Hi, everyone - my husband and I are looking to take a trip in September. The last time I posted, someone suggested Victoria, B.C. and we loved it. Loved being on the water, the natural beauty, going whale watching, visiting the gardens, and the open air restaurants. Is there any other spot you guys could recommend that has similar offerings? Would love any suggestions you have. We love places with historic charm, sailing, pretty views, etc. Thinking about five days or so.

Nelson, BC and the Kootenays in BC (Kaslo, Rossland, Fernie, etc.)
Salt Spring Island.
The Sunshine Coast (Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Madeira Park, Powell River, Lund)

I haven't been -- but my Bucket list includes Prince Edward Island and/or Nova Scotia. It looks like there would be lots of places that tick your boxes.

This is an intriguing question. My first reaction was no there isn't anywhere like Victoria. Then I thought of Quebec City. I might not spend five days there (well I have but that is because my grandparents lived there) but between the city and a drive like the one below five days would be perfect.

http://www.quebecindulge.com/road_trip_st_simeon.php

An interesting article about route 362 mentioned in the above link:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/...752/story.html

Thanks, everyone, for the great suggestions. I'm going to look into these. I also see a lot of people doing some sort of Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper trip and that looks pretty great too - beautiful scenery with lots to do.

Hi volcanogirl,

No, nowhere I've been is quite like Victoria. Your desire for on-water, natural beauty, whale watching, gardens, open-air restaurants, historic charm, sailing and pretty views I can give you though. Halifax, Nova Scotia or Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (although for whale watching, you'd need to go to the Bay of Fundy). Further afield and something else is St. John's, Newfoundland and whale watching IS close at hand. I also agree with Quebec City as it indeed checks a lot of your desired boxes. Whale watching possible a bit further north in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. None of these is Victoria but nor does Victoria offer some things that these four do.

Best wishes, Daniel

Thanks, Daniel - I appreciate all this wonderful information.

Geez, people are doing fairly well in their attempts here.

The first place I thought about, when reading the OP, was <i>Quebec City</i>. Maybe it's <I>The French Victoria</i>. I could spend five days in QC without much trouble.

I even give high marks to most anything along the <I>St. Lawrence River</i> in Quebec. (the slow roads, not the freeways)


I just visited Nelson, BC a couple of months ago, and it seems an adorable little place, but Victoria probably has many more things to see and do.

<b>Halifax</b> is wonderful... and <I>just the right size</i>... and while the harbor there is scenic enough, for water-related fun <b>The Bay of Fundy</b> is far superior.

Charlottetown is pleasant for a couple of days, but I wonder if "five" would be pushing it. (good thing about PEI is that you could day-trip to anywhere on the island from Charlottetown without any challenge)

First thing I thought of was the Niagara Peninsula: wineries, gardens, attractive inns, water (Niagara Falls, but also the lakes), theatre...
And I've lived in NL most of my life, love it and think it's a great summer vacation spot--but I have to say that "like Victoria" is not a phrase which I've ever uttered! However, it does have history, water, and natural beauty, albeit a totally different sort than B.C.

Thanks, guys - these are great suggestions. I have a friend visiting Canada now, and she said there are some wildfires going on but didn't give specifics. What areas are currently being affected? Thanks again for all your help.

There are quite a few large fires burning in the interior of BC, which has resulted in very poor air quality and some highway closures.

The last few days there has been poor air quality in Vancouver area as well. It is hard to say how long this will last since they are doing their best to work on fires.

We are still in Seattle now having just returned from Vancouver and Victoria. The air quality in all 3 has been affected by the fires unfortunately. There is a terrible smoke haze so thick visibility is really impaired. This website has more info

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sa...fire-situation

I also have the San Juan Islands on my "to do" list - didn't make it there the last time we were in Seattle but I thought it looked like something we would like.

Very sorry to hear about the fires - I hope things improve on that front.