The Gourmet Trail - Vancouver
Island
 Vancouver Island has a fast growing reputation
for some of the finest and most distinctive
cuisine in the country. The classic style and
flair associated with the region is gaining wide
recognition and makes it the perfect venue for
our 5 day self drive vacation. In developing
this route we wanted to combine some of the best
restaurants with the exciting architecture,
charm and ambiance of new the lodges and Inns.
Created for lovers of fine food and fine wine
our self-drive route takes you gently around the
south and west of Vancouver Island; planned with
time to allow you to explore gracefully, driving
distances are comfortably short. Mornings are
never rushed and breakfasts should be enjoyed.
After a day of exploring, the evenings are a
time for a new restaurant, new menu and a time
to enjoy the west coast surroundings.
Daily Itinerary
 Day 01: Arrival day in Victoria
Overnight accommodation is at Ocean Point
Resort. This evening a wide choice of city
restaurants is available locally and our trip
planner lists the main ones. Overnight: Ocean
Point Resort. Victoria
Day 02: The Aerie Resort in Malahat
Situated a short 30 minute drive from Victoria –
is a Mediterranean-style mansion that shares
its ten-acre space with bald eagles and has been
named one of the best places to dine in B.C.
Winner of numerous awards the restaurant
combines the freshest in Northwest cuisine with
a French touch. Views from the dining room are
quite exceptional. The Aerie rooms are
beautifully appointed with Persian and Chinese
silk carpets, comfy sofas, down filled
bedspreads and many have fireplaces and Jacuzzi
tubs. Dinner tonight at The Aerie Restaurant.
Overnight: The Aerie, Malahat
Day 03: Pacific Rim National Park
Today’s drive takes through the island’s
interior to the west coast and a delightful
drive through Parksville, Port Alberni and old
growth forests. Ucluelet is well worth visiting;
whale viewing and fishing trips are offered
here. Located on the route to Tofino, the
Wickaninnish Restaurant (Wick Inn) is situated
on Long Beach and within the National Park.
Quite simply this excellent restaurant should be
included in your plans – either for lunch or
dinner. Walking the beach is great exercise.
Long Beach Lodge is your home for two night;
this outstanding resort projects the west coast
image like few others. A combination of
architectural flair, brilliant location and
outstanding log construction make this our
choice. In the open plan dining room the chefs
serve excellent, innovative west coast cuisine
and at prices that in our opinion are good
value. Overnight: Long Beach Lodge, Tofino.
Day 04: Tofino
A
full day is planned for you to explore this
spectacular region. With a virtual basket of
options to choose from the day can include:
Marine life tours and cruises to Clayoquot
Sound, whale viewing trips, fishing, hiking on
trails or beach walks. Tofino is fun and the
boutiques and art stores should not be missed.
Famous for its giant surf, this region is
seemingly pounded continually by massive Pacific
waves – a never ending source viewing
possibilities. This evening we recommend
reservations at the four diamond Wickaninnish
Inn and Pointe Restaurant. Located just a few
minutes drive from your hotel, this restaurant
was the driving force behind the early west
coast cuisine movement. With excellent service,
pleasant ambiance and an intriguing menu this
evening should be memorable. Overnight: Long
Beach Lodge .
 Day 05: Victoria
Today’s drive retraces the steps to Victoria and
then to charming Sooke Harbour House. Located
just 18km from Victoria, above the Juan de Fuca
Straight, Sooke Harbour House continues to
garner worldwide fame for its imaginative
regional cuisine and use of homegrown and local
products. Given top marks by Gourmet magazine
and a host of food critics, the kitchen staff
turns out daily changing menus that have
generated major interest. Unique dishes include
sea urchin, sea asparagus, periwinkles and
oysters. The house garden has become famous for
its herbs, vegetables and edible flowers freshly
picked. Additional vegetables are bought only
from local organic growers within a few km of
Sooke House. Overnight: Sooke Harbour House.
Day 06: Vancouver
After breakfast it is a short drive to Victoria
where you can drop off the car or continue to
Vancouver by ferry. Conclusion of The Gourmet
Trail.
Email us at:
mytrip@CanadianPacificVacations.com
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