British Columbia Road Trip (including Vancouver Island)

In April we had a two week 'fly drive' holiday starting in Vancouver. What a fantastic holiday! Vancouver is in a beautiful location and feels very relaxed compared to the hustle and bustle of a lot of cities. There are lots of cyclists and the car drivers are very considerate. The highlights were the parks, beaches and great restaurants, particularly if you like Asian food.
From Vancouver, we drove to Whistler. A very scenic drive along the Sea-to-Sky Highway with great sea views. We had two days skiing at Whistler and the snow conditions were very good and the slopes very quiet. A good time to go even though it was quite late in the season.
From Whistler, a drive and ferry to Qualicum Beach. We stayed at the Tigh-Na-Mara Resort which was very comfortable and had a very nice restaurant. A beach walk is not to be missed with excellent views to the mainland. Next stop, Torfino. A very picturesque village with beautiful scenery and a stunning sunset. Had an excellent meal at the Schooner Restaurant, the best of the whole trip. Also, went on a trip to see the costal bears. A bit of an early start, but well worth it.
After Tofino, a few days in Victoria and a whale watching trip. The sea was a bit rough which made for a very exciting boat trip and the guide was very knowledgeable, not only about the Grey Whale we saw, but all the wildlife. Victoria is a very pretty city, especially in April with blossom on the cherry trees. Another highlight of Victoria was a free guided tour of the Parliament Building. The guide did an excellent job of explaining the Legislative Assembly and the history of British Columbia.
From Victoria, we headed back to Vancouver and home. Overall, great scenery, great wildlife, great food and an easy and relaxed place to visit.