Posts Tagged ‘Vancouver Island’

The Deal of a Lifetime

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Are you looking to escape the dreary weather of your home town, but still bogged down with the dreaded post Christmas debt? Then what better way to get refreshed than with an amazing deal to a British Columbia Bed and Breakfast for a weekend. There are many BC Innkeepers Guild Members who are offering specials and packages to entice the travelling spirits.

Port Moody at Sunset

Set on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, Sooke is a wonderful spot to re-energize your battery and start the new year off on a positive note. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, lush green forests, and with plenty of trails and nature to explore, it is one of B.C.’s best kept secrets. And the Ocean Wilderness Inn is a fantastic spot to take it all in. Located along the beach of the Pacific Ocean, and just 15 minutes north of Sooke, the Ocean Wilderness Inn provides its guests with a quiet, relaxing vacation spot where your only neighbours will be eagles, deer, and the rest of the wildlife. If you book your BC getaway from now until April, you will receive 20% off your stay.

Right across the Straight of Georgia, discover your dream vacation at the Mainstay Oasis Bed & Breakfast. Nestled in the coastal town of Port Moody, and conveniently located on the stunning waterfront, Mainstay Oasis B&B provides its guests with a luxurious vacation spot year round. With each room offering a spacious ensuite, luxury linens, and an expansive view, it is no wonder it is one of the lower mainland’s top bed and breakfasts. And better yet, book your romantic vacation today and you will get 2 nights for only $200.

Other great Bed & Breakfasts which are currently offering winter packages include Reef Point Oceanfront in Ucluelet, Courthouse Inn in Revelstoke, Villa Marco Polo in Victoria, and the Chemanius Tudor Inn Bed & Breakfast in Chemanius.

So don’t sit around waiting for summer to arrive, book your vacation today and visit one of the many fascinating British Columbia Bed and Breakfasts.

 

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in BC Travel, British Columbia Bed & Breakfasts | No Comments »

Swooning Over Sooke

Monday, October 31st, 2011
Driftwood View

The view from French Beach Provincial Park, in Sooke.

Sooke sits on the south western tip of Vancouver Island, nestled between the Strait of Juan de Fuca and temperate rain forests. It is stunningly picturesque, with the Olympic Mountains of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula looming to the south, and a sea of green flowing from the north.

Like many spots in British Columbia, Sooke is the kind of place that’s hard to leave. Indeed, more than one guest of Sooke, British Columbia, Bed and Breakfasts has refused to leave without making plans to return. There is simply too much to do and too much to see around Sooke. Admiring the view can fill an entire afternoon.

Outdoor recreation thrives in and around Sooke. Scuba diving, fishing, boating, hiking, biking, and beach combing can be enjoyed year round. Trails lead hikers through East Sooke Regional Park, cyclists stretch out on the Galloping Goose Trail, and picnickers soak up the sun and enjoy the view at French Beach Park.

Numerous restaurants feed hungry travelers, and art galleries. museums and shops offer hours of entertainment. Comfortable British Columbia Bed and Breakfasts encourage lengthy visits. Give in, and let yourself swoon over Sooke.

Sooke is less than 40 kilometers west of Victoria. It is accessible by road, water, or the Galloping Goose Trail.

 

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Vancouver Island | No Comments »

Travel the Island Highway

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Vancouver Island’s Highway 19, more commonly called the Island Highway, hugs  the Strait of Georgia from Nanaimo to Port Hardy. It is one of the prettiest routes in BC, offering expansive views of the Coast Range on the mainland, the Strait of Georgia, and the mountains of Vancouver Island.

The farther north one travels, the quieter and more remote Vancouver Island becomes. It’s hard to feel hurried when the scenery begs one to simply sit and look.

Travel the Island Highway slowly. Make frequent stops. Sleep in some of the many Vancouver Island Bed and Breakfasts located along the Island Highway. Take time to walk along a beach or paddle a stretch of shoreline. Browse through the art galleries and museums of Nanaimo. Bike through Comox Valley. Hike around Mount Washington. Look for whales and grizzlies.

Take in the beauty of your surroundings.

There’s a reason there are many Vancouver Island BC Bed and Breakfasts along the Island Highway. The east coast of the island is, quite simply, a marvelous place. Come see for yourself.

 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Vancouver Island | No Comments »

20,000 Grey Whales

Thursday, March 24th, 2011

It’s true; over 20,000 grey whales are heading north.  Why, you ask?  Well, obviously because they want to participate in the 25th Annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival taking place on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island from Ucluelet to Tofino, and all of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.  To tell the truth, the grey whales are on their way to Alaska’s Bering Strait and beyond in an annual  migration that has taken place for many, many years.  The festival is newer and a bit shorter and runs from March 19th to 27th.  It is an all out celebration of our coastal lives.  There will be lots of educational material about the grey whales and marine life in general as well as inspirational talks and stunningly beautiful walks.  The festival promises lots of children’s fun and plenty of culinary events for the big folks.  First Nations offer cultural workshops and much more for those who want to experience coastal tradition.  Video enthusiasts can participate in an inspirational, whale inspired, short video contest (check the website for details) with a $500.00 prize!

Allow yourself some quiet time to enjoy a beach walk and to explore the lush coastal rainforest.  Hiking trails are everywhere and range from “couch potato” easy to extremely challenging.  The Pacific Rim boasts some of the province’s finest  BC Bed & Breakfast accommodations, restaurants, and art galleries.

The drive from Port Alberni to the Pacific Rim is a bit windy, but very beautiful too.  Take your time and allow for plenty of stops along the way so the driver can enjoy the stunning scenery guaranteed to mesmerize the entire family.  Of course, the kids will be asking the age old question: “Are we there yet????”  For those not into driving, there is both air and bus service available.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Vancouver Island | No Comments »

Spring Break B.C. Style

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Ah, its that time of year again when the student population gets a week long reprieve from school and a bit of vacation, and parents go nuts thinking of fun things for the family to do.  We’ve muddled through January and February and are a bit winter weary, yet the ski slopes beckon and the days are getting longer every day!  If you’ve looked at heading for Florida or Honolulu but just can’t see spending all that money on air fares and don’t want the hassle of security checks and long lines for a one week getaway, why not be a tourist right here in B.C.?  There is fantastic skiing throughout the province; wonderful attractions everywhere you go; world class dining from Courtenay to Cranbrook, Vancouver Island to Prince George.  Why not be a tourist in your own town or another part of BC?

Here we live in the most beautiful place on earth so let’s explore it before the summer tourist season and the crowds arrive.

Downtown Vancouver and the local mountains

BC Ferries offers Coast Saver fare rates during spring break, so visit Victoria, the seat of our provincial government, and see where the politicians decide how best to pick your pocket.  While you’re there take in a 3D Imax movie, visit Miniature World or the Royal BC Museum.  If Vancouver is the place for you, take the family to Science World for a day of wonder and great memories or visit the aquarium and explore Stanley Park.  Visit Vancouver Island or Nelson, the wine region in the Okanagan or Hope and the Othello Tunnels, explore the Fraser Valley or the many lakes in the Kootenays, or go cross-country skiing in the Cariboo and the North.  There are so many fascinating places right in our backyard!

To make certain the family is comfortable and gets a healthy breakfast you’ll want to book a great Bed & Breakfast in BC.  When you make your reservations with one or more of BC’s Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers Guild members, you can ‘Rest Assured’ your comfort is our first priority, plus we’ll be able to share with you all the great places to go and things to do right in our neighbourhood!

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in BC Travel, British Columbia Bed & Breakfasts | No Comments »

Three Guild Members Profiled

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

Destinations Travel Magazine is featuring three BC Innkeepers Guild members in its October edition:  Miracle Beach Inn B&B, Two Eagles Lodge B&B and Belle Vue B&B, each located in the lovely Comox Valley on Vancouver Island and offering unique and beautiful accommodations. Miracle Beach Inn B&B, a brand new member of the Guild, is family friendly and boasts a country setting with swimming pool, tennis court and even a Plains Indian teepee.  It is one of the few B&Bs with covered areas for smokers.  Two Eagles Lodge B&B, also family friendly, is just four years old and offers a stunning panoramic view from Fanny Bay to Denman Island and beyond.  Belle Vue B&B caters to adults, is beachfront and looks directly out on the Salish Sea (Strait of Georgia) and across to the coastal mountains.

Destinations Travel Magazine is an online publication with a reader base of approximately 1/2 million domestic and international travel consumers.  Besides the magazine, Destinations uses a blog and a  Social Media Network, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Hubpages,  and many eZine websites.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in British Columbia Bed & Breakfasts | No Comments »

Kiwi Cove Lodge featured

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

British Columbia Magazine is featuring the BC Innkeepers Guild’s own Kiwi Cove Lodge on the cover of  its fall issue and as part of a story on Vancouver Island’s exotic agriculture. ” Six varieties of Kiwi are grown at Kiwi Cove Lodge and the Agruta type are truly sensational” say hosts Peggy and Doug Kolosoff.  The Annual Kiwi Open House event is scheduled for Sunday, October 17 from 11AM to 4PM.  Everyone is welcome.

British Columbia Magazine is the premier geographic and travel magazine of British Columbia.  As it has for 50 years, it continues to  inform, entertain, surprise, and inspire a worldwide audience with award-winning profiles of Canada’s westernmost province. In quarterly issues it showcases the highest-quality photography alongside in-depth articles on British Columbia’s amazing diversity of people, places, animals and things.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in BC Travel | No Comments »

Music at Milner Gardens— perfection just got better

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Milner Gardens is on the east coast of Vancouver Island between the communities of Parksville and Qualicum Beach.  It is considered one of Canada’s 10 best public gardens by Canadian Geographic Travel.  Its blooms are legendary and now there is an expansion of its summer “Jazz in the Garden” to “Music in the Garden”, adding a second performance of classical music the day before Jazz.  Saturday and Sunday, August 14 and 15, are the big days for getting both your eyes and ears dazzled. (more…)

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Vancouver Island | No Comments »

Spring Skiing at Vancouver Island’s Mt. Washington

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

It’s official— the ski season on Vancouver Island will continue until April 24 due to deep snow and high demand.  Mt. Washington will be open daily through April 11.  The lifts will operate again April 17 and 18 and then again for the big season finale on April 24 and 25.

There is currently a mid-mountain base of over 500 cm!  Ski enthusiasts rave about the deep snow and unbelieveable views from the slopes to the Georgia Strait below.  Vancouver Island Bed & Breakfast members of the BC Innkeepers Guild from Nanaimo, the Comox Valley and Campbell River are at your service for information and wonderful apre-ski accommodations

Mt. Washington is located about half way up Vancouver Island.  It is just over an hour’s drive from Nanaimo and less than 30 minutes from Campbell River and the Comox Valley.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Vancouver Island | No Comments »

Olympic Teams Train at Mt. Washington

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
 

Mt. Washington powder with a Georgia Strait view.

Mt. Washington Ski Resort, located in the Comox Valley of Vancouver Island, is hosting Olympic teams from an estimated 26 countries, all in training for the upcoming Vancouver Olympics and Paralympic Games.  Teams from China, the U.S.A., Sweden, Germany, France and our own Canada are just a few of those you may see on the slopes now and into March.   Conditions are ideal and similar to Whistler, with Mt.Washington boasting a snow base of over 340 cm.  Courtenay and nearby Campbell River B&Bs offer great accommodation for those wanting to see the athletes train or perhaps share a lift with an Olympian.  It’s only a 30-40 minutes drive from the Comox Valley to the ski slopes.  Imagine an exciting day on Mt. Washington, a great dinner by the sea, an evening’s entertainment and then a perfect sleep in an “Oh so comfortable” BC Innkeepers B&B.  In the morning enjoy a relaxed breakfast and you’ll be ready for another day’s adventures.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Vancouver Olympics | No Comments »