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Portland/Seattle/Victoria/Vancouver Honeymoon

Portland/Seattle/Victoria/Vancouver Honeymoon

Old Jan 24th, 2017, 11:57 AM
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Portland/Seattle/Victoria/Vancouver Honeymoon

My fiancé and I are planning on going to Portland/Seattle/Victoria/Vancouver for our honeymoon this May. We are from Louisiana and have never been to this part of the country or Canada. Does anybody have any ideas as for as places to visit, transportation ideas, hotels, restaurants, etc? We have 11 days total for our trip. We are not much into hiking but love walking/exploring new towns & cultures. We are open to renting a car and not having to have every moment planned. Any advice will be helpful. Thank you!
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Old Jan 24th, 2017, 02:13 PM
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Sorry to say but I don't think that 11 days is really enough time to go to all 4 of those places unless you're OK with barely two days in each place, then one day moving in between them.

Renting a car would work well between Seattle and Portland. But would be a hassle to try to take into Canada, and especially to Victoria.

What about flying into Portland, drive up to Seattle, take the Victoria Clipper ferry up to Victoria and back, then fly out of Seattle. That would work nicely in your time frame.
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Old Jan 24th, 2017, 03:40 PM
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Thank you, suze! That's what we need to know! If we did what you suggest (no Vancouver), what are some must dos?
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Old Jan 24th, 2017, 03:53 PM
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Have you done any research into Vancouver or Victoria? They're very different cities. It's like choosing between New Orleans or Biloxi. I wouldn't write off Vancouver so quickly, depending on what you're seeking.
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Old Jan 24th, 2017, 04:26 PM
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I'm just now starting to do research. We know we definitely want to visit Portland and Seattle. We have family friends in Victoria (we don't have to visit there but heard it is worth the trip). Vancouver is certainly somewhere we want to explore if we have time. I'm just not sure 11 days is enough to do it all. I'm not familiar with how to get around from city to city and was looking for recommendations on that as well. Thank you!
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Old Jan 24th, 2017, 06:23 PM
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You might want to consider the value of your dollar in Canada right now. Have a look at booking.com when you have decided what area you want to stay in Seattle, and compare with Vancouver. While both cities are expensive for accommodations, the US dollar is worth 1.3 Cdn dollars right now.

Sorry Suze, but the last time we stayed downtown Seattle in the Sheraton, we were a bit dismayed by the homeless situation there that made us feel a bit uneasy. Vancouver of course has homelessness too, but not quite as in your face in the main tourist areas/downtown core.

etorrance, you don't mention your age group, but a lot of young people like the craft breweries in the Portland area.

Amtrak runs between Portland and Seattle, and from Seattle to Vancouver, a four hour trip, and we have heard good reports from many friends who have used this service.
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Old Jan 25th, 2017, 11:19 AM
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Correction, people of all ages like the craft breweries in Portland
The Amtrak between Seattle and Vancouver is 4 hours; i believe the Portland to Seattle portion is also 4 hours.
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Old Jan 25th, 2017, 11:22 AM
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Correction, people of all ages like the craft breweries in Portland
The Amtrak between Seattle and Vancouver is 4 hours; i believe the Portland to Seattle portion is also 4 hours.
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Old Jan 25th, 2017, 01:10 PM
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Vancouver is my favorite city, so I'm a bit prejudiced. I've lived many years in Vancouver BC, Seattle (where I am now) and Portland (where I grew up) But...

In 11 days (I presume 2 of those days will mainly be travel days to/from LA.) you will be totally rushed to see all 4 cities.

Cut out at least one of them. I'd personally (with reluctance) cut out either Victoria or Portland.

Vancouver is one of the world's great cities and is extremely cosmopolitan ... it's much different from any city in the US you'd visit. https://www.tourismvancouver.com/ and http://www.hellobc.com/vancouver.aspx Vancouver is totally walkable and bikable (many bike rental choices - if you like to bike or walk see http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2010/0...story-and-art/ and http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/map-cycling-vancouver.pdf). It has a great subway system (strangely called "Skytrain" because outside of the core it's elevated) Of the 4 cities, it's the one I would not miss.

Victoria is less city-like ... it's smaller - http://www.tourismvictoria.com/ and http://www.hellobc.com/victoria.aspx...discovermore_x

Don't forget: you'll need passports to get into Canada and back into the states.

Both Seattle and Portland have lots to offer. Seattle is a larger more crowded city with more to see than you'll have time for. Portland is a bit smaller and has a more "laid-back" feel

All 4 of the cities are served by great public transport and especially in a rushed trip like yours you won't need a car ... it's hard to find parking and it's expensive, especially in Vancouver and Seattle. If you were going to be in the cities longer and explore more, a car may be handy. Use Amtrak to get between them (or ferry/bus to Victoria.)
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Old Jan 25th, 2017, 03:21 PM
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Thank you for all your thoughts & recommendations! We need to sit down & review them! We are in our late 30's. If anyone has any "can't miss" places (hotels, restaurants, etc) please let me know. We want to experience the culture/food each place has to offer. Maybe I can manage to take off a couple more days of work!
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Old Jan 25th, 2017, 06:52 PM
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While you are in Vancouver don't miss Stanley Park and Canada Place. http://www.canadaplace.ca/canada-150/
I advise against taking a rental car into Canada. Take either the early morning Amtrak train or one of the later Amtrak buses from King St station in Seattle.
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Old Jan 25th, 2017, 08:08 PM
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My suggestion is to visit only Portland and Vancouver. Fly into Portland and spend three nights there. There are lots of amazing restaurants and a great craft brewery scene.
Take the train up to Vancouver for another three/four nights. I'm biased because I live in Vancouver....but it is gorgeous in May and you will have lots to do. Go up Grouse Mointain, bike the Stanley Park Seawall, explore Granville Island, so much to do!
I would add on two nights in Whistler. It's perfect for a honeymoon. You can take the train which is gorgeous or the bus (it's less than two hours away). Spend two nights in the Canadian mountains. Head to the Scandinavian Spa, walk/hike the trails close to town, rent bikes, eat at the fabulous restaurants. There are so many great hotels - Nita Lake Lodge and the Four Seasons are tops on my list. Not sure of your budget.
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Old Jan 26th, 2017, 11:02 AM
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Thank you, Francewithfive! I will look into these recommendations!
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Old Jan 26th, 2017, 12:10 PM
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Any two cities would work...

Victoria/Vancouver
Vancouver/Seattle
Seattle/Portland
Portland/Vancouver

Save whichever two you don't do, find another 11 days window, and come back again.
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Old Jan 26th, 2017, 12:37 PM
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Hello BC is a great website for travel planning.
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Old Jan 26th, 2017, 12:39 PM
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I totally agree w/ Francewithfive that if you have enough time in Vancouver, take the bus(or rent a car) to Whistler and spend 2 nights (one complete day) there. The trip up is beautiful (sit on the left side going up, the right side going down). The mountains in late May will still be snow covered and beautiful to look at if its sunny, but even if its cloudy and rainy, Howe Sound is beautiful to look at.

May is one of those months halfway between winter and summer in the mountains.You can get some beautiful weather or some miserable rain.

You can get a non-skiers pass to go up the gondola to the top to get some great views (and to watch the very-late-season skiers who will be there.) http://www.hellobc.com/whistler/visitor-centres.aspx and https://www.whistler.com/spring/ and https://www.whistler.com/summer/vid/ and for the dive up and back http://www.hellobc.com/driving-route...way-route.aspx and https://www.tourismvancouver.com/act...ghway-weekend/
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Old Jan 27th, 2017, 11:08 AM
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Thank y'all very much! Everyone has been incredibly helpful. Once my fiancé gets back into town Sunday we will go over everything.
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Old Jan 31st, 2017, 08:58 PM
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I'm voting a few days late...


But when thinking "Honeymoon", I think that a (truly) foreign destination like Vancouver would really make the grade like mere domestic locations won't.

Vancouver is SO awesome with mountains and water so very near. There are zillions of places to see and zillions of things to do.

You can take the city bus a few minutes outside of town, to the foot of a 3000-foot mountain and then ride a gondola up the side of the mountain for amazing views of the scenery below. (most ideal is to straddle sunset when so doing).

On, say, May 15 the days are 100 minutes longer in Vancouver than they are in, say, Baton Rouge, and Vancouver is a rare large city where it is quite safe to walk around the main city streets all night long.


I know that if you were vacationing with all of your extended family you might try to touch all of those listed spots during an 11-day trip, but for a honeymoon, Vancouver HAS everything you could ever need... and you could change the pace to suit yourselves with just a day trip a short distance outside of town.


I think you should save the money that more transportation might cost you, and put it toward better digs in central Vancouver, and then stay there, in that home base for all or nearly all of the 10/11 days.

I've been to Vancouver hundreds of times and I never tire of just roaming the streets. (LOL - a hidden thrill is to go to any convenience store and just stare at the candy counter selection!! )

The cultural mix of Vancouver is quite impressive, and the shopping is divine.

It will be a place where, depending upon how much fun stuff you do in your hotel room, and for how long, you can always still get up and go outside and roam around, even if your minds think it should be daytime when it's night.

You don't have to cover the entire Oregon Trail on your honeymoon... so just... stop and smell the roses in the one, magnificent city.
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Old Feb 1st, 2017, 12:25 PM
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... AND if Vancouver alone doesn't quite do it for you. Then perhaps you can optimize your logistics and FLY to Seattle... then take the Link Light Rail to a hotel in central Seattle... and then, after a day or two, take a train from central Seattle to central Vancouver, perhaps for a week... and then take the train back to Seattle to fly home from there.
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Old Feb 1st, 2017, 06:53 PM
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Thank you, NorthwestMale! Baton Rouge is, in fact, our hometown! I appreciate the feedback. Lots to think about & consider. We have yet to sit down & plan this trip...hopefully soon. Everyone has been incredibly helpful! Thanks again!
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