You can go dolphin- and whale-watching, and even have a helicopter drop you at the tip of a glacier for lunch
A lot of people don’t have Canada on their radar. Incredible really, as it’s got everything: cities, wilderness, mountains, beaches. There are some wonderfully romantic spots, and the accommodation and service you find are some of the best in the world.
You’d fly from Heathrow straight into Vancouver, and stay at the beautiful Rosewood Hotel Georgia. It’s right in the centre of the city, and the rooms have been renovated really nicely. It’s a bit old-school New York in style, with lots of dark wood and luxurious touches – the perfect place to relax for a few days before picking up a car and driving the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler.
This two-hour drive takes you on a stunning route through Stanley Park and right into the heart of the mountains, to your next stop, Nita Lake Lodge. With beautiful views of the lake and plenty of nice shops and restaurants, you’re just a half-hour walk from Whistler village, which can a bit busy and overwhelming to stay in itself.
There’s so much to do here, like taking a peaceful cable car between the peaks. It’s also a hub for really high-end restaurants, and you can enjoy some excellent seafood.
After Whistler you’d take the car back to Vancouver, before flying up to Port Hardy and taking a seaplane to Nimmo Bay. It’s a beautiful 15-minute flight, where you can often see pods of dolphins right underneath you.
Here you’d stay four nights at the wilderness camp. There are just nine private cabins on the island, some of which are built on the shore and some out into the water. In the daytime you can see black bears, and there are grizzlies in September. You can also go dolphin- and whale-watching, and even have a helicopter drop you off on the tip of a glacier for lunch. In the evening, guests gather round a campfire on the beach and are served wine and canapés.
Your last stop is Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Here you’d stay at the stunning Wickaninnish Inn, which is right on the rocks and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. You’ll find particularly dramatic weather here – in fact, storm-hunters hunker down each year to watch the lightning and the waves crashing down on the shore. Chesterman Beach arcs off to one side of the hotel, and it’s a lovely spot to really wind down and enjoy your last few days, including the most incredible sunsets.