How to make a trip to Canada as memorable as possible??

[Big Worm 1]

I've recently inherited a property in Vancouver, so am getting over there whenever possible before I sell it.

I've been twice since December and spent time around Vancouver and in the city, but I want to go back again for a couple of weeks in August with my daughter.
This time though, I want to hire a car and travel around a bit and make the most of it. My daughter loves it over there, and it could be one of the last times we go, so I want to make it as memorable as possible. Vancouver will be our base, but I want to see as much as we can rather than just staying around the city.

Things that have initially popped into my head are go over to Vancouver Island for a couple of days, drive over the border and go down to Seattle for a day, drive through the Rockies, including Whistler (maybe even do that and fly home from Calgary instead of going back to Vancouver).

Any suggestions would be gratefully received!

[AngryYorkshireman]

Trip I did about 20 years ago took about 3 weeks, but, you could do it quicker as we stayed a few days in several places - did it in early September.

Travel agent wanted £8k, I did it for £2k for 2 of us as we were reasonably skint after buying our first house.
Skeena train trip is a normal service train - daytime only so you see a lot of countryside. Also "real" Canada and not the Rocky Mountaineer tourist train.
Buses were public transport I think - you might want to check out that these still run.
BC Ferries still run.

Flew Manchester to Vancouver
Coach direct from airport and BC Ferry over to Victoria (few hours)
Victoria for a few days
Coach up Vancouver Island to Port Hardy (1 day)
BC Ferry (route called Inside Passage) to Prince Rupert (1 day)
Skeena train route - Prince Rupert to Jasper (2 days - 1 night in Prince George)
Jasper few days
Hired Car and drove to Calgary via Icefields Parkway (probably 2 days actual driving)
- stayed in Lake Louise and Banff
Calgary for a few days
Home

Frightening how far we travelled, and how small the area looks on google maps compared with the whole of Canada.

[Burnaby]

If you’re up for some hiking, take a look at https://www.vancouvertrails.com/. Stawamus Chief is a great one. Or maybe Widgeon Falls if you want to include a bit of canoeing.

[Zaichik]

go to Vancouver Island on the ferry with a car - into Victoria, then go North and return from Nanaimo.

Sea to Sky highway up to Whistler and then keep going, head into Kelowna then North to Dawson - a great trip.

[DodgyGeezer]

Vancouver is the start-point for an awful lot of alaskan cruises (which can be quite cheap) . We loved the Rocky Mountaineer - but yes it is, obviously, very touristy. We regretted not going up in a float plane, of which there are loads.

[Boringvolvodriver]

We did a trip to Vancouver and the Rockies a few years back albeit for 3 weeks.

Being limited to 2 weeks may restrict what you do given some of the distances involved, even on Vancouver Island it will take you over 4 hours from the west coast at Tofino (which we liked) back to Victoria (which we were a bit disappointed with). Certainly some better places on VI for whale watching than out of Victoria but again long drives.(5 hours at least from Victoria).

Personally with only 2 weeks, I would be inclined to skip VI.

I would recommend driving across to Banff and then the Icefield Parkway up to Jasper. Not forgetting Lake Louise either - we had a fantastic day doing the walk to both tea houses - some great views even though we had snow (in Mid September).

Certainly I would suggest flying out of Calgary to maximize your time seeing and doing things rather than having to drive back to Vancouver

[fttm]

Deffo get out of the city , few days on the island , maybe a day whale watching , then check out the mountains Kelowna area , head North via Banff/Lake Louise and return via Calgary .

[ecsrobin]

DodgyGeezer said:

Vancouver is the start-point for an awful lot of alaskan cruises (which can be quite cheap) . We loved the Rocky Mountaineer - but yes it is, obviously, very touristy. We regretted not going up in a float plane, of which there are loads.

This would be my recommendation. We did an Alaska cruise out of Vancouver and the expensive part was our flights and hotel in Vancouver. The cruise was dirt cheap and we didn’t see any rain in Alaska but the whole trip was incredible.

I feel in love with the place (other than the drug users seemed to be everywhere passed out) and would happily move if given the opportunity.

[heisthegaffer]

Canada is absolutely stunning and Vancouver one of my favourite cities. We honeymooned there and if I were younger with no family ties I'd live there.

We did loads of walking, there's so much of it and also did a float plane trip to Victoria to watch Orca. Rory Bremner's nephew was our guide, he was great and the trip was stunning.

Lake louse, Jasper, Banff... All of it is amazing.

We did rocky mountaineer trip and would do again.

Enjoy.

[havoc]

Boringvolvodriver said:

We did a trip to Vancouver and the Rockies a few years back albeit for 3 weeks.

Being limited to 2 weeks may restrict what you do given some of the distances involved, even on Vancouver Island it will take you over 4 hours from the west coast at Tofino (which we liked) back to Victoria (which we were a bit disappointed with). Certainly some better places on VI for whale watching than out of Victoria but again long drives.(5 hours at least from Victoria).

Personally with only 2 weeks, I would be inclined to skip VI.

I would recommend driving across to Banff and then the Icefield Parkway up to Jasper. Not forgetting Lake Louise either - we had a fantastic day doing the walk to both tea houses - some great views even though we had snow (in Mid September).

Certainly I would suggest flying out of Calgary to maximize your time seeing and doing things rather than having to drive back to Vancouver

Agree 100% with the last two points, but I'm not sure missing VI makes sense if you're not sure you're going back:-
- The Rockies are the Rockies - yes there's variations from place to place, but it's all mountains and lakes and forests and snowy tops. After a while it gets samey.
- We did 7/8 days Vancouver to Calgary, of which a day-trip was to VI (and we wished we'd had more), a day-plus was Vancouver itself, and the rest was Jasper and Banff NPs, and that 4 days was maybe just enough...a week would have been plenty unless you're very much into the outdoors. We didn't really DO Calgary, which we wished we had, but only if we'd had more time.
- Whale watching IS hit-and-miss, but get it right and it's SO life-affirming. Check what's migrating / what's likely to be around at that time, but you'll most likely see plenty of seals, a pod of orca, and potentially something bigger.


Float plane sounds very cool.

[Rich_]

Tofino on Vancouver Island is nice too. Ferry is easy (I normally book in advance to get the cheaper price). Float plane is a good shout.

Okanagan region is lovely all year round, LOADS of wineries. (I live in this region).

The drive to Calgary isn't too bad, half decent on a sunny summers day. But it's a good 11hrs drive however, so as others said fly there if you want to see Calgary.

How old is your daughter? As this could alter the suggestions on what to do

Edited by Rich_ on Saturday 6th April 23:32

[coach]

Can’t add much but on Vancouver island is a small fishing town called Uclulet. Stay at “The Cabins at Terrace Beach”. Magical. Pacific rim walk, the lighthouse, the cabins themselves. Just makes you feel fantastic.

[Whoozit]

There's a few threads if you search with itineraries + times. You won't regret it Heading to Whistler tomorrow for season-end skiing, been going nearly 25 years.

ETA Got a bit of time, did the search for you https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by Whoozit on Monday 8th April 00:10

[heisthegaffer]

coach said:

Can’t add much but on Vancouver island is a small fishing town called Uclulet. Stay at “The Cabins at Terrace Beach”. Magical. Pacific rim walk, the lighthouse, the cabins themselves. Just makes you feel fantastic.

That place looks amazing.

[coach]

heisthegaffer said:

That place looks amazing.

We’ve been there twice now. It just feels like one of those places on this world that is just kind of “right”. I’d love to go again soon.

[Whoozit]

coach said:

heisthegaffer said:

That place looks amazing.

We’ve been there twice now. It just feels like one of those places on this world that is just kind of “right”. I’d love to go again soon.

Tofino used to be like that. Sadly now over-touristed and expensive. Next time on the Island, I will try Port Renfrew.

Last summer we spent a few days in Halfmoon Bay on the Sunshine Coast and while not as rugged as Tofino/Ucluelet, it had the same outdoorsey-in-nature vibe.

[djc206]

Whoozit said:

Tofino used to be like that. Sadly now over-touristed and expensive. Next time on the Island, I will try Port Renfrew.

Last summer we spent a few days in Halfmoon Bay on the Sunshine Coast and while not as rugged as Tofino/Ucluelet, it had the same outdoorsey-in-nature vibe.

I was massively underwhelmed by Tofino to be quite honest. I quite liked Victoria.

I would do a little loop, Whistler, Jasper, Banff, Okanagan, Vancouver. All beautiful places.

[Big Worm 1]

Rich_ said:

How old is your daughter? As this could alter the suggestions on what to do

Edited by Rich_ on Saturday 6th April 23:32

She's 14, and as much as I would love to hiking with her in the mountains, I've got more chance of being kicked by a snake than her agreeing to that!

[Big Worm 1]

djc206 said:

I was massively underwhelmed by Tofino to be quite honest. I quite liked Victoria.

I would do a little loop, Whistler, Jasper, Banff, Okanagan, Vancouver. All beautiful places.

This is the route I was thinking of. We've got a relative in Summerland, so the Okanagan route is a great shout.

[Big Worm 1]

Whoozit said:

There's a few threads if you search with itineraries + times. You won't regret it Heading to Whistler tomorrow for season-end skiing, been going nearly 25 years.

ETA Got a bit of time, did the search for you https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by Whoozit on Monday 8th April 00:10

Thank you, that's really helpful.