SUMMER ADVENTURES: WHERE OUR WESTYS ROLLED IN 2025

This summer was full of stories, and some of my favorite moments came not when the vans were heading out, but when they rolled back in. Guests would step out with big smiles, a little road dust, and that bittersweet mix of: happy from the adventure, but already wishing it wasn’t over.

Almost everyone said the same thing first: how fun the vans are to drive. It didn’t take long before they were swept up into the “Van Life” spirit. Two separate guests from the UK even compared the Westfalia to the TARDIS, saying how it felt bigger on the inside. That made me laugh, but I couldn’t agree more. Another common theme? Relief. More than a few guests told me how glad they were to skip the oversized RV or modern Sprinter. The size and character of the Westfalia held up to its reputation all summer — easy, compact, full of personality, and just right for the island’s winding roads.

And the island itself? It delivered every bit of its magic. We had guests from across Canada, Europe, and Australia, and they all shared the same awe at Vancouver Island’s diversity. Small towns, mountain trails, wild beaches — nothing was alike, yet it all fit together into one unforgettable trip. The most popular hidden gem turned out to be Botanical Beach, with its tidal pools and rugged beauty (no surprise, since it’s one of my own favorite spots). Another standout discovery was Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park. Guests loved the beachfront campsites, the balance of recreation and natural restoration, and the fact that it’s only an hour and a half from Base Camp. We’ll be adding it as a recommended stop on our West Coast Getaway route.

For most guests this was their first time to the island, if not to BC, with the front dash as their “literal” window into this amazing place. There is so much to see, so much natural diversity, local culture and Van Isle is a big island. You can’t take much of it in from a hotel window. Our guests came back with stories: hearing about a local treasure and changing plans or we found this little stop along the way and it was our favourite part of the whole trip. Some awed at how wild our campgrounds actually were, “Your camping right in the forest”. And others grinned with glee at the windy, mountain edge roads we like to call British Columbian rollercoasters. That’s experience what makes the Westfalia special. It’s not just a way to get around, it’s the LOCAL way to tour Vancouver Island.

Looking back, I just feel grateful. Every guest this summer brought back incredible energy, thoughtful feedback, and, to my amazement, back-to-back-to-back 5-star reviews. That means the world to me. We put our hearts into making sure each traveler feels confident behind the wheel of a Westy and ready to explore the island, and seeing those gleeful smiles at the end of each trip made all the effort worth it.

Here’s to another season of adventures, and to every guest who helped make this summer unforgettable.