'Conde Nast Traveler Magazine' readers have ranked Vancouver Island as the ?Top North American Island? eight years in a row and this was matched by the readers of 'Travel + Leisure Magazine' who voted this island in the Pacific North-West as ?The World's Best Island in the Continental United States and Canada?.



These publications do not bestow their blessings lightly and without reason, so what is it that has ?wowed? the readers of these prestigious magazines?

1. Vancouver Island is a travelers dream.

The island is easy to get to by ferry from the mainland or from Seattle or by plane into the International airport, some 20 km's from downtown Victoria. It's mild climate is easy on the visitor, all year long, and is conducive to lush greenery, beautiful gardens and colorful flowers. It's easy on the eye and easy on the language: Canadian eh!

But what makes it so easy for the visitor is the network of tourist offices up and down the country, manned by knowledgeable, helpful staff who can direct you to world class accommodation and amenities. Camping in the wild or five star hotel, the choices are many, varied and of quality. Driving is easy, information readily available and the tourist industry is healthy and strong.

2. Vancouver Island has adventures for all.

Sailing and Kayaking are world class, through the surrounding Gulf Islands and there is abundant moorage for all sizes of vessels. Diving, fishing and surf-boarding are first class and there is ski-ing and snowboarding on Mt. Washington.

The island is known for it's caving and pot-holing, it's biking and walking trails and it's wilderness camps. But that's not all. Some of the best salmon fishing in the world is available here, as well as whale watching and other marine life studies.

Mountain climbing, guided tours to see the bears, both black and grizzly, snorkeling, canoeing, swimming, para-sailing or the quieter sport of watching over 260 species of birds. Take your pick, there are adventures, organized or not, for all forms of visiting travelers.

3. Vancouver Island has the scenery.

From the rocky inlets of the west coast to the central mountain chain through Strathcona Provincial Park, this Island has the extremes in scenery. Mountain streams feeding crystal clear lakes, glaciers melting into salmon rivers which flow into the sea through pot-holed gorges. Craggy headlands, small island chains, meadows, valleys and long soft sandy beaches: and all within a days easy drive!

Within a six hour period you could experience a bustling modern city with a European flavor, a coastal forest with 800 year old trees and miles of flat sandy beaches full of surfers: and if your quick, get in some night ski-ing as well!

4. Vancouver Island has all the family stuff as well.

Beaches and fairs for the kids, historical sites and golf for dad and glorious gardens and street markets for mum. Throw in the antique fairs, the book fairs, the jazz and art festivals, the sports teams, the cycle tours, the boating, the swimming, the craft fairs, the local wineries, breweries and cideries and all the street performers you could imagine: there really is ?something for everyone?.

Vancouver Island is family friendly, whether it be camping, driving or 'bed and breakfast', which is probably one of the main reasons for it being selected as such a popular place.

But the one thing that makes Vancouver Island such a glorious place to visit is that there is so much to discover, so much to do, so many experiences to enjoy, and it's all waiting for you.

Be like John Sebastian Helmcken, the Hudson Bay Company surgeon who helped negotiate British Columbia's entry into Canada. Discover Vancouver Island like he did: you can visit his house from 150 years ago, which is B.C's oldest, still on it's original site. He knew how important the island was, long before any magazine readers voted on it, so much so, he married the local governors daughter.

See for yourself, check out his house and medical equipment if you don't believe it: you'll be glad you did.