5 Spectacular Places to Visit This Spring

Spring is a time for newness, and few things renew the spirit like travel—especially following months of chilly, drizzly rain

Travelling can expand your sense of community, boost your planet stewardship, and bring adventure, relaxation, and even enhanced wellness.

Sisters Carly and Jessica Renshaw know these benefits well. They were born to travel—literally.

Their grandfather, Don Renshaw Sr., started his first travel company in 1954, and founded Renshaw Travel, a luxury travel agency located on Kitsilano’s trendy West 4th Avenue, in 1974, which their father, Don Renshaw Jr., took over in 1993.

Always interested in health and wellness, Carly is registered holistic nutritionist and holds a BSc in food, nutrition and health, while Jessica holds a BSc is Kinesiology and is a certified personal trainer. The vibrant sisters have joined forces to found a new branch of the family company, The Renshaw Wellness Collection, to provide “unique wellness travel experiences as catalysts to living a healthy life.”

“Travelling can be a key component in one’s path to health and well-being,” says Carly.

Jessica agrees: “I see how impactful travel can be, and strongly believe in using travel as a catalyst to help achieve a healthy, balanced and happy life.”

As members of the esteemed Virtuoso travel network, the fit family regularly packs their bags to visit their luxury and boutique partner properties around the globe, always in search of something new and special to share with their clients.

Click through to virtually visit five of their favourite places to travel—from B.C.’s remote wilderness to the Galapagos’ faraway wilds—during springtime.

Explore the wilderness at Sonora Resort, Discovery Islands, British Columbia

“Stay local and discover elegance in the middle of the wilderness in the Discovery Islands, just north of Desolation Sound on B.C.’s wild West Coast,” says Carly, of the luxe, all-inclusive eco-lodge, Sonora Resort, accessible by air or sea only.

“Sonora Resort offers an abundance of activities from fishing and wildlife adventures, to kayaking, tennis, hiking, paddle boarding—and golfing is even available via a short seaplane or helicopter ride,” says Jessica. “Plus, May is the best time to witness hundreds of bald eagles soar from the treetops and into the rapids below catching fish right in front of you.”

Spring cleanse at a Californian health spa

“Tune into Earth’s natural rhythms this year and engage in a spring cleanse,” says Carly, an RHN. “During this season, our bodies are craving a cleanse so embrace the offerings at The Ranch at Live Oak Malibu (90 minutes north west of Los Angeles) or The Golden Door (90 minutes south of Los Angeles).”

Adds Jessica, a personal trainer, “If you’re looking for a structured, intensive fitness- and nutrition-focused getaway, The Ranch at Live Oak Malibu will support you along your journey to a healthier lifestyle. If your body just needs to relax, decompress and return to balance, The Golden Door is the oasis you may be craving—and if packing stresses you out, don’t worry! The Golden Door provides everything you need from casual apparel, sport apparel and toiletries.”

Enjoy an outdoor adventure in Iceland

“Spring is a nice time to visit Iceland because it’s just outside of peak season in July and August,” says Jessica. “Direct non-stop service between Vancouver and Reykjavik (Keflavik airport) starts in May with Icelandic Air.”

“Iceland is a truly unique destination because it’s completely run by thermal power,” says Carly. “It’s a highly volcanic region which leads to great cave exploration and hot-spring hunting. You really feel like you embrace your wild side as the landscape is rugged and suited for lots of adventure including hiking, mountain biking, ski touring and diving. Fun fact: you can dive between two continents!”

Take a family vacation to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands

“Ecuador is one of the mega bio-diverse regions in the world,” says Jessica. “It’s four worlds in one: The Amazon, The Andes, The Pacific Coast and the Galapagos Islands.”

“Ecuador has activities for everyone,” says Carly, “cultural Amazonian adventures, a historic train ride through the high altitude regions of the Andes, birding in the Cloud Forest, surfing on the Pacific Coast, and getting up close and personal with the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands.”

“This is a great place for families or a romantic getaway,” adds Jessica, “there’s something for everyone!”

Get romantic in French Polynesia

As a select member of the invite-only Four Seasons Preferred Partner program, Renshaw Travel has access to “special value-added benefits at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts worldwide”—including the jaw-droppingly-exquisite Four Seasons Bora Bora in French Polynesia.

“This is the place for romance to blossom or even bud!” says Carly. “For those special occasions, a Paul Gauguin cruise of the Society Islands followed by a stay at the Four Seasons Bora Bora is a perfect combination for a first-time visit to this famous archipelago.”

“One of the best times to visit the stunning islands of French Polynesia is May through June,” says Jessica. “These are the best months for the combination of weather and hotel availability. And the backdrop of mesmerizing turquoise waters paints the scene for the beginner or expert scuba diver or snorkeller.”