Summer Getaways: British Columbia

Vancouver International Jazz Festival (June 25-July 4)The province’s biggest music and arts event will celebrate its 25th anniversary with 400 concerts in outdoor parks, clubs, public plazas, concert halls and on the streets of Vancouver. More than 1,800 new and notable jazz greats from Canada and abroad will perform, including 16-year-old singing sensation Nikki Yanofsky, Chick Corea, a 14-time Grammy-winning pianist, legendary guitarist John Pizzarelli, and songstress Martha Wainwright. The festival will also feature 130 free concerts.

Inside PassageOne way to discover B.C.’s breathtaking geography, untamed wilderness and rich First Nations culture is to explore the Inside Passage, which stretches from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island to Prince Rupert. Cruise through the area by ferry and have the chance of seeing grizzly bears and whales in an area of the province still largely inaccessible by road.

Vancouver BiennaleThis event, which includes installations throughout Vancouver and Richmond, brings the work of some of the best artists to the masses. Large public events this summer include American artist Jim Denevan’s attempt to create one of the world’s biggest freehand sand drawings at Spanish Bay (June 23), along with a recycled clothes installation at the Lath House inside the VanDusen Botanical Garden. Other eye-catching art includes a sculpture in Stanley Park entitled “Meeting,” created by Chinese artist Wang Shugang and featuring eight identical life-sized crouching figures in painted bronze.

Cariboo Chilcotin CoastStretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Cariboo Mountains that border Quesnel Lake, this area is famous for its rolling grasslands, hidden lakes and snow-capped mountains. An array of fjords and islands offers great kayaking, fishing, canoeing and whitewater rafting opportunities, including the legendary Bowron Lake Provincial Park canoe circuit. On land, there are plenty of parks and golf courses, as well as canyons and mountains to explore. And if you’re looking for a glimpse into the area’s historic past, the Cariboo Wagon Road on the Gold Rush Trail will take you to Barkerville, home to 125 heritage buildings, along with First Nation villages, museums and galleries.

To see what Jacob Hoggard picks as his favourite spots, go to Where famous Canucks go to play

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For more information on events and travel in British Columbia, see www.hellobc.com

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