Day 1 - Arrival Vancouver / Sunset Dinner Cruise
Upon arrival at the Vancouver International Airport, you will pick up your rental car and drive to your hotel in downtown Vancouver.
This evening climb aboard for a Sunset Dinner Cruise, a true Vancouver dining experience. Cruise past the magnificent Vancouver skyline, around Stanley Park, past the beaches of English Bay and into the lights, sights and sounds of False Creek. While onboard, enjoy live musical entertainment and a west coast themed buffet. It's like dining in all of Vancouver's finest waterfront restaurants in one evening! You will transfer (on own) to the harbour 30 minutes prior to departure with boarding commencing at 6:30 PM.
Note: April departures - Sunset Dinner Cruise does not start until May 1, so it will be deleted from your tour.
Moderate: Overnight Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Vancouver (includes Breakfast Buffet)
Superior: Overnight Wedgewood Hotel - Executive room
Deluxe: Overnight Wedgewood Hotel - Deluxe Suite
Day 2 - Vancouver & North Shore Sightseeing
Enjoy the day exploring Vancouver City and North Shore. Discover the world famous Stanley Park; see spectacular mountain views from Prospect Point and English Bay beaches. Experience the vibrancy of Chinatown, historic Gastown and Canada Place. Another highlight is a trip to Granville Island where visitors and locals alike shop at the Farmer's Market and the local artisans' workshops. Travel across the Lions Gate Bridge to the Capilano Suspension Bridge with time to experience Vancouver's oldest and most famous attraction. You will also experience the new Tree Top Adventure, Treetops offers visitors a squirrel's eye view of a thriving coastal forest, as they venture from one magnificent Douglas fir tree to another via a series of elevated suspension bridges, some reaching as high as 100 feet above the forest floor. Next, travel a short distance to Grouse Mountain and take a gondola ride to the top where you can see a lumberjack show, a short film in Theatre in the Sky, Grizzly Bear refuge, and a Birds of Prey show - all included in your lift ticket.
Moderate: Overnight Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Vancouver (includes Breakfast Buffet)
Superior: Overnight Wedgewood Hotel - Executive room
Deluxe: Overnight Wedgewood Hotel - Deluxe Suite
Day 3 - Vancouver to Victoria
This morning you will travel to Vancouver Island aboard a large and comfortable BC Ferry, a passenger/vehicle ferry, for a spectacular 90 minute cruise through the Gulf Islands' marine wonderland. Upon arrival at Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island, you will drive to the world renowned Butchart Gardens. At the gardens, you will see the Sunken Garden, the Japanese and Italian Gardens, the English Rose Garden and the magnificent Ross Fountain, all linked by spacious lawns, streams and lily ponds - 50 acres of fragrance and beauty. Afterwards, continue your journey to Victoria, BC's capital city. Upon arrival, you will check in at your hotel.
Moderate: Overnight Chateau Victoria
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Empress Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Empress Hotel - Fairmont Gold Harbour view Suite (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 4 - Victoria Sightseeing
Enjoy the day exploring Victoria. Victoria's pride of heritage is reflected in the beautifully restored and well maintained architectural treasures located throughout the city, especially downtown. In fact, many of the city's most popular attractions and restaurants are housed in heritage buildings. The stunning coastal scenery of Victoria is the perfect setting in which to enjoy a wide range of adventures and experiences including exhilarating marine activities, the luxury of a world class spa, a breathtaking journey on a vintage train, a drive or cycle along the awe inspiring scenic Marine Drive. Moreover, with such a wide range of fascinating attractions to choose from, Victoria has plenty to capture everyone's interest and imagination. You may wish to take an optional whale watching cruise, visit the Royal B.C. museum or enjoy Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel.
Moderate: Overnight Chateau Victoria
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Empress Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Empress Hotel - Fairmont Gold Harbour view Suite (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 5 - Victoria to Tofino
Today, you will travel north along the scenic Island Highway to Parksville. Enroute you can visit the Cowichan Native Cultural Centre in Duncan or stroll by the world famous outdoor gallery of murals and sculptures revealing the history of the culturally rich artist's community of Chemainus. Continue your journey and drive through Nanaimo and continue to Coombs Country Market, famous for the goats grazing on its roof. Travel west through Cathedral Grove, home of 800 year old Douglas Fir trees. You may also wish to visit Port Alberni and take the Alberni Railway which takes visitors along the Log Train Trail to the McLean Mill National Historic Site. Today's 5-6 hour journey will end in the small resort community of Tofino, nestled on the most western part of Vancouver Island. Tofino is a relaxed, casual place, totally given to unwinding and getting back to nature. Walk for hours along the world famous sands of Long Beach and the Pacific Rim National Park, past secret coves and through old growth forests.
Moderate: Overnight Best Western Tin Wis Resort
Superior: Overnight Long Beach Lodge - Ocean view room (includes Continental Breakfast Buffet)
Deluxe: Overnight Long Beach Lodge - Deluxe Beachfront (includes Continental Breakfast Buffet)
Day 6 - Whale Watching Tour
Today you have the possibility of viewing the majestic beauty of the gray whale on a 3 hour whale watching excursion by Zodiac or Hard Hull boat, our choice. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the region. You may wish to walk along famed Long Beach, with its miles of pristine sandy beach and pounding surf, or explore the rain forest on a selection of well groomed trails. Or you may want to explore the quaint fishing villages of Tofino and nearby Ucluelet.
Moderate: Overnight Best Western Tin Wis Resort
Superior: Overnight Long Beach Lodge - Ocean view room (includes Continental Breakfast Buffet)
Deluxe: Overnight Long Beach Lodge - Deluxe Beachfront (includes Continental Breakfast Buffet)
Day 7 - Tofino to Whistler
Today you drive to Nanaimo where you will take another BC Ferry route to Horseshoe Bay located back on British Columbia's mainland. From here, you will travel along the famous Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler. Enroute stops can be made to view the awesome Shannon Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in British Columbia and Brandywine Falls. A short walking trail leads from the parking lot at Brandywine Falls Provincial Park to an observation platform at the top of the falls. The spectacular 70 metre waterfall is best seen from this viewpoint, which also presents some marvelous views of Daisy Lake and the surrounding mountains. Afterwards, continue your journey to Whistler Village, home of the alpine and nordic venues for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Moderate: Overnight Delta Whistler Village Suites – Delta room
Superior: Overnight Four Seasons Resort Whistler - Superior room
Deluxe: Overnight Four Seasons Resort Whistler - Premier room
Day 8 - Whistler to Kelowna
From Whistler, follow the sparkling lakes and spectacular glaciers of the Coast Mountain range as seen along the Duffey Lake Road (Hwy. 99) to Lillooet. From here, travel on to the historic town of Lytton which is nestled on a series of benches where the Fraser and Thompson rivers meet. No visit to Lytton is complete without a visit to Hell's Gate. You will descend a gut wrenching 152 m (500 ft) on the air tram into the spectacular Fraser Canyon for a close up view of waters rushing through the 35 m (1100 ft) wide gorge. Today's drive will end in Kelowna, situated on the shores of beautiful Okanagan Lake. This region is renowned for warm lakes, sandy beaches, lush orchards, award winning wineries and world class golf courses.
Moderate: Overnight Coast Capri Hotel - Superior room
Superior: Overnight Manteo Resort - Deluxe Guestroom Lakeside
Deluxe: Overnight Manteo Resort - One Bedroom Lakeside Suite
Day 9 - Great Estates of the Okanagan Self Drive Tour & Winemaker's Dinner
This morning your Great Estates of the Okanagan self drive winery tour begins by heading south where you will experience a unique and novel self touring opportunity. This tour is centred on five wineries and includes a tasting at each location and a tour at three of the properties. Each wine tour and tasting reflects the character of the wineries - a historical vineyard Tour at Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards, a full cultural tour and a food and wine paired lunch at NK'Mip Cellars, Ice wine tasting at Inniskillin, tasting at Jackson Triggs Okanagan Estate and a sparkling wine tour and 3 course Winemaker's dinner at Sumac Ridge Estate Winery. After your Winemaker's dinner, you will return to Kelowna.
Moderate: Overnight Coast Capri Hotel - Superior room
Superior: Overnight Manteo Resort - Deluxe Guestroom Lakeside
Deluxe: Overnight Manteo Resort - One Bedroom Lakeside Suite
Day 10 - Kelowna to Lake Louise
Drive east along the shores of Shuswap Lake, through three mountain ranges and over the Roger's Pass on your way to the famed Lake Louise. You will also travel through three of Canada's National Parks - Mount Revelstoke, Glacier and Yoho. Then cross Rogers Pass and climb Kicking Horse Pass en route to Alberta and Banff National Park to reach the "Jewel of the Rockies", Lake Louise.
Moderate: Overnight Deer Lodge - Heritage room
Superior: Overnight Relais & Chateaux Post Hotel - King with Fireplace
Deluxe: Overnight Relais & Chateaux Post Hotel - Riverside Cabin
Day 11 - Lake Louise to Banff
Today, explore the magnificent Lake Louise region. There is plenty to see and do today - walk or hike the trails at and around the Lake Louise and nearby Moraine Lake, enjoy a relaxing canoe excursion or explore nearby Emerald Lake and Yoho National Park, with the spectacular Takakkaw Falls (The above areas have limited access until late May). As well, be sure to drive north along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic mountain routes in the world. In the late afternoon travel south along the scenic Bow Valley Parkway to the scenic town of Banff.
Moderate: Overnight Charlton Cedar Court
Superior: Overnight Rimrock Resort Hotel - Deluxe room
Deluxe: Overnight Rimrock Resort Hotel – Grand view room
Day 12 - Banff Sightseeing
Enjoy a full day exploring the mountain resort town of Banff. Your package includes admission to the Banff Gondola, where you will take a spectacular 8 minute gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. From this vantage point at the summit, you will enjoy amazing panoramic views of Banff town site and the surrounding peaks of the Bow Valley. You may wish to take a drive along Tunnel Mountain Drive to view the beautiful town of Banff and visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site where a natural hot springs led to the creation of Canada's first National Park in 1885. Or take a mid morning stroll along Lake Minnewanka or explore the town site and visit the many museums, art galleries, and boutiques.
Moderate: Overnight Charlton Cedar Court
Superior: Overnight Rimrock Resort Hotel - Deluxe room
Deluxe: Overnight Rimrock Resort Hotel - Grand view room
Day 13 - Banff to Calgary
Depart the mountain resort town of Banff and drive through the rolling foothills to the Stampede City of Calgary. Spend the remainder of the day enjoying the sights and sounds of Calgary. You can experience Calgary during the turn of the century at Heritage Park - Canada's largest living historical village. Activities include wagon rides, carousels, steam trains and a paddle wheeler. Or visit the Calgary Tower for a birds-eye view of the city, prairies and mountains from the observation deck. Other optional activities include visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, or experience a Bob sleigh, Luge or Skeleton ride on the famed Olympic Track and in the state-of-the-art Ice House at Canada Olympic Park, home of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games.
Moderate: Overnight Sandman Inn Calgary Downtown
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 14 - Depart Calgary
Transfer to the Calgary International Airport where you will drop off your car rental in time to board your return flight home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 13 nights accommodation, room tax, & any mandatory service charges
- 14 day full size car rental including unlimited mileage, LDW, GST, personal accident insurance, personal effects coverage, provincial tax, PVRT, additional authorized operator fee
- Capilano Suspension Bridge & Tree Top Adventures admission
- Grouse Mountain sky ride
- Butchart Gardens admission
- Sulphur Mountain Gondola
- Whale Watching Tour in Tofino
- Great Estates of the Okanagan Self Drive Tour including lunch, wine tasting & Winemaker's dinner
- National Park entrance fees
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Car Rental: Refueling service charge, drop fees, gas, parking, baby seats, additional driver taxes, and credit card security deposit
- Ferry & highway tolls
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)