Summer is here. Say goodbye to routine, leave your four walls behind and connect to your inner explorer by discovering new attractions in your favourite places or visiting little-known gems that are completely new to you. Travel is slowly opening up, and residents still have the opportunity to travel in the province ahead of international travellers. Imagine more space to enjoy, more time to stay and connect safely and responsibly with other locals, and plenty of opportunities for the refreshing, digital detox you€™ve been craving.

Credit: The Fraser Canyon Teepee Escape and Great River Fishing Adventures | Destination BC/Hubert Kang

Coast Mountain Excursion

Round up the family or your favourite adventure partner and make for an extended weekend to the edge of the Fraser Valley, where the highway splits into two main routes headed north€”the Coquihalla towards Merritt or along the Fraser River where wilderness lovers go to relax and explore. Plan a fishing getaway with Great River Fishing Adventures and a €œGreat Teepee Escape€ stay (new as of 2020), and don't forget to explore the endless hiking trails in the area or discover the Gold Rush Trail. This road is part of the Coast Mountain Circle Route, a three- to seven-day adventure through diverse mountain landscapes beginning and ending in Vancouver.

Credit: Bowen Island Ferry | Destination BC/Alex Guiry

Alderwood Farm on Bowen Island

Alderwood Farm on Bowen Island is a gorgeous five-acre farm with one clear purpose: to rejuvenate the body and soul. The farm grounds are ideal for leisurely strolls where you can immerse yourself in the quiet of island life. See the animals, have a farm fresh breakfast basket delivered to your door, or visit one of Bowen's most popular specialty food shops, on site, with homemade meals and provisions to go. Known as a reprieve from busy city life, Bowen Island has a wide range of activities to enjoy. Visitors can revel in nature hikes and walks, road and mountain biking, beachcombing, picnics or golf. On the water, enjoy kayaking and paddle boarding, swimming or even scuba diving.

Credit: Rowena’s Inn | Destination BC / @vancitywild

Rowena’s Inn on the River in Harrison Mills

Tucked away in the Harrison River Valley is Rowena's Inn on the River, a step back in time to a stunning 1920s home-turned-boutique resort, on the banks of the Harrison River. Classic elegance lavishes cozy rooms with timeless furniture and natural light. On the grounds, comfortable rustic one- to three-bedroom cottages with wood-burning fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs offer a secluded retreat for couples or groups. Take a guided hike with Harrison Eco Tours and watch for nesting eagles or explore the Harrison and Fraser rivers on a jet boat tour or guided kayaking excursion. The Harrison Circle Farm Tour is a rich mix of things to see, do, smell, and taste. See cows roaming the fields, watch artisan cheese and hand-crafted pottery in the making. Take a self-guided tour of a 1920s historic site, smell fresh coffee being roasted and taste homemade dishes with locally sourced heirloom tomatoes, garlic, corn, cheese, raspberries, blueberries, and other fresh produce.

Credit: Skookumchuck Narrows near Egmont | Destination BC/@glamouraspirit_

West Coast Wilderness Lodge on the Sunshine Coast

For a luxurious getaway or milestone event, book a stay at West Coast Wilderness Lodge in Egmont and consider including their Fly n€™ Dine package as part of your adventure. Enjoy a thrilling plane ride with Sunshine Coast Air from Sechelt to the lodge's private dock. There, a seasonal tasting menu at Inlets Restaurant will please the palette while you overlook panoramic views of Sechelt Inlet and the surrounding Coast Mountains. Fly n€™ Dine is being offered through to October 2021. For a longer stay at the lodge, venture out on an incredible 130-km boat or floatplane tour of BC's temperate rainforest fjords to Princess Louisa Inlet, an experience of a lifetime€”or discover Hotham Sound and Frail Falls by boat, kayak or jet ski from the lodge's Egmont Adventure Centre.

There’s still time to make this a summer to remember for more reasons than one. Go beyond the usual, with an open heart and open mind, and discover something new, right here in BC. Plan your summer getaway now at ExploreBC.com.

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