3 Ways to Have Unforgettable Summer Staycation in Vancouver and Victoria
It’s more important than ever to stay local, as we continue to flatten the curve of COVID-19. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still have an exciting summer—and one that even includes a little bit of travel. Vancouver and Vancouver Island, with their abundance of natural west coast beauty, are both filled with an endless amount of gorgeous terrain to explore and hidden gems to discover for the first time. And now is the perfect time to plan a getaway right in our own backyard. Keep reading for top tips on how to have an unforgettable summer staycation.
TAKE A BOAT CRUISE
Boat cruises are a great way to experience an area from a unique vantage point. Plus, they’re incredibly romantic and relaxing. Sea Vancouver provides a wide variety of cruises that showcase vancouver’s impressive coastline, sailing from the inner harbour and through the burrard inlet, with sweeping views of stanley park, false creek, the north shore, and more. on the island, check out victoria harbour ferry for a number of guided tours that not only highlight the harbour’s beauty, but also its storied history.
GO FOR A NATURE WALK OR HIKE
A walk or a hike makes for a perfect day trip activity, and an opportunity to experience someplace new. Vancouver’s North Shore is renowned for its mountains, which feature an enormous variety of walking and nature trails. And, chances are, even if you’ve lived here your whole life, you can bet there are some you haven’t ventured on yet. On a hot day, try Mystery Lake, a scenic destination located in North Vancouver’s Mount Seymour Provincial Park. The hike to get there is beautiful and relatively easy, albeit slightly steep, and begins right from the parking lot. A dip in the water is a great reward upon arrival.
On the island, the Galloping Goose Trail in Victoria is a long 60-kilometre stretch, connecting the province’s capital to Sooke, and winding through a wonderfully diverse medley of landscapes and ecosystems. You can walk, run, bike, and even horseback ride through it. Pick a part of the trail you haven’t been to yet and marvel at its beauty.
GO ON A MINI ROADTRIP
With spectacular views of Howe Sound to one side and rocky mountain faces to the other, Vancouver’s Sea to Sky Highway is world famous for a reason. Drive past West Vancouver, into Squamish, and even further towards Pemberton, making pit stops along way for coffee, breathtaking viewpoints, and walks around the many trails that wind through the coastline.
On the island, head northwest of Victoria towards Sooke and continue on to hit Jordan River and Port Renfrew for a truly off-the-beaten-path day trip. The road itself is rugged and beautiful, and there are plenty of parks, trails, beaches, and cafes to pull over for. Grab a coffee and a pastry at the Cold Shoulder Cafe in Jordan River and walk across the road to the beach to watch surfers ride the big waves.
No staycation is complete without a night’s stay in a hotel. Mayfair Hotels & Resorts is offering staycation packages at many of our properties—including hotel blu downtown vancouver, best western carlton plaza hotel downtown victoria, and holiday inn hotel & suites north vancouver—with each of our vancouver and vancouver island hotels going the extra mile to ensure the utmost safety and welfare of our guests, with practices including vigorous sanitation and social distancing. get in touch today for more details on our special offers and to make your reservations.