The Road to Culinary Pleasures
Nestled along Canada’s west coast, Vancouver Island is a paradise of pristine coastlines and emerald forests, where the ever-present Pacific Ocean shapes the scenery and tempers the climate.
Much of Vancouver Island is dotted with picturesque family run wineries and organic farms. You can easily spend a day or two ambling through the countryside, sampling everything from blackberry port to pinot noir. Artisan cheese makers, small farms, bakeries, brewpubs, cideries are all here –and they are in good company with many of our “Special Places” resorts and hotels, who serve the freshest west coast cuisine, often featuring local ingredients. The following is an example of the gastronomical experience you can encounter on Vancouver Island and at your “Special Places” resorts.
Day 1
Brentwood Bay
After breakfast head back to Victoria and then Brentwood Bay area. En route, enjoy the scenery of old established farms and the region’s wine country. Stop for tastings or enjoy a gourmet lunch at one of the wineries or head to the Sea Cider Farm & House for their tasting plates.
In the area you will be able to experience Victoria’s only 5-Star oceanfront boutique resort, Brentwood Bay Resort. Located on a pristine inlet, Brentwood Bay Lodge & Spa is in the heart of Victoria’s wine country. All 33 luxurious “OceanVillas” have stunning ocean views with the best sunsets and is a favourite culinary destination. Enjoy contemporary coastal cuisine and BC’s best wines from their award-winning wine cellar in the SeaGrille dining room or gather with locals in the Brentwood Pub for casual regional fare with a great selection local craft beers and wines.
Day 2
Victoria
Start your culinary experience in Victoria. During the day, indulge in a culinary walking tourthrough downtown Victoria sampling from the best bakeries, cafes, restaurants and wine shops while browsing unique shops. Explore the Vancouver Island Brewery for a comprehensive tour of how beer is made. Discover how Vancouver Island Brewery combines old world traditions, all natural ingredients and modern brewing technology to create premium quality craft beers. Next you’ll experience a series of smaller brewpubs, Hugo’s, Swans and Canoe, each with their signature traditional ales.
After tasting some of the beers at the Canoe Brewpub, which is housed in the beautifully restored Historic Victoria City Lights building, go down to the dock and catch a Victoria Harbour Ferry for a tour of the Inner Harbour and then get dropped off near Spinnakers Brewpub and Restaurant. A short walk along the Songhees will bring you to Spinnakers for a meal and beer pairings that you will long remember. Return by Victoria Harbour Ferry back to the downtown Inner Harbour.
Enjoy your overnight accommodation at Abigail’s Hotel, a unique hideaway that offers a balance between luxury, comfort and adventure. This premier boutique hotel offers an intimate setting with their 23 carefully appointed guestrooms. Wake to the irresistible aroma of a full three-course gourmet breakfast, interactively presented by the Executive Chef. Allow time to delight the senses with their complimentary evening hors d’oeuvres and relax in the Library Lounge with award-winning BC wine or champagne service.
Day 3
Tofino
Head north west to Tofino, the West Coast of Vancouver Island is remote yet accessible and of course unspoiled, pristine and yours to discover. From extreme to extremely laid back, there are activities here for everyone during every season. Other than a camera, all you really need to bring is a relaxed state of mind and a sense of discovery. Each year the foodies, grey whales, wine aficionados and travelers flock to Tofino to enjoy the Annual Tofino Food and Wine Festival and the appreciation of the bounty in the region.
The Wickaninnish Inn, a landmark Relais & Châteaux property perched on the western edge of beautiful British Columbia awaits you. Here, you will raise your glass and expectations at the Pointe Restaurant. With over 240 degrees of Pacific Ocean viewscape welcoming your arrival, it may take a few moments to focus on the menu. A long-standing focus on farm-fresh, organic Vancouver Island ingredients and the bounty of the very waters overlooked by the Pointe defines the experience at The Pointe Restaurant. The extensive wine list, recognized by Wine Spectator, and meticulously selected by their Sommelier, offers west coast bottles with the spotlight on B.C. and Pacific Northwest wines. Your culinary experience will culminate while enjoying the luxurious comfort of this world-class Tofino resort.
Discover these “Special Places” and others on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada and enjoy the very finest resort and hotel destinations for your next vacation or business meeting.
Contact Us
Trish Larsen
Vancouver Island Special Places
Tel: 778-478-4016
E-mail: trisha@specialplacesvi.com
www.specialplacesvi.com
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