| Travelling north from Nanaimo on the
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| | The area is perfect for "antiquing",
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| Inland Island Highway, there's a stretch
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| | visiting art galleries, beach-walking,
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| of wilderness before you reach the Comox
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| | cycling, bird- watching, fishing,
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| Valley. It's so easy to tell when you
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| | golfing, hiking and kayaking.Check out
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| arrive in the first metropolitan area on
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| | the Comox Vacation DealsFanny Bay is home
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| the northern part of Vancouver Island. On
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| | of the world famous Fanny Bay Oysters.
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| your left are the snow-capped Beaufort
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| | Check with the Inn staff and they will
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| Mountains and the Comox Glacier defining
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| | tell you where to get a feed of these
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| the western edge of the valley. The salty
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| | great oysters. Fanny Bay is also the
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| sea of the Georgia Strait to your right
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| | gateway to Denman and Hornby Islands with
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| defines the eastern edge of the valley.
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| | regular BC Ferry service. To get to
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| Rocky snow covered peaks roll gently down
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| | Hornby Island you must first take the
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| to the valleys below.Forests, alpine
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| | ferry to Denman, drive across the island
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| meadows, crystal clear rivers, sandy
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| | and the take a well-timed ferry to
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| beaches and bucolic farmland make up the
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| | Hornby.Once we checked in, we were off to
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| beautiful Comox Valley. The Comox Valley
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| | have some lunch. One of our local friends
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| extends from Fanny Bay in the South to
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| | recommended the Monte Cristo. This
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| Saratoga Beach in the North, a distance
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| | restaurant is situated on the Courtenay
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| of about 30 miles or 50 kilometers. It is
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| | River and the deck hangs over a
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| the Recreation Capital of Vancouver
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| | tributary. The meal was excellent and
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| Island. Only in the Comox Valley can you
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| | since we were celebrating a birthday, the
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| ski, golf, fish, kayak and scuba dive all
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| | staff responded by bringing the "birthday
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| on the same day. Choose a vacation filled
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| | girl" a special cake. This restaurant has
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| with outdoor adventures or check out the
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| | been recommended by a number of people
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| incredible artistic and cultural
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| | and is one of the best in Courtenay.After
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| community - the four museums, the live
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| | lunch we decided to visit the world's
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| theatre performances, the many local
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| | best little tourist trap, the Coombs
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| festivals and attractions - or you can go
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| | Country market. This gem of a country
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| shopping in the many boutique-style
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| | store is famous for the goats that live
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| stores.We arrived at our beautiful
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| | on the grass roof above the store. The
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| accommodations at the historic "Ship's
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| | owner shops the world and fills the store
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| Point Inn" near Fanny Bay. This
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| | with unique gifts and specialty food
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| distinguished Inn is a serene Bed and
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| | items. Coombs is not in the Comox Valley,
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| Breakfast nestled on the shore of Ships
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| | but being in Fanny Bay makes so many
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| Point. The manicured gardens and
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| | things central. Coombs is only a 30
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| flower-covered arbour entry greet you as
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| | minute drive south and west of Fanny Bay.
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| you drive into the parking area. The Inn
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| | The Coombs Country Market has a deli, a
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| has a garden gazebo, a covered hot tub
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| | produce section, bakery, and incredible
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| and a deck overlooking miles of ocean
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| | crafts from around the world and probably
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| scenery. In the distance you can hear the
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| | the best ice cream bar on Vancouver
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| sea lions discussing their day.The Inn
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| | Island. The 40-foot ice cream bar offers
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| has six elegantly appointed rooms, with
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| | over 30 flavors of ice cream as well as
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| views of the Baynes Sound and Georgia
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| | sorbet and gelato (Italian ice cream).
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| Strait.The Inn is at the end of Ships
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| | The Coombs Country Market has spawned a
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| Point Road and is well away from the
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| | village of other establishments that
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| Oceanside Route Highway into Courtenay
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| | thrive because of the draw of the market.
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| and Comox. From the spacious deck you can
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| | On the return trip to Fanny Bay, we
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| see snow-capped mountains, sea lions,
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| | followed the scenic Oceanside Route
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| eagles, the Denman Island ferry dock and
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| | (Highway19a). It travels through Qualicum
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| ocean cruise ships traveling to and from
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| | Beach, Bowser, Lighthouse, and other
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| to Alaska.It's so peaceful and the
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| | communities.Ron Kirstein is the owner of
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| sunsets are very special indeed. This 4
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| | a Canadian Travel & Tourism Web
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| Star Inn is a great romantic retreat or
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| | site (since 1995).
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| just a great place to get away and relax.
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