Ready to start planning for a college getaway and bask in the freedom of youth travel? Maybe make up for a less-than-wild spring break?
With Memorial Day weekend and summer creeping closer, now is the time to find some travel buddies and organize your next trip. My personal recommendation is to look just past the border of our northern neighbor to the twin gems of Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.
Living in the Northwest gives us easy access by car, which is quite an advantage. Cross the border into Canada and you feel pleasantly transported — you’ll be among different money, different road signs and European architecture.
The country’s first great spectacle is Vancouver, which appeals to three types of travelers: big city trekkers, mountain explorers and beach bums. The second must-see is Victoria, a harbor-bordered taste of royalty.
Going to British Columbia calls for a road trip. Via Interstate 5 going north, Vancouver is exactly seven hours away from Eugene, but give yourself between eight and nine hours to avoid burnout. When booking accommodations, save the hotels for families and married couples. Vancouver has a number of hostels, and the most ideally located one is Hostelling International’s pad in central Vancouver, which sits on the hip-and-happening Granville Street. Beds run for between $20 and $30 per night, so your pockets won’t be empty as you explore the cosmopolitan environs.
Look down one end between Vancouver’s skyscrapers and you’ll see fir-covered mountains; look down the other end to find sandy beaches. Take the mountain route to engage in Vancouver’s first essential activity: crossing the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The 450-foot long bridge rests 230 feet in the air, and a walk across is an exceptional thrill. In the same rugged vicinity, don’t miss the Skyride up Grouse Mountain, a one-mile journey in a wire-suspended car to Vancouver’s peak. On top you will find bear habitats, deer at arm’s length and a breathtaking view of the city. Both attractions are a short drive from downtown.
Back in the city, be sure to dine at one of Vancouver’s many great restaurants with a people-watching balcony. One great choice is Milestone’s Grill and Bar, a stylish, internationally inspired eatery on Fourth Avenue West. Not only does the restaurant look down on the English Bay’s carefree beaches, but it offers excellent chocolate martinis. And, to all the freshmen and sophomores, remember that Canada’s drinking age is a reasonable 19 years old, so enjoy your green light to have specialty cocktails and cap off the nights with club and bar-hopping.
Complete your trip with a ferry ride to Victoria. Ferries depart from the town of Tsawwassen, which is a 35-minute drive south of Vancouver. Victoria exudes quiet sophistication and is marked by its two water-side symbols: the giant, ivy-covered Fairmount Empress Hotel and elegant Parliament Buildings.
For intellectual minds, tour the Royal British Columbia Museum, which boasts a large collection of dinosaur bones, natural history exhibits and Native American paraphernalia. The Craigdarroch Castle is also worth checking out — it’s a trip back in time to the lifestyles of the very rich in the late 1800s. Both are within walking distance of Victoria’s central vicinity.
After a day of sightseeing, take a second ferry out of Victoria’s harbor to Port Angeles, Wash., and begin your trip home.
Consider having your next travel escapade in Vancouver and Victoria. They attract adventure-lovers, serenity-seekers and city sophisticates alike, but best of all, they are easily accessible foreign destinations.
For more information on either of these cities, visit their official tourism Web sites at http://www.tourismvancouver.com and http://www.tourismvictoria.com.