I recently received an email that ended with this;

“We are not on a big budget or really long trip, so kind of have to see and do the best things we can.”

The writer had previously told me that he and his wife had about 2 1/2 weeks, wanted to spend three days between Vancouver and Vancouver Island, head up to Whistler, then Kamloops, Mt. Robson, down the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Banff and end in Penticton to visit a relative…

It looked like they had a pretty good idea of the ground they wanted to cover so here are my suggestions.  (Any additions, comments or suggestions from any of you local people would be welcomed.)

In Victoria, I’d rent bikes and/or kayaks and cover some of the wonderful trails and ocean views. As far as places to eat? I’d suggest reading this thoughtful post

If they can fit it in, I’d suggest a drive up to Tofino to walk the miles of hard-packed sand at Long Beach,then take the Nanaimo ferry back to Horseshoe Bay and drive up the Sea-to-Sky highway to Whistler. There are some great Whistler deals on right now and they happen to be for some of the very places I was going to recommend…

If they don’t stay for the night at Nita Lake Lodge, then they should – at the very least – stay for dinner at the Aura Restaurant. It was SO good.

And hanging out at the Scandinave Spa is just a gorgeous way to really slow down and become one with a place.

Renting a canoe to paddle The River of Golden Dreams is something that I’ve always meant to do…but still haven’t…perhaps they could do it on my behalf?

Or else go for a hike on the million different Whistler/Blackcomb trails and leave the village behind for later. There is nothing better than hiking in that pure mountain air and then sliding into town for a perfect cappuccino.  The whole thing is so hippie-mountaineer-meets-urban-yupster and appeals to me in a very large way.

When they’re finished with the Whistler scene, they can drive up the awe-inspiring views along the Duffy Lake Road towards Lillooet and then on to the Kamloops area…

That’s enough for now…I’m having other thoughts but am trying to practice restraint and brevity. Crazy, eh?