There is always so much focus on summer travel, especially here in BC, where the warmer weather draws visitors from around the world. But, in our opinion, the best time of year to explore this beautiful province is in the fall. The weather is usually a bit more predictable and temperatures have dropped enough to make travel more comfortable. Kids are back in school and the crowds have dwindled. Accommodation is more affordable and it’s possible to get reservations for things without booking a year in advance.
Here are a few of the fall tours we are excited to offer this year. Come and explore with us and find out why it’s our favourite time of year to visit these spectacular places!
Get off the Beaten Path on Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island boasts amazing diversity ranging from the capital city of Victoria to remote mountain peaks in Strathcona Park, and from narrow fjords that slice into the west coast to secluded harbours like Telegraph Cove. Our Vancouver Island with Small Ships tour will take you off the beaten path to some spectacular remote places that are very difficult to access on your own. To explore Vancouver Island properly, you have to head out on the water and this tour features three unique cruises: a private cruise on the MV Uchuck III from Gold River to Zeballos, a whale-watching excursion at Telegraph Cove, and a cruise on MV Frances Barkley from Port Alberni to Bamfield through Alberni Inlet.
Itinerary from BC Interior: September 17 – 23 (7 days)
Itinerary from Vancouver Island: September 17 – 21 (5 Days)
Experience Autumn’s Bounty in the Okanagan
Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy the bounty of the Okanagan harvest and the fall foliage without the summer crowds. The Autumn in the Okanagan tour will give you a real taste of the region with a visit to the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, a tour of South Okanagan wineries, the Kettle Valley Steam Train, a fruit orchard, a honey bee farm, and a dinner cruise on Okanagan Lake. You’ll stay at fabulous waterfront hotels— Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos, Summerland Waterfront Resort, and Delta Grand Okanagan in Kelowna.
Itinerary from Vancouver Island: September 30 – October 5 (6 Days)
Itinerary from Lower Mainland: September 30 – October 5 (6 Days)
Celebrate Thanksgiving in the Cariboo
Fall is the perfect time for a peaceful retreat in the Cariboo. Our Thanksgiving at Echo Valley Ranch tour offers an experience unlike any other. Part ranch, part spa, part luxury, the resort sits amid hundreds of acres of pristine mountains, lush valleys, pine forests, and rugged canyons. Living in harmony with the land, the staff lovingly grow, raise, harvest, forage, and preserve much of the cuisine served at the ranch. There are many complimentary activities offered and you can choose to go horse-riding or mountain biking, practice archery, explore the farm-to-table garden, or learn wilderness survival skills. Or you can just take it easy and savour some superb meals with wine pairings at dinner.
Itinerary from BC Interior: October 7 – 10 (4 days)
Itinerary from Vancouver Island: October 6 – 10 (5 days)
Explore the Gulf Islands and Spend Thanksgiving at Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge
Join us on a weekend escape to Salt Spring Island and Quadra Island on our Thanksgiving at Tsa-Kwa-Luten tour. We begin with a day trip to Salt Spring Island with a local guide to show us some of the highlights. Then it’s off to a show at Chemainus Theatre. On the second day, we ride the ferry over to Quadra Island and enjoy two nights at lovely Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge. Relax on your private balcony and enjoy the panorama of the ocean, the mountains of Vancouver Island beyond, the rapidly moving tides, and tugboats with barges navigating this narrow waterway. This oceanfront retreat is a wonderful place to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving.
Itinerary from Vancouver Island: October 6 – 9 (4 days)
Where would you like to travel this fall? We’d love to know! Share your dream fall destination in the comments.
Photo Credits:
Vancouver photo courtesy of Destination Vancouver/Hubert Kang
Telegraph Cove photo courtesy of Telegraph Cove Resort
Okanagan photo courtesy of Destination BC/Andrew Strain
Echo Valley Ranch photo courtesy of Destination BC/Blake Jorgenson
Salt Spring Island photo courtesy of Destination BC/Harbour Air
