The 9 islands of the Azores: a brief guide
Nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic promise an experience of Portugal a world away from Lisbon or the Algarve. In
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Canada is famed for its wildlife encounters and, in a country so vast, there are endless opportunities to spot a variety of animals. However, bears have become the symbolic animal for Canada. On the west coast, the Great Bear Rainforest covers a huge area of temperate rainforest between Vancouver Island and south-east Alaska. The forest is home to fearsome grizzly bears and the lesser-known Kermode bear or Spirit Bear, a subspecies of black bear whose white or cream-coloured coats are due to a recessive gene. Grizzly bears can be found throughout the western and northern provinces, while black bears are more widespread and are found throughout Canada, although Vancouver Island and Whistler are some of the best places to spot them. Lodges that specialise in bear watching often have resident naturalist experts who lead trips to view the bears and know the animals and their habitat well.
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There are a number of ways to see bears in their natural habitat - from a boat, looking down from a viewing platform or searching for them along logging roads. Each way has its own advantages and will be dependent on the lodge where you are staying and the time of year. Sightings of the grizzly or brown bear are the most sought after, however black bears and white-coloured spirit bears can also be seen. British Columbia is prime bear-watching territory and provides one of the most accessible places in the world to see these mighty creatures.
In addition to bear watching, many of British Columbia's lodges offer other exciting outdoor activities. Examples include kayaking along calm rivers against an alpine backdrop, horse riding through the forest, learning about the local flora and fauna during a guided hike and fishing in idyllic locations. In certain areas it is possible to go on tours in search of whales and other marine life found in the surrounding waters.
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