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Keep it Local This Fall with BC and Alberta Getaways

Good news for BC travellers!

Premier John Horgan announced on Wednesday that BC will be moving into Phase 3 of the Covid-19 restart plan, meaning residents will be allowed to travel within the province as hotels, motels, resorts, and spas begin to reopen. This will allow BC residents to travel “safely and respectfully” by practising physical distancing, wearing a mask when distancing is not possible, frequent hand-washing, and staying home if you are sick.

With similarly low numbers of new infections in recent days, Alberta is likely not far behind in re-opening the tourism sector for summer and fall travel.

These positive developments bode well for BC and Alberta tours this fall, and with this in mind we have been busy planning a larger volume of tours closer to home.

A Great Time to Explore Locally

Many BC and Alberta destinations that are typically filled with international tourists in the fall, will be significantly less busy this year as the Canadian borders are likely to remain closed for some time. Not only will popular destinations be less crowded, but the tourism sector in these areas could really use our support after weathering months of Covid-19 closures and the loss of international visitors.

Tour 30 – A Safer, More Intimate Travel Experience

We are pleased to announce that in light of Covid-19 concerns, the majority of our tours this fall will be limited to 30 travellers or less. Our goal is to provide more personal space and a safer experience for all travellers. Look for the Tour 30 logo to identify these tours.

Let’s Go!

If you’re ready to get out and explore Western Canada this fall, we’ve been working on some fantastic BC and Alberta tours we think you’ll love.

WATERTON LAKES & CYPRESS HILLS
BC Interior: September 12, 2020 – 8 Days

Vancouver Island & Lower Mainland.: Sept 11, 2020 – 9 Days
Southern Alberta has numerous attractions, so this tour is often different from year to year. Cypress Hills is a naturalist’s wonder with unique flora and fauna, as it was not glaciated during the last Ice Age. Historical attractions include Brooks Aqueduct, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Remington Carriage Museum, Frank Slide, and Coleman Museum. Tap your toes to the ‘Music Legends’ show at Great Canadian Barn Dance. We stay two nights in beautiful Waterton Lakes National Park. Add to this the ancient carvings at Writing-on-Stone Park, the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens, Fairmont Hot Springs, and the emerging autumn colours, and you have the perfect fall getaway.
Itinerary from BC Interior, Vancouver Island, Lower Mainland

KOOTENAYS GHOST TOWNS & HOT SPRINGS
BC Interior: October 4, 2020 – 5 Days

Vancouver Island & Lower Mainland: October 3, 2020 – 6 Days
During this tour we visit ghost towns at Retallack and Sandon, a heritage village at Three Valley Gap, and the historic towns of Revelstoke, Kaslo, Nelson, and Greenwood. We also visit the gardens at Blaylock, the Kootenays’ grandest mansion. Unique experiences include a ride on Nelson’s heritage Streetcar #23, lunch with a Nelson historian, an overnight at Nelson’s old Hume Hotel, and the historic powerhouse at Sandon. Guides are included at each destination to explain the historical details as only a local guide can do. We stay two nights at Ainsworth Hot Springs where you’ll have unlimited use of the pools. Come and join us on this ghostly tour!
Itinerary from BC Interior, Vancouver Island, Lower Mainland

THANKSGIVING AT TSA-KWA-LUTEN LODGE 
Vancouver Island: October 8, 2020 – 4 Days
Our first night is spent at the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort which is nestled in a coastal forest near Courtenay and offers wonderful ocean and mountain views. Pamper yourself in the luxury of the Pacific Mist Spa where therapies focus on the rich ingredients of the sea, leaving you feeling completely relaxed. We then board the ferry to Quadra Island and stay two nights at Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge. Relax on your private balcony and enjoy the panorama of the ocean with the mountains of Vancouver Island beyond. All meals at Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge are included due to its isolation, and they are served in the main dining room with an entrancing view. The Lodge is a wonderful place to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving.
Itinerary from Vancouver Island

THANKSGIVING ON THE ISLAND 
BC Interior: October 9, 2020 – 6 Days
Lower Mainland: October 10 – 5 Days
A perfect Thanksgiving getaway! We overnight at the Listel Hotel on Robson Street located in the heart of downtown Vancouver with many shops and restaurants nearby to enjoy. We then head to Quadra Island for a relaxing two-night stay at the magnificent Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge. The lodge was built by the Kwagiutl people and its vast lobby resembles a traditional ‘big house’ with massive timbers, a soaring cathedral ceiling, and huge windows overlooking Discovery Passage. All meals are included due to the isolation of the lodge, and they are served in the main dining room with a gorgeous view. We also spend one night at the Beach Club in Parksville, located directly on the sandy beach of Parksville Bay and once again all rooms have a wonderful ocean view.
Itinerary from BC Interior, Lower Mainland

JASPER PARK LODGE SENIOR FALL GETAWAY
BC Interior: October 12, 2020 – 5 Days

Vancouver Island & Lower Mainland: October 12, 2020 – 6 Days
Celebrate beauty and friendship in the majesty of the Canadian Rockies. Each fall, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge invites seniors to the mountains for fresh air, fall foliage, and lots of fun. Delicious food, classic entertainment, and a multitude of activities make for a great getaway. With fitness programs, craftmaking, lectures, walking tours, and entertainment, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge program has it all! This tour offers extraordinary savings and lets you enjoy this renowned lodge, with exceptional meals and experiences, at a very attractive price. 
Itinerary from BC Interior, Vancouver Island, Lower Mainland

HARRISON HOT SPRINGS
BC Interior: Nov 8, 2020 – 3 Days
Discover the art of rejuvenation at the always popular Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa. Nestled on the south shore of Harrison Lake, this lovely hotel has been welcoming guests for over 125 years. With five indoor and outdoor natural mineral hot springs pools, plus the Healing Springs Spa, there is something to please everyone. A day is free for you to relax and indulge in the hotel’s facilities. Your room in the East Tower (the newest section) has a view of Harrison Lake, and is a quick elevator ride and walk away from the hot springs pools. On the first evening, enjoy dinner in the elegant Copper Room with dance music provided by Hayley and the Lefties. A one-hour scenic cruise on Harrison Lake is also included.
Itinerary from BC Interior

STORM WATCHING AT WICKANINNISH INN
BC Interior: November 16, 2020 – 6 Days

Perched on the edge of the wild, west coast of Vancouver Island, the Wickaninnish Inn near Tofino combines heritage and elegance with untamed natural beauty. Framed by ancient rainforest and the Pacific Ocean, each room at the Wickaninnish Inn is designed to charm with its attention to detail and connection with nature. Perhaps your visit will coincide with watching an awesome West Coast storm? This tour offers extraordinary savings and lets you enjoy this renowned property, and some exceptional meals, at a very attractive price. 
Itinerary from BC Interior

SQUAMISH EAGLE WATCHING
BC Interior: January 19, 2021 – 4 Days

Squamish, just 45 minutes north of Vancouver, boasts the second-highest bald eagle count in the world and one of the most densely populated gatherings in North America. Annually over 3,000 eagles flock to the Squamish and Cheakamus Rivers from Alaska and the Yukon, staying from mid-November to mid-February to feed on the abundance of spawned chum salmon. The largest gathering was 3,766 eagles, counted in January 1994, coinciding with the four-year cycle of salmon spawning. Along with the eagle migration come the avid bird watchers and hikers who walk along the banks of the river, enamoured with these powerful birds. One of the quietest and most interactive ways to view the eagles is from the river. Using expedition-class river rafts, we float quietly down the Squamish River wearing warm and cozy survival suits with boots. The next day, we visit the George Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, one of Vancouver’s premier birding locations, which is home to thousands of birds each winter.
Itinerary from BC Interior

Always Put Your Health First

While the pull of travel might be strong after months at home, your health and safety should always be the number one priority. If you have any underlying health concerns, you should always seek the advice of a doctor before planning any trips, especially during this time.