Itinerary for Vancouver Island + WA & OR

jackieblack

ailuro2 wrote: »

We were really impressed with Seattle, lots to do you could easily justify a few days there...also why are you not going to Whistler? It's a wonderful place, tons of things to do and very picturesque too....

that's the trouble with that part of the world, so much to do and so little holiday time...:)

Initially not planning on including Whistler as we simply didn't think we could fit it in. Having investigated further I've read it's only two hours from Vancouver, (how accurate is that?) may be re-thinking that........

jackieblack

DavidHayton wrote: »

Lucky you! Vancouver Island is delightful. The place is huge so you will have to be selective but whatever you do you will have a great time, and because you won't see everything you will have the perfect excuse to return

Probably not an option I'm afraid - we have a long list of places we want to visit over the next few years so this trip is probably a 'once-off', hence the need to fit in as much as possible.

DavidHayton wrote: »

Some ideas ...
Instead of taking the ferry from Tsawwassen to Victoria, you could head up the Sunshine coast to Langdale to Powell River and take the ferry across to Courtenay/Comox. Then visit Victoria at the end of your visit to Vancouver Island. This will save a bit of backtracking on the island expressway.

Thanks for this suggestion, I'll check it out.

DavidHayton wrote: »

Port Hardy is about 300 km north of Courtenay. I looked at going there last time we went to BC but decided that it was too far. We spent the time on the west coast of the island (and sushine coast on the mainland) and did not regret it.

The west coast is lovely. It is certainly remote! I could spend a week out there camping in the National Park.

DH says if we're going he wants to see the island from one end to the other and is determined to get up to Port Hardy

DavidHayton wrote: »

Victoria is nice. There is lots to do as a tourist. It reminds me a bit of York or Oxford. But if you want to see non-tourist side of the city, you could take in a baseball game at the Royal Athletic Park. The team (Victoria seals) are not major league, but you would be in the heart of the "local" city. And it isn't expensive (certainly less than $20 for an evening game)

Great suggestion, every time we cross 'the pond' we look into seeing a sports event, but there never seems to be anything on any day we're in a particular place! I'll look into this though.

DavidHayton wrote: »

On your way back from the US, make sure that you stop off at the Peace Arch Park. I found the whole place rather surreal. The full might of US Immigration carries on in the middle of a state/provincial park. We have picniced there. The place is immaculate with what seemed like thousands of gardeners. Only later did I wonder whether they were in fact security officers keeping an eye on us to check that we went back to the country (Canada) from where we had come.

This will be a bit out of your way, but my children would never let us visit BC without going to Cultus Lake Waterpark (south of Chilliwack/Sardis on the transCanada highway)

Thanks, I don't know about either of these places, but will look into both.

DavidHayton wrote: »

Finally, since you are also going to the US, have you considered making Seattle your start/finish point. The flights to Seattle are usually cheaper than to Vancouver.
David

Yes, we did consider it, but are looking at flying Air Canada to Vancouver. Direct flights to Seattle are BA - not sure I have enough faith in them not to screw up the whole trip!

Also, we usually find we need a couple of days to adjust to the time difference before heading off, don't think we want to spend that long in Seattle really.

Thanks for all your suggestions

jackieblack

Bananabelly wrote: »

I live in Vancouver at the moment. I will echo other comments and say that is a lot of time on the Island..

What would you skip?

Bananabelly wrote: »

Seattle is lovely and definitely worth more than one night. Also as someone else mentioned consider Whistler, especially for animals/outdoorsy stuff (you are fairly likely to see bears there). Also while Portland is really nice, it will pretty much take 2 days out of your itinerary just in travelling, so unless you really like Microbrews I would consider dropping Portland and giving yourself a bit more time in one of the other places

Thanks, I am now trying to work out how we can squeeze in a night in Whistler. Although I thought maybe by dropping Seattle, and you say it is worth more than one night :think:. What is there to do in Seattle? (We are not really city people.)

Regarding Portland, there is no lure at all in Microbrews for us (I don't drink and DH can't) but it is my ambition to visit all 50 states of the US in my lifetime (sad, but true ). Having already done California and Nevada, if visiting WA, we 'need' to do Oregon on the same trip otherwise it may need a seperate visit, which would not be convenient (geographically).

Lots to think about......... brilliant!

matty17r

jackieblack - I agree with the other posters - don't miss out whistler. It was the best place imo on our canada holiday. We only stayed one night there wished it had been more!

withabix

Whistler is attractive but a bit 'plastic'. Full of mountain bikers in the summer.

Sunshine Coast is worth a visit - Gibsons Landing and Madeira Park were worth our visit last summer. We stayed at a B&B in Pender Harbour called The Enchanter which was excellent - it is a Geodesic Dome house...just Google it!

Cultus Lake isn't that special in my opinion.

Bananabelly

jackieblack wrote: »

What would you skip?

Tricky question! Maybe a little less time in Victoria? I haven't been to the north/east side of the island so can't comment on that.

Thanks, I am now trying to work out how we can squeeze in a night in Whistler. Although I thought maybe by dropping Seattle, and you say it is worth more than one night :think:. What is there to do in Seattle? (We are not really city people.)

Regarding Portland, there is no lure at all in Microbrews for us (I don't drink and DH can't) but it is my ambition to visit all 50 states of the US in my lifetime (sad, but true ). Having already done California and Nevada, if visiting WA, we 'need' to do Oregon on the same trip otherwise it may need a seperate visit, which would not be convenient (geographically). Depending what the rules are for this, you could just go to the border and step across, or go to the oregon coast instead. I assume it doesn't have to be Portland? Does take you out of your way though.

Lots to think about......... brilliant!

Whistler is definitely only 2 hours from Vancouver, and a lovely drive. You could go for the day if you really wanted.

Seattle has Pike Place Market, the original Starbucks, Major League Baseball, a beautiful harbour, the Underground Tour (which is awesome) and many more. I spent about 6 days there (everyone here in Vancouver goes there just for the shopping TBH). I did a day trip to Mount Ranier, which allowed for lots of natural beauty spots (waterfalls, etc) and a small hike around Mount Ranier. Unless you're planning on doing lots of hiking that might be an easier option for you. I would spend time in Seattle over Portland.
Any more questions please ask.

jackieblack

Bananabelly wrote: »

Whistler is definitely only 2 hours from Vancouver, and a lovely drive. You could go for the day if you really wanted.

Thanks, that's something else to consider.... :think:

Bananabelly wrote: »

Seattle has Pike Place Market, the original Starbucks, Major League Baseball, a beautiful harbour, the Underground Tour (which is awesome) and many more. I spent about 6 days there (everyone here in Vancouver goes there just for the shopping TBH).

The harbour sounds nice........ but not sure that it's our sort of place really :think::think::think::think::think::think:

Bananabelly wrote: »

I did a day trip to Mount Ranier, which allowed for lots of natural beauty spots (waterfalls, etc) and a small hike around Mount Ranier. Unless you're planning on doing lots of hiking that might be an easier option for you. I would spend time in Seattle over Portland..

:think:TBH that sounds much more our sort of place.....!

Bananabelly wrote: »

Any more questions please ask.

You might regret that offer! :rotfl:

jackieblack

ok, working on a few different versions of the itinerary now........ probably looking to do Mt Rainier to Portland first, then to Astoria, back up into Washington to Olympic Peninsula, across to Vancouver Island with a few days in Vancouver (with a day trip to Whistler!) at the end........ but still undecided really

Have had fly-drive quotes for both Seattle (BA) and Vancouver (Air Canada), looks like about £400 cheaper to fly in & out of Seattle (for the 3 of us), but do I chance it with BA?

Anyone done the Boeing factory tour in Seattle?

withabix

Seattle usually is a cheaper flight price.

I wouldn't worry about BA. The union have lost and they know it. Not really any more likely to have a strike than any other airline by next summer.

Check prices for car hire separate from the flights, as fly-drive prices may not be a good deal.

For Vancouver, try Avis.co.uk and if you bank with Barclays, use AWD code W300012. Avis.co.uk car hire prices for Canada are FULLY INCLUSIVE (and may be for USA too??). Select pay on return option for lowest price. Every time we have hired at Vancouver, we have been given an upgrade too!

Don't forget Quidco on flights and car hire too!

cubegame

You really should also take in some of the Oregon coast, Crater Lake, The Colombia River Gorge and Mount Saint Helens.......