Treehouse hostel on Salt Spring Island

British Columbia's lush Gulf Islands are scattered between mainland BC and Vancouver Island. They are part of the same archipelago as the San Juan Islands in the US state of Washington.

Their mild climate and natural beauty have long made them a hideaway for artists and a weekend escape for Vancouverites.

While there are about 200 Gulf Island in all, the most visited are Salt Spring, North and South Pender, Mayne, Saturna and Galiano.

Slightly further north, adrift in the Discovery Passage, lies the less-frequented but equally idyllic Quadra and Cortes islands.

Island life revolves around kayaking coves, beachcombing, visiting artists' studios and hiking forested mountains.