FROM SEATTLE
If fall’s arrival has you yearning for cozy comforts that come with breathtaking views, British Columbia is the perfect place for an escape to rejuvenate body, mind and spirit. One of the major perks of living in Seattle is its proximity to B.C., just a three-hour drive away and an ideal place for a long weekend or an extended trip.
A friendly neighbor, British Columbia has a lovely familiarity, but that certainly doesn’t mean we know all the hidden gems, new activities and fun surprises that B.C.’s diverse destinations have to offer.
For a trip that’s focused on both physical and mental wellness, the following four destinations offer a wide variety of activities, ranging from bike tours to whale watching to luxurious spa treatments.
On the drive north, set the relaxation tone with a stop in Richmond to enjoy a wildlife experience or two, followed by a soothing massage to ease away any lingering stress.
Vancouver Whale Watch is a great place to start. Tammy Taylor, the company’s general manager, says that in the autumn months visitors mostly see humpback whales and the occasional orca. With wildlife guides on board, passengers are often surprised at how much these guides know about each individual whale. For example, they’ll be able to share details like “the whale you’re seeing right now has a calf” and other information.
“Our guides come to us with a variety of education and experience from all over the world,”
– TAMMY TAYLOR, VANCOUVER
WHALE WATCH
RICHMOND
It’s time for an escape — beyond your backyard and into another world. In British Columbia, discover new sights, sounds and tastes that are close to home but feel like a world away.
Pack your bags.
“Our guides come to us with a variety of education and experience from all over the world,” Taylor says. “Some of our guides have their marine biology degrees, Ocean & Fisheries diplomas and other related schooling, along with experiences working in the industry all over the world.”
Taylor notes that although it’s a whale-watching tour, guests often see other wildlife and passengers are especially enthusiastic about the sea lions.
“This time of year we see hundreds of sea lions that we don’t usually see in the summertime because they’re coming back to feed,” she explains. “The sea lions are up on the rocks, they’re animated, they’re roughhousing with each other and moving around so people are always really excited to see them because they’re naturally entertaining.”
The sealife is mesmerizing, but don’t forget to also look skyward. Nature photographer Liron Gertsman offers an excellent bird-watching opportunity. Gertsman tailors each outing based on guests’ level of experience with birding and the amount of time they want to spend on the excursion. Shorebird migration occurs during the fall, so expect to see migrant sandpipers and plovers. Winter waterfowl, raptors and neotropical songbird migrants also return to the area in autumn.
For a relaxing treat after taking in the wildlife, Flow Thai Massage & Spa offers a variety of ultimate facials and massages. What sets this spa apart is that the treatments use traditional Thai massage techniques melded with modern spa experiences like hot stones and the use of pulse technology devices.
British Columbia’s capital city, located on an island a short ferry ride from Vancouver, is home to two incredible spas. The Boathouse Spa & Bath, in the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, has the distinction of being Victoria’s only waterfront spa. The Boathouse is located right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, so guests can soak up the waterside atmosphere as they await their spa treatments. That ocean view is also a hint at the source of many of the spa’s treatments.
“One thing we pride ourselves on is high-quality ingredients and focusing on local ingredients,” says Anneke Feuermann, marketing and public relations manager at Oak Bay Beach Hotel.
The spa works with Beauty Through Balance, a B.C.-based company committed to creating formulas that are both natural and inspired by the beauty of this coastal region. Feuermann says seaweed is a main player in many of the spa’s treatments.
For some additional relaxation, head to the heated mineral pools and watch the ocean waves. “On a crisp fall day in Victoria when the sun is out down by the pools, the wind is blocked and it’s quite serene,” says Feuermann.
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Photo credit: Destination BC/Hubert Kang
Photo credit: Cycle City
Photo credit: Vancouver Whale Watch
Photo credit: Destination BC/Hubert Kang
Photo credit: Destination BC/Hubert Kang
Whistler
Photo Credit: Vancouver Whale Watch
After enjoying wildlife viewing and a bit of pampering in Richmond, the urban delights of Vancouver await just minutes over the Arthur Laing Bridge. Consider getting a first taste of the city on two wheels, with a bike tour from Cycle City Vancouver. Owner Josh Bloomfield says the company’s most popular tour is the five-hour Grand Tour. About two hours are spent biking on flat terrain so it’s quite accessible, but Bloomfield adds that those feeling uneasy about their biking skills have the option to upgrade to an e-bike.
“We’ve gotten a lot of feedback from people that it’s a great first-day activity because it gives a good foundation of different areas of the city,” says Bloomfield. This tour winds through the temperate rainforest, Stanley Park, Granville Island, Chinatown and Gastown. Groups are small, and they’re all led by local guides.
“To be able to experience [the pools] in the fall and winter when there’s a wild storm happening … you can watch the waves crash as you’re cozy in the warm water of the pool."
– Anneke Feuermann, The Boathouse Spa & Bath
Another fine option is Willow Stream Spa, located in the Fairmont Empress, which has received accolades for being one of the top spas in Canada. The spa recommends making a reservation in advance, allowing for the opportunity to speak with an experienced spa coordinator to customize the experience. This is also a good opportunity to let them know of any medical conditions, which may influence their recommendations. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the appointment time to enjoy the “Spa Ritual,” which includes a traditional Finnish dry sauna, a steam inhalation room, and a thermal mineral pool. The spa ritual cleanses, detoxifies and warms up muscles, which preps the body to get the most out of the spa treatment.
“You’re not just listening to the tour guides; it’s a conversation, so people get to know the guides,”
– Josh Bloomfield, Cycle City Vancouver
Photo credit: Getty Images
VanDusen Botanical Garden
Nothing rejuvenates the spirit quite as much as enjoying the natural beauty and peace of the outdoors. Take a stroll through VanDusen Botanical Garden, a public garden located in the city’s historic Shaughnessy neighborhood. There are a number of self-guided tours, changing regularly to focus on plants and trees at their peak. An admission fee is required for entry.
VICTORIA
VANCOUVER
Photo credit: Willow Stream Spa
WHISTLER
Just two hours north of Vancouver, Whistler is also home to a number of unique, one-of-a-kind spas. Scandinave Spa is Whistler’s “nature spa,” featuring indoor spa experiences as well as outdoor hot and cold baths to enjoy while taking in the area’s gorgeous scenery. Michelle Leroux, sales and marketing manager at Scandinave Spa, describes the autumn months at the spa as “magical.”
“We still have a lot of flowering annuals and the deciduous trees are turning so you really get a colorful show within the landscape,” says Leroux.
In fact, fall is a favorite season at the spa because the weather is cool enough to appreciate the warmth of the steam rooms, saunas, and hot pools but also mild enough to enjoy the relaxation portion of the hydrotherapy cycle outside around the fire pits or on a daybed. Leroux says that one don’t-miss area of the spa is the Hammock Haven, a large area of relaxation loungers and hammocks at the top of the spa in the forest, allowing spectacular views of Rainbow Mountain across the valley. (This area is closed during the winter months, so be sure to check it out during an autumn visit.)
Whistler Day Spa prides itself on its friendly, boutique-style environment. Access to the hot tub and pool is included with any spa treatment, so come early, stay late (or both!) to take full advantage of all the luxurious, relaxing services this spa has to offer. Treatment packages range from “Mountain Recover,” with a focus on sports/deep-tissue massage, to “Alpine Escape,” which is 70 minutes of head-to-toe pampering with a Swedish massage and iS Clinical facial.
Another boutique spa is The Spa at Nita Lake Lodge. The space is cozy and makes guests feel as though they have the space all to themselves. The Spa at Nita Lake Lodge prioritizes sustainability and uses organic ingredients in their treatments, and the peaceful lakeside location is extra conducive to rest and relaxation. Allow enough time to enjoy the eucalyptus steam room and the rooftop hot tubs, which offer stunning views of Whistler’s mountains.
“Moving around the spa in a cozy bathrobe catching that whiff of wood smoke in the air from our cedar sauna and the scent of the Douglas firs and cedars that tower around the site is the epitome of fall vibes.” – Michelle Leroux, Scandinave Spa
Photo credit: Scandinave Spa
Photo credit: Destination BC/Hubert Kang
For an activity that promotes wellness of both body and mind, book a private yoga session at JW Marriott Parq Vancouver’s Aqua Lounge, located between the stylish neighborhoods of Yaletown and Gastown. Perched on the 17th floor, the Aqua Lounge is a tranquil, open-air space conducive to relaxation and rejuvenation. After the yoga session, relax into some well-deserved pampering at the hotel’s spa, which has a menu of massages, facials and body wraps.
For an activity that promotes wellness of both body and mind, book a private yoga session at JW Marriott Parq Vancouver’s Aqua Lounge, located between the stylish neighborhoods of Yaletown and Gastown. Perched on the 17th floor, the Aqua Lounge is a tranquil, open-air space conducive to relaxation and rejuvenation. After the yoga session, relax into some well-deserved pampering at the hotel’s spa, which has a menu of massages, facials and body wraps.
Nothing rejuvenates the spirit quite as much as enjoying the natural beauty and peace of the outdoors. Take a stroll through VanDusen Botanical Garden, a public garden located in the city’s historic Shaughnessy neighborhood. There are a number of self-guided tours, changing regularly to focus on plants and trees at their peak. An admission fee is required for entry.