Vancouver, Victoria & Seattle

Day 1 – Welcome to Vancouver!

Optional transfers from our departure points will have us at the Los Angeles International Airport this morning for a scheduled nonstop flight arriving in Vancouver, Canada this afternoon. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a flight arrival time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the hotel. Upon arrival, a deluxe motorcoach will transport us to our upscale hotel located in the heart of Robson Street in downtown Vancouver’s West End neighborhood. Enjoy an included dinner this evening. (Dinner)

Day 2 – Vancouver

This morning we'll be joined by a local guide for a comprehensive driving tour of Vancouver – the financial, industrial, shipping and cultural center of Canada’s west coast. Known as the crown jewel of Western Canada, Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city with a spectacular view in all directions. We’ll visit Chinatown as well as Gastown, Vancouver’s turn-of-the-century pedestrian mall with the world-famous steam-powered clock. We'll see the famous Lion’s Gate Bridge, the vibrant Vancouver Waterfront and the famous totem poles at Stanley Park – the renowned urban rainforest. We’ll return to the hotel with the afternoon at leisure, OR take advantage of an optional half-day excursion to Grouse Mountain for an additional $70 per person (minimum of 10 guests required; payable with your tour payment). Included with your admission to Grouse Mountain is a roundtrip ride aboard the Skyride gondola to the "Peak of Vancouver" (elevation 3,576') and ample time at leisure with access to the Peak Charlift, Wildlife Refuge, Owl Talks, the World Famous Lumberjack Show, The Theatre in the Sky and several eateries to enjoy lunch on your own. (Breakfast)

Day 3 – Vancouver to Victoria

This morning we’ll board a ferry for a journey through Canada's remote Gulf Islands and the scenic Active Pass to Vancouver Island and Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. This urban oasis surrounded by ocean waters and mountainous wilderness is known as the “City of Gardens.” Victoria offers a wonderful mix of colorful gardens, heritage charm, and new world experiences. We’ll visit the Royal BC Museum, a world-class museum of natural and human history. Come face-to-face with authentic artifacts amidst highly realistic settings – from the Woolly Mammoth in his rocky, icy world to a tar-scented trip on the HMS Discovery. This afternoon we’ll be joined by a local guide for a tour of Victoria including a walking tour of the picturesque Inner Harbor, Old Town, Oak Bay, Cook Street Village and more. This afternoon we’ll begin a two-night stay at a luxurious hotel located in the heart of Victoria's charming Inner Harbour. (Breakfast)

Day 4 – Victoria

This morning we’ll visit the world famous Butchart Gardens – the premier attraction in Victoria. Butchart Gardens offers 55 acres of floral gardens, fountains and intimate stone paths and streams lined with colorful arrays of flowers and trees. Enjoy ample time at leisure to explore the gardens at a spectacular time of year – a time the Gardens refer to as the “riot of colour.” We return to the hotel to enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure, OR take advantage of an optional excursion to enjoy Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress for an additional $125 per person (payable with your tour payment). A grand tradition for over a century, the world-renowned Fairmont Empress has served England's most beloved ritual of afternoon tea to famed royalty, celebrities and dignitaries alike. Enjoy 21 of the finest loose leaf teas available along with finger sandwiches, quiche, freshly baked scones, pastries, clotted creams and strawberry preserves with fresh lavender from their rooftop herb garden. (Breakfast)

Day 5 – Victoria to Seattle

This morning we’ll board a ferry and enjoy an included boxed lunch onboard as we travel through the Salish Sea from Victoria to Port Angeles, located on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. Back onboard the motorcoach, we'll continue east along the northern shore of the Olympic Peninsula and then head south over multiple picturesque bridges. On Bainbridge Island we'll board another ferry for a short ride across Elliott Bay arriving in the “Emerald City” of Seattle late this afternoon. Our home for the next two nights is an historic, upscale hotel located in the cultural heart of downtown Seattle and within walking distance of Pike Place Market, the Seattle Waterfront and a variety of restaurants. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6 – Seattle

This morning we’ll join a local guide for a driving tour of Seattle – an exciting urban city surrounded by unmatched natural beauty. We'll see the bustling Seattle Waterfront, historic Pioneer Square, the Stadium District, Seattle Center and the world's first Starbucks. We’ll enjoy time at leisure at the lively Pike Place Market, the famous fish and vegetable market dotted with restaurants, shops and an eclectic, ever-changing variety of vendors. This afternoon we’ll visit the Chihuly Garden and Glass, an indoor and outdoor museum that spans 1 1⁄2 acres and showcases the most comprehensive collection of Washington-native Dale Chihuly’s artwork ever assembled. At Seattle's iconic, 605-foot Space Needle we'll journey skyward to a renovated observation deck that offers an all-glass floor on the lower level and floor-to-ceiling glass on the upper level. The 360-degree views of the sparkling waters of Puget Sound, snow-capped Mt. Rainier and the Seattle cityscape are unforgettable! Enjoy an included dinner this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7 – Seattle, Journey Home

This morning we’ll visit The Museum of Flight, a premiere air and space museum. From the Wright brothers to outer space – the wonder of flight comes alive in more than 150 historic air and spacecraft. Go inside the payload bay of the Space Shuttle Trainer. Journey through history aboard the original Air Force One jet and a supersonic Concorde. Step back in time over 100 years in the magnificently-restored Red Barn – birthplace of Boeing. This afternoon we’ll arrive at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for a scheduled nonstop flight returning to Los Angles this evening. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a flight departure time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the airport. Back in Los Angeles, those guests with pre-arranged transfers will be returned to their respective drop-offs. (Breakfast)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.