Vancouver Island Get Away
There are so many types of “Get Away” weekends. From golf to kayaking, hiking or fishing, shopping, dining and spas. Vancouver Island has something for everyone. Rainforests, beaches, whale watching and gardens.
My most recent trip to the Island was part of a “girls birthday weekend.” Shopping, dining and the spa. We flew into Victoria; B.C.’s capital and stayed at the boutique hotel, Magnolia. Located right downtown, it’s a quick walk to the Inner Harbor area, museums and shops. Victoria is home to the famous Fairmont Empress Hotel Afternoon Tea and declared B.C.’s “City of Gardens” and “Craft Beer Capital.”
Then we are on our way to Tigh-Na-Mara Resort, Parksville, about a two hour drive up the coast. Tigh-Na-Mara Resort is set on 22 acres of tranquil forest, meeting up with the ocean (Strait of Georgia) and adjacent to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park.
Tigh-Na-Mara offers many different accommodation options including rustic cabins, private spa bungalows, hotel style rooms, and dining on site. Fire wood is provided if you want a nighttime fire on the beach. The Grotto Spa has been voted #1 in Western Canada, with a Mineral Pool, Spa Treatments and Endless Tapas. It’s well worth the extra cost to enjoy the 16 Tapas in your robes after the spa.
Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and Mooberry Winery is worth a visit. The self guided tour and tastings are free. The wine is made from fruit rather than grapes.
Coombs Old Country Market is 15 km from Parksville and surprised us all. It’s very well done and most notably for the “Goats on the Roof”. The original owners came from Norway where homes and structures are built into the hillside and have sod roofs, so they put on a sod roof. After a few glasses of wine in the spring, they noticed the grass was too long on the roof, so borrowed some goats. For more than 30 years, every spring the goats head for their log style rooftop home. Although we didn’t get a chance to eat at Cuckoo Trattoria and Pizzeria, it was highly recommended. The rest of the group said Billy G’s Donuts were absolutely delicious; it closes at 6:00 unless sold out before.
A 1 km walk from Tigh-Na-Mara is the Black Goose Inn, located at the Beach Acres Resort. It is a traditional English “order at the bar” pub, with patio seating during summer months. Reservations are recommended.
Even though we had leisurely morning walks and strolls on the beach, time passed so quickly. There are so many more things to see on Vancouver Island, and many more things to do.