By Erin Frank

Riddle me this: After months of stressful planning, when a bride and groom are finally happily wed, why do so many couples choose to kick off their marriage by wasting an entire day in cars, airports and on planes to get to their honeymoon destination? Europe and Hawaii are terrific, but when you pledged your love in sickness and in health, I’m not sure air sickness and a 5-hour layover is quite what you had in mind. Still, the desire to get out of dodge is undeniable. After all that build-up to the ceremony and reception, couples often want to escape from the stress of it all and strike out for unfamiliar territory.

So what to do if you’re looking for a great escape, and preferably a new stamp in your passport, but don’t want to lose 24 hours to travel? Think Canada. With an easy 2-hour flight from San Francisco landing you in Vancouver, British Columbia, you can strike out for the Discovery Islands and head to Sonora Resort, a romantic waterfront retreat that’s designed to soothe your stress away.

Upon arrival, your getaway begins with a scenic 50-minute ride in a London Air helicopter.  You’ll get an aerial tour of the Discovery Islands, which dot Discovery Passage between Vancouver Island and mainland B.C.  Take in the mountainous, tree-covered islands, often topped with lakes, and churning waters carrying snaking chains of floating logs to sawmills. As you descend you’ll get a 360° view of the resort with its 11 individually-themed lodges, a spa, business center, 32 hot tubs scattered throughout the property and a fleet of boats lined up at the dock.  Upon landing, sip a glass of wine and nibble some cheese as you get a brief orientation.  Couples can expect luxe lodgings complete with a fireplace, huge raised tub, and a dual-head rain shower.

Sonora Resort is all-inclusive, which means whether you want a chilled bottle of bubbly delivered to the room, or plan to raid the mini-bar for the chocolate and salty snacks, the world is your oyster.  The dining room at Sonora Resort is one of the best restaurants B.C. has to offer. Breakfast might be homemade chorizo with eggs and polenta, or dungeness crab benedict with moist, meaty morsels of crab fresh from the live traps just off the dock. For lunch try a salad or more hearty fare, like a ground sparerib hamburger, or fresh lobster club. Dinner is culinary creativity come to life, with a different 6-course chef’s tasting menu presented each night. Dishes might include oysters, foie gras, squab, or filet mignon, with a few fresh greens to complement each course. You’ll savor every bite as you watch harbor seals play in the water outside the main lodge.

Sonora Resort offers couples a chance to experience the resort together or to enjoy activities separately.  The groom might try world-class salmon fishing in local waters with an expert guide—the staff will clean and pack your catch for you to enjoy at home—while the bride books an appointment (or a few) at the Island Currents Spa. There you’ll find relaxing massages, manicures and pedicures, and facials or simply enjoy the spa’s mineral pools and steam rooms. To combine your interests, first take  an Eco-Tour on the water, spotting bald eagles and whales in the surrounding channels, then book a couples massage at the spa. Finish the day with some fresh and creative cocktails mixed up at the bar.

Above all, what you’ll find at Sonora is peace and pleasure.  It’s the perfect place to decompress after all your wedding worry. If you’re anything like my husband and I, who just got back from an amazing stay at the resort, you’ll find yourself echoing our toast over dinner: “Here’s to another day in paradise.”

Sonora Resort

Sonora Island, British Columbia

Canada

604-233-0460

www.sonoraresort.com