Vancouver Island - Why This Canadian Island Should Be on Your Radar + a Luxury Spa!

Vancouver Island might not be on your travel radar yet…but after this episode, it will be!Riana from Teaspoon of Adventure lives in Vancouver and has visited Vancouver Island several times, and she’s here to tell us everything we need to know about this magical Canadian island. We’re talking about the charming city of Victoria, beautiful coastal towns, beaches, rainforests, incredible food, and one seriously dreamy luxury spa experience.Riana shares two different ways she’s experienced Vancouver Island: first on a couples trip in 2024 and then again in 2026 with her toddler, making this an amazing destination whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or a family trip.We cover how to get to Vancouver Island (including ferry vs. seaplane!), where to stay, what to do in Victoria, the famous Tigh-Na-Mara spa and its endless tapas, plus Parksville, Sooke, Ucluelet, Tofino, Pacific Rim National Park and so much more.This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygravesIf you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: kelsey@triptalespodcast.comBuy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_gravesFollow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygravesJoin us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879Mentioned in this episode:- Riana from Teaspoon of Adventure- Vancouver Island, British Columbia- Getting to Vancouver Island: Ferry vs. seaplane- VICTORIA: Fairmont Empress, afternoon tea, BC Parliament Buildings, Royal BC Museum, Beacon Hill Park + Petting Zoo, Butchart Gardens, Fisherman’s Wharf- Victoria restaurants: Red Fish Blue Fish, Pendray Tea House, Blue Heron Bistro, The Drake- Royal Scot Hotel & Suites- PARKSVILLE: Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort, Grotto Spa + Endless Tapas, Little Mountain Lookout- COOMBS: Old Country Market + Goats on the Roof- Cathedral Grove- SOOKE: Sooke Point Ocean Cottage Resort, East Sooke Regional Park, Sooke Potholes- CHEMAINUS: Murals + small-town “Stars Hollow” vibes- DUNCAN: Totem poles- UCLUELET: Lighthouse Loop, Big Beach, Terrace Beach, Jiggers Fish & Chips, Yuki Scoops, Barkley Cafe- TOFINO: Chesterman Beach, surfing, Tacofino, Tofitian Coffee, Chocolate Tofino, Schooner Restaurant, The Shed- Pacific Rim National Park: Long Beach + Rainforest TrailTrip Tales is a travel podcast sharing real vacation stories and trip itineraries for family travel, couples getaways, cruises, and all-inclusive resorts. Popular episodes feature destinations like Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with kids, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos, Park City ski trips, Aruba, Italy, Ireland, Portugal’s Azores, New York City, Alaska cruises, and National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.