scilly

IMHO ...... Rocky Mountaineer is a tourist thing to do, and terribly expensive.

You're thinking of several thousand dollars for 2 people for the 2 day trip from Vancouver to Banff, PLUS hotel in Kamloops PLUS either paying for one of their events that evening or for dinner on your own. You're also just looking, not exploring anywhere that looks as if it might be interesting

We did this trip back in 2003 when they ran 2 trips in winter, I think that is the first and only time they've done that. It was quite fun, we saw some parts of south-eastern BC that you don't get to by road, but I honestly and truly felt that the approx $850 each that we spent was a good price ......... and that was half the cost of the then summer price for the trip.


Matt ............. If you want to do a good job of seeing the Rockies and Wells Gray Park, I honestly and truly would think of NOT going to Vancouver Island.

You're going to be doing a lot of driving, and rushing around, and be exhausted when you get back home.

Don't forget that you will have at least some jet lag on arriving in Canada and when you get back to UK.



Tourism season basically in western Canada and the Rockies seems to be from end of May to end of September/October ............. older couples and people without children in the earlier and later periods, families with children from end of June to Labour Day (first Monday in September). Peak fares and hotel rates tend to be from end of June to about beginning or middle of September. Your buses for foreign tourists are a constant from May through until late September.


Weather in Vancouver is impossible to forecast for the long distance. This year it rained almost constantly from March to June 20th (before that it was freezing and snow on the ground). Then we had no rain at all until near the end of August (a few drops), and high temperatures through until last week

Usually ...... it can be rainy in June

All who live here have wet weather gear for every season!

Siouxie

You might find this trip planner of use - https://trips.furkot.com/

scilly

I think one more thing needs to be said ......

..... people have been suggesting that you rent an RV for your trip.

You should be aware that National and Provincial Parks in the Rockies and in BC all now require advanced reservations for sites, and booking for those opens in February or March. Some sites are left "open" for non-registered visitors, but they soon go.

It is no longer a matter of turning up at one of the National or Provincial Park around 4 pm and having a choice of sites.

That means the choice is either Forestry sites, which are lovely but have few services on them, or private campgrounds who usually charge more than the Parks, but do usually have showers and flush toilets, and maybe a small shop, although the "ambience" is very different.

Aviator

Forget the RV! Pain in the arse. You have to go shopping for groceries, as scilly stated you need to find a campground every night. Shopping may be limited to Walmart, who seem to welcome RVers to part in their lot. Drives a car, stay in nice hotels and eat in restaurants, much more civilized.

hh619

Hi all,

Apologies for the late reply, i haven't been on here much as of late due to personal circumstances.

We've now booked 10 days in Vancouver! We are going to stay at L'Hermitage and are planning various day trips. In the end we thought that the road trip might be too exhausting for a Honeymoon! We are planning on doing one, but that might be on the cards for 2019 instead!

Has anyone stayed at the L'Hermitage? We are trying to cram in as much as possible in and around Vancouver. So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

So far:

- Whistler. I think this can be done in 1 day? If not, we will go back for a second visit.
- Chilliwack
- Possibly Victoria?
- Whale Watching.

Aviator

• Britannia Mines/Squamish/Whislter - Long one day.
• Float plane CYHC to CYWH (Victoria) - Long one day.
• Fort Langley - Half day
• Steveston harbour/cannery and whale watching - Full day
• Grouse mountain - Dinner at the Observatory. A reservation get you a free gondola ride to the top. You can also hike up if you feel fit enough. The ride down is free. Full or half day. Afternoon/Evening the best.
• Abbotsford (CYXX), scenic flight around the Fraser Valley, can also be done from Boundary Bay. Half day, could do with Fort Langley.
• Downtown/Gastown/beaches/Stanley Park. - Full or part days
• Capilano Suspension Bridge (pay) - Half day
• Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge (free) -Half day. Sea Bus from downtown and transit the LC.
• Find the 9 o clock gun, get the wife to pose for a photo of the harbour by the gun at 8.58. Never fails to surprise! - Sleep on the couch that night
• Harbour dinner cruise to Indian Arm - Evening
• Golden Ears Provincial Park (not on the weekend) - Full day
• Pinecone Burke Prov. Park - Full day

Danny B

What you gonna do in Chilliwack? Ain't nothing there but farms and a strong stench of manure

hh619

Thanks Aviator.

Think these looks like good choices! I will research them a little more.

• Britannia Mines/Squamish/Whislter
• Float plane CYHC to CYWH (Victoria) - Depends if the Fiancee can cope with the heights, i'd enjoy it!
• Fort Langley - Half day
• Steveston harbour/cannery and whale watching
• Grouse mountain - Sounds like a good day out, might even try the hike..
• Downtown/Gastown/beaches/Stanley Park. - Full or part days
• Harbour dinner cruise to Indian Arm - Evening
• Golden Ears Provincial Park (not on the weekend) - Full day
• Pinecone Burke Prov. Park - Full day

• Find the 9 o clock gun, get the wife to pose for a photo of the harbour by the gun at 8.58. Never fails to surprise! - Sleep on the couch that night

LOL had to google this! that would be hilarious - but not a risk i'm willing to take :P

HAHA what the hell is that pic!! If the locals look like that i think we might avoid :P



It was originally suggested by MiniB, does look scenic! *I'll do more research*

Aviator

Cultus Lake
Chilliwack Lake
Elk Falls
Bridal Falls
Harrison Hot Springs
Harrison Mills/Rowenas Inn on the River

Although on a first trip to BC, Chilliwack is not the obvious tourist destination.

Aviator

I thought it humorous, OH was not so impressed!

Oink

On a sunny and calm day, rent a speed boat for half a day, get a picnic and explore the Howe Sound area. Sewell's marina has lots of small boats with the added advantage that you don't have to slog your way across English Bay.

hh619

Now that sounds fun! We both love boats so will definitely look into that thanks

hh619

LOL you didn't actually do it did you?

MiniB

Taking note of the gun for future, looks worth the risk!

Chilliwack go some driving under my belt and broke-up our journey. Was nice to stay in the park and go adventuring, apart from that there's a good breakfast diner in town!

Lychee

Tofino is well worth it and not nearly as far as others are making you believe it is. From Nanaimo on Vancouver Island's eastern coast, you can drive there in 3 hours. You can stop at Goats on the Roof market (silly touristy market but nice nonetheless) along the way or Cathedral Grove (ancient Douglas firs, some of the biggest in BC) as a break, which will add a bit of time, but not much. The ferry journey to Nanaimo from West Vancouver's Horseshoe Bay takes 2 hours. That's a pleasant, leisurely boat ride, a part of the journey. Once in Tofino, you'll want at the very minimum three nights there. It's very romantic and enchanting. Consider staying somewhere like Ocean Village Resort, Long Beach Lodge Resort, or Ucluelet's Blackrock Resort. Eat at Tacofino and Wolf in the Fog. Grab a pint at Tofino Brewing Co. Pacific Rim National Park is a place I can easily spend a week in.