In TRAVELER’s April issue, writer Douglas Coupland crafts an essay on his Personal Place of a Lifetime, Carmanah Valley, an evergreen oasis along the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island. Here, we offer the best on traveling to Cowichan, British Columbia—the closest city to the valley.
Basics
Entering Canada
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
Entry requirements for Canada—from the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
Getting There
Victoria Airport
Flight information for the Victoria International Airport—the closest to Cowichan
Making Telephone Calls
Country and City Telephone Codes
A comprehensive listing of telephone codes for Canadian regions
Checking Weather Forecasts
The Weather Channel
Three-day forecast, severe-weather alerts, satellite maps, and more for Victoria, the Vancouver Island capital city
Essentials
Where to Eat
Cowichan: The Warm Land
Links to restaurants in the Carmanah Provincial Park region
Restaurant.ca
A directory of local restaurants—searchable by area, price range, and cuisine
Where to Stay
Cowichan: The Warm Land
Links to hotels, resorts, cabins, and inns, along Lake Cowichan
South Cowichan Bed and Breakfast Association
Details on a variety of bed-and-breakfasts in south Cowichan
Travel British Columbia
A searchable database of lodgings in British Columbia
How to Get Around
Tours
Cowichan: The Warm Land
Information on transportation throughout the area
Travel British Columbia
Information on a number of shuttle services on Vancouver and surrounding islands—select "The Islands" from the site’s region menu
Things to Do
Attractions
Cowichan: The Warm Land
Details on attractions in the area, including the Cowichan Native Village and Cowichan Folk Guild—plus, information on local tour outfitters
Hiking
Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park
Information on Carmanah Valley hiking trails
Float-Plane Trips
BC Float Plane Safaris
Information on float-plane trips—offered by BC Float Plane Safaris
Events
Cowichan: The Warm Land
Details on art shows, festivals, fairs, and watercraft races—plus, an event calendar
Cowichan: The Warm Land
Information on the Vancouver Island Festival of Wines
References
Books
Amazon.com
How to order Carmanah: Artistic Visions of an Ancient Rainforest
Maps
Cowichan: The Warm Land
A colorful map of Vancouver Island and Cowichan Valley that includes ferry routes
For More Information
British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks
Overview of Carmanah Provincial Park, with information on the area’s wildlife, location, hiking trails, and history
Cowichan Tourism Guide
Information on local Cowichan neighborhoods, recreational activities, history, restaurants, accommodations, transportation, and more
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