Departs
from your home address in the UK - 'tour only' option available without flights
on request.
Luxuriate in elegant resorts set amidst breathtaking views of the Canadian Rockies. Discover the beauty of western Canada on this 11-day tour as you explore Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Calgary, Victoria and Vancouver. Stay at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, The Fairmont Banff Springs, and The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, located in the heart of pristine Banff National Park, and within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Journey along the unforgettable Icefields Parkway. Visit spectacular Moraine Lake.
Butchart Gardens
In the late 1800's, a concrete merchant named Robert Pim Butchart ventured out to western Canada in search of limestone, an essential ingredient for his cement producing business. He moved his family to Vancouver Island, where he opened a processing facility adjacent to his home. After many successful years in business, his limestone quarry became barren, and Mr. Butchart was left with a gigantic hole in his backyard. He and his wife Jenny had a plan to fill the floor of the quarry with soil and create a gigantic sunken garden. As she began planting flowers, he began adding a collection of birds, and a colourful display began to take shape. Soon, word began to spread about this magnificent piece of landscape. Since the 1920's, more than 1 million nature lovers have made a pilgrimage to see this spectacle. When you tour British Columbia with Collette Worldwide Holidays, you will have an opportunity to visit this palatial park. Stroll through 50 acres of beautiful plants and colourful flowers and admire the Butcharts' hard work and creativity.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Vancouver, British Columbia
Join Collette Worldwide Holidays as you explore the beautiful resorts and spectacular scenery of the Canadian Rockies.
Day 2: Vancouver - Victoria
This morning experience the city of Vancouver with a sightseeing tour. Visit Chinatown, one of North America's largest, the vibrant waterfront area and Gastown, Vancouver's turn-of-the-century pedestrian mall and home of the world-famous steam-powered clock. Next, visit Stanley Park before boarding a ferry to Vancouver Island. Upon arrival enjoy a visit to Chemanius, a little town nestled between the mountains and the ocean, to see first hand its world-famous giant wall murals. Later, arrive in the "City Of Gardens," Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, where you'll enjoy a two night stay in the breathtaking Fairmont Empress Hotel on the Inner Harbor. (D)
Day 3: Victoria
Experience breakfast at Butchart Gardens, in the former original residence of the Butchart family. Afterwards, stroll through their 55-acre display of colourful gardens. Next, enjoy a visit to Sea Cider to learn about the agriculture on the island and enjoy a tour as well as a tasting. Returning to Victoria, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Old English-styled Victoria. (B)
Day 4: Victoria - Kelowna
This morning board BC Ferry for a spectacular cruise through the Gulf Islands with their dramatic coastlines. Once back on the mainland, travel through the lush landscape of British Columbia to the city of Kelowna in the rich and fertile Okanagan Valley. (B, D)
Day 5: Kelowna
Discover the wealth and bounty of the Okanagan Valley. Embark on a morning tour of Summerhill Winery to learn their unique techniques and enjoy a tasting. Visit the Kelowna Farmers Market and discover the bounty of the region. Wander the booths filled with produce, crafts and meats. Perhaps indulge in a local café or bakery and explore the local treats. Then, visit a jammery filled with delicious jam crafted from berries, fruit and even peppers. (B)
Day 6: Kelowna - Jasper, Alberta
Depart the Okanagan Valley along the shores of Lake Okanagan as you travel along the Thompson River. Watch for the first sighting of the majestic Canadian Rockies when you pass Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies. Then, arrive at the gateway to the Icefields Parkway, Jasper, and settle into the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for a relaxing two night stay. (B, D)
Day 7: Jasper
Begin your day with a visit to Maligne Lake, one of the prettiest bodies of water in the Canadian Rockies. The remainder of your day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the amenities of your hotel or explore the quaint town of Jasper. (B)
Day 8: Jasper - Icefields Parkway - Lake Louise
Enjoy a journey along the unforgettable Icefields Parkway: behold lovely waterfalls, rushing rivers, glacial peaks, imposing cliffs and snowcapped mountain ranges. Stop at powerful Athabasca Falls, whose waters have carved interesting features into stone. Then, at the Columbia Icefields, ride (weather permitting) across this mass of glacial ice which is over 1,000 feet thick and represents the largest accumulation of ice south of the Arctic Circle. Then, travel to spectacular Lake Louise, showcasing incredible views of its emerald waters and the imposing Victoria Glacier, and overnight at the incomparable Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. (B, D)
Day 9: Lake Louise - Banff
This morning depart for Banff and Bow Falls. Later, enjoy a visit to a local ammonite specialist where you will learn about this rare gemstone that is found only in Alberta. Your home this evening is the magnificent Fairmont Banff Springs, known as the "Castle in the Mountains." (B, D)
Day 10: Banff - Calgary
Enjoy a visit to spectacular Moraine Lake and view the incredible Valley of the Ten Peaks from which you will view the unusual "saw-toothed" Ten Peaks. Then, head to the cosmopolitan city of Calgary for the final stop on your scenic adventure. Tonight, join your new friends for a special farewell dinner at a popular local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 11: Calgary - Depart For Home
After a morning at leisure, transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Day 12: Arrive U.K.
Meal Basis: B=Breakfast and D=Dinner