BRITISH COLUMBIA'S MOST ROMANTIC SPOTS REVEALED
by Rick Cropp and Barbara Braidwood

If romance is what you are looking for, than look no further then British Columbia, Canada. The province has everything from the sophisticated charms of elegant restaurants to outdoor adventures, set against some of the most varied scenery on the planet.

From arid desert and rainforests to serene snow covered peaks, BC provides the perfect backdrop for love.

Strong silent types will love the idyllic, woodsy setting at Thistledown House Bed and Breakfast Inn in North Vancouver. Ask for the "Under the Apple Tree" room, which is comfy, warm and insulated from the rest of the world. A short stroll across the street takes you to the lush dappled green of the coastal rain forest in the Capilano Canyon.

Or take a walk over to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Being suspended 230 feet above the Capilano River will surely have your loved one holding on tight. And if you are fishing for a way to tell that special someone what you have in for the evening, peer over and let the spawning salmon splash a hint.

For a touch of old-world elegance visit Vancouver's Teahouse Restaurant in Stanley Park. The location oozes romance, rain or shine. Sip your tea in the glass-roofed conservatory; with its large windows and greenery, you can watch the sea mist crawl ashore from the comfort of a cozy chair.

For an expansive view of Vancouver, take the Skyride cable car up Grouse Mountain to The Observatory restaurant. The best seat in the house is in the front corner peak of the room. Jutting out over the city with your back to the rest of the diners, you'll feel secluded on a cloud. After dinner, strap on a pair of skates at the nearby outdoor rink for a graceful glide on the ice.

Whistler Blackcomb has garnered accolades as one of the best ski destinations in the hemisphere. But non-skiers have just as much to look forward to in this romantic village bursting with luxurious spas, inventive cuisine and cosmopolitan nightlife.

After a day of exploring Whistler Village, sink into the hot tub at the all-suite Westin Resort and Spa and watch the sun go down. Then slip down to the spa and try their most intimate treatment-the couple's massage. But be warned, it has cut short many evening plans as guests disappear on jelly legs to order room service and fall asleep. A horse drawn sleigh ride through the chill of the forest cuddled in blankets may be enough to rejuvenate you for a sumptuous dinner at one of many local restaurants.

Wine worshippers will love the Cedars Inn Bed and Breakfast nestled in Kelowna-the semi-arid wine country of the Okanagan Valley. The heritage Inn is close to some of the best wineries in the country. Indulge your taste buds at the many boutique vineyards, which offer wine tasting of the region's unique grape varietals. Be sure to try some famous ice wine as a sweet finish to your tour. In the morning, stay curled up in bed and have breakfast delivered to your room.

Get in touch with your wild side at the Wickaninnish Inn on the west coast of Vancouver Island. With Mother Nature concocting dramatic storms on the beachfront property, couples can share a passionate movie-like moment huddled by the sea and crashing surf. When you return to the inn, watch the storm from the hot tub in front of a picture window while sipping on mulled wine. When you retire, keep the balcony door ajar and let the waves rock you to sleep.

Since its construction at the turn of the last century, Victoria's Fairmont Empress hotel has been an oasis of civility. Afternoon high tea in the Tea Lobby is a must but be sure to save room for an elegant dinner in the Empress Room. Snuggling with your sweetie on a cruise of the Inner Harbour or on the top of a red double-decker tour bus will give you something to muse about over your candlelit feast at one of Victoria's quaint dining spots.

If the two of you live to golf, haul your clubs to the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa midway up the east coast of Vancouver Island. You'll be a short distance away from six golf courses and year round mild weather means they are always open. Non-golfers will be happy to stay at the ocean's edge and indulge in the delights of the spa. After a day on the course, what could be more welcoming than a soak in an ocean view tub bathed in firelight?

The Flying U Ranch in the Chilcotin-Cariboo is a horse-lover and adventurer's dream. Definitely rustic, the century old log cabins will bring history to life as you cuddle to stay warm in front of the fire. Take a picnic lunch and set off on your steed to explore the 16,000 hectares (40,000 acres) of forest and meadows.

For best results, try to get the horse lost. They always know the best and loveliest way home through valleys you will never find again. Kids and cowboys are the perfect mix, so if your idea of a romantic sojourn includes the whole family, this is the place. BC Rail's Cariboo Prospector train will transport you in style to the Flying U's very own wilderness train station.

Barbara Braidwood and Rick Cropp are Vancouver based freelance writers.

SIDEBAR: Discovering British Columbia is as easy as calling toll-free 1-800-HELLO BC (North America) or HELLO BC (435-5622) in Greater Vancouver.

This reservation and information service puts you in touch with a team of professional travel experts who can provide free help and advice in planning or booking every stage of your getaway, from travel ideas and tips to booking your accommodations, tours, and transportation. You can also order your free copy of the BC Escapes Getaways Guide. And be sure to check out the Tourism British Columbia web site at www.HelloBC.com