We are now onto the third installment of the 10-week BC Travel Tuesday contest I am running with backyardbc.com where we’re celebrating the best in local travel while offering up weekly giveaways for BC residents.

backyardbc is a new travel website designed specifically for residents of British Columbia. Essentially a “be a tourist in your own backyard” program, participating hotels & resorts offer residents of BC exclusive rates and specials, designed to motivate BCers to travel more within the Province. Each offer has its own unique reservation code, and all bookings are done directly with our hotel and resort partners. Visit backyardbc online, on Twitter, or Facebook and see more of BC!

The winner of “Week 2: Howe Sound Inn & Brewing” is Cliff (and he has been contacted by email). This week’s featured property is tucked away on 22 acres of seaside property among arbutus trees and sandy beaches on the Eastern side of Vancouver Island. I had the opportunity to visit Tigh-Na-Mara while on a girls getaway to the Island in 2009. The spa, the bistro, and the sunsets are pretty tough to beat.

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort
Website, Twitter, Facebook, backyardbc listing
Location: 1155 Resort Drive, Parksville, BC
About: Gaelic for “House by the Sea” Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre is an all-season destination featuring 192 unique log constructed accommodation units, three restaurants and the award-winning Grotto Spa.
Prize: 2 nights in an ocean-view studio and 2 mineral pool passes at the spa.
Value: $650

To enter to win, leave a comment on this post and/or post the following on Twitter:

Winners will be announced every Tuesday on the latest BC Travel Tuesday contest post until the 10 weeks are up. Gift certificates for hotel and resort stays will be sent directly to each weekly winner so they can arrange their visit personally with the property. Some restrictions apply, based on availability.

Update The winner this week is Holly Johnston (@LaundryDivas), congratulations! Thank you to everyone for participating, please check out Week 4 to try again.

View all posts in the series by following or subscribing to my BCTravelTuesday tag. Open to residents of BC.

For our final meal of our Girls Getaway last week, Keira and I were treated to dinner at The Landing West Coast Grill over at the Pacific Shores Resort & Spa. One of the best things about Parksville, aside from the endless beaches and glorious sunsets, is the resorts. I remembered spotting Pacific Shores from the water during our kayaking adventure and it was just as lovely up close on dry land.

At The Landing we were greeted by friendly staff as walked past their wine cellar and 6,000 gallon aquarium and were then seated by the window so we could overlook Craig Bay. The menu featured numerous Ocean Wise selections and also highlighted gluten-free items.

For starters, we each chose a wood-oven roasted bread appetizer (even though we were also given complimentary olive loaf, and corn bread). We chose the Warm Oregano & Cheese Whole Wheat Flat Bread and the Spicy Fire Cracker Flat Bread with Warm Goat Cheese & Tomato Dip .

My main course, the Cedar Plank Halibut, was a featured item that was served with lemon herbs & butter, wild rice and seasonal vegetables.

From our window view, we could see a wedding party doing a run-through out on the lawn. The resort hosts many special events and at the Landing you can select from special dining options such as their Dinner & Dance experience.

The dessert menu was presented to us in a way that was dazzling, yet I believe Keira also mentioned, kind of cruel. Each dessert item was brought out on a tray so we could get a full preview (we only meant cruel because we wanted to devour each and every offering, but our full bellies wouldn’t allow that to be an option). We selected the crème brûlée (which had hints of raspberry) and the chocolate mousse (with orange).

It was the perfect way to end our stay in the Oceanside region on Vancouver Island and I look forward to exploring even more when I return — which I hope will be some time very soon.

The past week has featured a series of posts about our Girls Island Getaway adventures. My photos are available on Flickr and you can also read Keira’s posts over on her site.

Ever since I first played mini golf at Playland as a child I’ve been a fan of astroturf greens and rotating windmills. I’m a golfer as well however I’ve probably played more mini golf courses across North America than actual courses. From West Edmonton Mall down to Wonderland Castle Fun Park in the Fraser Valley it’s always a good time with friends.

When you’re in the Parksville area on Vancouver Island the one staple of every trip is a cruise around the 18 holes at Paradise Fun Park. It’s been a personal favourite over the last decade and I think my first car still has score cards from Paradise sitting in the glove box (wherever it may be resting now). As it turns out my partner in crime on the Girls Getaway, the lovely Ms Keira-Anne, also grew up with fond memories of Paradise and even knows the family that runs it all. With all of this in mind when we had some free time, it was a no-brainer to get into the car and head over for a round of putt-putt.

Right on the main highway, adjacent to a campground resort, you’ll see its towering castle and giant shoe — you know, where the old woman lives with all her kids (although they actually host birthday parties in there). Paradise offers two separate courses, the Turf n’ Surf and Treasure Island as well as bumper boats and a full amusement centre arcade (featuring kid-favourite, Whack-a-Mole).

The place was buzzing even at 8:00pm on a Thursday night so be prepared to wait a bit after each hole. We decided to do the Treasure Island course, which turned out to be lucky since Keira scored a hole-in-one right on top of the pirate ship. It’s also located further away from the main door so it seems to be less crowded then the Turf n Surf course.

Mini golf can’t really be compared to a world-class spa resort, nor acres of old growth forest, however it is a timeless classic when it comes to good ol’ fun times.

Side note: There is a new mini golf course in Parksville near Tigh-Na-Mara called Riptide Lagoon. If you’ve played the course at Cultus Lake it looks like a similar design style.

This week will feature a series of posts about our Girls Island Getaway adventures. My photos will be available on Flickr and you can also read Keira’s posts over on her site.

In the middle of a 70-acre old growth forest we met up with Kim Hammond who works in the nursery at the Milner Gardens and Woodland. Kim guided Keira and I around the grounds as we continued our Girls Getaway over on Vancouver Island.

The history of the gardens and woodland is extremely fascinating, although experiencing what has being built up over the years with the help of a small army of passionate volunteers is even more astounding.

Ray Milner owned the vacation estate and worked on the garden with his first wife Rita until her passing in 1952. Veronica became Ray’s wife in 1954 and continued the work on the gardens. A descendant of the Dukes of Marlborough, Veronica Milner was related to Sir Winston Churchill as well as Diana, Princess of Wales. With an artistic eye and some impressive connections (Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip were guests of the estate) she helped transform and preserve the land. In the late 1990s, Veronica wanted to ensure her home would live on as a gardens and woodland so in 1996 it was trusted to Vancouver Island University where it would be maintained in perpetuity “for education and the community’s benefit in Ray Milner’s memory”. Veronica herself passed away in 1998.

To say the land is beautiful is an understatement. When you first pull into the parking lot off the highway you’ll see nothing but towering Redwoods, Cedars, and Douglas Firs alongside the interpretive centre. After a self-guided stroll through the forest you’ll come to the garden entrance.

The Milner gardens are not really show gardens as they are to be enjoyed leisurely for their natural wonder. They’re home to many native Island plants as well as some truly unique flora from around the globe.

On top of holiday decorations and displays, they also host gardening workshops for kids, garden clubs, work parties, private events, and they have a store on site (in the old pool house) that sells all sorts of goodies from local artisans. Just a ways away, inside the main house, there is a lovely tea room and paintings by local artists adorn almost every wall.

Sitting out on the porch in front of the lawn, flanked by Dogwood trees, I peered off into the distance, out over the cliffs, and watched as the white-capped waves approached the shore. I suddenly longed to call this wondrous place home even though it would be an impossibility. I don’t think it was the lovely scenery, the china tea cups, or the yummy egg salad sandwich on a fresh croissant either (although they were all enjoyable). It was more so that I felt what I can only assume was but an ounce of the pride and love Veronica had for the land – if even for those few minutes. It’s something I felt emanating from every employee and volunteer we encountered that day as well.

We were treated to tea and lunch prepared on site by staff and dedicated volunteers and since we had to leave before we could enjoy dessert we were also given some delicious scones (with homemade jam) for the road.

Coming up in August, Milner will have a BC Day Picnic, and Jazz in the Garden on August 16th. They also sell plants from their nursery and will host a Fall Plant Sale in late September. Admission is $10 for adults however they offer an annual membership for $25, which is by far the best deal since you’ll definitely want to check out the estate each season.

I know I’ve been saying this in every post from our Girls Getaway so far but Milner is definitely a must-see destination on Vancouver Island.

This week will feature a series of posts about our Girls Island Getaway adventures. My photos will be available on Flickr and you can also read Keira’s posts over on her site.

On the second morning of our Girls Island Getaway from Vancouver, we made up our own schedule before heading to our next appointment. It’s fortunate that we did since it gave us time to explore Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and sample some tasty Morningstar Creek Wines.

Located in Parksville, BC the farm has been around for over a century however it wasn’t until artisan cheesemakers Clarke and Nancy Gourlay moved to Morningstar in 2004 (after making cheese since 2001) that it became Little Qualicum.

Little Qualicum Cheeseworks is also home to a slice of local history, featuring Lowry’s cabin at its entrance. This 120-year old homestead was the home of pioneer and blacksmith, Jim Lowry and is also featured on their cheese labels.

More and more people want to “see where their food comes from,” said winemaker Phil Charlebois as he led us on an impromptu tour of the Morningstar Farm. It’s a saying I first heard while doing the Circle Farm Tour in Harrison & Agassiz and something that is truly helping locals and visitors alike experience delicious farm fresh offerings.

Throughout the farm they have also created a fun experience for visitors, where you can peer in on the cheesemaking room, grab an Island Farms ice cream, giggle at their punny signage, visit with goats, or take a 30 minute trail walk around the property to truly soak in the area’s beauty.

We ran into some piglets in the barns as well but it’s best not to get too attached since Little Qualicum also sells bacon and pork products in their on-site store. However, being SPCA Certified, at least they’ll have a fine life in the shadowy valley of Mt Arrowsmith before making it to your plate. The farm also has Environmental Partner Certification, produces Canadian Quality Milk, and offers Verified Beef.

After our walk around the grounds (you can also pick up a handy self-guided tour map) we went into the shop to sample some cheese and do some wine tastings. There are cheese curds, feta, spiced creations, and fromage frais – perfect for spreading on a toasty bagel. If you shop at Capers or Whole Foods you may have been lucky enough to pick up some Artisan or Brie varieties from Little Qualicum Cheeseworks. These award-winning selections come directly from this working dairy farm that milks 50 cows, when they’re not out in the pasture. Almost 50% of the cheese produced by Little Qualicum is Brie, since it’s by far their best-seller.

We had some berry wine samples from Morningstar Creek Winery and I walked away with a bottle of their gooseberry wine (which was not too tart and not to sweet).

Morningstar Farm is located off Lowry Rd next to a truffle farm, which makes me wonder if they would benefit from creating an Oceanside Circle Farm Tour in the area. Being such a gem, I’m sure many wish they could keep the delicious offerings of Little Qualicum as their little secret, but something this good just absolutely deserves to be in the limelight.

This week will feature a series of posts about our Girls Island Getaway adventures. My photos will be available on Flickr and you can also read Keira’s posts over on her site.

Continuing our Girls Island Getaway in beautiful Parksville and Qualicum, Keira and I checked into the Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort for two days and a luxurious night of pampering.

The Tigh-Na-Mara Resort features seaside condos for rent, log cabin cottages, and bungalows near the Grotto Spa. Our room was in the Ballenas condo facing the water and I must say, our photos don’t do this breathtaking view justice.

After checking in we hit the Grotto for a soak in their 2500 mineral pool, which is fed by cascading waterfalls. The entire spa area is a “robe and sandal” zone, so you can wander from the pool to the treatment rooms on the second floor, and the Treetop Tapas & Grill restaurant in comfort.

Once we explored (and took advantage of) the mineral pool, we were invited up to the third floor to enjoy the Treetop’s endless tapas feature. Since Keira is a vegetarian I was able to enjoy a few more dishes however I was also very very full by the time the last course arrived.

Roasted Shallot and Portobello Mushroom – Pan-seared Spinach, Buttermilk Dressing
Antipasto – Roasted Stem Artichokes & Marinated Olives
Baby Buffalo Mozzarella – Roma Tomato, Basil, Salsa Verde
Warm Green Bean & Red Potato Salad – Hazelnut & Dijon Vinaigrette
Grilled Flatbread, Caramelized Red Onions, Goat Cheese, Smoky Bacon Lardons

Caramelized, Tequila-infused Prawn and Scallop – Cherry Essence
Smoked Applewood Cheddar Risotto – Opal Basil, Zucchini Chips
Steamed Local Halibut – Citrus Scented Asperagus, Blood Orange Oil
Wild Pacific Salmon Kebob – Honey & Lime

Marinated Lamb Sirloin – Spiced Eggplant Ragout, Minted Yogurt
Grilled Chorizo & Fried Sweet Potato – Mustard & Roasted Tomato Aioli
Baked Saltspring Island Mussels – Tomato Sautee, Garlic & Reggiano
Yam, Leek & Blue Cheese Tart – Dressed Greens

Dessert consisted of creme caramel, a red velvet cupcake, and chocolate mousse.

From floor to ceiling the Grotto Spa offers a relaxed environment with soothing music, a relaxation lounge, plenty of refreshments (such as tea, water, and fruit) and all the amenities a girl could ask for in the dressing rooms.

We returned the next day for another soak in the mineral pool followed by the Pacific Body Balancing Treatment. This included a sea salt scrub, a thermal clay wrap, a hydrating facial, and finally a body butter massage. To say I felt calm and relaxed afterward would be an understatement. The staff at the spa were all very friendly, helpful, and made sure we had the very best time.

I’m looking forward to returning some day, either on another Girls Getaway or with John — as long as we can land us one of the spa bungalows preferably with those copper soaker tubs I heard about.

Nestled between towering firs and limbering arbutus trees on the shores of the Pacific ocean, the Grotto at Tigh-Na-Mara is the ultimate West Coast spa experience.

This week will feature a series of posts about our Girls Island Getaway adventures. My photos will be available on Flickr and you can also read Keira’s posts over on her site.

Last week Keira and I were invited over to the Island for a girls getaway adventure in the Parksville and Qualicum region. Our time was action-packed from the minute I arrived at the Departure Bay ferry terminal and we headed up Island toward Nanoose for our afternoon kayaking trip.

I first learned to canoe and kayak in summer camp, over 15 years ago, so my recent refresher over in Deep Cove came in handy when we faced strong wings and boat-rocking swells.

In Nanoose we met up with Jan Kretz of Adventuress who runs a business offering wilderness adventures for women. Jan arrived full of energy and seemed encouraged by the fact that we didn’t shy away from the less-than-smooth conditions out on the water.

After helping us load into our boats, she armed us with valuable information and safety tips, and then we were off to explore Craig Bay – just around the corner. Steering in through the choppy ups and downs of the ocean I knew my muscles would hurt for days after.

Jan pointed out the snow-capped mountain ranges, the names of Islands, and led us into the Bay as we drifted in calmer waters, trailing a family of geese that was also out for a little cruise.

Sometimes I think I haven’t found peace with the Pacific since I’m always hesitant to swim amongst its creatures, white caps and sea kelp however I don’t think I’d ever miss the opportunity to head out for a paddle. There’s just something about being out on the water that is empowering and at the same time brings peace. I can look back on land at all of the houses I wish I could buy, the mountains I could aim to hike, and the forests I’d love to explore, but at the same time sitting in that boat and experiencing the open water is amazing in its own right. My muscles did end up hurting for days after, and I blistered the inside of my thumb with the paddle, but it was definitely worth it.

Photo credit: Keira on Flickr

One thing I noticed recently about kayaking tours is that the people who run them are truly passionate about what they do – and Jan was absolutely no exception. With Adventuress she offers anything from 2-hour tours like we experienced to overnight escapes with either camping or cushy B&B accommodations (which seems like the ideal plan for the next Girls Island Getaway).

Jan also teaches lessons and does themed outings year-round. These special tours include, the Sea Lion Paddle, the Full Moon Paddle, the Sunset Paddle, trips over to Mistaken or Newcastle Island, and coming up this month, a Gulf Islands Escape.

You can contact Jan directly to make a reservation or to set up your next multi-day trip.

This week will feature a series of posts about our Girls Island Getaway adventures. My photos will be available on Flickr and you can also read Keira’s posts over on her site.