Canada & Alaska featuring USA, Journeys by Land, Rail, Sea & Air.
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Enjoy two wonderful nights in the heart of the famous alpine village of Whistler Day 11. Whistler, Freedom of Choice Sightseeing. For an insight into the heritage of Canada's indigenous people, enjoy breakfast at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre this morning. This afternoon, take an eco-trek to Lost Lake; enjoy a floatplane flight; explore Whistler Mountain on a 4WD or Snowcat adventure; enjoy a Blackcomb Mountain Jeep Safari; ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola; or perhaps set out on a Tree Trek. The evening is then yours at leisure. B PICTURESQUE VANCOUVER ISLAND Day 12. Georgia Strait, Victoria. Today travel the Sea to Sky Highway via Shannon Falls to Horseshoe Bay. Here, ride a ferry to Vancouver Island and the small city of Nanaimo. Travel by coach via Chemainus, home to a number of outdoor murals, to Victoria. Optional floatplane to Victoria Forgo the journey by land and ferry, and take a one-hour flight from Whistler to Victoria (own expense). Enjoy views of the Georgia Strait and arrive in Victoria in the early afternoon, leaving you time at leisure to explore. Two Night Stay: Vancouver Island, Hotel Grand Pacific, Victoria. B Day 13. Victoria, The Butchart Gardens, Freedom of Choice Sightseeing. This morning you'll enjoy the opportunity to visit The Butchart Gardens before the crowds have arrived, and enjoy breakfast in the original Butchart family residence. Afterwards, you may like to go whale watching; 68 take a seaplane flight; tour the city's historic houses and gardens; go fishing for salmon; ride in a horse-drawn carriage; or delight in afternoon tea at The Fairmont Empress Hotel. This evening, as the land portion of your journey draws to an end, enjoy a Farewell Dinner & Drinks. BD ALASKAN INSIDE PASSAGE CRUISE Day 14. Holland America Line Cruise. On your return to Vancouver today, board your ship and settle in for your seven-night cruise of the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay. Seven Night Cruise: Holland America Line's ms Zuiderdam, in a Verandah Stateroom. BD Day 15. Cruise the Inside Passage. Enjoy a full day at sea as your ship cruises along coastal British Columbia and the Alaska Panhandle. Glide past rocky headlands and over the frigid waters of the Inside Passage, one of the most picturesque sea-lanes in the world, and one of the few where deep-draft vessels can sail close to steep mountain walls. BLD Day 16. Tracy Arm, Juneau. Cruise through Tracy Arm this morning, a narrow and twisting fjord that features 2,000-metre-high peaks, sheer rock faces and waterfalls at almost every turn. At the end of the fjord, continue past the twin Sawyer glaciers. Then continue on to Alaska's capital, Juneau, set at the foot of the majestic Coast Mountains, on the shores of the Gastineau Channel. Here, disembark and explore at leisure or set off on one of the available excursions (own expense). BLD Day 17. Skagway. Today you'll arrive in Skagway at the northernmost point of the Inside Passage. Once a gateway city for the Klondike gold rush, Skagway's frontier-style atmosphere remains evident today. Here, a variety of unique excursions are on offer (own expense). BLD Day 18. Glacier Bay. Wake up to the breathtaking sight of World Heritage-listed Glacier Bay National Park, which boasts more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anywhere else in the world. As you cruise through the national park and take in the rivers of ice and sky-scraping peaks, you'll benefit from the insightful commentary of local rangers who have come aboard your ship to explain the geological wonders and point out some of the diverse wildlife and marine mammals. BLD Day 19. Ketchikan. Ketchikan is a cheerful town that's set right on the shores of the Tongass Narrows, with many shops and houses built right out over the water. Besides the main attractions of the town itself, including the Tongass Historical Museum and Totem Bight State Park, Ketchikan also acts as a gateway to Misty Fjords National Monument – one of America's largest wilderness areas. BLD Day 20. The Inside Passage. Heading south through the Inside Passage, watch the glorious landscape slip by on your final day at sea. BLD Day 21. Depart Vancouver. On arrival back in Vancouver this morning, disembark and transfer to the airport for your onward flight. B