BC Ferries' Spectacular Destinations
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Sip & Sail: Introduction to the "Wine Islands" - 4 Day Tour | |
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| Itinerary | |
| Day1. | Vancouver to Victoria |
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Depart Vancouver via the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and sail with BC Ferries to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. Visit Victoria, the vibrant "City of Gardens" and the capital city of British Columbia. Originally established in 1843 by James Douglas as a fort for the Hudson’s Bay Company, Victoria offers a sophisticated blend of historic beauty and modern convenience. The wild beauty of the Pacific coast and the adventure of the great outdoors are within the city limits and ocean and mountain vistas will follow you wherever you go. West Coast Cuisine; available at a multitude of local fine and casual dining establishments; is a unique fusion of Asia, California and French that focuses on local seafood, meat and produce and is one of the best ways to pair the fabulous flavours of island wines and brews often featured on local menus. Be sure to enjoy a sampling from a collection of in town micro brewery establishments offering a unique introduction to the “flavour” of the islands. Cheers! Overnight: Victoria | |
| Day2. | Victoria to Duncan & Cowichan Valley |
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Begin your morning with a tour through the beautiful rolling landscape of the Saanich Peninsula enroute to Brentwood Bay. Two main routes run between Sidney and Greater Victoria: Highway 17, known as the Pat Bay Highway, and Highway 17A, also called West Saanich Road. Highway 17 is the most direct route between Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula, while Highway 17A offers a more relaxed drive through the rural areas of the surrounding communities. Both routes are wonderfully scenic and lead to the Peninsula’s many delightful sights and attractions. Dotted with farms and fresh produce stands there is no better way to enjoy the bounty of the fall than to fill your picnic basket with a sampling of the "feast of fields" before continuing on your journey to Duncan and the Cowichan Valley - "The Warm Lands" - and home to many excellent island wineries. Take the Mill Bay Ferry as a leisurely alternative route north up the island to the likes of Merridale Estate Cidery, Cherry Point Vineyards, Venturi-Schulze Vineyards and the nearby Blue Grouse Vineyards. Also nearby you will find the Vigneti Zanatta Vineyard and just north of Duncan is Alderlea Vineyards. A half-hour drive north to Nanaimo is the Chateau Wolff Vineyard, and the northernmost tip of the Island’s wine growing region. For an in-depth resource to the Wine Islands, please visit the Wine Islands Vintners Association website, complete with map of many of the area wineries. Overnight: Duncan or Cowichan Valley | |
| Day3. | Duncan & Cowichan Valley to Salt Spring Island |
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Complete your tasty tour of the Cowichan Valley before moving to yet another spectacular destination, Salt Spring Island. From Crofton take the ferry to the Vesuvius Terminal on Salt Spring Island and explore the many well known highlights including several art galleries and artisan studios, provincial parks, historic sites, there is the not to be forgotten two island wineries ~ Gary Oak Winery and Salt Spring Island Winery. Situated side-by-side, visiting these two wineries and sampling their offerings could not be easier. Salt Spring is the largest and most populated of the southern Gulf Islands and was named for fourteen natural salt springs located on its northern end. Many Bed & Breakfasts and other local accommodations will provide you the comforts of a true getaway and a good nights rest after your delicious travels. Overnight: Salt Spring Island | |
| Day4. | Salt Spring Island to Vancouver |
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At your leisure, gather up your treasures collected along the way and enjoy the morning exploring the last few places that you missed the day before. From Long Harbour on Salt Spring Island depart for Vancouver. Depending on the sailing you take going home, the direct non stop route back the mainland or the sailing which stops at several of the other Southern Gulf Islands along the way, there will be no doubt that your Sip & Sail journey will leave you wanting to visit these spectacular destinations and others again and again!
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