Landing in Vancouver, it is hard to imagine a more perfect city. The centre is compact, pedestrian friendly, cosmopolitan, safe and clean. The air is purified by the Pacific ocean and walks around the marina or a bike ride along English Bay’s Seawall means the jetlag is soon a thing of the past. The city has something for all and highlights include the Vancouver Aquarium which is located inside the beautiful Stanley Park, shopping in the stylish downtown area, visiting Granville Market and dining out in a thriving restaurant scene – this is a real foodie city! Vancouver also serves as a base for exploring Vancouver Island or in winter as the gateway to the ski resort towns of Whistler Blackcomb Mountains.

Clayoquot is Canada’s foremost glamping experience and a stay here easily rivals the best of any tented camp safari in Africa. Not only are the sumptuous cosy tents kitted out with every luxury but they now benefit from en-suite bathrooms and a stargazing outdoor shower. John and Adele and their team of guides and chefs make every guest feel like one of the family, nothing is too much trouble, flexibility is everything and tailoring each day to each individual’s interests is all part of the seamless experience. Head out in your private boat whale watching for orcas, humpbacks and greys; black-bear spotting; magical dry-forest walks; boating up close with giant sea-lions; watching bald eagles pluck salmon from the gentle waters; kayaking and first class horseback riding AND so much more. The food here is like dining three times a day in a 3 star Michelin restaurant and the multi-course tasting menus are literally to die for whilst being paired with some fantastic BC wines. Access is remote, that’s part of the attraction and floatplanes leave from Vancouver or take a speedboat from Tofino.www.wildretreat.com

Arriving at Sonora after a one hour helicopter ride from Vancouver and you know you’ve reached somewhere rather special. This is another magical lodge in a remote corner off the stunning British Columbia coastline. Accommodation here is in a range of rooms and villas spread over extensive grounds which lead to self-guided hiking trails during which you may see bears, eagles and an abundance of other birdlife. World class salmon fishing is offered here and your daily catch can be cooked to order when you return in the evening. An eco-tour boat ride is not to be missed and you stand a good chance of spotting killer whales and grizzly bears. The resort offers onsite activities such as a golf simulator, tennis court, games room, swimming pool, mineral pools and an indulgent Spa so plenty to keep all the family keen and active. Food is again a true delight and at dinner you can choose from a la carte or a 5 course tasting menu. www.sonoraresort.com

The Wick Inn stands proud on the edge of Chesterman Beach, close to the quaint tourist village of Tofino, blending perfectly into the natural surroundings of this remote Pacific outpost. The scenic 1 hour flight from Vancouver will showcase the beauty of Vancouver Island from the air and prepare you for an outdoors adventure of trail hiking, biking, beach walks and water sports. The hotel offers luxurious rooms and magnificent views to enjoy those famous Pacific sunsets. The restaurant has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of BC’s finest dining experiences with a level of service that is truly hard to beat and offering such delights as fresh shucked oysters, roasted sablefish and elk loin. For anyone with an artistic interest, head over to the Carving Shed to meet the local artisans who continue the work started by the late Henry Nolla. www.wickinn.com

This is about as lateral a choice as you will find for a city stay, yet Kiloran and Geoff have created a beautiful 2 bedroom B&B experience in their Algonquin Island home which is a 10 minute ferry ride from downtown Toronto. Life here moves at a slower pace, which is a good thing as the breakfasts are worth spending time over with blueberry pancakes and eggs benedict to start the day. The front terrace is a relaxing place to while away an afternoon and in the evenings the Toronto skyline is lit up providing a completely different perspective of what lies just a short distance away. Spend your days visiting the museums, parks and multi-cultural neighbourhoods for which Toronto has become famous then retreat to the peaceful Swan’s End for a quiet rest away from the hustle and bustle of Canada’s largest city.
www.swansend.com