Top five locations on Vancouver Island for a romantic getaway:

1. Tofino

   Where do we start? Beaches for hand-in-hand walking, fine dining, waves crashing. And to top it all off, the possibility of a power outage in the stormy winter months makes the ambiance of candles a necessity. But seriously, Tofino is a Romance Mecca. An unofficial count puts more than 300 weddings per year in Tofino and Heaven only knows how many honeymoons and anniversaries are celebrated at the many hotels and resorts that dot the sandy beaches. Book in advance if you're planning a summer getaway but we recommend the less-pricey fall, winter and spring months when the prices are low and the beaches are empty.

2. Victoria

   Vancouver Island's biggest city might not be the first location that comes to mind when planning for quiet and solitude, but British Columbia's capital city is full of romantic opportunities. With a history stretching back to 1841, Victoria is one of the Pacific Northwest's oldest cities and it also goes by the name of "The Garden City." Why should this matter for your holiday? Because everyone knows walking cobble stone streets and through intimate gardens is the beginning of the perfect date. And the best part is that your evening will inevitably include a spectacular meal — the list of gourmet restaurants is longer than the string of starry bulbs that illuminates the parliament buildings every winter.

3. The Cowichan Valley

   This stunning valley was created by the Cowichan River that flows through Duncan and into Cowichan Bay. The region encompasses the low-lying area between Mill Bay and Chemainus. Why should romance seekers be interested in this place? One word: wine. OK, maybe seven words: wine, bed and breakfasts and local food. There are more wineries in The Cowichan Valley than any other place on Vancouver Island and while it may not be the most concentrated B&B location, the quality and romantic-factor is through the roof. Top this with an ever-growing local food and farm-to-table movement and you've got a recipe for an intimate romantic getaway.

4. Telegraph Cove

   Bare with us here. We're the first to admit that Telegraph Cove isn't the first place that comes to mind when thinking about a romantic holiday. At 350 kilometers north of Nanaimo, it's a bit of a hike to get there. And with only two cafés, it's not what you might call a luxury getaway. But if you're up for solitude and adventure and you like boardwalks, bright colors and killer whales, we highly recommend that you and your significant other embark on this journey.

5. Salt Spring Island

   While we realize this is technically not Vancouver Island, it does remain smack dab in the middle of our region. And because it's such a charming location, we've scooped it up and included it in our our romantic getaway destinations. In a similar fashion to Cowichan Valley, Salt Spring Island is home to many splendid B&Bs, lots of great eating for locavores and a general pastoral vibe that is hard to find in the Big Tree & Wild West scenery that makes up most of Vancouver Island. Our straight forward advise for romance on Salt Spring is to reserve your holiday in advance, and make sure to stroll through the Saturday market, hand-in-hand, and marvel at the island's unrivaled creativity.