I am trying to finalise my itinerary for a 21 day trip to Vancouver and Van.Island in September 2006.
I am definate about wanting to stay the last 6 nights in Vancouver city, but would welcome any feedback from those of you who are familiar with the island e.g too long or not long enough in each base or any place which should definately be included which I have overlooked.
Any ideas for 1 night stop offs to break up some of the long drives?
Scenery and wildlife are the main objectives and it will be my 50th birhday while I am on the island so any suggestions for appropriately stunning accomodations / restaurants would be welcome.

Vancouver 1 night to rest after the flight
Victoria 3 nights
Tofino 4 nights whales and hiking
Telegraph Cove 4 nights whales and bears
Vancouver 6 nights shopping, ice hockey, general sightseeing

Many thanks in advance.

We loved Desolation Sound about 4 hours north of Vancover! When I return Tofino and Desolation Sound are definate!

Looks like a great itinerary. For the 'bears' at Telegraph Cove I presume you mean the Knight Inlet grizzlies.
Contact Tide Rip Tours for information if you have not already done so. They are by far the best providers.

September can be a wonderful time near Telegraph Cove /Port McNeill. Seabirds are abundant, the 'resident' killer whales will still around, dolphins will be moving in-shore, and the coastal scenery is excellent. I recommend Mackay Whale Watching out of Port McNeill as the best tour operator.

For accomodation near Telegraph Cove check out Hidden Cove Lodge -we've stayed there a few times and enjoyed it very much.

cheers

Jerry

Not sure in which city you'll celebrate your birthday. But I loved Il Terrazzo Ristorante, an Italian restaurant in Victoria. It was a couple of years ago, but when I remember the appetizer of chanterelle mushrooms sauteed with gorgonzola cheese served with focaccia, my mouth starts watering again!!! It's a little hard to find, and the entrance is actually off an alley, but so worth the search!!! Service was pretty good, ambience and food were wonderful. 555 Johnson St., off Waddington Alley (tel. 250/361-0028) - Frommers also lists it as their #1 Italian restaurant in Victoria.

We just returned from Vancouver & Ucluelet (which is next to Tofino). We did 1 night Vancouver, then 4 nights in Ucluelet, then 3 days in Vancouver - I think the timing is about right. Keep in mind you can pretty much burn a whole day doing driving/ferries. For example, we took the 10:15 ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo (across from Tofino) and arrived at 12:40 pm. With the drive over the mountains to Tofino, it was another 3 hours. I think Tofino to Victoria is 5 hours, as well, I know it includes the mountainous parts of VI. One nice stopoff is Cathedral Grove, between Nanaimo and Port Alberni. For whale watching, try Jamie's Whaling Station, in both Tofino and Ucluelet. They use big boats and have complimentary hot chocolate! We also really liked the Tla-Ook First Nations canoe paddle from Tofino to Meares Island - fantastic local information & hike with a First Nations guide. If you're in Tofino/Ucluelet around your bday, the best food I have EVER had was at the Pointe Restaurant at the Wickanninish Inn - the seafood potlatch. Good luck and email me directly if you've got more questions.