Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Canada – Vancouver – Lund – Parksville – Tofino – Victoria
100% customisable for you
Your Canadian adventure begins today, so head to the airport, breeze through security and board your direct ten-hour flight to Vancouver. Settle into your seats, get stuck into your holiday read and catch some Z’s if you can.
When you touch down, you’ll be met at the airport and whisked away by private transfer to Downtown Vancouver, where you’ll check in for a two-night stay.
After a day of travel, we’ve left the rest of today deliberately low-key. Depending on your arrival time, venture out for a first taste of the city – perhaps a laidback dinner with a local craft beer – or simply head straight to bed for an early night. However you spend it, consider this a soft landing before the fun properly begins tomorrow.
Start the day the Canadian way with a breakfast of waffles drenched in maple syrup before setting out into Vancouver. The best way to explore? By bike, of course. After collecting your rental bike, hop on and head out to see where the day takes you.
Begin with a ride through Stanley Park, a 110-acre green space right on the city’s edge. Pedal along well-marked trails, framed with seasonal leaves and native wildlife and teeming with locals getting in their daily dose of exercise. Got the hang of things and feeling like a true Vancouverite? Cycle along the city streets, weaving through lively neighbourhoods and admiring the indie shops the city has to offer.
With all that pedalling, you’re bound to have worked up an appetite, so pop into a café for an eggnog or Canadian butter tart – you deserve it.
Fancy learning more about Vancouver? We can also organise a private guided tour to take you around the city’s highlights.
Pick up your hire car this morning and hit the open road to Lund, around four-and-a-half hours away. Tune into our destination-specific playlist and let the coastal landscapes and distant peaks set the mood as you head north.
Once in Lund, you’ll board not one, but two ferries, driving your car straight onto the boats as you cross the waters that carve through the Sunshine Coast. Eventually, you’ll arrive at your final destination, nestled into the coastal forest and part of the Desolation Sound Marine Park.
Settle into your lodge, your home for the next three nights, and take a moment to soak in its wild surroundings. After a long day behind the wheel, the rest of the day is yours – perhaps light the fire, cosy up with a hot chocolate and let the sounds of the forest and sea lull you to sleep.
In true Canadian fashion, rise bright and early this morning and fuel up with another delicious breakfast. Today is one of those bucket-list moments – you're heading out to see the region’s world-famous grizzly bears in their natural habitat, on the edge of the Great Bear Rainforest.
The adventure begins with an hour-long boat ride, cruising through the calm waters of Desolation Sound. Keep your camera close to take some snaps of the waterfalls tumbling down the surrounding cliffs (this is prime holiday album material).
Back on land, head up to the observation platforms overlooking the river. Designed to keep things intimate, these spots allow you to watch the grizzly bears undisturbed as they go about their day, so watch as they roam the riverbanks and stop to catch lunch, swiping salmon straight from the water.
Later, return to Lund and head out for another hearty dinner to round off your day.
Just not over what you saw yesterday? Well, today you’re in for a treat – you're headed back to the same wild playground for another grizzly bear watching adventure, where you’ll learn that no two trips are ever the same. As you watch from the observation decks, you might spot cubs playfully learning the ropes of riverbank life or watch two males vying for their favourite fishing spot.
Still raring to go? There’s no shortage of ways to enjoy this incredible region. Set off on a guided walk in the heart of an ancient red cedar forest, take to the sea on a kayak in search of dolphins and whales or test your balance on a paddleboard. If you’re seeking an extra adrenaline hit, embark on a helicopter flight above the coast, or, for a more laid-back afternoon, explore an indigenous arts gallery and learn about ancestral legends and local traditions.
Buckle in for another scenic day of travel. First, drive back onto the boat for the short journey back to mainland Lund, then hop aboard another from Powell River to Comox, located on the north coast of Vancouver Island.
Disembark in Comox and drive along the coast towards Parksville, winding down the windows and admiring views of rolling vineyards and farmers' markets along the way. All in all, it’ll take around three hours to get from Lund to Parksville, including the ferry crossing and driving time.
When you arrive, check into your home for the night, a charming hotel with views of the Salish Sea. If you’re not too tired from the journey, just a few minutes by car from Parksville lies Rathrevor Beach Provincial Park, a beach that’s a favourite with the locals. Bring a picnic and settle down on the sand or take a stroll along the shore to breathe in the fresh ocean air before hitting the road again tomorrow.
Today you’re headed to Tofino, a two-and-a-half-hour journey from the east coast to the west coast of Vancouver Island. Along the way, make a pitstop at MacMillan Provincial Park, home to the famous Cathedral Grove – a pocket of ancient forest where towering Douglas firs stretch to the sky. Some of these giants were planted more than eight centuries ago and now rise to almost 250ft tall (and yes, a bit of tree hugging is very much encouraged).
Back on the road, roll past moss-draped woods and pull over at Sproat Lake and Kennedy Lake, where the mountains are mirrored in the deep blue waters.
When you arrive in Tofino, check into your hotel for the next two nights. And for dinner tonight, why not ask our Concierge for their favourite spot to try some local cuisine?
After some maple drizzled pancakes, it’s time to set sail for a whale watching cruise off the coast of Tofino. Hop aboard and keep your eyes on the horizon – these waters are home to grey whales, humpbacks and even orcas during the summer and autumn months, and your expert guide will tell you all about these fascinating animals. It’s not just whales putting on a show either: you might also spot otters, sea lions and turtles gliding through the water.
Back on land, swap your sea legs for two wheels and explore the region by bike. The 50-mile trail through Pacific Rim National Reserve is an easy, breezy ride with plenty of spots to stop, take it all in and snap a photo of enchanting forests or rolling waves.
Want to keep the adventure going? We can also organise a seaplane flight over the coastline, offering a bird’s-eye view of this wild and wonderful corner of Canada.
Jump back in your hire car today and enjoy the ride all the way from Tofino to Victoria, a four-and-a-half-hour drive across Vancouver Island. Retracing part of your journey so far, you’ll pass through familiar coastal stretches before continuing south along the eastern shoreline. En route, make a stop in Chemainus, a small town known for colourful murals that bring the region’s history to life – well worth a leg stretch and a snack break.
When you arrive in Victoria, check in for the next two nights at your hotel in the residential area of James Bay, just a few minutes' walk from the harbour and Fisherman's Wharf.
After several days of adventure, tonight is all about taking it easy. Enjoy some well-deserved R&R, whether that’s a quiet dinner or treating yourself to a soothing massage.
You really can’t go wrong in Victoria – the capital city of British Columbia seems to have a bit of everything. Start your morning wandering along Government and Johnson Streets, lined by historic buildings and ornate facades. Down by the Inner Harbour, the striking Parliament House takes centre stage, complete with Gothic Revival details that reflect in the water. Nearby, you’ll spot the Fairmont Empress, an iconic hotel that’s been welcoming guests since 1908.
Fancy yourself an art aficionado? Stroll over to the former home of Emily Carr, one of Canada’s most celebrated painters, or head to the Royal BC Museum for a touch of history and culture. If you’re in the mood for something more outdoorsy, wander through Beacon Hill Park or Thunderbird Park, home to a collection of beautifully carved First Nations totem poles.
Feeling peckish? We can also organise afternoon tea in true British style, served in one of Victoria’s most elegant palaces.
Today, make your way back to Vancouver, where your journey first began. Gear up for one last road trip, including a scenic ferry crossing through the Strait of Georgia. The journey takes around three hours, depending on ferry timings.
When you arrive in Vancouver, settle in for one last night in the district of Richmond. With the afternoon ahead of you, venture out on a ten-minute drive to the fishing village of Steveston. Here you’ll find crews hauling in their boats, mending nets or sorting through the day’s catch – it’s the perfect place for soaking up local life and perhaps grabbing a bite to eat along the way, putting your bartering skills to the test.
For a truly special send-off, ask our Concierge for their favourite dinner spot to toast to your adventure across Canada. Go all in with a proper feast – from fresh seafood starters to hearty mains and a slice of sweet pumpkin pie for dessert. The perfect way to round off your trip... suitably stuffed.
Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to Canada. Take in those views one last time as you make the ten-minute drive to the airport, where you’ll return your hire car and stock up one last batch of Canadian snacks before boarding your flight. Settle in for the night, spending around ten hours in the air before arriving back on home turf the next day, armed with a camera roll full of memories, a soft spot for the great outdoors, a habit of calling everyone ‘buddy’ and maybe even a touch of that classic Canadian cheer.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
