Embark on a 7-day road trip from Victoria through Nanaimo, Parksville, Tofino to Port Alberni. This itinerary is designed for friends travelling together, with a mid-range budget, with a mix of adventure, so you can feel like you're travelling with a local rather than following a tour bus timetable. You'll keep an active rhythm, packing in more movement and discovery each day while still keeping the transfers believable for the way this trip is meant to unfold. Think of this as a ready-made framework rather than a script: each day suggests a clear path and one or two anchor experiences, but always leaves room for spontaneous detours, extra coffee stops, and the kind of small discoveries that make trips feel personal. Active route with hikes, water or mountain experiences, scenic drives, safety notes, and earned recovery stops.