My husband and I are planning 10 days in BC this summer, with 3 nights in each of Vancouver, Victoria, and the Okanagan Valley (we enjoy wine tasting and want to get out of the city as well). Two questions - does 3 nights in each location make sense? Also, in what order should we do it, since we'll be flying into Vancouver, and will be renting a car to get us from place to place?
Thanks for the help.

It probably doesn't really matter in which order you go, and an argument could be made for any arrangement.

For me, I would rather get the most hassle out of the way early in a holiday - in this case the ferries. So, you could start in Vancouver, go next to Victoria and when you get back off the ferry drive straight to the Okanagan. Since Victoria is packed with tourists in the summer and you say you want to get out of the city, you might consider taking one night from your Victoria stay and tacking it to the Okanagan portion.

By the way, my preferred route from the ferry terminal at Tsawwassen to Abbotsford is to skip the Ladner Trunk Rd. turnoff and No. 10 highway, and instead take Hwy 99 toward White Rock. Before the US border, turn east onto 16 Avenue (North Bluff Rd.) and enjoy a less busy and scenic horse-farm-country drive. Then, at Lefeuvre or so head south, then east again on Huntingdon Rd. Pass behind the Abbotsford airport and turn north at Sumas Way (Hwy 11). Then you can head east on the #1.

It sounds complicated but it's not. It is a very relaxing drive, like a holiday in itself.

I have said it before, but if you want a break at Hope, drive five or ten minutes out of town and visit the Othello Quinette tunnels, worth it for the woodsy fresh air, dynamic scenery and remarkable engineering job. Take a flashlight if you don't like stumbling through dark tunnels.

I would agree to spending an extra day in the Okanagan in the summer. You'll have guaranteed good weather (may be very hot - you'll want to swim in the lake or a pool)plus there are a lot of wineries to check out. I stayed in Naramata at the Sandy Beach Lodge for a night- they have B & B rooms - it is right on the lake and near a lot of wineries. Kelowna/Penticton/Osoyoos are also great places to stay if you want to do wine tours and relax.

Hello, Ruth,

You can avoid a lot of the delays with the ferries by making a reservation at http://www.bcferries.com for Victoria - you are guaranteed a spot on the sailing when you make these reservations and can arrive just before the sailing leaves. It is well worth the minor fee.

Stay in downtown Vancouver - anywhere near Stanley Park or the Kits (Kitsilano) area or the cruise terminal is great. The Fairmont hotels are lovely, historic, upscale places to stay and will give you a touch of Canadiana. You will be centrally located to get to everything in the city. In Victoria, which I would do second, Butchart Gardens is a must-see, Afternoon Tea at the Empress, shopping on Government Street. If you love to read, do not miss Munro's Books. If you love good coffee and tea, along with a divine pastry, don't miss Murchies Coffees and Teas, which is very close to Munro's. The Provincial Museum should not be missed. Finally, consider not going to the Okanagan - Whistler is just the best! It is a wonderful, upscale, mountain community with great shops, outdoor activities, golf and it is just about 90 minutes north of Vancouver - it is basically the Aspen, CO. equivalent of Canada. The Okanagan is not as sophisticated as the Napa Valley...yet. Don't worry about going on the Ladner Trunk Road,etc. - follow the signs from the ferry to the Trans-Canada highway, it isn't as scenic, but it isn't as easy to get lost, either.

Good luck!
Julia Elzie
E-mail: [email protected]

Thanks for the help. Now I'm thinking of adding 1 night in the Okanagan, especially since on the last day we'll have to drive to the Vancouver airport, hence we'll have to leave early in the morning. Would 3 full days in the Okanagan be too much? We like to bike and also visit the wineries, as well as relax by the beach/pool. Then we'll reduce Victoria to 2 nights.
How long will it take us to drive from Victoria to the Okanagan? Do we take the Crowsnest Hwy?

Personally, 1 week in the Okanagan is not enough. Getting to the Okanagan from Victoria is an interesting drive because of the different climate zones you will travel. You'll move from rainforest to desert in 1 day. Take the ferry out of Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen, then head to the #1 highway east. At hope you'll have to decide which route to take: you can go highway 3 through Manning Park - the most southern route. This is the route I take when my destination is Osoyoos. Manning park route is scenic - you'll pass the hope slide, see all the damage the pine needle has caused in the forest, travel some very windy scenic roads. You'll pass through cute towns that sell locally grown fruit - and the climate will change to desert like conditions. The other route is the Coqohalla (sp?), a toll highway that has a faster speed limit, still somewhat scenic, but you won't travel through any towns like Highway 3. You basically climb up a big mountain for a couple of hours then drive down...then take the Coqahalla connector that will take you to Kelowna, then you can go south to Penticton. The ride from Kelowna to Penticton is slower, but runs along several nice lakes and you'll pass by lots of fruit farms and stands. This is an area with lots of wineries. I would estimate four hours to Kelowna from Tsawassen and 4 1/2 to 5 to Oosoyoos from Tsawassen (and you'll probably stop somewhere along this route). It's about 1/2 hour to get to Penticton from Oosoyoos. Getting from Victoria to Tsawassen depends on the ferry line up - I'd reserve if I were you if you plan to travel fri - mon on the ferry.

Would three days in the Okanagan be too much? I hope not because I'll be there for at least five and am allowing for more. We're looking forward to staying part of the time at Sandy Beach in Naramata, Dar. Do you happen to know if the toll has gone up on the Coquihalla Hwy yet?

If you like cycling, Ruth, you'll be in the right place. You might want to pick up the book Cycling the Kettle Valley Railway by Dan and Sandra Langford.

If you take the Manning Park route, by the way, there is a lodge on the right (if you're driving east) that is a good stop for a break.

Thank you all for your help. I booked 3 nights in Vancouver, 2 in Victoria, and 4 at the Sandy Beach in Naramata. Can't wait!

April: the Coquihalla toll is at this time still $10.00 (we just did the drive yesterday)

Ruth: you do not say when you are coming to the Okanagan this summer, but be sure to feast on whatever fruit is in season when you are here: Cherries in mid July, Apricots and peaches in late july and into August, and apples starting the beginning of Sept. The best soft fruit is found from Summerland south, and the best apples in the Kelowna area. If you get a chance, be sure to take a drive to see Kalamalka lake. (near Vernon) The lake colors are absolutely stunning on a sunny day.
The best beaches IMHO are on Skaha Lake in Penticton, though very much a beach scene. Have a great trip.

Thanks Lynette. I'll probably take the Manning Park route one way and the Coquihalla the other.

Although you don't have to buy it in the Okanagan, Ruth, you might enjoy the Summerland Sweets' Black & Raspberry (or one of the many other flavours) pancake syrup.

That trip sounds great..you'll be ready for a rest by the time you hit Naramata..just one thought..Naramata is very small, and you'll need to eat out because I'ts a B&B without kitchen facilities...(unless you booked a cottage)..so be prepared to drive a 1/2 drive to Penticton alot or eat at the local pub alot!