[trip style = weekend getaway]
Steeped in wild West Coast scenery, you don't have to escape far from Vancouver {BC} and Seattle for a cozy fall or winter trip style = weekend getaway. Plus, going in shoulder season, your getaway will be filled with peace and quiet and less $$$. Here are some not-so-obvious weekend getaway options for whatever trip style you’re feelin’ at the moment:
Last-Min Vacay It's friday afternoon or Saturday morning and in a fabulous fit of spontaneity you decide you want to get away that night. Applicable to most major cities in the US and Canada, enter Hotel Tonight, one of our fave all-time, last-min travel booking apps.
Storm Watch Pick any beachfront hotel along the upper West Coast and you've got pretty good shot at storm watching {with a cup of coffee and Baileys, of course} during the blustery days of late-fall and winter. Head to Tofino---one of the choicest, stormiest locations---on the westernmost side of Vancouver Island where you can find a romantic beachfront accom for close to $100/night.
Spa If the idea of being surrounded by millions of Swarovski crystals, bathing in a tub-for-two overlooking Lake Okanagan, or “refreshing yourself” in a -110 degree Celsius sauna appeals to you, then the $122-million Sparkling Hill Resort in Vernon, BC is right up your alley. By car it's about five hours from Vancouver or six hours from Seattle, and by plane it's about one hour {fly to Kelowna Airport}. {Don’t miss their current offer for two including 2 nights, breakfast for 2, 5-course dinner for 2, and 2 $150 spa vouchers from $930.}
Outdoorsy Glampers Something most people don’t know is you can rent vacation homes from the Washington State Government. Whether you want a lakeside retreat or beachside bungalow, they’ve got you covered. Accommodations like the red-roofed Lighthouse Keeper’s Residences at Cape Disappointment won’t … disappoint.
Wine + Diners Vines from three incredible wine regions thrive close to home. For those who like to “discover” the of-the-moment wine, or eat and drink their way through the Pacific Northwest, this weekend in wine country is for you:
- Vancouver – take a day trip and discover the wineries in your own backyard. Don’t miss Domaine de Chaberton, Lotusland Vinyards, Township 7 and others.
- Okanagan – internationally recognized for its perfect mix of mountains, lakes, fresh air and intense sunlight, the Okanagan’s wineries give Napa a run for its money.
- Washington – Did you know the Washington and France wine regions are situated along the same latitude? Merveilleux! After Napa, Washington is the US’s biggest wine region with 650 wineries and vineyards to enjoy!
Train {or Bolt} Try out Portland’s famed food scene or shop ’til you drop {no sales tax} in Oregon’s biggest city. Amtrak Cascades rail service runs from Vancouver to Portland {return} departing twice daily {Seattle to Portland has more frequent daily departures}. For something a little cheaper and quicker, also check out the groovy and tech-savvy, BoltBus.
TS Picks If you're visiting any of these cities, also check out some of our fave hotels in: Whistler - Nita Lake Lodge Seattle - The Sorrento {boutique} Hotel, The Alexis Hotel, The Pan Pacific Seattle Vancouver - Fairmont Pacific Rim, Loden Hotel
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[photo by @tripstyler]