WINE TRIP discover the culture, architecture, and wine of VANCOUVER & BRITISH COLUMBIA SEPTEMBER 21 25, 2016
wednesday, september 21, 2016 THIS MORNING WE DEPART CHICAGO O HARE AND FLY TO VANCOUVER. Upon landing we go through immigration and customs and then meet our tour guide. We leave the airport on our coach and begin a tour of Vancouver. Highlights will include Chinatown, Gastown, Robson Street, English Bay, Stanley Park and the unique architecture of the Marine Building and the Vancouver Public Library. During the tour we will stop near the food trucks in downtown Vancouver for you to stroll and sample some lunch on your own. The tour will end in the mid-afternoon and after a brief stop at our hotel to freshen up we ll head out to Granville Island. Upon arrival at Granville Island we ll take a two hour walking tour of the public market. We will sample artisan breads, locally cured meats and cheeses, and coffee and tea as we learn about the history and culture of the food s creation. After our tour we head to Edible Canada, across from the market to enjoy dinner and wine pairings. The chef will discuss each course s preparation as well as the ingredients used from local farms in the open demonstration kitchen next to the dining area. Overnight at the Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver or similar. HIGHLIGHTS Guided Vancouver City Tour Free time for lunch at Vancouver Food Trucks Guided Granville Island Public Market tour & tastings Dinner at Edible Canada
thursday, september 22, 2016 DEPART VANCOUVER FOR KELOWNA. In about 1.5 hours we ll stop in Harrison Hot Springs for a bit of for Calona s vineyards in the Southern Valley of BC where the hot, free time and enjoy lunch at the Harrison Hot Springs sunny climate produces the finest grapes. Several samples of both Resort Hotel. Calona and Sandhill brands are available. We then continue 3 hours along the Coquihalla Highway to Kelowna. Upon arrival we begin an orientation tour of the city followed by a wine tasting at Calona Vineyards, an urban winery near downtown Kelowna. Established in 1932, Calona Vineyards has the distinction of being BC s original winery. The Okanagan Valley offers prime growing conditions, especially This evening we ll enjoy a casual BBQ buffet dinner at our hotel. Overnight at the Cove Lakeside Resort, West Kelowna (3 nights). HIGHLIGHTS Transfer to the Okanagan Valley/Kelowna Lunch in Harrison Springs Orientation tour of the City of Kelowna Calona Vineyards Tastings of Calona & Sandhill Brands BBQ Buffet Dinner at hotel
friday, september 23, 2016 TODAY WE WILL TRAVEL INTO TO THE SOUTHERN OKANAGAN VALLEY. Today we will travel about 1.5 hours into the southern Okanagan Valley. First we visit Burrowing Owl Estate winery for a tasting. Balance is a time-honored goal in the making of premium wines and working toward balance is a way of life at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery. Founder Jim Wyse is committed to balance, well beyond that of the fine, world-class wines being produced. Our next stop is a tasting at Inniskilln s Dark Horse Winery. While excellent grapes are paramount to Inniskillin Okanagan s success, so is a cooperative climate. The Okanagan Valley climatic region is unique as a grapegrowing region in western Canada. The unique mesoclimate (or site climate) at Dark Horse is one of the warmest in Canada. It boasts the country s lowest recorded rainfall (250mm) and is Canada s only semi-arid desert. We then travel north a short distance to Kaleden and a visit to Linden Gardens. The present site of Linden Gardens was a family fruit farm for over 75 years. What began as a hobby through the 1990 s started to take on a life of its own and by the spring of 2006 had morphed into a 9 acre garden of flowers, trees, shrubs, ponds and streams. We ll enjoy lunch at the gardens and see their one of a kind building, a showpiece of west coast architecture. As we continue our way north, back to Kelowna we stop at Sumac Ridge Winery for a VIP Tour and Tasting. As B.C. s first operating estate winery, their goal has been to take the finest grapes from the Southern Okanagan Valley and craft them into delicious wines you ll be proud to serve at your table. During our VIP exclusive visit we will be escorted to the sparkling wine cave, the cellar, and vineyards before we enjoy in depth tastings with experts from the winery who will share their best practices in food and wine pairing. We return to our hotel and have an evening and dinner on your own. HIGHLIGHTS Burrowing Owl Estate Winery visit & tasting Inniskillin Dark Horse Winery visit & tasting Linden Gardens Tour with lunch Sumac Ridge Winery Exclusive VIP Visit with tour & tasting
saturday, september 24, 2016 ENJOY A BIT OF LEISURE TIME THIS MORNING BEFORE DEPARTING FOR A FULL DAY OF TOURING. We depart mid-morning on a full day/evening of touring. Our first visit is to the Okanagan Lavender Herb Farm for a guided tour and garden to table (herb vinegar) workshop. Our tour will detail the cultivation, traditional uses & history of herbs. It includes culinary samples and a guided walk in the herb gardens and will entice your palette with a wonderful introduction to using & preserving fresh herbs. Afterwards, we continue to Summerhill Pyramid Winery for lunch and a wine tasting. Organic wine practices have been an integral part of Summerhill since the Kelowna vineyard was purchased by the Cipes family in 1986. Producing wine organically has a very meaningful benefit to the environment, and some scientists suggest that eating organic foods greatly benefits our health as well. Our next stop is at Cedar Creek Estate Winery. With four generations of agricultural heritage and more than a quarter century of experience, we have pursued perfection and produced some of the valley s best wines resulting in Cedar Creek being twice recognized as Canada s Winery of the Year. This evening we enjoy a Farewell Dinner and wine tasting at Mission Hill Winery. At Mission Hill Family Estate they are guided by a single philosophy it all begins in the vineyard. Every day they handcraft opulent wines celebrating the Okanagan Valley s unique terroir. This spectacular culinary destination was recently recognized by Travel & Leisure magazine as one of the top five winery restaurants in the world the centerpiece of the Canadian wine tourism industry...one of the most glorious dining experiences around. HIGHLIGHTS Okanagan Lavender Herb Farm guided tour & workshop Summerhill Pyramid Winery visit with lunch & tasting Cedar Creek Estate Winery visit & tasting Mission Hill Winery, tour, tasting & Farewell Dinner
sunday, september 25, 2016 THIS MORNING WE TRANSFER BACK TO KELOWNA AIRPORT FOR OUR FLIGHT HOME.
inclusions INCLUDED Roundtrip air from Chicago O Hare Private motorcoach Professional tour guide 1 nights accommodations at the Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver or similar, Deluxe Room 3 nights accommodations at the Delta Grand Okanagan, Standard Guest Rooms NOT INCLUDED Private airport transfers if not using group transfers Meals not shown as included Alcoholic beverages with meals unless indicated Items of a personal nature Optional travel insurance Three lunches Two dinners Airport transfers on group basis Entry and tastings at all wineries Admission to attractions/activities as listed Driver & guide gratuities All taxes
rates $2447 Double occupancy $2887 Single occupancy Rates are based on a minimum of 20 passengers, maximum of 29. deposit & final payment $400 DEPOSIT required in order to confirm your space FINAL PAYMENT due no later than July 12, 2016 cancellation policy DEPOSIT JULY 12, 2016 $400.00 penalty JULY 13 SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 100% penalty Trip cancellation and travel insurance is optional. This will be quoted to you and is protection against losses in case of a cancellation due to a covered emergency. flight schedule, air canada SEPTEMBER 21 O Hare Vancouver 7:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. SEPTEMBER 25 Kelowna Vancouver 11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. SEPTEMBER 25 Vancouver O Hare 1:15 p.m. 7:15 p.m. Flight times are subject to change.