SHORT HISTORY: This charming Canadian city was first discovered by James Cook the same explorer who discovered Newfoundland and numerous other North American cities in 1778. However, Victoria was permanently settled at the beginning of the 1800s by the gradual movement of fur trade companies, and officially founded in 1843 by the Hudson’s Bay Company. Named Victoria after Queen Victoria, this beautiful city still exudes old world charm with its winding and narrow streets lined with 19th century stone buildings. It is renowned for its gorgeous weather and steady climate which is perfect for the multitude of gardens throughout the city. Dubbed “The City of Gardens,” tourists arrive from all over the world to peruse the vivacious florals and blooms.Victoria also has a reputation for being an art and culture hub, in addition to offering a plethora of activities and events for all ages from snorkeling, cycling, museums, galleries, parks, and a wide array of delicious restaurants and bistros.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel his morning after awakening to the beautiful views of this charming city and then prepare for your first day of adventures in Victoria. You’ll visit areas such as the Provincial Legislature: an important historical building home to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and seat of the provincial government. Overlooking the Inner Harbour sits this Neo-baroque Renaissance Revival “Romanesque” building, which is not only an important organization for the residents of British Columbia, as well as for the rest of Canada, but it’s the grand architecture and interior design that makes this building one of the must see areas in Victoria. With intricate stained glass windows, 100-foot high octa-gon-shaped renaissance-style Memorial Rotunda, staircases with a kaleidoscopic collection of glass inscribed with quotes from famous writers and philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato, and beautifully-detailed ornate walls and ceilings, Victoria’s Provincial Legislature is the perfect place to start off your journey through Blooming Victoria.

Today, you will also visit:

• The Batemen Gallery: A registered charity dedicated to educating the public on the importance of establishing human/nature connections founded by renowned Canadian painter, Robert Bateman, whose deep understanding and appreciation for nature is expertly reflected in his realistic and thought-provoking painting style. Home to a permanent collection of Bateman’s work and a rotation of temporary exhibits by other ecological artists that uphold his legacy, Bateman Gallery will allow you to see a side of British Columbia you may never have before.
• Art Gallery of Victoria: When it first opened in 1951, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria exhibited art in the historic 1889 mansion that is now adjacent to its seven modern galleries. With almost 20,000 works of art, the Art Gallery has the largest public art collection and is a vibrant and active part of Victoria’s artist community.
• Carr House: A beautifully restored provincial and national historic site was the original birth place of famous artist, Emily Carr. Inspired by Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, this building is now home to Emily Carr’s work and also functions as a hub for creativity and imagination, making this building and its gardens a vibrant cultural centre for education, exploration and mentoring.
• Gardens at Government House: Situated in the heart of Rockland, Victoria, on 36 acres of manicured gardens, native woodland, and heritage buildings , this beautiful property boasts a total of 19 meticulous gardens, the most notable of which include The Woodlands, Victorian Rose Garden, Sunken Rose Garden, Rotary Garden of International Friendship, and the duck pond surrounded by bamboo and laburnum trees.

Lunch will be served in the Provincial Legislature Dining Room and dinner will be on your own followed by an evening at leisure.

After breakfast today, you’ll be whisked away for a full day guided trip to the Cowichan Valley, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Victoria.Located in Canada’s only maritime Medi terranean climate zone, Cowichan prides itself on having the warmest year round temperatures in the country. Most importantly, however, this region also produces magnificent artisanal food and drink from the their flourishing farms, wineries, cideries, and distilleries. While here, you’ll visit Duncan’s Market where you’ll find an impressive array of organic fruits and vegetables, local cheeses and meats, handcrafted home décor and accessories, and beautifully made jewelry and spa items.

You will also complete a tour of:

The Tea Farm: A local farm dedicated to enhancing one’s quality of life through tea! Named for the land on which they work, The Westholme Tea Company believes “that pure tea remains the most authentic, flavourful expression of the weather, the soil, the slope, and the history of where it was grown.”

• The Lavender Farm: The Cowichan Valley Lavender Farm Labyrinth & Farm not only grows and harvests all types of lavender year-round, but they offer a multitude of lavender-made products such as bath and body products, oils and balms, lavender honey, and of course lavender bulbs, bundles, and wreaths. However, the most impressive of all are the walkable Lavender Labyrinths that will leave all your senses tingling.
• Merridale Cidery & Distillery: Today’s last destination before heading back for an evening of leisure, the Merridale Cidery & Distillery is located in a picturesque orchard in rural Cobble Hill. Now considered a Cowichan Institution, this Cidery and Distillery is known primarily for its wide selection of artisanal, made-on-the-premises, craft ciders and spirits.

Lunch today will be on your own followed by a group dinner (included) at Merridale Cidery & Distillery.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning and then immerse yourself in Victoria’s history today by touring two areas that defined the nation: Old Town and Abkhazi Gardens.

Take in the 19th century architecture, the narrow streets (one such street being the narrowest street in Canada), antique street lamps, and impressively intricate arches and embellishments. You’ll visit all the notable areas of Old Town before heading to Abkhazi Gardens for a guided tour.

The history of Abkhazi Gardens is a story rarely seen outside of Hollywood films complete with a prince, a war time capture, and a romantic happy ending.Built in 1946 by Prince and Princess Abkhazi, the gardens are famous for its majestictrees and dramatic landscape.

You’ll also enjoy Afternoon Tea at the Teahouse of Abkhazi Gardens.World-renowned for it’s tranquility and intimacy, “Victoria’s Gem” offers exceptional food and service utilizing mostly Abkhazi Gardens grown produce complimenting the surrounding gardens.

Then, following dinner on your own, join the group for an optional evening of classical music.

Following breakfast at the hotel this morning, you’ll spend today in Sooke, British Columbia, just a 40-minute drive from Victoria. Soak in the rugged coastline, the old-grown trees and forests, and the unspoiled beauty of this gorgeous city. Here, you’ll tour the local artisan shops, bistros, and cafes while experiencing the lovely atmosphere of this beautiful town. Peruse honey farms, seaweed foraging, local blacksmiths, coastal spirit distilleries, breweries, and sea salt production there is so much to see in Sooke!

Lunch will be enjoyed at a local café where the chefs work closely with local fishermen, farmers, and foragers to offer an exceptional farm to table experience.

Dinner will be on your own upon return to Victoria with the remainder of the evening to enjoy at your leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning. You will spend your day today exploring Butchart Gardens, a one-time quarry transformed into acres and acres of luscious, blooming gardens. With 5 separate gardens, 26 greenhouses, 900 plant varieties, 55 acres of gardens, and 50 full time gardeners, you’re sure to be blown away by the beauty and the scent of it all.

Return to your hotel in the later afternoon and enjoy the remainder of the day as you please.

Lunch is on your own at Butchart Gardens. Return to your hotel for dinner on your own and an evening at leisure.

Today, you'll begin with breakfast at the hotel followed by a guided cultural tour with the Songhees Nation: one of the oldest Indigenous Nations in Canada. Search for and locate the Songhees signs: Consisting of 7 unique site markers that designate culturally significant sites to the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations along the Inner Harbour and surrounding areas. Afterwards, join for a guided tour of the Royal BC Museum a world class education on natural and human histories of British Columbia.

Enjoy a wonderful Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant to culminate this wonderful adventure!

Start with Breakfast this morning at the hotel followed up by a leisurely morning in Victoria before checking out and departing for the Victoria Airport for your return flight home.

Blooming Victoria—General Conditions

RESPONSIBILITY

Executive Cultural Tours and/or their agents, affiliates, or sub sidiaries act only as agents for the hotel, airlines, bus companies and operators providing accommodation, transportation, meals, tours or other services and all coupons, exchange orders, receipts, contracts and tickets issued by the Company are issued subject to all tariffs, terms and conditions under which the forgoing or any other services whatsoever are provided by such hotels, airlines, bus companies. By the acceptance of such coupons, exchange orders, receipts, contracts and tickets, the tour member agrees that the Company shall not become liable or responsible for any loss, injury or damage to the person, firm or corporation. Further, the Company shall not become liable or responsible for any loss, injury or damage due to an Act of God or Act of War. The tour operator reserves the right to withdraw a tour, to refuse to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour at any time or to make changes in the itinerary when- ever in their sole judgment conditions warrant or if such changes result from circumstances beyond the control of the tour operator. Executive Cultural Tours and/or their agents shall not be responsible for the injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or other, or through the acts or de- fault of any company or person engaged in conveying or providing transportation to the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour or otherwise in connection therewith, or of any other hotel proprietor or employee. The aforesaid and their agents can accept no responsibility for losses or accidental expenses due to delay or changes in schedules or hotel overbookings or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger.

CONDITIONS

BOOKING

Both a CAD $1000 deposit, as well as the optional package tour insurance cost, are required upon reservation. A post-dated cheque for the balance, dated February 21, 2022, is also required at the time of reservation. Cheques should be made payable to Uniglobe The Premiere Travel Group. Credit Cards are accepted.

CANCELLATION

Full refund up to 120 days prior to departure less $500 per person. Between 120 and 90 days prior, full refund less $1,500. Between 90 - 60 days prior to departure full refund less $2,000 per person. Less than 60 days prior to departure, total cost of tour is non-refundable. After departure, no refund will be made for any unused hotel accommodation, meals, transfers, sightseeing, etc. Notice of cancellation must be made in writing.

INSURANCE

The following insurance packages are optional but highly recommended.

Due to the current climate, insurance prices may change at any time.