The Romantic Road ~ BC Coastal Triangle

Let us begin the journey from prominent Gastown, the birthplace of Vancouver. Gastown is an area in Vancouver that retains its historic charm with rough cobblestone roads and Victorian-style buildings, where you may enjoy a cup of handcrafted coffee and wait for the mellow Westminster ”chime” to whistle from the old-fashioned steam clock. You could then walk around vast Canada Place and extensive Stanley Park, watch seaplanes flying up and down, and enjoy the forest bath.
Our next stop is Granville Island, which was once an industrial manufacturing area. Today, Granville Island is a gathering place for aspiring art-enthusiasts, coffee roasters, and artisan bakers. By the afternoon, make your way to Tsawwassen and gaze at the tranquil sunset on the way to Victoria.

  Accommodation suggestion
  Hotel Grand Pacific (4 ) or more selective

We begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Victoria, Butchart Garden, Royal BC Museum, University of Victoria, Beacon Hill Park, Inner Harbor, Oak Bay, and the second oldest Chinatown in North America. You may also choose to visit the exquisite shops on both sides of Government Street, enjoy some hearty English Afternoon Tea at The Empress Hotel at your expense, or stay active and bike around the beautiful harbour. If you are an ocean person, whale watching is worth a try for a chance to see the spectacular whales. Once finished, do not forget to head to Cowichan Valley for its famous wineries. If cider is more your drink, Merridale Estate Cidery would be an excellent place to explore, where you can taste the European home-style food pairing with ciders.

Today is a breathtaking day to unplug yourself from the vibrant city life. Salt Spring Island sits close to Vancouver Island on the narrow Georgia Strait. The island consists of ordinary farmers, artists, healers, free-thinkers, and much more. From April to October, visitors will have a chance for some exciting treasure hunting every Saturday at the Farmer’s Market in the heart of Ganges. The Treehouse Cafe at Ganges Harbour is well described in the book “Adventure of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain. Salt Spring Island is the land full of milk and honey; it has aromatic organic products, goat cheese, lavender products, and lovely flowers. In the afternoon, you will visit Duncan, the exquisite city of the totems. It is a “Must-See’’ on your visit to Duncan, with a rich history behind each totem. To embark on a journey of culture and history, visit Chemainus, the mural village, the storyteller of its bustling history. After experiencing Utopia, head north on Trans-Canada Hwy 1 and stay overnight at Parksville.

  Accommodation suggestion
The Beach Club Resort (3 ) or more selective

On this day, you will take the famous B.C ferry from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay. As you drive on the scenic Sea to Sky Hwy, enjoy the scenery of Howe Sound and make a brief stop at the sightful Shannon Falls Provincial Park, near the town of Squamish, the home of the Bald Eagles. From there, you will drive north to Whistler, the largest ski resort in Canada, a partner city for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Whistler attracts adventurous travelers from around the world, no matter the season; Whistler is magnetic in every way due to the amazing shops, open-air cafés, restaurants, and pubs. It is a nice place to get away from the city.

  Accommodation suggestion
  Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa (4 ) or more selective

Today, you may take some time for exciting outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, ATV, rafting, kayaking, and golfing. Make it a slow-paced day by riding on the record-breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola and enjoy the breathtaking alpine views, lakes, and frozen glaciers, or just sitting at patio with a glass of wine or beer enjoy a mountain atmosphere and resort vacation.

On the way back to Vancouver, if you have plenty of time, North Vancouver will be a great area to visit. Driving on the Sea to Sky Highway, stop at Sea to Sky Gondola station, have the choice to take this 10 minutes gondola ride up to the summit, overlook sweeping view of Howe Sound the majestic coastal forest, glacier and surrounding mountains. Continuing driving over Horseshoe Bay, arrive Capilano Suspension Bridge & Park, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vancouver since 1889, offers an encompassing BC history, culture and nature experience. You can walk at 450 ft. (137 m) long and 230 ft (70 m) high the thrilled but stunning suspension bridge or experience Treetop adventure or the new attraction of Cliffwalk. The Capilano River Hatchery, just nearby, the fish hatchery interpretive center, is a popular spot for visitors. It has a self-guided tour where you can learn about and see fish develop from eggs to the juvenile stage when released to the river in spring. During the late summer and fall season, make sure to visit the exciting “Fishway” in the observation gallery, where you can see how salmon climb the fish ladders by jumping from one pool to the next one. Finally, back to Vancouver Airport, end this unforgettable trip.