10 things i learnt about British Columbia
- The scenery is more breathtaking than you imagine. You build yourself up for something spectacular but you will find something or somewhere that will blow your expectations out of the water.
- Taking a good pair of walking shoes is a must; you can see the beauty from the road but you will want to, and should hike out to some of the really stunning beauty spots that you can only reach by foot.
True Canadian wilderness
- It isn’t just Australia that has a Sunshine Coast, British Columbia does too; with it’s many Coves and Bays and Inlets and some beautiful places to stay.
- The West Coast Wilderness Lodge is a true Canadian wilderness experience. Nestled on a hillside overlooking the coast and surrounded by forest. They offer boat trips to Princess Louisa Inlet (just breathtaking – my moment right there), night kayaking to marvel at the algae glowing in the ocean as well as other activities that will bring you right back to nature.
- British Columbia has a great craft brewing micro industry going on. With quirky and unique independent breweries and tasting rooms to stop at and enjoy lunch or to pick up a few bottles of your new favourite tipple; such as Persephone Brewing Company in Gibsons, Townsite Brewing in Powell River and Merridale Cidery just off the highway in Merridale on Vancouver Island to name but a few.
Victoria, British Columbia
- Vancouver Island has some amazing beaches and beachside resorts to kick back and relax. Tigh-Na-Mara Beach Resort has studios, suites and cabins overlooking the beach or woods and some have pulldown beds that completely disappear behind the sofa when not in use.
- Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and the Government Building on the waterfront looks spectacular day and night. It’s bigger and more beautiful than I imagined. Very walkable too; the Fairmont, Chateau Victoria and The Marigold all very centrally located. The Delta is on the other side of the harbour so an extra 5-10 minute walk into town but has an unrivalled view of the city looking back over the waterfront.
High Tea at The Fairmont Empress Hotel
- In Victoria; as with other cities: The Fairmont Empress Hotel is instantly recognisable for it’s design and architecture. On the waterfront and a great reference point when exploring the city on foot. If passengers want to do something special whilst in Victoria; High Tea at the hotel is fit for a queen. (Queen Liz has taken tea there whilst on a visit, who were you thinking?)
- Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (Victoria) ferries leave and arrive from terminals 30-60 minutes outside Vancouver and Victoria – if you don’t have a car you’ve got quite a taxi ride at each end! Discover do a Vancouver – Victoria transfer that includes coach – ferry – coach. Find it under ‘scheduled coach transfers’.
- BC Ferries run between various points up the mainland and Vancouver Island coast, so you can cut across from one to the other easily and regularly. They’re big ferries; the distance from the mainland can be as great as Dover to Calais.