But you will be able to make an educated decision on what parts of the vacation planning to-do list are helpful and a joy for you, and forget the rest with an easy mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if you want more?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We’ve included links to further reading about every aspect of vacation planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Passport note:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
First things first – for US citizens traveling to Canada through an airport, you will need a valid passport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travelers coming over the border on wheels or feet probably also need a passport – a passport is the best way to cross the border. There may be alternatives in some instances – you can read all the fine print here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n My recommendation is to get your passport and become a world traveler! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people will need a visa to enter Canada – use this handy questionnaire <\/a>provided by the Canadian government to find out if you need one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Spend some enjoyable time exploring what type of vacation you want and where you’d like to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What do you want the experience to be like?<\/p>\n\n\n\n When will you go?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who will you go with?<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is your initial budget?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where will you go?<\/p>\n\n\n\n To dive deeper into these questions, see our post:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Picking Your Next Vacation Destination<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n What is the best month to visit British Columbia?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Shoulder season is the golden season in western British Columbia. All along the coastline from April to early June and September to early October, you will have the ultimate combo of lovely weather and fewer crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The eastern side of British Columbia is drier and colder overall – this is where you’ll find the areas primo ski areas like Whistler. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What is the rainiest month in British Columbia?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n November is the wettest month in maritime British Columbia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The entire Pacific Northwest can expect rain in late October – March. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And remember, if you’re looking for snow, December to March are your months at B.C.’s top ski areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n How many days do you need to visit British Columbia?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even compared to Washington and Oregon, British Columbia is HUGE. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Add in the island factor (British Columbia has over 40,000 islands – some you’ll want to visit) and the need to use the ferry system, and you’re going to have to prioritize carefully. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We’ve had plenty of fun spending 5 days on The Sunshine Coast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people recommend 2-4 nights in Victoria. By taking advantage of the Victoria Clipper out of Seattle, you can add this beautiful excursion to your Washington vacation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you live within a few hours of the Candian border, you can take many short trips like this to key destinations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For those planning a dedicated tour of the region, keep these things in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plan plenty of time to get from point A to point B. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What should I not miss in British Columbia?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My top 10 suggestions are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Victoria<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vancouver Island<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Sunshine Coast<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vancouver B.C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whistler <\/p>\n\n\n\n Salt Spring Island<\/p>\n\n\n\n Okanagan Valley <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fraser Canyon area<\/p>\n\n\n\n Haida Gwaii<\/p>\n\n\n\n After deciding on a location, learn more about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a significant part of our enjoyment and almost as much fun as the trip itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We learn all we can before to enrich the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try these resources for oodles of ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Armchair Travel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Exploring Cultures and Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s say you plan to spend some time in Vancouver, BC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You could read a few books like; “Jade Peony”, “The Lost Ones” or “Plenty”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out an unusual guidebook – Ross Penhall’s Vancouver <\/p>\n\n\n\n Watch a few YT videos to get familiar with the city:<\/p>\n\n\n\n How to Travel Vancouver (2022) – 29 Best Things to Do in Vancouver Canada<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Vancouver Travel Tips: 11 Things to Know Before You Go<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n MUST VISIT PLACES IN VANCOUVER – Canada Travel Vlog<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Get the Vancouver BC puzzle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plan how you will get to\/from and around British Columbia<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a look at all your credit card reward accounts and frequent flyer accounts, and inventory your points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep this handy as you do your research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start planning if reward cards and frequent flyer points are part of your strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Beginner’s Guide to Travel Hacking: Earning a Free Flight in Under 15 Minutes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel Hacking Resources<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Easiest Way to Practice Travel Hacking with Credit Cards<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n TPG Beginner’s Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Points, Miles, Airlines, and Credit Cards<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s my favorite resource to help you find a good deal on flights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kayak – Flights<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kayak has a clean, clutter-free look and excellent filters to find exactly what you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You will most likely fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pull the trigger, push the buy button, and lock it down!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now dance around the house and whoop and holler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You just committed to travel!<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s normal to freak out a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My go-to resource again is Kayak Car Rentals<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure you are signed up for the rental companies’ rewards program to take advantage of your points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And, yes, you will need a car in British Columbia. The only time you can forgo a car is in downtown Vancouver or Victoria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you will be road-tripping, service, or get your car serviced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s also nice to give it a thorough cleaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And how to get home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where will you keep your car?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parking at the airport can be expensive, but there are car lots around the periphery with shuttles and deals to be had if you do some digging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Airport Parking Reservations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ask a friend or family member to drop you off and pick you up – return the favor when they fulfill a travel dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have you ever gotten off a plane and not been tired?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Add unfamiliar surroundings and a possible language barrier, and you have the makings of a family argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Welcome to paradise!<\/p>\n\n\n\n To save stress, figure out how you will get from the airport to your first location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pull up the airport map and locate where you need to go to catch a shuttle, Uber, or pick up your rental car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re staying at a hotel, see if they offer an airport shuttle. That’s my personal favorite – it’s practically stress-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No hotel shuttle?<\/p>\n\n\n\n We find Uber or Lyft to be the next best option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unless your first stop is downtown Vancouver or you’re heading straight to Victoria, my best advice is to get a car at the airport<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creatively using layovers or open-jaw flights can add another location without added time or expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to see the east side of Washington State or Northern Idaho, use Spokane International Airport (GEG).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you hoping to include Seattle? Consider flying in or out of Sea-Tac (SEA). <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of our favorite airports for user-friendliness is Portland International Airport (PDX). Visit Portland, OR<\/a>, and the other Vancouver (in Washington) and double the fun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n How to Book Open Jaw Flights to Save Time and Money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Time to get down to the nitty-gritty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are an obsessive planner, you will love this part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even non-planners will do themselves a favor by having a backbone of a plan. You don’t want to miss out on the adventure of a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vacations: To Plan or Not to Plan?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you know your dates and flight times, create a vacation planner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This could be as simple as a piece of paper or as complex as a spreadsheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the middle, you might use a Google Doc and share it with your traveling partner(s) or keep a list in Evernote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, we use a spreadsheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jody has perfected this part of the process, and by the time he’s done, it’s a color-coded piece of art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It makes a great souvenir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At a minimum, enter your flights and benchmark days with your general location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can keep fleshing this out with details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I resisted this for a long time – sorry, Jody – but I’m sold after a few trips with and without nanny Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can get fancy with Google maps<\/a>, using layers, color-coding, and icons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Begin by marking the airport, all lodging, and major attractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We add all the places we hope to go to, including sights and restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let me tell you about our restaurant plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The worst time for us to pick a place to eat is when we need a place to eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But even as an obsessive planner, I can’t predict exactly where we will be at the exact moment we want to eat every day of our trip. Sheesh!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, I vet restaurants by checking out blogs and guidebook recommendations. I look at the menu to ensure it’s in our price range; I look at the hours and exclusive deals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then we mark 2-3 choices per area we plan to sightsee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it’s time to eat, we find our location on the Google map and see what’s pre-approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If we find something better or get a recommendation from a local, we follow it, but if not, we have options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s the magic of Google maps<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The landscape for Covid vaccines changes rapidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the moment, Canada requires travelers to be “fully vaccinated.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start with this Canadian website <\/a>to get the latest recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continue to read and watch – add new places and ideas to your bucket list, the itinerary, and map as you discover them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obsessive planners unite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where we diverge from the masses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n General plans and rough itineraries are not good enough for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We need schedules; we need agendas; we need to know where we’re going to be on Tuesday at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ok, maybe not that specific.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Embrace your planning nature and get detailed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just keep a little sliver of flexibility for serendipity and plans going awry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I once missed out on a special Monet exhibit in St. Louis. It was very traumatic, and since then, if in doubt, I book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tours, shows, special exhibits, and popular attractions often sell advance tickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So I buy ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plan where you will lay your head each night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Different places in the state might suggest very different styles of lodging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some locations beg for a beachfront view, while others demand an off-the-main drag, quiet street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you a hotel fan, a vacation home devotee, a camper, or looking for something truly unique?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you make a beautiful Google Map, you’ll be able to see where you’re going to spend the bulk of your time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get a general idea of where you want to stay to save time on accommodation searches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is our favorite way to stay – free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We use our reward points strategically – they can be of great value in big cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We stayed in a $ 400-a-night room for 4 nights in Washington DC – zero out-of-pocket dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To be clear, $400\/night rooms do not fit our travel budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s our favorite source for hotel reward information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Award Mapper <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you don’t plan to stay in a hotel, use the Kayak.com search engine<\/a> – you might be surprised at what shows up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Boutique hotels and inns can be affordable and charming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a clearinghouse of options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kayak Hotels <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find anything on vacation rental sites, from a spot on the couch to entire luxury villas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Studios, apartments, and vacation homes are great options for groups and families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Often rentals will give you more space for less money. A kitchen, multiple bedrooms, and laundry facilities can be money-saving options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rental properties are usually in residential areas, allowing you to meet locals, shop like a local, and travel slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, rentals often don’t have a pool, maid service, or other conveniences a hotel offers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prioritize your must-haves. Be clear about why you’re looking at rental options – is it the kitchen? More space?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look at the location very carefully. Google Maps street view can tell you a lot about the area. Take a close look at the nearest commercial center and check out the types of business establishments. Are they the types of places you would frequent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read every review of the property. Look for any mention of neighborhood safety, water pressure, privacy, and noise. It can be hard to tell if someone has a legitimate beef or they’re super picky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My son-in-law has a great rule of thumb for reviews – he ignores the 5’s and the 1’s and homes in on the 2, 3, and 4-star reviews. This avoids the pollyanna’s and the crack-pots – giving the most accurate picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We’ve had many great Airbnb and VRBO experiences and one horrible 8-night stay in Boston. In retrospect, I should have given more credence to the reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s a red flag: if the owner argues or justifies every complaint, beware! There’s a fine line between responding to negative reviews with clarifying information and being a jerk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ask about anything that makes you uneasy, and keep copies of all communication with the owner or agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, we love the option of vacation rentals, but they take additional research if you want to get what you expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Airbnb<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n VRBO<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Housesitting is becoming a viable option due to a few excellent services linking homeowners with travelers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stay for free to keep an eye on the owners’ property and usually pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have never had the pleasure of housesitting, so here’s a great article on Nomadic Matt:<\/p>\n\n\n\n How to Become a Housesitter and Never Pay for Accommodation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n And a few well-respected housesitting sites:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nomador<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Trusted Housesitters<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n House swapping has been around for many years – even pre-internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Historically, house swapping has been popular with teachers and professors – having the summer off – swapping homes with other teachers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But house swapping is available to anyone with a place of their own to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You get all the benefits of rental homes or housesitting – but while you stay in your host’s house, they stay in yours. Besides the sign-up fee with the housesitting website, the swap is free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Home swapping sites:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Intervac<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n HomeLink<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Home Exchange <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, there’s always camping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I hear some people enjoy this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try Parks Canada<\/a> or the Provincial (national) Parks.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n HipCamp.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hip Camp is like Airbnb for campers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, after you’ve narrowed down your options – reserve your space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to save all confirmation numbers and agreement details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And double-check your check-in and check-out date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel seems to require an encyclopedia of numbers and paperwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stay organized to avoid irritating inconvenience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Below is a list of vacation planning tips and hacks to help you keep it all together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Create a checklist of things to do to get out of the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s the one we follow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leaving the House – A Vacation Checklist<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can keep paper copies, but we prefer to keep all the details in a cloud-based storage app – my favorite is Evernote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That way, we have all the information available on the go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Evernote<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sign up for a travel itinerary app for even more organization at your fingertips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trip-It is the favorite with veteran travelers. There’s a free version, which works great for occasional travel. If you travel a lot or have complex itineraries, the paid version will be worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trip-It keeps your flight, hotel, and rental car reservations straight. You can access the app on your phone, laptop, or smartwatch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The app can connect with your inbox and calendar for seamless communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can share your itinerary – with your travel partners or with someone back home for safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trip-It will suggest hotels and transportation and give you neighborhood safety scores based on your travel location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can even access airport maps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s all included in the free version. Spring for the pro app, and you will be an itinerary Ninja!<\/p>\n\n\n\n TripIt<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Trip-it and your cloud-based record system will cover 90% of your paperwork needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, you might want to print paper copies of key (expensive) tickets. I prefer to have boarding passes and pre-paid tickets to attractions in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you rarely travel out of state, it won’t hurt to let them know you will be traveling domestically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many credit card companies and banks handle this online in a simple form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For international travel, call your carrier and ask about options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out this guide to tipping in Canada by Nina Out and About:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"stylized](\"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Canada-Map-1024x1024.jpg\")
Step 1<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Explore before<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Answer these 5 questions.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n![\"harbor](\"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Harbor.jpg\")
Top questions people have about British Columbia:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"skyline](\"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Guidebooks-British-Columbia.jpg\")
Step 2<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Learn<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Step 3<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Transportation:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1. Check existing reward accounts for frequent flyer miles.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Plan travel hacking.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. Search for flight deals.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
4. Book flights.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. Book a rental car.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
6. Prepare your car.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
7. Plan how to get to the airport.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
8. Plan how to get to your first accommodation.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n9. Consider strategic flights.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Skookumchuck-Yellow.jpg\")
Step 4<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Details, details, details:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1. Create a rough itinerary.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Vacation planning with a Google map.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. Check for immunizations<\/strong>.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
4. Locking down more details.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. Get specific, making plans for each day.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
6. Book stuff. <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"shoreline](\"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Davis-Bay.jpg\")
Step 5<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Accommodations:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1. Do general research on the type of lodging you want.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Consider which neighborhood to stay in, based on activities.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. Check reward accounts for hotel points.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
4. Search for hotel options.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. Search Airbnb (or other rental sites)<\/strong>.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
6. Look into house sitting.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
7. Look into a home exchange.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
8. Look into camping.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
9. Book lodging – with credit card points, reward points, or hard cash.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"verdant](\"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Cliff-Gilker-.jpg\")
Step 6<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Stay organized:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1. Prepare to leave the house.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Keep copies of all confirmations and receipts.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. Get an app like Trip-It to store your itinerary.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
4. Print paper tickets as necessary – flights, events, pre-paid attractions.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. Let your credit cards and bank know if you’re leaving the country.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
6. Check your cell phone plan.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
7. Get <\/strong>cash for tipping.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"little](\"https:\/\/www.jauntyeverywhere.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Building-a-Fort.jpg\")