October 20, 2008 | Field Reports >
Kelowna, Attractions
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I follow a local's recommendation to the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, an abandoned railway. The trail snakes through the Okanagan but this portion start at Myra Canyon near Kelowna, BC.
October 20, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Stewart, Cruises & Boat Tours
I have traveled three times via car from Oregon to BC. If you have the time driving BC is an incredible adventure. To understand the sheer size of this beautiful province, you have to take the time to explore BC by auto.
The Cassiar in of itself is a fantastic drive. Remote and extremely scenic, one can see Grizzly bears right off the highway. The wildlife is wonderful and abundant. The Stewart-Hyder highway is stunning and you get up close and personal to Bear glacier, one of the only "drive-to" glaciers in the world. This is a remarkable feat and for those who can not hike this is an excellent opportunity to feel, see and experience glacier-ness. Stewart is a lovely town and overall I was quite pleased with the experience. Salmon Glacier is viewable on the Granduc Road drive outside of Hyder, US. Hyder had nothing on Stewart, it is just a dump. August-September is a lovely time to explore this region with early fall color but be prepared for rain anytime and when it rains it pours.
Just a note from an American, I adore BC, Canada and Canadians. They are the nicest folks in the world. I am envious of their citizenship, friendliness, and their government that takes care of them from cradle to grave. Maybe someday the USA will be such a wonderful place.
October 17, 2008 | Field Reports >
Wells, Historic & Heritage Sites
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I was in Quesnal and had noticed all kinds of historic buildings along the road up from Williams Lake so I asked a local where I could go to learn more about the Gold Rush era that swept through the area in the 1890's. She suggested I take a trip to Barkerville, about an hour's drive away, and check out the town. Wow, it was incredible! It was like stepping back in time! The town is the same as it was back in the Gold Rush days, complete with cafes, hotels and the blacksmith. The experience is magnified by the fact that the cafes/shops/school are run by people straight out of the pages of history. They are in period dress and act the part as well! The show at the Royal Theatre is not to be missed either. A trip to Barkerville would definitely be a highlight to anyone's trip in the area!
October 16, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
My best friend and I are planning a vacation to Vancouver, Canada in late February 2009. Neither one of us have ever been there and would love some advice and tips on what to see. It looks like a beautiful place to visit. We will be there for about 8 days and want to make the most of it. We also know they do alot of tv and movie filming in Canada. One of our favorite shows is Supernatural. I don't know if there are any tips on how to visit a shooting site or not, but if anyone has any suggetions, we would appreciate them.
October 16, 2008 | Podcasts >
Parksville, Sightseeing Tours
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For all the sights, events, and activities in Parksville and Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island this Fall, have a listen to this Podcast. Learn about wildlife watching, hiking, farmer's markets, art exhibits, and seasonal special offers.
October 16, 2008 | Field Reports >
North Vancouver, Kayaking & Canoeing
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I checked out the cozy North Shore village of Deep Cove, jumped into a kayak and ventured into the narrow fjord of Indian Arm in the heart of the Coast Mountain Range! What a beautiful place and it is so close to downtown Vancouver!
October 15, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Port Alberni, Accommodation
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We stayed at duffin cove resort, we were in the cabin right on the ocean there was one other cabin next to us. which happen to be empty at the time so we were down the side of a slope on the beach very quiet ocean waves slaping the rocks not 20 feet from our deck. We payed 169.00 a night. we had a kitchen, fire place and close to all stores and shops. It was nice for us, we like the simi roughing it feel that it provided for us. Cabin very homey inside. pics provided
October 15, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Parksville, Accommodation
I recently stayed at the new Beach Club Resort in Parksville and was very impressed. There are a lot of accommodation properties in the area that are really going downhill, so it was wonderful to finally walk into a beautiful guest room with the best ocean view in the area, as the hotel is right on the Parksville beach.
Having travelled all over Vancouver Island and BC, I'm pretty picky about my hotel choices and The Beach Club didn't disappoint. The rooms are large, nicely appointed and have balcony with chairs so you can sit outside and enjoy the view.
I also tried out the Pacific Prime restaurant and had a delicious steak and to die for yam fries. There is also a spa onsite that I will have to try out on my next visit.
The room price is very competative for nice hotels in the area, and this one (unlike some of the other so-called resorts nearby) is worth every penny. I also found their website very helpful in getting directions and ideas for things to do in the area - www.beachclubbc.com.
I'll definetly return again, and am planning on coming back to stay at the Beach Club for Canada Day, as it will be the best view in the area of the beachfront fireworks display.
October 15, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Hiking
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This weekend my wife and I challenged ourselves to the Mt Finlayson trail in Goldstream Provincial Park. Caution: ditch the runners and don the hiking boots; this trail is not for the unprepared…think steep, think loose gravel, think rock face. What starts as an unforgiving vertical pathway under a rainforest canopy quickly morphs into slabs of rock where you find yourself on all fours trying to navigate your way to the summit. But alas, it’s all worth it as the panoramas of Victoria, the Olympic Mountains and surrounding waters come into view.
About half way down, we were both in desperate need of a reward so we took a side trail to Bear Mountain Resort where we found the new café, Mountain Bean Coffee. Wow, this place is over the top: leather chairs, stone fireplace, post-and-beam construction, naughty specialty coffees like Sticky Bun Latte and home brews like the Griz.
Bonus: it is peak salmon spawning season in Goldstream Creek – viewing from the bridge near the parking lot is excellent.
Goldstream Provincial Park is located approximately 20 minutes outside of downtown Victoria via Hwy 1.
October 14, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Sun Peaks Resort, Skiing & Snowboarding
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The white stuff is beginning to fly at
Sun Peaks as reported by our contacts on the hill today! Time to start doing leg lunges in preparation for another great BC ski season. I hadn't skiied for a number of years following an injury at Whistler Blackcomb, until the fine folks at Tourism Sun Peaks insisted I strap up and head down the hill a beautiful spring day early in 2008. I instantly remembered how wonderful the feeling of whipping down the hill, breeze in hair and all that stuff was. Now I am hooked again! Sun Peaks has lots of varied terrain to offer, and a fair amount of non-ski related activities too, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, apres-ski, tonnes of events...and spa.