Embracing the holiday spirit in Victoria, B.C., during Christmas, is an enchanting experience. Nestled on Vancouver Island, this charming city boasts a delightful blend of festive cheer and natural beauty.

From relaxing at the Waikoloa Marriott Beach Resort & Spa to exploring Kohala Waterfalls, Volcano National Park, and even swimming with manta rays, our trip was a true bucket list experience. Here's a look at some of the amazing activities we enjoyed during our stay on the Big Island.

Join me on a 12-night New Zealand (NZ) and Australia sailing March 15-27, 2024. It’ll be on Virgin Voyages - an adult only cruise line (age 18+). This is a unique itinerary being offered only once. As you can see below, it visits both the North and South Island of NZ & three ports in Australia.

The islands of New Zealand have 16 distinct regions across the two main islands offering much for travelers to delight in. The indigenous people of New Zealand are known as the Māori and I encourage you to take some time to learn about their culture and history, during your visit. There are many museums, cultural sites, and performances available to learn about this beautiful culture.

Since Australia is on many people’s bucket lists, I thought it would be helpful to talk about some of the ways you can explore this vast country. From wineries, to culture, history, art, nature etc there’s sure to be something for everyone.

I saved the best for last - the Summit One Vanderbilt experience. This tourist attraction is thoughtfully laid out from the very beginning. You will need to purchase advance timed tickets. They do not take walk ups. It’s a family friendly, fun-for-all ages experience. Each room and floor offer a different perspective of the city views. Get your cameras ready for all your fun social media pictures.

The city’s energy is inviting and there’s so much to explore. Not to mention their mild climate (only 1-2 days of snow/year) makes visiting year-round possible. Vancouver Island is a family & pet friendly area. It’s also known as the newly wed capital of Canada.