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Day 1 Arrival in Calgary
Arrive at Calgary Airport and collect your car (not included see
pages 12 – 15). Remainder of the day at leisure in Calgary.
Overnight: Holiday Inn Downtown.
Day 2 Calgary to Banff
(128km) Take an optional visit to the Gardens at the Calgary Zoo
with a collection of over 4000 ornamental plant species before driving
to Banff.
Overnight: (2 nights) Banff Caribou Lodge.
Day 3 Banff
Full day to explore Banff National Park. The main sights are the
Bow River Falls, Banff Springs Hotel and the Cascade of Time Gardens
at the National Park administration centre (admission free). Optional
trip to
Sunshine Meadows, a stunning alpine setting surrounded by towering
peaks. Trip includes shuttle bus and a 2-hour guided nature hike.
Day 4 Banff to Kelowna
(474km) Drive to Lake Louise to enjoy the spectacular views of the
Victoria Glacier. In nearby Yoho National Park see the Natural Rock
Bridge across the Kicking Horse River, the Spiral Train Tunnels
and Emerald Lake. Head west through Golden and Glacier National
Park to Sicamous then south into the Okanagan region known for its
sparkling lakes, vineyards and fruit orchards.
Overnight: (2 nights) Prestige Inn.
Day 5 Kelowna
Perhaps visit a winery or tour a fruit orchard. Optional garden
visits include Elysium Garden Nursery in Kelowna, 3 acres of inspirational
perennial gardens and a ‘Japanese-Inspired garden’ and
Summerland Ornamental Gardens, a spectacular 15-acre garden overlooking
Okanagan Lake.
Day 6 Kelowna to Keremeos to Harrison Hot Springs
(352km) Drive south to Keremous for an optional visit to the Grist
Mill, the only pioneer B.C. mill that still has its historic, original
machinery and building. Continue west through scenic Manning Park
to Harrison Hot Springs.
Overnight: Harrison Hot Springs Hotel & Spa.
Day 7 Harrison Hot Springs to Victoria
(168km) This morning a visit is included to spectacular Minter Gardens.
Highlights are The Penjing Rock Bonsai Collection, a fragrance garden,
an arbor garden and rose garden. Optional visit to Dried Flowers
by Judy near Chilliwack for a self-guided garden tour and visit
to the drying barn (July-October). Continue to Tsawassen for the
BC Ferry crossing to Vancouver Island (not included). Continue to
Victoria.
Overnight: (3 nights) Executive House Hotel.
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Day 8 & 9 Victoria
Victoria sightseeing highlights are Beacon Hill Park, Bastion
Square and the Inner harbour with the BC Parliament buildings. A
visit is included to the famous Butchart Gardens. Highlights are
the Sunken Garden, the
English Rose Garden, the Italian gardens, Japanese gardens and the
Star Pond. Suggested optional garden visits are The Horticulture
Centre of the Pacific; Royal Roads Military College Campus; The
Abkhazi
Gardens; Finnerty Gardens and Government House. Take an optional
4-hour private tour with a local garden expert visiting rivate gardens
in Victoria.
Day 10 Victoria to Nanaimo to Vancouver
(182km) Drive north to Ladysmith and stop by the Barton Leier Gallery
to view their unique wrought iron and glass garden art and delightful
garden. In spring, optional visit to the Milner Gardens in Qualicim
Beach.
In Nanaimo board the BC ferry for the 90-minute cruise to Horseshoe
Bay (not included). Continue to Vancouver.
Overnight: (3 nights) Comfort Inn.
Day 11 Vancouver
Explore the city passing through historic Gastown and Chinatown.
Optional visit to Dr. Sun Yat Sen Garden, the first Ming Dynasty
Classical Chinese Garden built outside of China. Continue past Canada
Place and along
Robson Street to Stanley Park. Stop at the Totem Poles and the formal
Rose Garden (best from April to September). Nearby Queen Elizabeth
Park offers beautiful sunken gardens, panoramic views over the city
and an interesting arboretum. This afternoon a visit is included
to Van Dusen Garden, which contains one of the most comprehensive
collections of ornamental plants in Canada.
Day 12 Vancouver
Visit the Vancouver Aquarium or the Museum of Anthropology to learn
about native cultures. You may wish to visit UBC Botanical Garden
& Nitobe Gardens, the oldest university botanical garden in
Canada. The Nitobe Garden, one of the best traditional Japanese
Tea Gardens in North America, was created by landscape architects
and gardeners recommended by the government of Japan.
Day 13 Tour Ends
Your journey ends at Vancouver International Airport.
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