| Day 1 | Edmonton - Calgary - Salmon Arm, BC |
| “Spring is in the Air” as your holiday begins
and you are welcomed aboard your coach. From
majestic mountains to tranquil lakes, we travel
through Banff National Park and the Rogers
Pass. We overnight in Salmon Arm, located on
the scenic Shuswap Lake. |
| Day 2 | Salmon Arm - New Westminster, BC |
| With the fresh scent of mountain air, we travel
the Coquihalla Highway and arrive at our first
garden, the famous Minter Gardens with 27 acres
of floral artistry and 11 themed gardens. |
| Day 3 | New Westminster - Victoria, BC |
| Travel a short distance to Vancouver and
board the morning ferry to Vancouver Island.
Visit the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, a magical the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, a magical
place where you can wander through stunning
indoor tropical gardens and witness nature’s
most amazing butterflies. Your holiday to this
Bloomin’ City would not be complete without a
stop at The Butchart Gardens to stroll through
the famous gardens and elaborate fountains.
Spring features countless tulips, daffodils and
hyacinths. |
| Day 4 | Victoria |
|
Today enjoy a city tour of Victoria including
a drive through Beacon Hill Park and along scenic Marine Drive and Oak Bay. Stop at
Finnerty Gardens at the University of Victoria
to see hundreds of rhododendrons, some as
old as 50 years. May is peak bloom time in
these gardens. The rest of the day is at leisure
for you to explore Victoria. |
| Day 5 | Victoria - Parksville, BC |
|
It’s a rosy morning as we depart Victoria
and travel north to Chemanius, a seaside
jewel, nostalgic and delightful. Stroll by the
world-famous outdoor gallery of murals and
sculptures. Continue north to Duncan for a
guided tour of Providence Farm, a working
farm that provides horticultural therapy and
rehabilitation programs. This afternoon stop
at Hazelwood Herb Farm where you can walk
along the meticulously groomed paths, shop for
plants in the seedling house, or browse through
the shop for specialty vinegars, oils, mustards,
jellies and soaps. |
| Day 6 | Parksville |
|
Take a step back in time and discover the
unique heritage home and unspoiled nature
beauty found at Milner Gardens and Woodland.
The garden is a sensuous delight. Old growth
Douglas firs and cedars frame breathtaking
views of the Strait of Georgia. |
| Day 7 | Parksville - Osoyoos, BC |
| It is time to say goodbye to Vancouver Island
and board the morning ferry from Nanaimo to
the British Columbia mainland. Travel through
lush countryside en route to Osoyoos, the only
desert in Canada, with the lowest rainfall, the
highest temperatures, and the warmest lakes. |
| Day 8 | Osoyoos -Cranbrook, BC |
|
Enjoy more magnificent scenery today as we
travel the southern part of British Columbia and enter Kootenay National Park. We arrive
in Cranbrook, known as the “heart of the
Kootenays” nestled between the Purcell
Mountains to the west and the Rockies to the
north and east. |
| Day 9 | Cranbrook - Calgary - Edmonton, AB |
| We say farewell to British Columbia and travel
east through the Crowsnest Pass to Alberta
with memories of this special garden tour of
Vancouver Island. |
