British Columbia
Victoria and Vancouver: Glorious West Coast Gardens
Program No. 2679RJ
Discover the botanical beauty of Victoria and Vancouver, where a blend of Asian and European aesthetics combine to create some of the world’s most stunning gardens.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
16 meals (
7B, 4L, 5D
)
4 expert-led lectures
13 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Vancouver, British Columbia
Meals:
D
Stay:
Coast Coal Harbour
Activity Note
Hotel check-in begins at 4:00 pm.
Afternoon:
Program registration begins at 4:00 pm. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.
Dinner:
Enjoy a welcome dinner at 6:00 pm in the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Day
2
Intro to Vancouver, Van Dusen, Queen Elizabeth Gardens
Location:
Vancouver, British Columbia
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Coast Coal Harbour
Activity Note
Getting on and off a motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles on pavement and stone walkways, some periods of standing.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
We will be joined by a local expert for a lecture focusing on the history and evolution of Vancouver into a modern and progressive city. Next, we travel by motorcoach to the VanDusen Botanical Garden. This 55-acre garden features a Scottish shelter in the Heather garden, a hexagonal Korean Pavilion, and an Elizabethan Maze made of 3,000 pyramidal cedars.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant
Afternoon:
This afternoon we will continue our travel by motorcoach to the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Classical Chinese Garden, named after the man considered the father of modern China for an expert-led visit. This garden is the first Chinese “scholar’s” garden built outside of China and is an authentic representation of the garden tradition that reached its peak in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Next, we will independently explore the stunning Queen Elizabeth Park. This beautiful park is the highest point within the city, with incredible views and 130 acres covered with flowers, gardens and trees.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant
Evening:
Enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Day
3
Plant Presentation, Nitobe, UBC Botanical Gardens, Free Time
Location:
Vancouver, British Columbia
Meals:
B
Stay:
Coast Coal Harbour
Activity Note
Getting on and off a motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles on pavement and stone walkways, some periods of standing.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
We will start our day with a presentation discovering the wild native plants that grow in region. We will then travel by motorcoach to explore the Nitobe Memorial Garden with a local expert. The garden is designed as a traditional Japanese Garden and celebrates the memory of Dr. Inazo Nitobe (1862-1933), who strove to create an understanding of Japanese culture in the West. We then visit the UBC Botanical Gardens and learn about plants from all over the world, and wander through a variety of gardens including a woodland garden, food garden, and Carolinian forest garden.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At your leisure.
Day
4
Introduction to and exploration of Butchart Gardens
Location:
Victoria, BC
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Grand Pacific
Activity Note
Getting on and off a motorcoach and ferry. The ferry to Victoria is 24 nautical miles and takes approximately 1.5 hours; participants will be responsible for boarding and disembarking the ferry with their luggage. Walking up to 2 - 4 miles on paved paths and groomed trails.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
We'll transfer by coach and ferry from Vancouver to Victoria.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like on the ferry.
Afternoon:
A local expert will join us on the coach to introduce us to the Butchart Gardens. Learn about the history of the gardens, and the garden’s namesake, Jennie Butchart. Explore the Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site with 55 acres of floral displays and expansive lawns. Wander through the Sunken Garden, see the Ross Fountain, and the Japanese, Rose, and Italian gardens. Maps and flower guides will be provided on arrival for independent exploration.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At your leisure.
Day
5
History of Victoria, Inner Harbour Walking Exploration
Location:
Victoria, BC
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Grand Pacific
Activity Note
Walking 2 to 3 miles on gravel paths, and mostly flat ground.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning, learn about the historic city of Victoria with a local historian who will explain the social economic forces which shaped the city and gave it a sense of British charm. Then, explore Victoria’s Old Town and Inner Harbour on foot, and see the Victorian architecture on display on Wharf Street, the historic Empress Hotel, as well as the British Columbia Parliament buildings.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. You might like to take a walk along historic Government Street, have tea at one of the numerous tea houses or the spectacular Empress Hotel, or explore Inner Harbour.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy local fare.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to continue exploring local sites, take a horse-drawn carriage ride or harbor ferry exploration, explore Beacon Hill park, walk along the seaside trail, just relax.
Day
6
Government House Gardens, City Exploration, Private Garden
Location:
Victoria, BC
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Grand Pacific
Activity Note
Getting on and off the motorcoach. Walking up to 3 miles on pavement, packed gravel, and some uneven ground; standing during field trips.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning, we travel by motorcoach to Government House, the home to the Lieutenant Governor, the King’s Representative in British Columbia. There we will roam the gardens with a local expert and marvel at the dozens of distinctive gardens, from an extensive rockery to a formal tapestry planting of Mediterranean herbs. Next, embark on an exploration by motorcoach of Victoria’s iconic landmarks and neighborhoods, including the Government House, Mile Zero, Oak Bay, the University of Victoria, Mount Tolmie and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we will board a motorcoach and have an exclusive visit to a private garden in the James Bay neighbourhood.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At your leisure.
Day
7
Horticulture Centre, Afternoon Tea, Abkhazi Garden,
Location:
Victoria, BC
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Grand Pacific
Activity Note
Getting on and off a motorcoach. Walking up to 2 to 3 miles on uneven terrain in public and private gardens, concrete and gravel paths; standing during field trips.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
Today we will visit the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific with a gardening expert. This non-profit gardener’s garden is devoted to conservation, research, and life-long learning. There are more than a dozen specialist and seasonal gardens cared for by staff, students and volunteers.
Lunch:
Enjoy afternoon tea service, including fresh baking and delicate savouries at the Abkhazi Garden Tea House.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we will explore with an expert the Abkhazi Gardens, which features splendid rhododendron displays, and Japanese maples situated on glaciated rocky slopes surrounding a heritage house. Next, we will board a motorcoach and explore Beacon Hill Park, a Victorian Park which includes bridges, lakes, ponds, and an alpine garden. A local expert will walk the grounds with us as we see the numerous species of ducks, birds, and peacocks which roam the grounds of Garry Oak, Arbutus, Douglas fir, Western Red Cedar, birch and maple trees
Dinner:
Enjoy our farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening:
Reminisce with your fellow Road Scholar travelers and share your favorite memories during our final evening together.
Day
8
Program Concludes
Location:
Victoria, BC
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out is at 11:00 am.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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