I am planning a trip to Western Canada in July 2012. I want to attend an Irish dance camp in Nanaimo, BC from July 16-20th. So I was thinking of flying into Edmonton, AB (I live in Eastern Canada) on July 5th and staying overnight in Edmonton. Then on July 6th, I'll take the ViaRail train from Edmonton to Vancouver, BC. Fly from Vancouver, BC to Victoria, and then spend three days in Victoria; then take the ferry to Nanaimo, BC and spend three days there before the workshops begin.

I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations of what to see, where to stay, etc... I'm thinking of this itinerary:

Day 1 (July 5th): Fly to Edmonton, AB ($236); overnight in Edmonton

Days 2-5 (6th-8th): Take train from Edmonton to Vancouver $236 (leaves at 7:30am July 6th). Ferry from Vancouver to Victoria, BC ($15 and takes 1hr 40min).

Days 6-8 (9th-11th): See Victoria (3 days)
- oceanisland.com (Hostel, budget accommodation; $266/week for mini single room)
- Day 6: Walk around Victoria just sight-seeing (see Parliament buildings on Government St.)
- Day 7: Royal BC Museum ($25.48 for entrance plus an Imax movie; 14min. walk from Ocean Island hostel)
- Day 8: threehoursail.com ($60 plus tax for Ocean Island guests and only an 14min. walk from the Ocean Island hostel)

Day 9 (July 12th): Take Greyhound to Nanaimo, BC ($16 advanced purchase or $25 regular fare)

Days 10-12 (13th-15th): See Nanaimo (3 days)
- Day 10: sosscuba.ca (learn how to snorkel)
- Nanaimo Marine Festival and Bathtub race
- Day 11: coastalrevelations.com (Eco-Tours through the rainforest or marine wildlife; $50/hr)
- Day 12: Walk around Nanaimo just sight-seeing

Days 13-17 (16-20th): Celt Fest dance workshops

Day 18 (July 21st): Fly from Nanaimo, BC back home

Any thoughts? Thank you in advance!

Hi celticfeet!

I just saw this now and thought I'd be able to contribute since I live in Victoria, BC!

Your plans for while in Victoria seem really good, our museum is really great and I love the Imax. Off the top of my head I can't think of a lot else to recommend in terms of big site-seeing things downtown. The museum and just typical walking around is pretty standard. The Legislative building are right at our inner harbour so that's a pretty place to be in July. You might like to go into Beacon Hill Park which is a large park full of gardens and fountains and ponds and a petting zoo. The park is just outside of downtown and you could easily take a longer walk there. The park leads you to the ocean and you can walk out on the breakwater and it's really lovely.

I've yet to have a DDN meet-up and I know there are other Victoria DDN'ers so I might have to insist on making one happen!

Feel free to ask me any other specific questions because I can't think of much else to say!

A meet-up would be wonderful, and tour guides are always welcomed! I am really looking forward to this trip, as I've always wanted to see Western Canada. I've travelled to many different places (South America, Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Englad, India...), but always felt guilty that I haven't seen more of my OWN country. So now I can check that off my bucket list!

I'd be happy to play tour guide! Why is it so hard to think of interesting things to do in your own city?

^ I have the same problem Coccinella... lol!

I was trying to think of cool things to see in Nanaimo, but I can only think of a couple of things... and they aren't nearly as exciting as downtown Victoria...

So I'm actually impressed with how cheap the flights are, and also the ferry and hostel prices. However, what seems to be raising the price is the cost of taxis from the aiports to the hostels, hostels to the ferry terminal, etc....

What are the bus systems like in Victoria and Nanaimo? I believe the hostel I was thinking of staying at in Edmonton has a free shuttle from the airport to the hostel. I'd just need to take a taxi from the hostel to the ViaRail station. Any tips on saving money in that area?

www.bctransit.com . . .;

That is the bus you would take from the ferry terminal to get downtown to your hostel. Our bus system in Victoria is quite good, you can get mostly anywhere by taking one or two buses. If I end up showing you around anywhere I'll be happy to be your chauffeur for the day.

^ The BC transit site also has the Nanaimo bus routes on it. The bus system is pretty good. It can get you where you need to go. If you are staying downtown, most everything is in walking distance. I can help you out too.

If you are looking at taking transit to get to the ferry once you arrive in Vancouver, here is the site tripplanning.translink.ca . . . I put in the Main Street location as your starting point, as that is where the ViaRail station is. Let me know if you need help planing transit routes. I ride the bus a lot... especially back at forth to the ferry...

I am not familiar with Edmonton at all. Have you asked the hostel if the shuttle would take you to the train station?

Celtfest also has a free shuttle which you can book to pick you up before camp starts and to take you to the airport at the end of the week. I think you can book it when you register.

You are both wonderful! Buses are definitely the way to go; I'll only have one bag and a purse, so I won't have a lot to lug. I am rather directionally-challenged (part of why I wanted to take this trip!), but your help is wonderful!

Here is my budget breakdown thus far...I still need to narrow it down a bit. I don't want to spend anymore than $2,500 for the two weeks (ideally $2,000 max).

FLIGHTS- $798 total

DANCE CAMP- $392 (early bird rate)

TRANSPORTATION (buses and shuttle)-$60 (may be less if I can figure out bus from Edmonton hostel to Via Rail station)

GREYHOUND (Victoria to Nanaimo)- $16

FERRY (Vancouver to Victoria)- $15

VIARAIL TRAIN-$236

HOSTELS- $547

FOOD- $720

SIGHTSEEING- $150

SPENDING- $150

TOTAL: $3084

CeltFest has a meal plan for $240 for 5 days. Can food really take up $720 for two weeks? Maybe I over-estimated that number!! Any othe tips in knocking down the cost of the trip? Thank you both SO, SO much!!

Will you have access to a fridge while staying at the hostels?? Maybe a trip to the grocery store to cover one or two meals a day would help with food costs?

Unfortunately no. I could look into the Vancouver Island University accommodations to see if they have a fridge, but the others don't as far as I know. I read on one site that if you can eat a larger lunch, then you won't need a large supper which saves money. Like I said, I may have over-estimated the food, but potentially not, so we'll see.

The residences at VIU all have full kitchens. Although I don't know if they come with pots and pans and utensils... which may prove problematic when trying to cook something...

Good news! The hostel in Victoria has a fridge in the rooms, as well as a commom-room kitchen with all utensils. The Edmonton hostel has a self-catering kitchen, but not sure about utensils; I'll email around and ask, as that could save money. YAY for saving money!