Nanaimo is the second largest city on Vancouver Island, but it feels more like a large town. There are several strollable areas where you can take your pick of all sorts of restaurants, from casual cafés to elegant bistros, and great shopping too. Because Nanaimo is part of gorgeous British Columbia, you’ll likely want to spend at least some of your time outdoors, whether on one of the beautiful golf courses, on a boat touring the stunning coastline or on an easy hike on Newcastle Island off the coast. Here you can walk a relaxed three- or six-mile loop on Bates Trail, where you may see blue herons, otters and even whales offshore.
