Pinot Noir grapes are mainly associated with Burgundy but Andy Johnston of Averill Creek Winery on Vancouver Island are putting Duncan on the global Pinot map. Averill Creek is the largest estate grown vineyard and winery on Vancouver Island and they’re producing everything from Pinot Gris and Gewurtztraminer to a Foch Cab. “I’m a grape […]

Victoria is one a great getaway destination for those of us on the coast, providing beautiful island scenery, delicious locally-sourced food, craft beer and brew pubs, family attractions, and plenty of history. When my sister, mother, niece, and I began a tradition of “girls weekends” over 10 years ago, the first place we stayed was […]

A trip to Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley isn’t complete without heading over to Cobble Hill and visiting Merridale Estate Cidery. View Larger Map Back in 2000, Janet Docherty and Rick Pipes purchased Merridale and its 20 acres of cider apples from its founder who started it the cidery in 1990. Today, Merridale is a full-experience […]

Tourism Ucluelet has hit the road this spring to share it’s beautiful Vancouver Island coastal region with Canadians. The “Kick Back and Coast” RV tour began in St. John’s Newfoundland on May 1st and it will end on June 24th back in Ucluelet. Accompanied by Tourism Ucluelet mascot Knuckles the Grey Whale, the 10,000km tour […]

The Nanaimo Bar, famous for its layers of chocolate, custard, and coconut, is the inspiration for the Nanaimo Bar Trail throughout downtown Nanaimo. This tour, envisioned by Tourism Nanaimo’s Chelsea Barr three years ago, engages local businesses to remix the famous bar into drinks, cakes, and various other concoctions. Their innovative creations are featured on […]

Westwood Lake in Nanaimo is a man-made recreational oasis with 5.5km of hiking and walking trails, a playground, a dog off-leash area, and a sandy beach. It’s located just up the hill from the Harbour City, across the highway and at the base of Mount Benson. On its shores you’ll also find the Westwood Lake […]