My fiance' and I will be getting married in September 2000. Is that a good time to visit Victoria and Vancover? What are some hot spots? Could you recommend some Ferry Agencies, B&B's, tour guides? Help !!!

The provincial government of British Columbia operates a fleet of over 40 ferry boats. Some of them are quite large and sophisticated vessels. Here is the place to look: <BR>http://www.bcferries.bc.ca/ <BR> <BR>I think early September is a good time to visit Vancouver and Victoria. The weather should be very pleasent that time of year and the days are still long enough to enjoy outdoor activities. <BR> <BR>I cannot recommend any tour guides because I don't normally use one. <BR>As for Bed and Breakfasts, there are oodles of them, with some fine ones on some of the little islands between Vancouver Island and the mainland. <BR>Let me suggest you locate a search engine and find the BC Tourist and Travel Agency. It can send you a guide book to BC Accommodations. The new guide should be out very soon for the 2000 season. <BR>Near Victoria we stayed at the Elk Lake B and B, but I don't know about it now because it has been 3 years since I was there. At the time, we had a private room and bath with a queen bed that was very nice.

John, September is a great time to visit this area! You may want to look at a thread of messages on this forum from about a week or so ago about another person who was planning a honeymoon in this area--there were some good suggestions made. If you have time, you may want to consider Tofino, on the far west coast of Vancouver Island (it's discussed in that thread) <BR> <BR>I hope it won't be out of line to say that I plan trips to this region (I don't want to violate the no-advertising rule but you did ask!). If you'd like more information please email me privately. <BR> <BR>Sheri Doyle <BR>Seattle

I hope I'm not jinxing it but... the last 3 years September has been warmer and drier than August. The crowds are about half. The old saying here is that Victoria is for the newly weds and nearly deads so it might be the ideal honeymoon spot. We supposedly have more bars per capita that any other city in Canada so nightlife is not hard to find. Might I suggest a more soundproof hotel for a honeymoon rather than a B&B?

Don't miss the Sooke Harbor House outside of Victoria. The most romantic views and probably the best food we've ever had in North America.

DB, do you have a URL for Sooke Harbor House?

http://sookeharbourhouse.com/ <BR>

We have visited Victoria and Vancouver <BR>often through the years. Vancouver remains one of our favorite cities. Victoria is full of charm. We celebrated our 20th Anniv. this summer at the Aerie <BR>Resort, out of Victoria (15 miles, I think it was). It was wonderful! Everyone was helpful, very couteous. Our room was gorgeous, and the view will make your knees weak! Dinner was very good, (gourmet) the dinning room is beautiful. Our package included... Waiting in your room a: Fresh flower bouquet & chocolates. Muffins, sweetroll, juice,coffee, tea, paper delivered to your door every morning and then a fantasic breakfast (you get to select from the menu). I found out about them, from a book, (I think it was titled) "Most Romantic Getaways in the Pacific Northwest". The Aerie also has a web site, but I don't know the address off hand. I would think Sept. will be fine, but it's been our experience they do start their Fall/rainy weather, even eariler then we do here in Portland. Good luck, and Congrats!

Aerie: <BR>http://www.aerie.bc.ca/html/hotel.htm <BR> <BR>I think of the Aerie and Sooke Harbour House as the two top accommodations outside of Victoria. A car would be desirable for stays at either. <BR> <BR>September's weather is often pleasant. <BR>

Although... having said that, I just read a negative comment about the Sooke Harbour House in the United States section under a thread called "Help choosing destination". I don't know - I've never been there. <BR> <BR>If you didn't mind staying out of town there are also a number of small bed & breakfasts on a lagoon (with amazing bird life) by the ocean and near Hatley castle, which can probably be accessed through a B&B called Birds of a Feather. I don't know if they're open in September though. <BR> <BR>As for tours, I don't know that you really need any. <BR> <BR>