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Activity Level: M
Start / Finish: Vancouver / Victoria
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The Strait Goods
Cloaked under a green canopy of boreal forest, British Columbia’s Gulf Islands resemble a far-off planet untouched by human hands. Biking along its regal, redwood-lined shores, across its stunning mountain passes and through its ancient old-growth forests bathed in a luminous, almost mythical glow, it’s easy to feel like this sparsely populated island chain is ours alone. But we’re not alone: a captain spirits us from island to island aboard his private boat; a local naturalist blazes the trail, pointing out the flora and fauna (and perhaps the occasional whale); experts lead wine tastings and top chefs prepare meals of delicious local seafood; and the beds at our grand-yet-homey hotels are always made. A distant planet with all the comforts of Earth.
Here’s a sample of what you can expect on your custom-designed Bespoke BC Islands Biking adventure. Intrigued? Contact a Bespoke Trip Planner for further details.
Day 1 Fly from Vancouver to Saturna Island—a naturalist paradise—aboard a private seaplane
Day 2 Sample the region’s wonderful wines in a private tasting at the Morning Bay vineyard
Day 3 Settle into the forest-enshrouded comforts of Brentwood Bay Lodge & Spa, member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World group
Day 4 Ride designated bike paths through Sooke Potholes Provincial Park, stopping for a dip in a naturally-formed swimming hole along the way
Day 5 Get up-close and personal with sea life on a whale-watching expedition
Day 6 Breakfast and farewells in Victoria
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Poets Cove Resort & Spa, Pender Island
With a total of 46 rooms, cottages, and villas on the property, Poets Cove offers a mix of pristine wilderness and elegant sophistication. Each room is handsomely designed in the Arts & Crafts style, using simple natural materials and paying close attention to every detail. Our rooms come equipped with a fireplace, balcony and stunning views of the Pacific.
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Brentwood Bay Lodge & Spa, Victoria
Opened in 2004, Brentwood Bay has a five-star rating with Canada Select. The 33 rooms all face out onto the ocean, and ours have the added benefits of private balconies and air-jet bathtubs. In addition to spa and pool, the lodge is home to an eco-adventure facility for scuba, snorkelling and kayaking adventure. Their expert guides are all marine biologists and are happy to chat about the local ecosystem.
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Sooke Harbour House, Sooke
The Harbour House is a great experience in both lodging and food. It has won a number of awards over the years and has been honoured as one of the 20 Best Inns in the World. The waterfront gardens are a great place to relax and enjoy a West Coast sunset. In the kitchen, Chef Edward Tuson works culinary magic with local, seasonal ingredients.
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Moderate
This trip is rated Moderate. Daily biking distances range from 20 to 45 km (12 to 28 mi.) over hilly terrain, but the few steep hills are generally short. The walks are generally easygoing. On Vancouver Island, the riding is flat and largely on purpose-built bike paths; because much of it is on gravel, we recommend hybrid bikes for this trip.
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