Owner: Chris Bair
December on the island is something else. If you’re on Vancouver Island for the holidays then you’re in for a treat. You’ll be surprised at the authentic look and feel of the holiday spirit that our islanders love to express.
The Laughter.
The residents of Vancouver Island love to laugh and there is no argument to be had about that. Recurring weekly, The Mint hosts Wednesday Comedy Nights. This show specifically is on Wednesday, December 12, from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Tickets are only $7 if you buy online, but $10 in person. While anyone can say how funny something is over and over again, it says something more when tickets are known to sell out fast. Get yours now!
The Music.
Small towns are no strangers to the world of jazz music. There is no doubt then, that the musings of Maureen Washington on Saturday December 22, 2018 will be nothing short of delightful. Maureen and her band are known for their Christmas repertoire and they’re doing it again this year. They will perform at Hermann’s Jazz Club from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Tickets are $20 online, and $25 at the door.
The Countdown.
And of course, the countdown to the end of the year and the start of a new one. While big cities love to be extravagant, our island residents loves to celebrate in smaller ways with the same impact. Beacon Ridge Productions launches its first annual New Year’s Eve Countdown Dinner and Dance at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre. With a set 3-course meal, you’ll surely be full of food before the end of the night. To top it off, live music will be serenading you over your meal. Dinner starts at 7:30 PM and celebrations conclude around 1:00 AM. Tickets are $65 until November 14th, and are $75 on November 15 onward.
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Victoria is a small city with big personality. While these three events are sure to get your ready for the end of the year, there are still plenty of other things to do in the city. Depending on what else you decide to do, you will have two wonderful options for accommodations during your stay in Victoria. Both our Victoria locations will provide exceptional comfort to adjust to your needs.
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November is a magical time to come to Victoria - not because the weather is guaranteed to be beautiful, but because you basically get the island to yourself by evading tourist season! What could be better than zipping around those little winding streets with no traffic, sightseeing, going for a hike, and cozying up with a hot chocolate on a crisp November day? We’ve formulated the perfect day, now all you have to do is get there and live it!
Jam Cafe
The first thing you’ll want to do once you arrive in Victoria is get brunch, obviously! For the best brunch in town, try Jam Cafe, situated in Old-Town Victoria: Although not a short wait to get in (they don’t take reservations), this meal will be so delicious and filling that it is sure to carry you through to the evening. This way, there’s so much more time for exploring! On top of everything, their atmosphere is wonderful - rustic wood paneling, all sorts of vintage collectibles line their four cozy walls, upbeat morning tunes, and friendly wait staff! The experience inside is so unusual that it will feel more like an event than a meal. We recommend the Grapefruit mimosa to kick off the morning, red velvet pancakes if you’ve got a sweet tooth, and their huevos rancheros if you’re more on the savoury side. If you’re more traditionalist with your breakfast food, they also do every morning classic you can think of; such as eggs benedict, french toast, or waffles, plus fun variations to spice it up if you so desire!
Royal BC Museum Victoria:
The next place worth exploring is the Victoria’s very own Royal BC Museum. Highly renowned in Canada for its depth, as well as the conjoining of Canada’s official archives, it is essentially a mecca for everything there is to know about British Columbia. At the moment, they have a special exhibition on ancient Egypt, a look into the history of First Nations languages, a natural history gallery, and even a native plant garden! If you’re coming with the kids, don’t miss their workshop with activities to explore how the ancient Egyptians lived every Sunday in November between 1 and 3 pm!
Fan Tan Alley:
If you’re in the mood for something unusual, you’ll want to explore Canada’s narrowest corridor, Fan Tan Alley in historic Chinatown! The alley used to be home to many brothels, opium dens, and gamblers as the ‘play spot’ for Chinese migrant workers after the gold rush of 1958. It is even speculated that it is haunted by a murderous ghost named Chan! History aside, today it is a true hidden gem of Victoria, which is now lined with quaint little independent shops. Be sure not to miss the Kid Sister ice cream shop for a five star dessert experience!
Let us know what adventures you get up to on your next trip! To get you started, we offer two conveniently-located hotels - the Best Western at the Carlton Plaza, and another at Victoria’s Inner Harbour, for your convenience. We are pleased to offer you amazing views, great staff, and an overall wonderful experience. We hope to see you soon!
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If you’re one to jump right into the halloween season as soon as the first day of September hits, then you will absolutely love getting into the ‘spooky’ mood on Vancouver Island! Fall on the island is just as charming as the summer in its own special way! Below, we’ve curated a list of our favourites for a hauntingly good time:
Craigdarroch Castle
The first spot on our list is the enchanting Victorian Craigdarroch Castle in the city of Victoria. Originally an estate built for an entrepreneur, his wife, and ten children in the 1890’s, it has since become a treasured monument full of history in Canada’s capital. With 39 rooms, 20,000 feet of indoor space, an expansive outdoor garden, and a regal-looking teahouse open until September 30th, it makes an excellent venue for weddings, movies, or other events, while acting as a glimpse into Canada’s history. If you’re just popping in for a day, we recommend visiting the Jinglepot Teahouse until the end of September, or, if you’re coming in October, the castle also will be showing a selection of halloween-themed films on Thursdays and Saturdays until October the 13th. But beware - roaming those grand hallways afterwards will seem a little more frightening!
Cathedral Grove
Next up is a wandering soul’s favourite - Officially named MacMillan Provincial Park in central Vancouver Island, (but more commonly referred to as Cathedral Grove), this lush green forest stroll reveals Douglas Fir trees that are up to 800 years old! Hard to believe some trees have outlasted so much history, and yet they continue to be beneficial to our ecosystems and amaze humans with their grandeur. It is said that tree root systems ‘talk’ to each other to ‘communicate’ the health of the surrounding area or any imminent danger to each other through the use of fungi which exchange nutrients and sugars with the tree roots. In the case of danger, the trees that have been ‘warned’ will set up their own version of a defence mechanism. Since the park is considered an internationally significant example of old-growth Douglas Firs, it is prohibited to smoke or stray from the walking path, as the area is sensitive to high visitor traffic. However, the path still offers exceptional viewing and photo-taking opportunities including a gorgeous lake, and is a park definitely worth seeing in the soft (sometimes eerie) glow of autumn.
Storm Watching
In Tofino, appropriately named Canada’s surfing capital, it only makes sense that come colder weather, the waves can get more intense as storm season approaches! If you are thrilled at the idea of watching mother nature turn into a drama queen, then you’ll want to walk down to any of Tofino’s main beaches to witness an incredible storm-watching opportunity. To make the most of it, dress warmly and with plenty of waterproof clothing, check the tides, and avoid standing on tidal rocks to avoid being swept away. Lean into the wind to immerse yourself in the ‘ride’ too! We promise that this is truly a whirlwind experience you won’t want to miss!
After all the fun and excitement, we hope you’ll choose to stay at one of our 11 world-class hotels to get cozy and warm up with some hot cocoa! We are pleased to offer reliable and friendly staff, convenient amenities, and beds that are always ultra-comfortable at each of our locations. We hope you enjoy your stay on Vancouver Island!
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Normally people associate spring as being prime hiking season, but the seasoned pros know that fall is even better! By September, most of the snow remaining on the mountain from the previous winter has melted, and the weather is perfect since you won’t overheat on long-haul hikes! On top of that, the views are spectacular year-round, so you’ll be compelled to come back again and again! Make sure you have access to a car though, as these are not transit-accessible. Read on to find out what all the fuss is about:
Goldstream Park - Mount Finlayson: 2 hr roundtrip
If you’re visiting Victoria for more than a day, it would be worth your while to venture out towards Langford to explore Goldstream Park! This historic spot is one of the tallest mountains in Victoria and a popular home to spawning salmon, all along a golden-coloured river, lined with 600-year old trees. This is a popular place for photos, as many have come far and wide to walk along the massive Goldstream Trestle, suspended above a raging river hundreds of feet below. This bridge is sure to give just about anyone a slight fear of heights at least, but it sure is an adrenaline rush to walk along it! Well-worth it. You may even run into the famous abandoned gold mine, or Victoria’s own ‘Niagra Falls’ too if you complete the full hike!
Lone Cone: 6 hr roundtrip
Although not actually on the same Island as Tofino - this one requires taking a water taxi over to Meares Island; which is part of the First Nations’ land. Because of this, there is a small fee of $10 in order to hike this trail, however, the views are nothing short of magical. This 7 km day-hike is best for experienced hikers in good physical shape, since it is quite a challenge - a 700 metre climb in just a 1.5 km distance, to give you some perspective. The view at the top overlooks Tofino and the ocean, with the shore of Meares Island dotted with large moss-covered rocks and small islands which look as though fairies dropped giant soft green marshmallows from the sky to decorate the landscape. Lastly, don’t forget your camera - this scenery is painting-worthy.
Wild Pacific Trail: 30 mins - 5 hours roundtrip
If you love scenery more and more beautiful at the turn of each corner, then you really need to hike the Wild Pacific Trail. It is located on the coastline of Ucluelet, so you can watch and hear the ocean the whole way through. This hike has two main sections which can either be done separately, or together for the ultimate trek. The first and more popular option is the 2.5 km Lighthouse Loop, and the second is the more challenging 10 km-roundtrip section from Big Beach to Rocky Bluffs. The 10 km trail offers different kinds of views from Lighthouse Loop, and is also highly recommended among locals and tourists alike as a must-do on Vancouver Island. You may even catch sight of a whale as you’re walking and taking in the scent of the ocean and the area’s 800-year-old trees!
Vancouver Island is certainly an incredible little spot on this earth where it at once feels foreign, and like home due to its welcoming atmosphere and laid-back vibe. We hope to continue that legacy by offering the best-in-class accomodations for your stay on the Island, including 11 locations to choose from, friendly service, comfortable beds, and expert knowledge on the local area. We wish you a wonderful stay here on Vancouver Island!
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Nanaimo presents Concerts at the Park this summer happening every Tuesday at Bowen Park Amphitheater.
Enjoy Music in the Sun
This is the perfect opportunity to soak in some sun while enjoying local and travelling talent. Bowen Park Amphitheater is a beautiful parkspace and is no stranger to hosting large parties such as weddings or banquets. This year, the park is hosting a number of musical performances throughout the summer every Tuesday afternoon from 12:30-1:30 and Wednesday evenings from 6-7:30. This August you’ll see the likes of GG and the Ice Machine, Tropic Mayhem, Laura Kelsey, and Steph Lundy, Nanaimo Fiddle Society, the South Island Rhythm Kings, Don’t Tell Julie, and Western Jaguar performing on the outdoor stage.
Tickets, Location & More
This is a free event and is open for all ages to enjoy. With no tickets necessary, all you need to do is pull up a lawn chair or blanket, pack some snacks and enjoy your company. Different artists and bands will play different days and the full schedule can be found here. This is a perfect opportunity to breath in some fresh air and enjoy the woodland outdoors.
Best Western Vancouver Island provides beautiful, affordable, and comfortable suites all over the Vancouver Island area. You’ll find our Best Western Dorchester location is a quick 5 minute drive to Bowen Park Amphitheater where the concerts are held. We hope you enjoy your stay on Vancouver Island, wherever it may be!
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Best Western is lucky to provide our guests with many beautiful options for locations on Vancouver Island. We have a range of hotels on the South, Central, and Pacific Rim sides of Vancouver Island - which means you can be close to all the fun events happening this summer!
Some such events include the Cowichan Bay Wooden Boat festival, Islands Folk Festival, and the Albert Bay Seafest.
Cowichan Bay Wooden Boat Festival
The the Cowichan Bay Wooden Boat Festival is a great way to enjoy some fun in the sun while mingling with locals. The two day event is packed with activities such as pancake breakfast, voting on your favourite wooden boat on display, clam chowder competition, boat races, and a kids’ fishing derby. The festival is free to attend, will begin on July 7th, and is located at the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre.
Islands Folk Festival
Running 34 years long, the Island Folk Festival is a lasting tradition for friends, family and the whole community to enjoy. The festival features live music, great food and drink, fun activities and games along with camping for those who wish to experience the full three days. This event is open to all ages and will take place July 20th-22nd on Providence Farm.
Albert Bay Seafest
Great food, awesome talent, and unique art take place at the 36th annual Albert Bay Seafest! This festival celebrates great food and drink, local musicians and artists for a fun-filled day in the sun. Hosted every 4th week in July, the festival brings a collection of locals and visitors to mingle with each other, eat yummy dishes, and admire the beautiful scenery of Albert Bay. This is the 36th annual Albert Bay Seafest and will take place over 3 days, starting July 27th and ending July 29th.
Best Western Vancouver Island has a variety of hotel options located near all the fun festivals happening this July. Take it easy in one of our suites that are a perfect combination of cozy, clean, and relaxing. No matter which region you stay, we hope you enjoy your visit of Vancouver Island!
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