Need suggested route for 7 day trip around Vancouver, Vancouver Island
 

We want to be a little improvisational in what we do, but have places to stay for each night of our trip. Our current thinking is two nights in Vancouver, one in Victoria, than on to Tofino and maybe even to Sunshine Coast and/or Whistler on our way back to Vancouver. We just want to avoid taking on too much, turning this into a marathon. Want a 70/30 mix of culture to outdoors. Any sugggestions on a route and how far north we should venture?

correction: 70/30 mix of outdoors to culture

Woah, woah, that's far too much for just 7 days! I'd say 3 nights Vancouver (with a possible day trip to Whistler), 1 night Victoria, 3 nights Tofino. Or skip Victoria and spend a night or two up at Whistler instead.

If you're going to go to Tofino, it's too far to drive for less than 3 nights IMO. Plus it's such an amazing place you will be sorry if you spend less time than that.

I agree with NWWanderer in that it is too much. However, I know he doesn't like Victoria that much but most people do - so I would skip Whistler and see Victoria.

We just returned from a Vancouver Island trip.
We flew from NY to Seattle and started with a stay in Anacortes and ferried to Orcas Island.
On Vancouver Island we went directly to Tofino/Ucluelet.
Stayed for a few nights then came back around to Lake Shawnigan. My husband is a wine writer and wanted to visited the wineries.
We then went to Sooke and Victoria.
I know it sounds crazy but we decided to save Vancouver for another time....we wanted to concentrate on the Island.
I have a ton of info on my blog....click on June.
http://baileyzimmerman.blogspot.com

Wow, thanks everyone. We're already thinking of skipping Victoria to spend more time on the coast and in Whistler. Any recommendations on lodgings in Vancouver, Tofino or Whistler?

One more question: Has anyone done any kayaking day trips?

And Bailey, your blog and photos are magnifique! Thanks for sharing.

What's your budget for lodging and what type of places do you like?

My hands down favorite in Tofino is Middle Beach Lodge--it has lodging options in a range of prices, which is nice.

And traveller, I'm a she not a he ;-). I like Victoria just fine but I was trying to keep the OP's 70/30 ratio in mind.

Sorry about that NW - I think I had you confused with someone else. I have just found that everyone who comes to Victoria loves it and wishes they had more time here as opposed to Whistler where the general reviews haven't been as positive. Of course its always a matter of personal preference. In all of our travels in the States and even other countries when we say we are from Victoria its amazing how many people tell us they have been there and love it. Guess I am just prejudiced!!!

Our budget for lodgings is at two levels -- $125-200 for regular nights in extraordinary places where we are more focused on activities and restaurants than on the hotel room, and $300 or more for places that are "Experiences" with a capital "E," like for example, the Wick in Tofino, which I believe is sold out anyway. We want to stick with the first level for most of the trip, but have a night or two in extraordinary lodgings.

Traveller, no worries ;-).

To the OP: I actually prefer Middle Beach to the Wick--to me it's a more authentically Tofino experience and it's certainly much more reasonably priced. If they have space for your dates, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it although there is a pretty wide variation in room types--I've stayed in most of them so feel free to post back for more specific feedback if you have a choice there.

In May we stayed on Chesterman Beach, just yards from Wickaninnish Inn. We rented a small house/guestsuite.
It was terrific...we were right on the beach and even had our own hot tub.
I have some images posted on my blog...(June)
http://baileyzimmerman.blogspot.com

http://tofinovr.com/site/properties/...ach_suite.html

ps....Thumbs up for terrific food at Shelters in Tofino.

Me friend turned me on to this great website with lots of travel packages.

http://www.wealthandfreedompackage.com/Travel.php

In Vancouver, try the Metropolitan Hotel. Great rooms and great service. Convenient to shopping, museum, Christ Church, etc. It's right across from the Four Seasons on Howe.

Nated, go away. You're not supposed to advertise here.