5-day Itinerary to Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia

Take a morning flight from your home airport to Vancouver, BC and check in for a 2-night stay at one of the above recommended accommodations. After checking in, head to Stanley Park and explore the gorgeous shoreline views. Make sure to check out the Totem Poles (a collection of nine totem poles) and the Stanley Park Rose Garden. You could easily spend a whole day here. If you are traveling with children, I would highly recommend the Vancouver Aquarium, Canada's largest aquarium. This is great for all ages! For dinner, head to Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House for your fresh seafood fix. Head up to the roof-top patio and make sure to try a few of the fresh oysters.

Grab a delicious breakfast at The Botanist. I recommend the crab and avocado benedict. After breakfast, head to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. I can arrange tickets in advance for your desired entry time. It's a unique suspension bridge amid a rain forest with stunning views of the Capilano River. This is a great activity for all ages, and as someone who is terrified of heights, this really didn't bother me at all. It was a highlight and an absolute must-do when in Vancouver. After a fun morning exploring the park, drive the Sea to Sky Highway up to Squamish, BC.

Grab lunch at Howe Sound Inn & Brewing or Taka Ramen and Sushi for your sushi fix. After lunch, drive yourself to the Sea to Sky Gondola where you will ride the Gondola up over Howe Sound for some fantastic views and stunning photos. Finally, make your way back to Vancouver and head to the Chambar Restaurant for a delicious dinner of Belgian cuisine.

Take a morning car ferry (I recommend the 9:00 ferry option and can arrange this for you) from Vancouver over to Victoria, BC. This is a 90-minute ferry ride and it is advised that you arrive 60 minutes before your ferry departure. Once in Victoria, grab a quick fish and chips lunch at Red Fish Blue Fish and make your way to your second accommodation for a 2-night stay. I absolutely loved my stay in Victoria. It's a really beautiful island! For an afternoon activity, I would recommend your choice of the following: a Victoria Guided Food and History Tour, a Whale-Watching cruise with Expert Naturalists, or a Victoria Small-Group Bike Tour (approximately two hours) visiting a variety of Victoria landmarks. For dinner, try 10 Acres Bistro, a romantic restaurant with farm-to-table cuisine.

Grab a coffee or a pastry at Crust Bakery. Make your way to the Butchart Gardens. The gardens are truly breathtaking and another absolute must-do! It's just an incredibly beautiful, peaceful place that really makes you appreciate life. Full-of-color, pictures really don't do justice to how special this place is. I loved everything about it! Spend the rest of the day exploring Victoria at your own pace and head to dinner at Il Covo Trattoria for some rustic Italian dishes on the garden patio.

Take a morning car ferry back to Vancouver and head to the airport for your afternoon or evening flight home.