Spooner

I am 22 and from Northern Ireland. I will be flying into Vancouver on the 2nd of September and I have a rough idea of what I want to do. I will spend 2 nights in Vancouver, hire a car and spend 3 nights in Kamloops in BC, and then 3 nights in Victoria to let me explore Vancouver Island. After this I fly to Toronto to visit relatives. Can anyone give me advice on what I should do or see? I know whale watching is popular from Vancouver Island but where should I go in the Rockies and where can I get reasonably detailed maps (showing roads, towns etc). Will there be any hassle in hiring a car as I am aged under 25? <BR><BR>Any other suggestions will be much appreciated especially ideas for Vancouver Island as I will be hiring a car.<BR><BR>Many Thanks

GaryA

Whatg are you planning to do in Kamloops for 3 days? Have you family there? Otherwise Kamloops is a pleasant overnight stay and nothing more. Give Vancouver an extra day and explore the Okanogan Valley, (just south of Kamloops), or visit Whistler. If you really want to spend three days in the Interior of BC then even a trip to the Rockies and or Kootneys is far preferable to 3 nights in Kamloops.

JMM

Some suggestions:<BR>Since you intend to have a car on Vancouver island: 1 night in Victoria,then drive to Tofino on the West coast of Vancouver island (2 nights in Tofino and then drive to Nanaimo and take the ferry to back to the mainland. The trip to Tofino is a LONG drive but worth it - the scenery is incredible. Also forget Kamloops - too long a drive - instead I suggest renting a car and taking the ferry to the Sechelt area (north of Vancouver) OR driving to Whistler (which will take you into The Rockies).

megs

I’ve lived in both Kamloops and Vancouver and I would have to agree with not spending 3 days in Kamloops. It’s a wonderful place to live but doesn’t really have enough activities to warrant a full 3 days, unless you have other reasons to visit. Kamloops does have Sun Peaks which is great all year round for skiing, hiking, mountain biking etc. So if you’re into that kind of stuff then one day doing that would suffice. There's also plenty of lakes around the area.<BR><BR>Otherwise you will be close to other fun summer places like Shuswap Lake (1 hour from Kamloops) where there will be lots of activities since you be there around Labour Day long weekend. But accommodations can be hard to find at that time of year, so book ahead of time. There is also Kelowna (4-5 hour drive from Vancouver), Vernon (an hour drive from both Kelowna and Kamloops) and Penticton (about 1.5 hours outside of Kelowna). These aren’t super large cities but all have lakes and great summer activities and are beautiful at that time of year, and Kelowna is also known for the Ogopogo which is the Canadian equivalent of the lock ness monster.<BR><BR>If you are interested in the Rookie mountains I’m afraid you would have to have more time. To see the mountains you would have to head towards Revelstoke which is about 3 hours past Kamloops and even there you’re just starting to see the mountains, you would have to head even further than that, like towards Yoho National Park to get the full experience, and that’s just too far of a drive.<BR><BR>I haven’t done too much traveling on the island but from what I hear the Sunshine Coast is amazing, so try to see that. As for Vancouver there’s always something to do there from shopping to theaters to Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension bridge.<BR><BR>As for renting a car, I’m 24 and the magic age is 25. I have rented a car once in Toronto and they ended up charging me an additional $25 a day for extra insurance coverage because I was under 25 and they didn’t tell me about it until I went to pay. It may be different in BC but make sure to see if they are charging you extra so you won't be surpised. Unfortunately you don’t really have any other choice but renting a car if you want to see the interior. But if you do travel into the interior (Kamloops, Kelowna area) you will have to take the Coquihalla highway which is the highway going from Vancouver to the interior. It’s a great highway but at that time of year with everyone taking advantage of the last long weekend before school starts it can get crazy, what with huge semi’s and camper vans. So just be careful!<BR><BR>Wow this is way too long…..but if you have any more questions just let me know and I’ll be more than happy to help you out!<BR>

jimmoi

I agree with the other posts re: Kamloops. No point going there. Go to the Okanagan instead. <BR>On Vancouver Island, if you only have 3 nights, you could easily spend the entire time in Victoria and vicinity, which has plenty to see and do. Tofino is wonderful, but its a full 6 hour drive each way. I have done it for a &quot;day trip&quot;,but its a LONG day.<BR>I wont get into what to do in Victoria itself ( Get a good guide book), but you should see Goldstream provincial park (only about a 45 minute drive from downtown), and have dinner at the Sooke harbour house (about 45 minute the other direction). Goldstream has some spectacular hiking trails (easy ones) and is well worth the trip.

Spooner

Thanks to everyone for their advice. I think I will give Kamploops a miss and head to Whistler for a few days and also Vancouver Island. As far as car rental I have found Rent-a-wreck in Vancouver and Toronto and they do not charge $25 extra if you are under 25.<BR><BR>Thanks again and I will probably be back to pick your brains before I go