Vancouver Island, BC
Must do, must see...
Beacon Hill Park
A well-loved green space, with a Petting Zoo, formal rose gardens, and a
band shell for outdoor summer concerts. Scottish-born John Blair, considered one
of the best landscape architects in North America, won the 1889 competition to
design Beacon Hill Park. The hybrid rhododendrons he planted around Fountain
Lake are still glorious more than 100 years later. For a dose of peaceful
elegance, take a stroll among the beautifully cultivated gardens.
Butchart Gardens
Visit the Butchart Gardens Website:
www.butchartgardens.com
Empress Hotel and Inner Harbour
One of the world's truly grand hotels. Located on the Inner Harbour, The
Fairmont Empress is in the heart of Victoria. The full service, 4 diamond hotel
is surrounded by quaint shops, double decker buses, manicured gardens and
sailboats bobbing gently on the water. Check out High Tea and walk around the
Inner Harbour. There's a BC Tourism office at the north end of the Inner
Harbour.
Whale Watching
There's no seagoing experience quite like watching, close-up, a sleek
whale weighing thousands of pounds frolic like a child in it's natural habitat.
Up and down the coast of Vancouver Island, from Victoria to Port Hardy, Orcas
(killer whales), Gray whales and Humpback whales ply the waves and perform their
watery rituals.
Zodiac trips are fun, but remember, no bathrooms...
McMorran's Beach House, Victoria
McMorran's Beach House is located on beautiful Cordova Bay in the
Victoria area. The Beach House offers Upscale casual dining with westcoast flair
in Charter's Restaurant, or outside seating for refreshments, meals and snacks
on the Sandbar Patio.
Sooke Harbour House, Sooke
A world class inn and restaurant, Sooke Harbour House is the ideal
destination for romantic getaways and honeymoons. Our restaurant is always open
for dinner to serve both in-house guests and the public.
Masthead Restaurant, Cowichan Bay
West coast dining on the water in the heart of the Cowichan Bay (near
Duncan). Featuring fresh local produce, seafood and wine. Open-Evenings from
5:00 pm Lunch Saturday and Sunday. Daily in the summer. Reservations Recommended
(250)748-3714.
Cowichan Lake
Beautiful surroundings around this lake. Also the town of Lake Cowichan.
Port Alberni - Gateway to the Sunshine Coast
Because Port Alberni is a deepwater port and important fishing and
lumber-shipping center, it's harbor is the city's focal point. Surrounded by
mountains, lakes and forests, the city is a good base for naturalists and
outdoor enthusiasts. Nearby Mount Arrowsmith is a popular alpine and
cross-country ski area, and Sproat Lake Provincial Park features Indian carvings
of mythological beasts. At Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park, there
are hundreds of giant Douglas firs, dating from the 12th century.
Located on the west coast of the Vancouver Island, and accessible by car from
Port Alberni, this area got its name because of its 7-mile (11-km) stretch of
sand. The best way to enjoy Long Beach is to hike the beaches, headlands and
woodland trails. A semi-serviced and primitive campground is available. Beach
resorts can also be found near the town of Tofino. Much of the area is included
in the Pacific Rim National Park.
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