Itinerary
Day 1: Vancouver
Pick up your rental car and settle into your boutique hotel in one of this cosmopolitan city’s unique arts districts.
Day 2: Stanley Park and Sooke, Vancouver Island
Enjoy a guided biking tour of Stanley Park, one of the greatest city parks in the world. Along the way you’ll learn about the history of coastal First Nations people and see the legendary totem poles. Then trade your bike for the ferry, and relax on the pretty 1.5-hour ride to Vancouver Island. An hour’s drive will get you to the quaint seaside town of Sooke.
Days 3-4: Vancouver Island
For your first full day, head out with a guide to explore some of the area’s best coastal trails, and forest trails through towering old-growth trees. Your guide drives—and brings lunch! The next day take to the water for a whale-watching tour to look for resident orcas, or humpback, gray, fin, and minke whales. One afternoon be sure to visit the Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery.
Day 5: Victoria and Pender Island
Spend a few hours in Victoria and Butchart Gardens, then hop a quick ferry to Pender Island. Your destination on this lovely little Gulf Island is a unique and tranquil luxury camp, with accommodations in a sweetly outfitted Airstream, with farm-to-table restaurant on site.
Days 6-7: Pender Island
Your days here are gloriously unhurried and filled with novel experiences and active adventures. Set out on your first day here with a private guide to kayak, hike, and explore—and maybe even learn some wilderness skills or hit an art gallery. The following day has you out on the water for a half-day salmon fishing charter and wildlife watching excursion. Take a late afternoon to visit picturesque Sea Star Vineyard.
Day 8: Vancouver for Departures Home
Catch the morning ferry back to Vancouver and head to the airport to catch your flight home.
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