Whether you’re popping the big question, enjoying a honeymoon, celebrating an anniversary, looking for a romantic getaway, or planning an unforgettable date, this province has numerous places for you to make intimate memories. Here are some of cupid’s favourite and most unique choices…
BC’s internationally acclaimed wine industry rests in the cradle of the Okanagan’s arid high country where acres and acres of rolling hills produce some of the finest grapes in North America. Whether you’re staying in Vernon, Winfield, Oyama, Kelowna, Westbank, Peachland, Summerland, Penticton, Naramata, Oliver or Osoyoos, an unforgettable wine tour awaits you. For the free-spirited, most visitor centres carry maps and brochures to facilitate self-guided tours. But for those looking to experience more, organized tours are available at very reasonable prices. The Okanagan Wine Country Tours bring you the magic of over 60 award-winning wineries from small estates to massive international operations. Most of these tours include lunch or dinner and of course, a liberal sampling of the libations the Okanagan produces. But for something truly memorable, experience the Float Plane Tour that departs from Lake Okanagan in Kelowna and follows the lakes and mountains to the southern end of the valley to Osoyoos Lake. From there, enjoy the area vineyards as your luxury vehicle leisurely makes its way back to Kelowna. This area has a full calendar of wine festivals as well. Thousands of self-styled aficionados come from far and wide to enjoy the 10-day Fall Wine Festival, the Icewine Festival in January, May’s Spring Wine Festival and the Summer Wine Festival in August. Happy tasting!
Whistler is romantic enough with simply its mountain views and amazing dining. But if you’re looking to kick it up a notch, Canadian Snowmobile Adventures offers a summer package that transports visitors via Jeep or ATV up Blackcomb Mountain to the legendary Crystal Hut cabin where you’ll experience their world famous salmon bake. Maple salmon cream cheese spread and crackers, maple-glazed cedar plank wild salmon, Caesar salad, seasonal vegetables in a balsamic herb vinaigrette, roast nugget potatoes, candied carrots, fresh bumbleberry pie…
In the winter, take a snowmobile or snowcat to enjoy the same breathtaking view but this time, for a rich and hearty fondue feast. Are you in love with an early-riser? Experience the Waffle Sunrise in the same amazing, top-of-the-world setting. A favourite Whistler activity is the Fairmont Chateau Chalet’s Sleigh Ride & Fondue Dinner which includes a 30-minute Clydesdale-Percheron sleigh ride or dogsled tour followed by a 3-course fondue dinner including Cheese and Chinois Fondue with beef tenderloin, prawns and salmon and warm apple strudel.
For unadulterated West Coast beauty, Mystic Beach in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park offers some of the most romantic coastline on the Pacific. A 2-kilometer hike through lush rainforest leads to a long, secluded sand beach. Feel the salty spray as waves crash on the shore. Explore the numerous sandstone sea caves. Discover hidden waterfalls. Enjoy the amazing wildlife and stunning mountain views. And if a stroll on the beach doesn’t cut it, Mystic Beach is part of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail which consists of 47 km of wilderness that goes from from China Beach to Botanical Beach. Strap on the hiking boots!
The quaint capital city of Victoria offers many romantic activities and settings including the excursions offered by Tally-Ho Carriage Tours. With various outings departing from downtown, you can enjoy heritage neighbourhoods, Chinatown, city parks and the Strait of Juan De Fuca waterfront. Using Percherons, Belgians and Clydesdales horses, these tours and the gentle giants who make them possible run most of the year, weather permitting. With personalized pick-up service and warm faux-fur blanket for evening tours, this one-of-a-kind date is not to be missed! Factor in Victoria’s amazing assortment of fine restaurants and you might just have the night of your life…
Across the Strait of Georgia, the metropolis of Vancouver offers many unique attractions. And because of it enjoys a temperate climate quite unlike the rest of Canada, a culture of outdoor events has flourished in and around the city. Theatre Under the Stars is testament to this. A favourite Vancouver summer tradition for decades, this professional company has been performing amazing shows in Stanley Park at the outdoor Malkin Bowl forever. Usually running in tandem, shows alternate on a nightly basis, weather-permitting. Recent shows have included Grease, Oklahoma!, Annie Get Your Gun and Jesus Christ Superstar. In a more traditional vein, the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival at Vanier Park has for two decades been performing Shakespeare’s plays el fresco. Two performance tents provide almost 800 seats for fans of The Bard from June to September. The Mainstage Tent is open-ended, offering a magnificent view of the mountains while the Douglas Campbell Tent houses performances of some of The Bard’s lesser plays in non-traditional stagings. She said she loved the stage… show her something entirely different!
Just across the water from Vancouver Island’s Nanaimo sits Hornby Island. Unique in that traveling there involves a ferry from Nanaimo to Denman Island then another ferry from Denman to Hornby, this magical little island has a certain isolation that has nurtured a community unlike any other. The forested co-op general store has the rustic, organic charm of a hippie commune – and indeed, to all intents and purposes, the island is exactly that. But it’s the beaches that make Horby Island special. Sheltered in the placid waters of the Strait of Georgia, Tribune Bay has soft rock faces, caves, magnificent warm water and of course, acres of sand. A small but mountainous island, Hornby has many biking and hiking trails, too, if your particular idea of romance involves a good workout.
Now imagine enjoying any of these amazing, intimate British Columbia activities with your own private vacation rental accommodation to enjoy the rest of the night in. The candles are lit and the Jacuzzi tub is ready…
We’ll close the blinds and leave you alone now.
