British Columbia
Signature Cities Vancouver & Victoria
Program No. 20578RJ
Enjoy beautiful gardens, architectural walks, visits to museums and fascinating lectures as you immerse yourself in the unique story of Vancouver and Victoria.
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Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
7 days
6 nights
13 meals
6B 3L 4D
1
Check-In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Vancouver, British Columbia
2
Vancouver Introduction, Mus. of Vancouver, City Exploration
Vancouver, British Columbia
3
Britannia Shipyards, Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Free Time
Vancouver, British Columbia
4
Ferry to Victoria, Introduction, Inner Harbour Exploration
Victoria, British Columbia
5
Ocean Exploration, Free Afternoon
Victoria, British Columbia
6
Victoria's Diversity, Coach Exploration, Butchart Gardens
Victoria, British Columbia
7
Program Concludes, Departure
Victoria, British Columbia
At a Glance
Embark on an exploration of Vancouver and Victoria to learn about these world-class cities with British, European and Asian traditions. Discover the planning that has made Vancouver one of the world’s most livable cities and explore its fascinating neighborhoods, including Gastown and Chinatown. In Victoria, meet with a local expert and explore historic landmarks including Old Town, the Inner Harbor, the British Columbia legislature and the grand Empress Hotel.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to one mile a day over varied terrain; climbing a few flights of stairs.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Explore Granville Island with a local expert.
- Admire the beauty of nature while on a self-led exploration at Butchart Gardens.
- Enjoy an expert-led whale watching cruise to learn about the ecosystem of the Salish Sea.
- Get a first-hand look at the city’s Victorian architecture and see the British Columbia Parliament Buildings and the historic Empress Hotel.
General Notes
You may enjoy our garden-focused program, "Victoria and Vancouver: Glorious West Coast Gardens" (#2679).
Featured Expert
All trip experts
John Adams
John Adams is the author of “Old Square-Toes and His Lady: The Life of James and Amelia Douglas.” Part historian and part storyteller, John has turned a passion for the past into a long career in history. His family-owned business, Discover the Past, provides a variety of historical educational programs for the community. His natural, lively, humorous and clear style makes his presentations both informative and memorable.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
John Adams
View biography
John Adams is the author of “Old Square-Toes and His Lady: The Life of James and Amelia Douglas.” Part historian and part storyteller, John has turned a passion for the past into a long career in history. His family-owned business, Discover the Past, provides a variety of historical educational programs for the community. His natural, lively, humorous and clear style makes his presentations both informative and memorable.
Phil Foster
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A lover of math and physics, Phil graduated from Exeter University in England with a teaching degree. His long career in education has spanned three continents; he spent time in small communities and cities throughout England, Australia and Canada teaching and learning about each country’s unique culture. Truly passionate about spreading knowledge to others and about travelling, Phil loves nothing more than taking people on educational walks through historic Victoria, showing them what makes his home special.
Joan Pitman
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Joan was in the airline industry for 25 years and now works as a group leader and consultant. She has traveled extensively throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Joan has served on various boards, including Shooting Stars Foundation, Arts Club Theatre and Whistler Arts Council. A Whistler weekender since the mid 70s and a fulltime resident since 2000, she still maintains her home in Vancouver. Joan and her husband George have six children between them and several grandchildren.
John Atkin
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John Atkin is an author, historian and heritage advocate who has been fascinated with Vancouver since moving to the city over 30 years ago. He is the co-founder of the Heritage Vancouver Society, has contributed to a documentary on the city, and has appeared regularly on television and radio, including CBC Television and CTV’s Canada AM. John is the author of four books on Vancouver, including “Strathcona: Vancouver’s First Neighborhood,” and is an editor for the B.C. Historical Federation.
Routes Adventures Mobile Phone
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Please call the toll free line at 1-866-745-1690 during regular business hours or for non-urgent matters (Mon - Fri 8:30 - 4:30 EST). The mobile phone #1-613-331-5777 is for after hours and weekends for emergency use only. The phone is carried by a staff member.
Liesl Lafferty
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Liesl Lafferty is a scriptwriter, facilitator and Jessie award-winning director, focusing on creating new material. She also likes to work outside. In May 2019, Liesl graduated from the University of British Columbia with an MFA in creative writing and theatre. She happily lives with her husband at English Bay Beach, and they think of Stanley Park as their backyard.
Suggested Reading List
(5 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Signature Cities Vancouver & Victoria
Program Number: 20578
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Exploring Vancouver: Ten Tours of the City and its Buildings
Containing more than four hundred entries, ten self-guided tours highlight significant buildings from all eras in the city and its metro region, and feature new projects that transform the skyline more radically than ever before.
Moon Victoria & Vancouver Island: Coastal Recreation, Museums & Gardens, Whale-Watching
Discover a place where the rugged and the cosmopolitan blend seamlessly. Inside Moon Victoria & Vancouver Island you'll find:
Flexible, strategic itineraries
Unique outdoor experiences
The best local flavor
Honest advice on when to go, where to stay, and how to get around from expert writer Andrew Hempstead
Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
Thorough background on the culture and history, wildlife, and geography.
Vancouver Then and Now
In Vancouver Then and Now archival images have been paired with new photos of the same scenes as they appear today to reveal over a century of dramatic change in this beautiful city.
This and That: The Lost Stories of Emily Carr
Readers are given a new glimpse into Emily Carr's life with this collection. Carr stated that these stories were small when read on their own but when put together illustrate her life her life.