Trip to Canada May 2023 - YouLookFab Forum

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Trip to Canada May 2023

Jenni NZ

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Hi to the West Coast Canadians and anyone else with advice! I may have mentioned that my husband’s brother married a Canadian and they have lived in Saskatchewan for over 33 years together. We went to the wedding May 1989 after a Brewster’s tour from Vancouver to Calgary through the Rockies. Now their 28 y old second son is marrying in early June next year, also in Saskatoon. Bride is Hindu so there will also be the tumeric celebration a few days before ( Haldi?). We have so far just booked air tickets to and from Vancouver, not yet the internal flights. We have 13 nights in Canada. Wondering about leaving Saskatoon a couple of days after the wedding and having maybe 4 nights in Pacific Northwest area. Have done parts of Vancouver in 2 past trips as in Gastown, Stanley Park, Granville (?) Island, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain. Also in 1989 did ferry trip to Victoria, Butchart Gardens, Victoria Parliament Buildings. And in 1989 also a few hours in Seattle- Space Needle and Pike Place markets- before Greyhound bus trip to Vancouver, because the then flights were into Seattle from New York and out of it to LA, coming back from London.
Sorry for any spelling errors in this post. My question is, any interesting things to do from a Vancouver base that doesn’t duplicate past trips too much? Ferries down across the US border rather than bus?? Into Puget Sound? Could include with a trip to Vancouver Island to see different things from last time??- though I did love the Gardens.
Plenty of time to plan, any ideas appreciated. Cheers Jenni

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18 replies

Latest reply was from Jules

Sal

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How exciting Jenni!!

It's been a long time since we went to that part of the world. We had a fun few days in Vancouver, a few days on Vancouver Island, and then a ferry to Seattle and train on to Portland where we had an extended stay with family.

We had a great trip.

Irina

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How about visiting Toronto?
I’m joking, Jenni NZ, glad you will have an exciting trip next year!

Helena

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Can't be much help as I haven't been there in many years, but doing lunch at Whistler (mountains) might be something to add. I'm sure Suz and others will have some great suggestions! Enjoy the planning! Agree with Irina, if you come to Toronto next time I'll help you get sorted

Jenni NZ

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Thanks Irina and Helena, Toronto is a bridge too far for this 2-week trip, it might need to wait for retirement, would love an East Coast trip for fall colours one day. I have been through the Toronto airport in 2002 is all

Suz

(website)

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You could come to the Island and visit me.

How exciting to have this trip coming up, Jenni! I think you will find the urban areas vastly changed in some (perhaps many) ways...though of course the mountains and the seascape remain recognizable.

You did a lot on your previous trips! Wow!

I will think on this a little bit and come back here. Helena's suggestion of Whistler is a good one; there's a beautiful drive up the coast. You could also consider some time in the Gulf Islands...all accessible by ferry and all lovely.

Have you been to Tofino on Vancouver Island's west coast? It is very expensive now, alas, especially in high season. But it's pretty spectacular. It would also be very worthwhile to visit some old growth forest. There is a popular spot on the way to Tofino called Cathedral Grove. But there are also small stands of old growth trees scattered all over the Island, some right in my neighbourhood.

It really depends a bit on what interests you. Both Vancouver and Victoria are huge foodie meccas now -- lots of great food to be had. The gardens in both cities are spectacular, as you know. Vancouver has more nightlife. And also its sad, sad underside. Ditto for Victoria, actually -- we have many unhoused and desperate and/or mentally ill people here and a big problem with toxic drug supply. So you will see evidence of that in both places.

Early June should be warm (even hot) in Saskatchewan. But the weather on the coast can be iffy. May is usually a gorgeous, glorious month (though this past May was AWFUL) but they don't call June "Juneuary" for nothing in these parts -- it can be cooler, foggy, rainy or at least cloudy. However, there are usually beautiful flowers, at minimum! And you may get lucky with the weather. Just be prepared for a bit of drizzle. Something to think about in wardrobe planning.

Jenni NZ

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Thanks so much Suz! I have been researching quite a lot since writing this post. We decided it is too rude to the family to leave Saskatoon any sooner than the Tuesday after the Saturday wedding, and so we probably will only get 3 nights Tues/Wed/Thurs in the PNW, as we fly back to NZ on Friday evening- because of the date line that is the only day we can get back before Monday- the flight brings us into Auckland Sunday morning.
I'm wondering if we should fly therefore direct from Saskatoon to Victoria, and stay 2 nights in Victoria, perhaps doing a whale watching and a scenic flight on that day in between? Then catch the ferry over to Vancouver and stay in an airport hotel the last night, where they would hopefully store our luggage for the time in-between hotel check-out and late afternoon airline check-in (flight home is around 8 pm). We have no need to stay in the Vancouver downtown area. We have been there twice and central cities don't do a great deal for us. The airport hotel I am considering is near the Skytrain or whatever it is called anyway.
I am reluctantly giving up on Puget Sound and hoping that a scenic flight around the waters near there would be just as good, because we think one night in Seattle seems silly. I would need longer to do it all properly and this is a compromise where the family events are the main things, but just a teensy extra bit will soften the fact that we are going all the way to North America and mostly being in Saskatoon. Our second daughter is planning to leave a few days before us and fly to Calgary after Vancouver, and base herself there to do some touring to Banff, before continuing to Saskatoon. Because we did the Rockies before we are not doing that. We can only get 2 weeks away.
It helps to get thoughts from a local even if I may not have time to see you- unless you want to join whale watching?!

Jules

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It’s so lovely that you are attending the wedding from so far away. I’m sure it means the world to them! And I do understand about Saskatoon not being a travel destination. I don’t know the area well enough to provide any advice but I hope you enjoy the wedding and the vacation days very much.

Angie

(website)

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How lovely! Another joyful occasion to look forward to. We need LOTS of those.

You will be very close to Seattle - as you know. I will wave when you're in the PNW!

Suz

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Jenni, yes -- that sounds like a nice compromise -- you will get some seaside time and some family time. Whale watching is fun! I've actually never done it on the Pacific coast; I have done all mine on the Atlantic side. It's pricey here but I expect it is worth it.

The scenic flights could also be lovely. I have not done them but I'm sure it would give you a beautiful overview, so to speak.

You'll be busy with family in Saskatoon but I also want to speak up in defence of that town. It's actually a super interesting place with a vibrant arts culture. The new art museum is fantastic -- if you get a chance you should go there. There is a lovely walk in the area as well. Some fun restaurants and bars. More going on than meets the eye and by that time of year the weather is bearable!

If you have time for a visit, that would be great, but if not, I understand. Family is the most important priority this trip!

Truth be told, I don't even know if I will be around then myself -- it's possible Mr. Suz and I will be away ourselves at that time. But let's stay in touch just in case.

L'Abeille

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Don't write off Saskatchewan completely. I don't know much, but: my daughter and son-in-law work for Parks Canada in the summers. This year they are not going back to Newfoundland, but are contemplating going to one of the 2 national parks in Saskatchewan. His family has a summer home there and from pictures I have seen, it is all lakes and beaches. Might make for a family day trip at least, if you are there in summer weather, and they want to show off their province?

Jenni NZ

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Thank you L’Abeille- they have mentioned the many lakes before and on my two previous visits to Saskatoon the river is very nice as well. They don’t have a holiday home but they did used to visit a lake called Waskesiu or something like that. I wasn’t intending to write Saskatchewan off, just that a little something else for ourselves on a rare time off, especially these last years since 2020, would be pleasant.

Janet

(website)

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Oh! That sounds wonderful! My experience with that area is limited and not terribly current (although we did drive from Seattle through Vancouver to the Canadian Rockies/Banff almost 20 years ago on our honeymoon!).

I did really love the San Juan Islands when I visited the PNW a few years ago. I’m not sure what it would take to ferry to San Juan and Orcas on your itinerary, but they are lovely destinations to visit.

Jenni NZ

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Thank you Janet I will at least look them up. You are all awesome for ideas. Half the fun is in planning and dreaming I think?!
That sounds like an awesome honeymoon trip you had.

Gaylene

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OK, I’ll put in my two cents on suggesting you spend a couple of days in Victoria NOT doing the regular tourist stuff of whale watching and Butchart Garden tours. Victoria is a lovely city and still quite safe despite some of sad underside alluded to by Suz which affects many cities these days. My Victoria-As-A-Local in June would go something like this:

Skip the Empress and bigger hotels for a stay in the smaller boutique Magnolia or a B&B like Abigails’s if you want a downtown location. Grab your walking shoes and head across the Bridge to Vic West to walk along the Songhees admiring the views, boats, ferries, and seaplanes. Stop at Spinnackers (oldest brewpub in Canada) for lunch or grab a coffee and sit outside at Boom and Batten. Walk up the Gorge to the old trestle bridge and check out the activity along the way. Rent a bike if you want to explore a bit further down the Galloping Goose bike trail (a designated bike/walking trail which links half a dozen of the small municipalities which make up the Greater Victoria Region) or rent a kayak at Selkirk Landing if paddling the Gorge waterway intrigues you. If you are just a bit weary from all that walking, hop on one of the small green Harbour ferries (called “pickle” boats by the locals) to see the Harbour from the waterside; the mini ferries will drop you off at several points—or you can just use them to tour around the Harbour and ogle the float homes at Fisherman’s Wharf and the pricey yachts at the International marina. If none of that appeals, walk through the downtown to Chinatown (one of the oldest in Canada)—or head over to Cook Street Village and Dallas road to walk along the ocean and see the ships and ferries plying their way through the Juan de Fuca passage.

If gardens are more to your liking, grab a bus and head over to Oak Bay Avenue. Walk up to Government House to tour the fantastic (free!) gardens and learn a bit about the history of the area. If you decide an English tea needs to be part of your Victoria experience, skip the touristy Empress for tea in the heritage house at Abkhazi Garden where you will hear about the love story of the Prince and Princess (NOT named Harry and Meaghan!). Walk down Oak Bay Avenue and check out the shops. Oak Bay used to be known as The Tweed Curtain because it was deemed to be more English than England. It’s still the posh part of Victoria with huge houses, beautiful gardens, and well-dressed seniors. Walk down to the promenade at Willows Beach, the Marina, and the Oak Bay Beach Hotel for a good dose of Britain. By the way, the Oak Bay Beach Hotel is good place to stay if you’d like to keep away from the more touristy Inner Harbour.

If you’ve seen all this, then maybe consider renting a car for a day and heading north to the ferries to take a day trip over to one of the Gulf Islands like Salt Spring, or spend a day hanging out in the small town of Sydney-By-the-Sea and the Deep Cove area (that’s where that other Royal couple hung out for a couple of months when they left the UK!). Or head west to the West Shore communities: Metchosin, Colwood, Sooke with their ocean beaches and scenic vistas—and some pretty good eating places.

Oh, and don’t forget to leave time for food and drink. Did you know the Greater Victoria Region has more eating establishments per capita than anywhere else in Canada—we take eating very seriously around here, so you are never far from sustenance—and most locals love to direct you to their favourite spots. If you decide to spend your couple of days here, let me what you like and where you are staying and I’m sure Suz and I can give you a list of “where to eat” spots.

Suz

(website)

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LOL, I love Gaylene's suggestions. That is basically what I would do if I were here. But I would not miss a visit to Munro's books on Government street for great Canadian literature, much of it by locals! We have a thriving literary scene.

Truly, what Gaylene describes would be more my own speed, too -- you get to know a town this way.

Try Agrius for locovore food. Not cheap but so good for small plates.

Jenni NZ

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Thank you Gaylene! And Suz, again. I will pore over some maps! I did see the Oak Bay Hotel in my trawls around TripAdvisor and had already decided against the Fairmont Empress- too many “terribles” in the reviews and also too expensive considering exchange rate as well. Luxury that disappoints is always worse to me than slightly more modest accommodation.

Jenni NZ

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Hi Suz and Gaylene thought I would let you know I have booked 2 nights in the Magnolia hotel, flight in from Saskatoon to Victoria via Vancouver airport ( 2 flights, short transit) and then bus/ferry/bus from Victoria to Vancouver airport when we leave the island. Will spend our final night at a Vancouver airport hotel, probably the Radisson in case we feel like catching the train into downtown Vancouver for our last evening in Canada.
I will probably do Gaylene’s planned day!
Getting excited!

Jules

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Sounds lovely!