Cowichan Valley: Wine & Farm-Table Gem

Twenty-five oceanfront cabins one hour west of Victoria, each with a private hot tub and the Olympic Mountains across the water.

Two islands stitched by a wooden bridge, an Airstream in the woods, and a hot tub pointed at the stars.

A 35-minute ferry to Salt Spring's 140-vendor Saturday market, lavender fields, cheese farms, and a fireplace waiting at the end.

Tofino in winter: 20-foot swells and a fireplace. In summer: surf lessons. Ucluelet is the quieter locals' version of both.

The gnarliest tree in Canada and a tide-pool beach crawling with purple sea stars, two hours from Victoria.

A candlelit brick courtyard down a Victoria back alley, doing wood-oven Italian for 35 years and not sorry about it.

Steak frites and French red by candlelight in a Chinatown schoolhouse that doesn't take reservations for two, so arrive early.

A 112-year-old James Bay house, a Genova-born owner cooking your pasta personally, and herbs from the garden out back.

A moody Bastion Square wine bar with oysters, blankets in the back courtyard, and wines that reward asking questions.

A Tudor heritage manor ringed by wild oaks, with crackling fireplaces, heated patios, and Times Colonist dining wins year after year.

Canada's only Booktown, where the plan is to pick a book for each other and compare notes over a cinnamon bun.

Oceanfront fire pits, a Wine Spectator wine list, and wood-fired pizza named The Spicy Beast, all at Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

A full Nordic circuit on a restored 1943 barge at Ship Point, three saunas, cold plunges and hot tubs with the Inner Harbour lapping beside you.

Floor-to-ceiling harbour views and a West Coast kitchen at the literal edge of the Inner Harbour seawalk.