ozgirl

Hi all, yet another BC itinerary to critique if you have time please!
After lengthy perusal of this site and an initial itinerary suggestion from Judy, (many, many thanks) we have come up with the following for our trip in August 2007.
Aug 2 – leave Seattle for Victoria. Interested in pros/cons of going via passenger only Clipper from downtown Seattle (seems simpler?) and picking up car in Victoria, versus driving some distance from Seattle to connect with car ferry. (Not too much difference in car rental price even factoring in drop off fee when booked here in Oz) Overnight Victoria (thinking of Fairholme Manor B&B)

Aug 3 Victoria
Aug 4 Tofino – have self contained apartment booked
Aug 5 Tofino
Aug 6 Tofino
Aug 7 Tofino
Aug 8 Whistler – any ideas accom.Whistler?
Aug 9 Whistler
Aug 10 Clearwater – probably Dutch Lake Resort (tip from Judy, anyone else have experience here?)
Aug 11 Clearwater
Aug 12 Jasper – almost confirmed Beckers Chalets
Aug 13 Jasper
Aug 14 Jasper
Aug 15 Lake Louise – almost confirmed Paradise Lodge (The Wilson)
Aug 16 Lake Louise
Aug 17 Lake Louise
Aug 18 Okanagan Valley – NO idea where to stay, any recommendations?
Aug 19 Okanagan Valley
Aug 20 Vancouver – haven’t looked in to accom yet
Aug 21 Vancouver
Aug 22 Vancouver
Aug 24 fly to LA then home to Australia


Any help with the accommodation gaps that I have, as well as any other tips/comments would be greatly appreciated. Once I have accommodation locked in will probably have more questions re activities. Many thanks for everyone’s comments already.

NWWanderer

I would say the only real consideration in taking the Clipper vs. driving and taking the car ferry would be how much stuff you have with you and how "portable" you'll be--obviously if you have a lot of luggage it would be easier to throw everything in the car and not have to worry about it, vs. taking your luggage with you on the Clipper. And so long as the cost difference isn't that great, you will save time doing the Clipper vs. driving/ferrying.

What types of places do you prefer for accommodations and what's your lodging budget per night?

ozgirl

Hi NWWanderer. Will have a large suitcase each - is there luggage storage on the Clipper do you know?
Budget (which has been revised considerably since I started looking at the Rockies in August!)probably under $200 CAD. Don't particularly like chain hotels, as you can see from other bookings prefer natural spots and B&Bs - obviously in Vancouver may differ. Thanks.

NWWanderer

Yes, you can check/store luggage on the Clipper.

In Whistler, since you like more natural spots, you might want to look at something outside of the village, such as the Edgewater, which is a little north. I'm not sure how much they charge in summer however. There's also a Bavarian style pension just outside the village--the Edelweiss I think it's called. It's been years since I stayed there but I remember liking it.

In Vancouver, for B&Bs, I like the English Bay Inn and the O Canada House, but they might be more than 200/nt in summer. If it doesn't have to be a B&B, you might look into the Sylvia, which is a classic older and moderately priced hotel in the English Bay neighborhood.

angeliclovebug

Please visit www.wcbbia.com for recommended B&B accommodation for B.C.