100% customisable travel idea
Humpback whales and black bears This summer, see Vancouver Island as a family
Canada - Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Madeira Park - Parksville - Ucluelet - Victoria
100% customisable travel idea
Canada - Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Madeira Park - Parksville - Ucluelet - Victoria
100% customisable for you
On arrival, private transfer into central Vancouver and check-in for two nights at a hotel with contemporary charm. The emphasis here is on comfort and elegance, from the lobby and restaurant through to the spacious, cosy rooms. In the evening, unwind in the hot tub or sauna, or enjoy a drink while listening to live jazz. The perfect way to land.
Already included - Bicycles to explore Vancouver. With a map of the bike paths in hand, and plenty of advice to draw on, you roam the city at your own pace, tailoring your stops to suit your interests. Along the way, a few highlights stand out: the imposing Fairmont Hotel with its château style, as if lifted from a 1930s film; the beautifully repurposed warehouses of Yaletown; and the neo-Gothic lines of Christ Church Cathedral. Not to mention Granville Island, a boho, artsy neighbourhood loved for its market, where stalls overflow with regional cheeses, seafood, wine, meat, bread, pastries and other treats. And if you’re not in the mood for a picnic, you can always pop into one of the area’s friendly restaurants.
Not to be missed - Stanley Park, around 1,000 acres (400 hectares) of protected nature between city and bay. The grounds are majestic, the gardens and rose garden charming. The Seawall, a spectacular waterfront path, lets you circle the park without ever losing sight of the water. As for the hiking trails, they run for miles, welcoming walkers, joggers and cyclists who come to enjoy the lush surroundings. At Brockton Point, the park’s north-east tip, the totem poles are a vivid reminder of the First Nations cultures of British Columbia. Stanley Park extends the West End and is linked by bridge and water taxi to North Vancouver, or “North Van” to those in the know. Here, against all odds, nature is taking back its place. You can cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge, 450 feet (137 metres) long and 230 feet (70 metres) above the river. You might then follow the treetop walkways or the Cliffwalk, a slightly daunting walkway clinging to the cliff face. A little further north, you can head up Grouse Mountain - on foot via the Grouse Grind trail, or by cable car. For panoramic views, there is also The Eye of the Wind, a wind turbine whose summit cabin is open to the public, offering an unusual perspective over the region. Finally, don't miss Deep Cove, a charming village tucked between sea and mountains.
Pick up your rental car, take a short ferry crossing from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, then drive to Madeira Park. Check in for two nights at a peaceful retreat set between the forest and the charming port of Pender Harbour. The rooms overlooking the marina are especially spacious and comfortable. Enjoy the activities on offer at the hotel and in the surrounding nature - fresh-air walks, yoga classes or even a spa massage - while the children dream of the wildlife encounters to come.
Welcome to the Sunshine Coast. This beautiful coastal ribbon unfurls in south-west British Columbia, between deserted beaches, cool waters and lush forests. With sea on one side and blue all around, Madeira Park is a small enclave ideally placed for exploring the surrounding natural parks - and you have the day to do just that.
See and do - Head to the Thormanby Islands and spend a few hours alternating between sandy shores and the marine park; at low tide, walk from one stretch of land to the next, pausing to admire newly formed natural rock pools; seek out the powerful Skookumchuck Narrows rapids via forest trails; or explore Smugglers Cove Provincial Park, continuing on to the cove that gave it its name. Optional - Kayaking on the Sechelt Inlet.
Travelling through these lands, where it's never quite clear whether you're on islands or mainland, is a unique and exhilarating experience. To reach Parksville, on Vancouver Island, you take not one but two ferries. The last docks at Comox, from where you reach your next retreat in under an hour, skirting the coast along the Strait of Georgia. You then check in for two nights facing the Salish Sea, at a property that, beneath its slightly rustic appearance, is a comfortable seaside resort. Scattered through the forest, the cabins offer welcome rest before a visit to the spa, some relaxation on the nearby beach, or explorations in the surrounding parks.
You have the day free to explore the superb Rathrevor Beach Provincial Park, named after William Rath, an Irishman who settled here with his family during the gold rush at the end of the 19th century. Located less than 2.5 miles (4 km) from Parksville, the beach and surrounding area were designated a provincial park in 1967. This side of Vancouver Island, facing the mainland, is particularly sheltered. In summer, locals come to swim here with their families; at low tide, the shoreline becomes an endless playground. A great way to enjoy a breath of fresh air. And some fantastic photo opportunities!
Crossing Vancouver Island from east to west to reach Ucluelet. You check in for three nights just outside the village, in wooden chalets dotted along the water’s edge. Painted blue and arranged over two floors, they house well-equipped suites, all opening onto a balcony. From this privileged vantage point, it's not uncommon to spot sea otters and sea lions passing offshore - neighbours it is customary to greet.
Tucked away on its small peninsula, Ucluelet wears a serene face, drawing visitors into a captivating décor, with the ocean as its backdrop. This is a place for fresh air and adventure: nature walks and water sports take centre stage, as do the marine and land animals that inhabit this dramatic coastline, punctuated by breathtaking viewpoints.
In your itinerary - A boat safari to observe black bears. These impressive animals descend from the mountains to feed along the lush shores of Clayoquot Sound. At low tide, you cruise close to the coastline in the hope of spotting them. Along the way, encounters with other local residents are common - sea lions, bald eagles and herons among them.
See and do - To fully appreciate the area’s grandeur, it is hard to beat the Wild Pacific Trail. This legendary route is divided into two sections of varying length and difficulty. The Lighthouse Loop is ideal for watching the sun sink into the Pacific at the end of the day. The stretch between Brown’s Beach and Artist’s Loop clings to the cliff edge, where waves crash against the coast just below your feet. Nearby, Sea Lions Pool - a unique viewpoint to watch sea lions surfing the swell - is also well worth a stop.
Optional - Kayaking in Ucluelet Bay.
Drive south along the west coast to Victoria. On arrival in British Columbia’s capital, settle in for two nights in the residential James Bay neighbourhood, just minutes from the city centre. Spacious suites with contemporary, cosy décor await. A fully equipped kitchen allows for flexible days, while the balcony offers lovely views over the city or harbour.
There was a time when savvy gold prospectors began their British Columbia ventures here, at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. The mild, humid climate encourages lush vegetation, epitomised by the towering conifers favoured by totem carvers. You slip into an English rhythm, over afternoon tea or fish and chips brought across the Atlantic by nostalgic settlers.
Architecture and art lovers take note: Victoria reveals its finest features when explored with your eyes lifted. Government and Johnson Streets showcase handsome examples of Victorian architecture. In the heart of the Inner Harbour, the neo-Gothic Parliament buildings make a striking impression, especially at night when they are illuminated and reflected in the water. A short walk away, the imposing and legendary Fairmont Empress, built in 1908 for the Canadian Pacific Railway, is the place for a classic afternoon tea. Heading down towards James Bay, art enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the former home of renowned painter Emily Carr. Nearby Beacon Hill Park offers a fine demonstration of English garden excellence, before you make your way to the Royal BC Museum. Not far from there, Thunderbird Park is also worth a stop, with its totem poles from the Gitxsan, Haida and Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations. Those wishing to delve deeper can visit the Mark Loria Gallery and the Lattimer Gallery. The Royal British Columbia Museum, meanwhile, houses more than 65,000 objects and natural history specimens. Finally, Finally, if you still have some energy, don’t miss the oldest Chinatown in Canada.
Already included - A whale-watching cruise off Vancouver Island. Accompanied by a biologist-naturalist guide, you head out between Alaska and the Sea of Cortés in search of these fascinating giants of the sea. Seals, otters, sea turtles and birds are also often sighted, so keep your eyes open despite the speed, the wind and the water that sometimes splashes the laughing passengers without warning.
Drive back to Vancouver. The ferry crossing of the Strait of Georgia from Swartz Bay offers exceptional views of these remote, far-flung landscapes. Settle in for your final night at the same hotel as on arrival, ideally located to make the most of your last moments in the city.
See and do - Spend your final evening in Steveston, a former fishing village founded in 1880 by William Herbert Steves, around 20 minutes from central Vancouver. Watch the constant ballet of fishing boats in the harbour, sit at a terrace overlooking the marina, or visit the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, a former fish cannery that played a crucial role in the region’s economy at the end of the 19th century.
Drive to the airport, return your rental car and board your international return flight. Night on board, arrival the next day.
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