2017 - APT Canada & Alaska featuring USA

78 | PLATINUM COLLECTION ALPINE WONDERS Day 11. Vernon, Whistler. Follow the historic tracks of the early gold rush pioneers through the rugged Cariboo region to Whistler. Two Night Stay: The Westin Whistler Resort & Spa in a One-Bedroom Suite. B Day 12. Whistler. Awake in Whistler and enjoy breakfast at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, then choose your activity. Enjoy an eco-trek to Lost Lake; take a floatplane flight; explore Whistler Mountain on a 4x4 or snowcat adventure; enjoy a mountain Jeep safari; ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola; or set out on a tree trek or zip trek. Alternatively, embark on a bear viewing and ecology tour or take a helicopter flight and enjoy a glacier landing. Tonight, learn to sabre champagne in an impressive 20,000 bottle wine cellar before a gourmet dinner with paired wines. BD VANCOUVER ISLAND Day 13. Whistler, Vancouver, Victoria, The Butchart Gardens. Your road trip along the renowned Sea to Sky Highway this morning follows the curves of the British Columbian coast, taking you past soaring mountains and tumbling falls on one of the most scenic drives in the country. Arriving into Vancouver, there are private floatplanes on the harbour ready and waiting to whisk you directly to the resplendent greens of The Butchart Gardens. Soar high above the city for incredible aerial views before touching down at The Butchart Gardens' private dock. It's then off for lunch amidst the blooms, featuring a delightful array of seasonal produce and local specialties. Having seen the riot of colour from the air, you'll enjoy the chance to explore the 22 hectares of these iconic gardens at ground level and learn why these are considered to be among the world's premier floral show gardens. With the evening all to yourself, will you head out and explore some more or enjoy a restful night? Two Night Stay: Vancouver Island, Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa in a Club Floor Water View Room. BL Day 14. Victoria. British Columbia's picturesque capital at the tip of Vancouver Island invites your exploration today. From its sparkling harbour and winding beachfront to its compact city centre that lends itself perfectly to discoveries by foot, today's Freedom of Choice options will introduce you to a city full of character. Victoria is a hot-spot for whales, and a whale watching tour out on the bay is a fine way to spend your day. Or, learn more about the city as you tour the heritage district, taking in the quaint English-influenced neighbourhoods. Keen anglers will jump at the chance to fish for salmon, while others may prefer to get their bearings with a ride through the city in a horse-drawn carriage. High tea at The Fairmont Empress Hotel is an institution, and a delightful way to spend your afternoon. Or, join an activity offered exclusively to you as a Platinum Collection guest – go foraging for fresh seafood during an eco-tour or perhaps set off on a culinary walking tour through the seaside village of Oak Bay. Celebrate your impending Alaska journey during a special group dinner this evening. BD SIX-STAR ALASKA INSIDE PASSAGE CRUISE Day 15. Victoria, Vancouver, Embark Ship. Returning to Vancouver you are eager to see a different side of North America from the glacial waters of Alaska's Inside Passage. Greeting the Seven Seas Mariner, you're immediately ensconced in an elegant world of bespoke service and sumptuous surrounds. We've arranged Deluxe Verandah Suites for your unforgettable Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Seward. Seven Night Cruise: Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Mariner in a Deluxe Verandah Suite. BD Day 16. Cruise the Inside Passage. The beauty of the landscape around you is almost too great to fathom as you draw your curtains today. Ice-crowned peaks rise up behind ancient forests of the deepest green; the frigid ocean swells and recedes beneath tiny off-shore islets. Welcome to the Inside Passage. Days don't get more magical than those spent cruising with Regent Seven Seas as you cut a path north along coastal British Columbia. Spend today as you please, enjoying the view or perhaps listening to an esteemed guest lecturer. When it comes to dining you're truly spoilt for choice. You may dine in any of the many restaurants whenever you like. BLD Day 17. Ketchikan. The compass points directly at Ketchikan on Revillagigedo Island, best known as the 'Salmon Capital of the World' thanks to the spawning salmon that grace its waters in abundance. The wonders in and around Ketchikan are too numerous to name, and you will be able to cover a great deal of ground today with an array of included shore excursions. Will you witness the town's soaring totem poles or treat your palate to a taste of Alaska's bounty on a Crab Feast Tour? These are just two of the many options on offer. BLD Day 18. Tracy Arm, Sawyer Glaciers, Juneau. Edging further north, the morning takes you via the tidewaters and soaring cliffs of the narrow Tracy Arm fjord. Stand on the bow as you drift into silent bays, sailing close to mountains, waterfalls and the twin Sawyer Glaciers. As your ship slithers into Juneau this afternoon, you're left to decide how your day pans out in the country's capital. Juneau's surroundings are captivating as you will see exploring the famous Mendenhall Glacier by land or water. Or, a whale-watching trip may take your fancy. Get your bearings on a downtown tour or get to grips with the local culinary offerings at a cooking class. The choice is all yours today. BLD Day 19. Skagway. Gateway to the gold fields during the great Klondike stampede, Skagway still holds its gold rush roots dear. Town tours past the false-front buildings of the downtown district reveal a nostalgic disposition, while a trip on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad affords breathtaking panoramas. There are plenty of other included excursions on offer from bicycle tours through the rainforest to river rafting adventures. BLD Let a helicopter transport you to the top of a glacier in Whistler

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