Travel Classics West 2019 Pre/Post Tours

A wide range of pre and post tours are offered to delegates attending Travel Classics in Whistler,

September 2019. To register for one of the tours indicated below, please email:

Frances.Pratt@DestinationBC.ca with your top three choices, as space is limited on each tour. Every

effort will be made so place you on your first choice.

A Very Vancouver Visit

Post-Tour: September 29-October 1, 2019

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Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and Coast Mountains, Vancouver is a spectacular natural outdoor

playground. Spend an afternoon in Stanley Park, a cultural mecca and ecological wonder, with a First

Nations guided interpretive tour. Take part in a leisurely cycling tour around the breathtaking seawall and

soak in the inspiring scenery. Get the ultimate West Coast Experience with a rejuvenating guided hike

through Vancouver's local mountains. Now that you've worked up an appetite, make a stop at Granville

Island where you can take a tour of the famous market. Savour a cornucopia of fine foods from

independent farmers and food artisans throughout Vancouver and beyond, from duck confit and cheeses

to locally-made charcuterie, melt-in-your-mouth donuts, to world-class coffee and chai. Round out your

time in the city with amazing dining at some of Vancouver's top culinary spots that will set your taste buds

alight.

The Best of Richmond

Post-Tour: September 29-October 1, 2019

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Eager to explore Richmond’s popular hotspots in a fast-moving, two-day tour? Grab a coffee, hop in the

car and follow our best-of-the-city itinerary! Starting in Steveston, we’ll discover the area’s best historic

spots on foot and dine on the freshest seafood on the west coast. From there, we’ll visit the Olympic

Experience at the Richmond Olympic Oval to unleash your inner Olympian and finish the day off at the

famous Richmond Night Market, sampling food from over 100 different food vendors. There’s a culinary

edge to your second day, starting with a Dumpling Trail exploration at a select dim sum restaurant. Next,

we’ll sample some delicious fruit wines and ice wines at Lulu Island Winery. For dessert, Wild Sweets offers

a chocolate tasting lab, where you’ll learn about their science-based approach to desserts. We’ll end the

day with a luxe dinner at Origo Club, Richmond’s only French restaurant.

Shoreline to Alpine in Squamish, British Columbia Pre-Tour: September 24-26, 2019 Minimum 2 / Maximum 10 media Drive the scenic Sea to Sky highway from Vancouver 45 minutes north to Squamish B.C. First stop will be at the Britannia Mine Museum, a National Historic Site, for an underground tour of the mine tunnels and a viewing of their recently launched immersive multi-media Mill Show. Continue to Shannon Falls, the third highest falls in British Columbia then on to the Sea to Sky Gondola. A 10-minute gondola ride will deliver you 885 metres above sea level for lunch with a view at the Summit Lodge before heading out on a scenic hiking tour. Cap off your day with a sunset flightseeing tour before getting a taste of the Squamish Craft Beverage Trail and dinner at award winning The Salted Vine. Start the next morning with a delicious breakfast at locals favourite Fergie’s Café to fuel up for your day. Next up is a choose your own H20

adventure: whitewater rafting, stand up paddle boarding or kayaking. Lunch will be served at Backcountry Brewing followed by a tour of the brewery before heading north to Whistler.

Historic Li-lik-hel Gold Mine Horseback Riding Expedition Pre-Tour: September 24-26, 2019 Minimum 2 / Maximum 6 media

Search for gold on the historic Li-lik-hel Mine Expedition with Copper Cayuse Outfitters in Pemberton,

B.C.; located 30 minutes north of Whistler. Ride on horseback on trails that were originally cut by the

miners to transport gold ore to the rail-head in the early 1900s. Spend two nights in BC’s spectacular Coast

Mountain Range between Birkenhead Lake and the Li-lik-hel mine. On the first day of the expedition, we’ll

drive you from Whistler to our ranch in Pemberton then on to the trailhead where you’ll meet your horse

and guides. The first day will find you riding 15 kilometers to our base camp passing by a recent mine claim

exploration. At camp you will then meet up with your luggage (maximum weight of 30lbs). Our base camp

is equipped with a hot shower and outdoor plumbing along with tents mounted on platforms to provide

that extra level of comfort for our guests. The next day we will ride to the Li-lik-hel mine where you can

explore the original mine site and see how the old hard rock miners extracted gold ore by following the

veins in the rock. From base camp you can also enjoy day rides to various locations of interest with each

day ending with campfire evenings and comfortable tent lodgings. You will be transported from

Pemberton to Vancouver International Airport for your departure home.

Inspired by Nature on the Sunshine Coast of B.C. Pre-Tour: September 24-26, 2019 Minimum 2 / Maximum 4 media Experience nature at its finest with this press trip which includes a marine adventure to Princess Louisa Inlet, a unique ecological system and the only true example of fjord land on the Pacific Coast. A two-night stay at one of B.C.’s top wilderness resorts, West Coast Wilderness Lodge, can only be topped by a spectacular scenic flight on one of Sunshine Coast Air’s vintage de Havilland Beaver’s. With easy access to the city of Vancouver we’ll take our time getting to the tiny fishing village of Egmont on the Sunshine Coast. Upon arrival we’ll check in at the West Coast Wilderness Lodge. As one of the most easily accessible luxury wilderness resorts in British Columbia, the Lodge is the perfect place to experience first-class adventure, great dining and luxury accommodations. Enjoy a guided boat trip to the traditionally named swiwelát, Princess Louisa Inlet, a magnificent granite-walled gorge that rises sharply from the water’s edge to heights in excess of 2100 metres (7000 ft). Almost completely enclosed, the Inlet is 300 metres (1000 ft) deep. We will enjoy our picnic lunch overlooking Chatterbox Falls as it tumbles 40 metres (120 feet) to meet the waters below. The next day the trip wraps up with a float plane ride over Princess Louisa Inlet for a different perspective, before flying over the mountains to drop participants lakeside, in the lovely resort town of Whistler, B.C. refreshed and ready for Travel Classics 2019.

Kelowna’s Valley Vibes Pre-Tour: September 23-26, 2019 Minimum 2 / Maximum 4 media The international hub to BC’s Okanagan Valley is Kelowna, an energetic lakeside city surrounded by wilderness, mountains, vineyards, orchards and glacier-carved geology. Set on 135-km (84-mile) sparkling Okanagan Lake, explore a destination where the main street ends at a beach and a mountain bike or hiking trail is less than 2 km (1.2 miles) from downtown. Within a half-hour drive find 40 wineries, 30 beaches, 19 golf courses and 18 trestle bridges. The birthplace of BC wine, trace back the roots of this tasty industry as you sip a fresh vintage and enjoy a farm to table meal. Today, Kelowna is Canada’s fittest city, one of the country’s fastest growing metropolitan areas, and the Okanagan’s epicenter of activity. Kelowna’s Valley Vibes is a look at the lifestyle that makes Kelowna a stand out place to live and visit. Farm sourced

culinary experiences. Winery visits from boutique to palatial. Lake hugging downtown, boasting craft distilleries, urban tasting rooms, small batch coffee and independent shopping. A natural setting calling you to hike, peddle, paddle, or dive in. Kelowna’s Valley Vibes will also introduce media to the passionate individuals who have made Kelowna their home and aim to elevate the destination in their respective endeavors. Like Victor and Kevin of QB Gelato, who are among the 2% of gelato makers/shops worldwide crafting small batch from scratch gelato, or chef Mark Filatow a champion of the ‘locally sourced’ principal drawn to Kelowna’s fresh ingredients and active lifestyle.

Taste of the Okanagan Valley Harvest in the Heart of BC Wine Country

Post-Tour: September 29-October 2, 2019

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Wines of British Columbia and Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association invite you on a tour of the

Okanagan Valley - BC’s largest wine region - to explore and experience the most exciting time of year for

wine and food lovers – harvest in the heart of BC wine country. Traverse the vineyards and orchards of

the Okanagan Valley from Penticton south to Osoyoos and explore BC VQA wines paired with distinctly

local cuisine. Take in spectacular winery views as you bike along the Naramata Bench; dine at some of

the top winery restaurants in the world; learn about local Indigenous culture; and meet the people

behind our thriving wine industry. Savour the local bounty of our province on this wine and culinary

journey throughout BC’s Okanagan Valley and discover what makes this place one of the most beautiful

regions in the world.

Appetite for Adventure Pre-Tour: September 24-26, 2019 Minimum 2 / Maximum 6 media

Learn from the best as you rub shoulders with the sport and culinary elite in Victoria and on Southern

Vancouver Island. Surf the open seas as you enjoy a standup paddleboard experience with Olympic

Triathalon Champion, Simon Whitfield. Mountain Bike with Canada Cup XC Champion, Adam Walker. Golf

with Bear Mountain Instructor and Class "A" PGA of Canada Pro, Justin Ford. Feed your need for speed

with a pro racing experience, as you learn from Professional Race Car Drivers Daniel Morad (2017 Rolex

24 Hours at Daytona) and Lindsay Rice at Island Motorsports Circuit (or another pro racer, pending

availability). Learn how to make the best coffee in the country with 2010 National Barista Champion, Rob

Kettner. Dinner from People's Choice Winner, Canadian Culinary Championships, Takashi Ito, at AURA

Restaurant.

Frolicking through the Gulf Islands

Pre-Tour: September 22 – 25th

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In the past few years, the Gulf Islands have been receiving world-class accolades from around the world

and have made it on the Top 52 places to visit by The New York Times. Each island has a unique story to

tell. You will depart Vancouver on September 22nd at 8:00 am and the beginning of your journey will see

you travel by BC Ferries to Galiano Island. Spend the day touring the best of Galiano with a local guide,

visit local artisans and hike along beautiful white sandy beaches. That evening relax at the recently

renovated Galiano Inn. Next, enjoy your short cruise on BC Ferries to Pender Island where you will sip on

wine and cider, enjoy an afternoon kayak and dine with the locals. Your overnight accommodation will be

at Poet’s Cove Resort. End your Gulf Island visit on Salt Spring Island where you will visit local artists,

winemakers, farms and have some free time to explore the town of Ganges before arriving in Whistler on

September 25th at 6:00 pm.

Forage, Flora and Fauna on Vancouver Island Post-Tour: September 30-October 3, 2019 Minimum 2 / Maximum 5 media Fall is wildlife and foraging season on Vancouver Island. Travel from Whistler to Vancouver Island and enjoy your first day on this island forest bathing in the old growth forest near Parksville, dine at a local award-winning restaurant and overnight in Parksville. Travel to Campbell River where you will meet your First Nation Guide from Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours who will take you on an immersive experience searching for marine wildlife and watching grizzly bears forage for salmon, that night overnight in Campbell River. The next day put your boots on and head to the west coast. Spend the day foraging with a local chef looking for chanterelles, seaweed and other local delicacies, overnight in Ucluelet. On your last full day, paddle in the waters of the Tofino Inlet to Meares Island on a traditional canoe and spend your day on a forest grocery walk with a local indigenous guide. That evening, overnight in a luxurious hotel in Tofino and dine in an award-winning restaurant.

Autumn in the Kootenay Rockies Pre-Tour: September 22-25, 2019 Minimum 2/ Maximum 4 media

Autumn is such a magical season in the Kootenay Rockies – the region is famous for its scenic beauty and

warm temperatures. Surrounded by the Selkirk and Monashee mountains, we’ll explore the quaint

mountain towns of Nelson, Kaslo, and Rossland, and discover each community’s hidden gem. Our journey

will take us along the shores of Kootenay Lake (one of the largest lakes in British Columbia), through rich

old growth forests to towering waterfalls. We’ll paddle (SUP) on the historic Columbia River (you’ll love it;

no experience needed), and soak in one of the most unique natural hot springs in Canada – Ainsworth Hot

Springs. We’ll start our tour in eclectic Nelson, with its vibrant art & heritage scene, and more restaurants

and cafes per capita than San Francisco. We will certainly learn why visitors fall in love with the aptly

dubbed ‘Queen City’. Here, we’ll stay at the Savoy Hotel, a new 12-room boutique hotel, featuring a

rooftop patio with hot tub. Next, we’ll travel north to picture perfect Kaslo, where the world’s largest

intact passenger sternwheeler, the SS Moyie dominates the waterfront. To complete our tour, we’ll

venture to an ancient volcanic valley deep in the Monashee Mountains to the outdoor adventure mecca

of Rossland, and stay at The Josie Hotel. The Josie Hotel, a Noble House Hotel and Resort property, is a

106-room luxury hotel which opened its doors in November 2018.

Exploring the "shoulder" season in Whistler

Post-Tour: September 29-October 1, 2019

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Fall the season between September and snow, gloriously colourful with a unique, laid-back pace. Seasons only change for the better here and fall is no exception with its own festivals, arts, dining and activities that are best enjoyed while the leaves turn. It's a local secret that fall is prime time to enjoy some of the resort's signature activities - the trails are quieter, the temperatures cooler so during the next few days, we'll get you outside to do just that - choose from biking (downhill or cross-country) to sightseeing, and/or golf. After your adventure of the day - grab some snacks at the Whistler Farmer's Market before heading out to decompress at the tranquil Scandinave Spa (no talking allowed!). That evening, dine at one of

Whistler's signature Village based restaurants. Day two, the morning will start with an exhilarating zipline tour through the evergreens with an afternoon hike to a lesser known, off-the-beaten-track area of Whistler and the Train Wreck Hike - over a suspension bridge, along a stunning waterfall will lead you to a historic, graffiti train cars set deep in the forest. Continuing on the cultural aspect - we'll head back into the Village to explore the Audain Art Museum, Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre and we can even pop by to see an original Banksy that had been under wraps for 15 years. The finale evening will have you dining at what can easily be called Whistler's most legendary dining experience: the Bearfoot Bistro.