Joey Carlton

I'm planning a honeymoon to Victoria in July. We are flying into Seattle (due to a great deal on airfare) on July 9 and are flying out July 16. After the hustle and bustle of planning a wedding, I know we will want to relax, but we also want to have a good time and visit the must-see's. <BR> <BR>Can anyone give me some good recommendations for itineraries for a relaxing week in Victoria? Best way to get from Seattle airport to victoria? Rent a car in Seattle/Vancouver/Victoria/not at all? Best place to stay in Victoria? Best day trips (whale watching, ferry or seaplane to Vancouver or other islands, etc.)? <BR> <BR>I would like to stay in one hotel the whole week, but maybe 2, such as stay in Victoria half the week, then drive up somewhere on the northern part of the island for the second half. <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance for your help! <BR> <BR>Joey

jackie

Congratulations Joey! <BR>Yes, do rent a car. My recommendation is to start your honeymoon on the west coast of Vancouver Island at Pacific Rim National Park. There are some beautiful inns over there now (when I went you had to camp and it was still worth it). Friends of mine stayed at a place called the Wickinish (sp?) and loved it. Pacific Rim is incredibly beautiful and activities tend to be hiking, walking the beach and gazing at the view. It's a great place to unwind. <BR>From there you can drive back to Victoria if you really want to do that tourist thing. We always used to stay at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. It's lovely but not right in the heart of the tourist area. My info is out of date so do a search on this forum for a more current view. Good Luck!

April

The Wickaninnish is in a spectacular location (see http://www.mybc.com/wickaninnish_inn) and is pricey. I second Jackie's suggestion to spend time at Long Beach near Tofino. <BR> <BR>Ferries can be a hassle in summer. The easiest way to get to Victoria with the least amount of luggage handling would be to fly right from Seatac. This will land you a 30 minutes' drive out of Victoria. You could rent a car then, I assume (I've never done it personally) or take the shuttle bus which runs regularly from the airport to downtown Victoria hotels for, I think, about $13 Canadian (see http://www.akalairporter.travel.bc.ca/) <BR> <BR>I am a fan of the float planes. From Seattle you'd have to leave the airport but you'd land right in Victoria's inner harbour where you could just walk to a hotel such as the Admiral Motel which seems popular with visitors or the more expensive Empress Hotel or Ocean Pointe Resort. There are many hotels in the area. Of course, if you have a car you can stay anywhere. <BR> <BR>Or you could take a trip to Vancouver for even a day or a scenic flight over the Olympic mountains. There may even be float planes available between the Wickaninnish and Vancouver. <BR> <BR>Must see/do's? I suppose the Butchart's Gardens (it will be crowded - might be best to go early in the day), the museum and tea at the Empress (make a reservation). I would put Long Beach on the must see list too. <BR>

lee

Greetings from British Columbia. <BR>The island is beautiful and I second many of the recommendations you have received. I definitely think you should start your visit at the Empress Hotel (float planes land in front). It is the focal point of the harbour/museum/shopping area and loaded with old world luxury and history (visit the historical display downstairs in the hotel). You can stroll everywhere day and night in safety - ask for a room with a harbour view. The Oak Bay Beach Hotel is very nice too (I've stayed at both several times), but it is away from the things you'll want to see and you'll have to drive through town and pay parking to visit the central harbour area. <BR> <BR>If you flew into Victoria (either via the airport or harbour flight) you wouldn't need a car until you left town. There are several large rental companies within a few blocks of the hotel. I'd plan at least the first two nights there to wind down from the big event and see the sights (take the tour out to see Butchart Gardens-as suggested early am) and then head out to see the west coast area for a great wilderness experience. Have you contacted the BC Provincial Government? They have excellent books they will send you free of charge. Remember when you're booking hotels you can slurge because you'll be getting a great exchange rate on your dollar. Good luck and congratulations.

April

With your limited time, I think I'd skip Vancouver this trip. I'd also be inclined to rent a car for part of the Victoria stay for drives out of the city. For example, start on Dallas Road by Beacon Hill Park and follow the marine scenic drive through the Uplands. This is a pleasant early evening drive. Drive up to Mount Doug or Mount Tolmie near sunset, or anytime for an overall view. <BR> <BR>Drive to Sidney off the highway - you're on a peninsula so you can't really get lost. (From Sidney you can take a little ferry to Sidney Spit where there are no cars, just beach, picnic and camp sites and walking trails.) <BR> <BR>Stop, if you like, for a bit of shopping and tea in Oak Bay village, Mattick's Farm (follow Blenkinsop Road to Cordova Bay Road and keep going until you bump into it) and Sidney. <BR> <BR>Or you could drive up the west coast past Sooke, stopping in at Hatley park and castle on the way. <BR> <BR>There are many other places you could go. A long list of information is at: <BR>http://www.tourismmall.victoria.bc.ca/home2.htm <BR> <BR>I think the tour to Butchart's is overpriced. I would drive or take the bus!

Joey Carlton

Thanks for everyone's responses so far! Right now, this is what I am thinking. By no means is it set in stone and we could even stay an extra day if someone can make a good case for it: <BR>Day 1: fly into Seattle about noon, rent a car at the airport, drive up to Anacortes to take the ferry to Sidney (how crowded can I expect this to be mid-afternoon?). Check into nice hotel (probably Empress). Eat nice meal and relax. <BR>Day 2: stay in victoria, tour city and gardens, eat nice meal, relax <BR>Day 3: tour royal B.C. Museum, maybe go whale watching, stay in victoria <BR>Day 4: take float plane trip, leave from victoria, drive to a B&B on the west coast of the island (not exactly sure where, but my aunt has been telling me about a cool place, other suggestions welcome) <BR>Day 5: stay at B&B, taking it easy <BR>Day 6: either stay at B&B, or drive to vancouver (via ferry) <BR>Day 7: stay in vancouver at nice hotel (any hotel recommendations?) <BR>Day 8: drive to seattle, plane leaves at 3:00 <BR> <BR>I'd like some advice on whether or not to bother with Vancouver (except for the last night to make the drive to Seattle easier). Someone had mentioned a dinner train up to the mountains that was a must. Or is there so much to see & do on the island that I won't want to leave. Again, I can stay an extra day, if someone can make a good argument for it. <BR> <BR>I'm battling my natural instinct to plan to do AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE with the knowledge that I really want this to be a relaxing trip. Please advise. <BR> <BR>Thanks so much for all the advice! It is much appreciated. <BR> <BR>-Joey

April

Re Day 1: (how crowded can you expect the ferry to be mid-afternoon?) Generally all ferries are busy in summer but which day of the week you are catching one could make a difference. <BR> <BR>With your flight leaving Seattle, I think you are wise to get on to the mainland at least a day before. If you're going to Vancouver, I would think you'd want to spend at least two days there. <BR>

Joey Carlton

Day 1 will be a Sunday. Right now we are scheduled to fly out the next Sunday, but I might stay until Monday, especially if you think we need to spend 2 nights in Vancouver.

April

It's hard to say whether you'd enjoy Victoria or Vancouver more. You could possibly cut a day in Victoria, Either way, I personally would not cut any time at the west coast B&B. Much might depend on what you prefer - small cities, big cities or nature. <BR> <BR>Ferries to the Vancouver side run until 9:00 pm, so you could head over first thing in the morning or later in the day. <BR> <BR>What do others think?

jackie

My personal preference would be the West Coast thing. I really wanted to point out to Joey that it does take around 4 hours to drive to Pacific Rim, each way! The distances don't look like much on the map, but it is a slow drive. Hope this helps with your scheduling.

rand

I'm glad jackie caught the driving time error. On that day just get up breakfast and do the drive. The rest of the day walk on the beach. You are packing raincoats? and I don't mean a bomber length showerproof. <BR> <BR>Also Washington State is thinking of cutting back on the Anacortez run because it looses so much money. Time will tell, but it may not come all the way through next year.

Joey Carlton

You mention packing raincoats... <BR>How much does it rain on the west coast near Tofino in the summer (beginning of July)? How cool is it?

jackie

Joey, <BR>It rains! Think rainforest. We were there in mid-June. The first night it poured for about 10 hrs straight. We were camping and people were flooded out. However that was followed by 4 days of perfect weather. Don't let this put you off. Pacific Rim National Park is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I spent my formative years in the Middle East and I love hot, dry weather. But I still wouldn't hesitate to make the drive, even if I had to camp again! <BR> <BR>Good Luck.

sheri

Hi Joey, regarding your draft itinerary of 1/7, I have the following comments: <BR> <BR>Last summer, the afternoon ferry from Anacortes left at 3:20 PM, and I think it's a very safe bet to say there is NO WAY you would be able to make that with a noon arrival time, by the time you get your luggage, pick up the car, etc and make the two hour drive from Seatac to Anacortes. Plus, why start out your honeymoon with such stress? I'd either plan on taking the BC ferry from Tsawwassen (they leave every hour in summer), or I'd fly from Seattle to Victoria (the float plane, as someone else mentioned, is a great way to go, although you would have to take a cab from Seatac to downtown Seattle). <BR>By the way, keep in mind that you can make reservations on both ferry lines. <BR> <BR>With respect to your stay in Victoria, I'd go for the Laurel Point Inn if you prefer a hotel, or Abigails if you like romantic B&Bs. The Empress, I feel, is resting way too much on its reputation and the prices are outrageous in July. But if you do stay there, do spend the extra money to do it right and go for the Entree Gold floor so that you will at least get good service (we found that the hotel is just too big to offer the level of service that one expects at the prices they charge). <BR> <BR>I would second (strongly!) the suggestion to go to Tofino, and I'd suggest going for at least three nights, since the drive is about five hours each way from Victoria. The Wickanninish Inn is wonderful--very expensive, but worth it if you like top-notch service (it's a Relais and Chateaux property). If you prefer something more relaxed but still very nice, my favorite place there is the Middle Beach Lodge. I can't think of a better place for a honeymoon that one of their ocean-view cottages with a private hot tub! <BR> <BR>If you want to include Vancouver on your trip, then by all means extend it by one or two days. Otherwise I think you would be shortchanging yourselves on the relaxation part of your honeymoon (if mine was any indication, you will both be EXHAUSTED from all the wedding stuff and not want to do much of anything the first couple of days). My favorite hotel in Vancouver is the Sutton Place (great location and superb service), but there are lots of beautiful hotels there. <BR> <BR>One last thought--if you do drive from Vancouver to Seattle to catch a flight on your last day, allow AT LEAST four hours for the trip (it usually takes three), as the border coming back into the US can be a nightmare in July (waits of one hour or longer are not at all unusual). I'd allow five to be on the safe side. Or consider a slight detour to the Lynden WA border crossing--a slightly longer drive from Vancouver, but always a shorter line than the main crossing at Blaine (I-5). <BR> <BR>Hope this helps! I'm sure that no matter what you decide, you'll have a lovely time, so long as you don't try to do too much! <BR> <BR>Sheri Doyle <BR>Pacific Northwest Journeys

April

To get an idea of the rainfall, check out Tofino on the bar chart at: <BR>http://www.island.net/~rayrober/weather.htm <BR> <BR>More information is at: <BR>http://www.harbour.com/parkscan/pacrim/weath.htm <BR> <BR>Seems you have a good chance for nice weather in July. I guess I've been lucky - the weather has usually been sunny and warm (sometimes foggy) when I've been at Long Beach. <BR>