British Columbia, 2017
June 11 – 24, 2017
TWELVE GREAT DAYS EXPLORING BEAUTIFUL BRITISH COLUMBIA
In June of 2017 we spent twelve amazing days exploring British Columbia, Canada. We were looking for a mix of both getting close to nature, both on the water and on land, as well as a good dose of cosmopolitan city life. British Columbia delivered on all counts! We ate great food, drank great beer & wine, hiked on the beach, the forest and on the tops of mountains. We also spent several great days in Vancouver soaking up the vibes of a very dynamic, progressive and European-influenced city. I would go back in a heartbeat!
Vancouver Island June 11 – 14, 2017
We flew into Vancouver’s main airport and then jumped a small plane for an hour flight to Tofino on Vancouver Island. We stayed in the gorgeous The Wickaninnish Inn at the Beach right on Chesterman Beach on the island’s Pacific coast. While there we explored Tofino, Ucluelet and hiked the Wild Pacific Coast Trail. After four amazing days we drove across the island’s gorgeous mountain highway to Campbell River for our water taxi to the Sonora Island Resort.
Vancouver Island stay details:
- We stayed at: The Wickaninnish Inn at the Beach
- We ate at:
- Things we did:
Sonora Island June 14 – 18, 2017
We spent five days at the remote Sonora Resort Canada immersing ourselves in the natural beauty of the area, a variety of incredible eco-activties and delicious food and wine. We saw a variety of wildlife including bald eagles, black bears, seals, sea lions, deer, waterfowl of all types and a humpback whale. We hiked through the forest to visit an 800 year old ceder tree and went sea kayaking in the Surge Narrows Provincial Park. On our last full day we chartered a Grady White and went salmon fishing. Unfortunately the only fish to reach the boat was a small dogfish; next time! Our stay here was incredible. The resort staff and facilities were top notch. The selection of eco-adventures were a perfect way to see and experience the Discovery Islands. I would go back here in a second!
Sonora Island stay details:
- We stayed at: Sonora Resort Canada
- We ate at:
- Things we did:
- Sea kayaking through Surge Narrows Provincial Park with Coast Mountain Expeditions
- Eco-adventure boat tour viewing area islands, wildlife and a hike through the forest near Blind Channel Resort
- Salmon fishing
Vancouver June 18 – 21, 2017
We spent three days at the beautiful Hotel Rosewood Georgia in the center of Vancouver immersing ourselves in the cosmopolitan culture and beauty of this gorgeous city. We spent, on foot, full days exploring this rapidly changing city. Gone are the quaint, seedy parts of town and in their place are tall (sadly sterile) glass condominium towers. We ate great lunches and dinners infused with fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients and drank tasty locally brewed beer. This city never disappoints!
Vancouver stay details:
- We stayed at: Hotel Rosewood Georgia
- We ate at:
- Things we did:
- We visited Vancouver’s Gas Town district
- We took a small boat across False Creek and visited Vancouver’s Granville Island
- We visited Canada Place and explored the shoreline of Coal Harbour, Devonian Harbour Park and Lost Lagoon
- We visited Stanley Park and viewed the Coast Salish Totem Poles, Girl in A Wetsuit, Stanely Park Rose Garden, hiked the Lovers Walk trail past The Teahouse in Stanley Park and then walked the English Bay seawall all the way to English Bay Beach and Davie Street.
Whistler June 21 – 24, 2017
After a beautiful three hour drive from Vancouver we arrived under clear blue skies at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler. We spent three days exploring this beautiful ski town partaking in outdoor activities, relaxation and fine dining. Whistler hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics and there is still a notable presence of Olympics monuments we observed as we toured the town and hiked both the Whistler and Blackcomb ski areas. This beautiful ski town is surrounded by tall snow covered mountains and due to significant snowfall many of the area hiking trails were still closed. We took beautiful imagery of these area mountains, drank delicious locally brewed beer and observed mountain bikers going up and down the green slopped ski runs. I wish we had more time to participate in all the great outdoor activities Whistler has to offer. I would definitely love to come back again.
Whistler stay details:
- We stayed at: Four Seasons Resort Whistler
- We ate at:
- Things we did:
- We explored Whistler Village (main village)
- We explored Blackcomb Village (upper village)
- From Whistler Village we took the Whistler Village Gondola up to the Roundhouse Lodge and then hiked Pika’s Traverse Road to the summit of Whistler Mountain (7,160 feet). We hiked back down to the lodge and then took the Peak 2 Peak Gondola to Blackcomb Mountain’s Rendezvous Lodge. After exploring the area around the lodge we then took the Solar Coaster Express and Wizard Express chairlifts back down to Blackcomb Village
- From our hotel we hiked the Lost Lake loop trail
