have to agree. Historically it was used by First Nations people, but now it’s a base for ferries, seaplanes and water taxis. In summer, Victoria Harbour is home to festivals, markets and concerts, but its most beautiful feature may be the historic architecture in the background, including the Fairmont Empress and BC Legislature Building.

Cathedral Grove is a rare and endangered remnant of an ancient Douglas fir ecosystem in MacMillan Provincial Park on central Vancouver Island. The grove’s biggest trees are 800 years old, 75m (250ft) in height and 9m (29ft) in circumference. People from around the world visit Cathedral Grove every year, which was shortlisted for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s (CBC) Seven Wonders of Canada contest in 2007.

Yes, Vancouver’s Island parks are definitely some of the best places to see on the island. Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park’s point of difference is that at low tide, the water can recede up to 1km (0.6mi) from the coastline. It’s a great place for camping for both friends and families, thanks to its sandy beach, ocean sunsets and access to 5.5km (3.4mi) of easy hiking trails. Rathtrevor Beach is also not far from Parksville and its amenities.

For food and wine enthusiasts, Cowichan Valley is known for its Gourmet Trail. It sits between Victoria and Nanaimo and has three main towns: Chemainus, Duncan and Ladysmith. The valley’s warm climate means it’s an ideal place to grow produce, which is why it’s home to many award-winning wineries, British Columbia’s first cidery and the impressive Duncan Farmers Market. Other activities in the valley include hiking, paddling and tubing along the Cowichan River.

Craigdarroch Castle is a beautifully restored Victorian mansion built between 1887 and 1890 for Robert Dunsmuir, who was a Scottish immigrant that made a lot of money from coal on Vancouver Island. Now a National Historic Site, it’s said to be a prime example of a bonanza castle (massive houses built for entrepreneurs who became wealthy during the industrial age). Craigdarroch Castle has 39 rooms over four floors, which feature stained-glass windows and Victorian-era furnishings.

Vancouver Island also has its own skiing destination: Mount Washington Alpine Resort. The SkiCanada website states, “with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop on one side and scenic Strathcona Park bordering the other, Mount Washington offers a pristine environment for your next Alpine or Nordic adventure.” The mountain receives, on average, 11m (36ft) of snowfall annually. It has slopes for everyone – from beginners to experts – plus 55km (34mi) of Nordic trails.