Colin Knowles photo
Gastown
Courtesy Travel BC
Few modes of exploration can unearth the sights, sounds and secrets of a place like a walking tour. And in these BC cities, meeting the locals, sampling the goods and even learning a thing, or two, means pounding the urban pavement in Canada’s westernmost province is a rewarding endeavour.
For shutterbugs who want to shoot with their mighty iPhones and more, Vancouver Photowalks offers outdoor pursuits that expertly blend walking tours with tutored photography classes. These two-hour, small-group excursions are guaranteed to take in well-tread, scenic spots, with cameras or phones in hand: enthusiasts can choose their skill level (Basic, Technical or Creative) or fine-tune their genre (Stanley Park walks mix natural and urban settings, while Night Photowalks document either Granville Island or Gastown’s expansive waterfronts). As a bonus, seasoned professionals will instruct on all things aperture, ensuring participants will see the city through a new, or at least improved, lens. vancouverphotowalks.ca
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Guilhem Vellut photo
Japadog cart
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Veronique M photo
Kaboom Box
A gourmet food truck experience? Urbanites can sample for themselves when they sign on for an edible adventure with Vancouver Foodie Tours. The stats: four courses, five tastings and two hours of delicious exploration are on the menu, all within BC’s biggest urban centre. Delectable nibbles include Berkshire pork hot dogs topped with seaweed flakes at Japadog, mouth-watering butter chicken wraps made to order (thanks to Soho Road’s built-in tandoor ovens), hot-smoked salmon from Kaboom Box and hoisin chicken goodness from EAT Chicken Wraps. A fiery, chocolatey Diablo cookie, courtesy of the truck-minders at Tacofino, provides the tour’s delicious dénouement. Foodietours.ca
Asher Isbrucker photo
Pacific Spirit Park
Civic historian and author John Atkin is passionate about Vancouver’s architecture, neighbourhoods and history — so much so that he developed two-hour walking tours of the city, with focus on the offbeat and even obscure. Year-round jaunts include heritage tours, in partnership with the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC, that explore the now-lost Chinatown that once occupied the blocks around Franklin and Commercial Drive. Additional summer strolls will span the length of East 25th and King Edward Avenue, from the edge of the city at Boundary Road to the forest of Pacific Spirit Park, covering ground that includes former bogs, ravines and hills, revealing diverse neighbourhoods and camera-ready residential architecture. johnatkin.com
For a change of pace, head north to Whistler where organized outings are decidedly delicious, especially with the folks from Whistler Tasting Tours at the helm. Guesswork will be gone with the team’s array of appetizing excursions: the Lunch Tour explores the village’s best afternoon eateries and finishes with a flight of beer at a local brewery; the Hidden Gems Tour savours four courses at favoured restaurants; the Finer Things Dinner Tour showcases the best of Whistler’s fine dining scene, including “mastering” the art of sparkling wine sabering; and for the sweet tooth, the Dessert and Drinks Tour masterfully indulges in delicious final flourishes. whistlertastingtours.com
Alan Levine photo
The Noble Pig
For more self-guided adventure, enthusiasts can check out what’s brewing in Kamloops — efforts that will be rewarded with a tall, cold one. Here, the city’s Self-Guided Walking Brew Tour provides a pathway to local haunts and watering holes that are a veritable showcase of fine local and international beer, alongside eats sure to complement each pour. Showstoppers include a flight of in-house specialties (and crispy, deep-fried pickles) at Noble Pig Brewhouse, local pours (with pepperoni and pretzels) at Red Collar Brewing Co., Japanese brews (and pork gyoza) at Sanbiki and craft and artisan beer (capped with sticky ribs) at Frick and Frack Taphouse. Tip: Aficionados would be wise to reference the guide’s beer tasting and etiquette tips before they travel. tourismkamloops.com/brewery-tours-in-kamloops-british-columbia
To walk off those frothy brews, cultural explorers can set out on a Heritage Homes Walking Tour through the city streets. Self-guided once again, with pocket-friendly guides available at Kamloops Museum & Archives, this urban exploration will unearth stories of the city’s rivers, railways and its rich First Nations heritage, not to mention colourful stories about notorious, and sometimes nefarious, Kamloops characters. As a bonus, participants will peek inside expansive, refurbished heritage buildings that define this city landscape. tourismkamloops.com/heritage-homes-walking-tours-in-kamloops-british-columbia
Blake Handley photo
Emily Carr statue - Victoria
Over on Vancouver Island, the province’s capital is not only steeped in history — it showcases some of the finest story-keepers, and story-tellers, anywhere. Indeed, the folks from Victoria’s Discover the Past are more than mere history buffs, boasting a wealth of walking tours that explore the city’s iconic spots, little-known places and deepest, darkest secrets. Participants can, for example, learn more about Victoria’s colourful past (namely the stories not found in the history books) during the new Gold Rush Tales tour, a showcase of heroes, villains, merchants and prospectors who shaped the early days along the city’s wharfs. For those who wish to learn more about one of the country’s iconic artists (and biggest characters), the memorable Emily Carr excursion explores her favoured, well-worn city pathways before ending, fittingly, at her childhood home. discoverthepast.com
Tourism BC photo
Village of Oak Bay
Fellow Victoria resident Karma Brophy shares her own passion, of the edible variety, as Feast Concierge. An avid gastronome, Brophy provides personalized tours of her favourite neighbourhood spots, showcasing the best of Oak Bay’s seaside village, the cutting-edge food scene at the Victoria Public Market and flavourful finds along the shopping and dining district of Fort Street. Participants will sample seafood, charcuterie and cheese, nibble handcrafted sweets and seasonal artisan specialties, and sip tea, beer and wine. A highlight: the chance to nosh with a cast of culinary characters — including chefs, artisans, sommeliers and aficionados — along the way. feastconcierge.ca