Day trips & Overnighters: Finding the perfect cup

COFFEE. At its core it’s a simple beverage, an acquired taste that has become part of a daily routine for millions of people worldwide.

Canadians drink more coffee than water, securing our place as one of the top 10 coffee-consuming countries in the world at 2.7 cups per person per day for a total of about 14 billion cups being consumed each year.

MAKING A DAY OF IT

The biggest question, perhaps, when hitting the road in pursuit of an amazing Cuppa Joe—an interesting phrase with multiple theories on its origin, including connections to a former Secretary to the US Navy, Josephus Daniels, who abolished wine on ships, making coffee the most potent drink available onboard to sailors is: Do you have a cup before leaving or wait to arrive at the destination? My advice, leave early and wait. It’ll be worth it.

From Fairwinds, head north to Qualicum Beach to check out the recent renovations and expansion at French Press Coffee Roasters and Cafe at 92 Primrose Street, with a location opening soon in Parksville. It’ll take about

25 minutes to get there; they open at 8 am and have a fabulous breakfast menu. French Press recently won a gold medal for their Ethiopia Kilenso Moconissa in Golden Bean North America, the largest coffee roasting competition in the world.

After breakfast, and an awardwinning coffee, stroll through Qualicum Beach, visiting the

boutiques and enjoying the quaint village atmosphere while prepping your palette for the next brew. With some of the caffeine-fuelled energy enjoyably expelled, travel south to Nanaimo. Enjoy the seawall, Bowen Park or Colliery Dam, then head to White Rabbit Coffee Co. at 321 Selby Street, part of the old train station that also houses one of Nanaimo’s most exciting new restaurants, Black Rabbit Kitchen.

The vibe is simplistically creative with a focus on community and shared moments away from the busyness of urban life.

These are only two of many quality coffee options close to Fairwinds and Nanoose Bay. With so much beauty to

experience en route, coffee is as good an excuse as any to design a memorable road trip close to home. There are also several flavourful reasons to venture farther afield for an overnight adventure.

AN OVERNIGHT EXCURSION

If coffee is central to a bespoke overnight itinerary, you can’t go wrong on Salt Spring Island. A stunning 20-minute ferry ride leaves Crofton and arrives in Vesuvius Bay, a good place for that first cuppa. The Vesuvius Café, draped in colourful foliage, sets the stage for the artistic atmosphere at the core of Salt Spring’s charm. From there, you can work your way through more than ten cafés, and if you plan your trip for a Saturday, the Salt Spring Saturday Market is not to be missed. It runs 9 am - 4 pm from April 1st to October 28th.

While coffee at its core might be simple, a flavourful energy boost many rely on to start each day; coffee has become complex. Whether you take your coffee as basic as it comes or you prefer an iced Ristretto, ten shot venti with breve, five pump vanilla, seven pump caramel, four Splenda, poured, not shaken, coffee is percolated

in history, tradition and regional significance.

Java—also the name of a coffeerich island in Indonesia—is as good an excuse as any (if you need one) for a day trip or mini-staycation in pursuit of perfect caffeination.