Afternoon: Independent arrivals to the hotel in the afternoon. Check-in after 3:00 p.m.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Evening: Introductions and an orientation to the program after dinner.

Lodging: Best Western Sands by the Sea

Meals Included: Dinner

History and Culture of Vancouver/Museum of Anthropology/City Exploration

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Learn about Vancouver’s history and culture and how it has evolved into a modern, progressive city. Examine the historical precedents and urban planning that have enabled the city to achieve its status as one of the most "livable" cities in the world.

Morning: Begin your exploration at the Museum of Anthropology and gain a remarkable glimpse into the lives of the indigenous peoples of the northwest coast of British Columbia. Explore one of the world’s outstanding collections of Pacific Northwest Aboriginal artifacts. Massive totem poles, carved boxes, bowls and feast dishes are displayed in the Great Hall, while smaller (but equally magnificent) pieces in gold, silver, argillite, wood, ceramic and other materials are exhibited in the galleries. Canada’s largest teaching museum is located in a spectacular building overlooking mountains and sea, and its collections, exhibitions and programs are renowned for providing insight into the cultures of indigenous peoples around the world.

Lunch: Lunch at the MOA.

Afternoon: Vancouver is situated in an exceptional natural environment and is often cited as one of the best cities in the world to live, work, visit or invest in. They have the smallest carbon footprint of any major city in North America and they are a leader in green building, planning and technology. They also have a bold new ambition: to be the greenest city in the world by 2020. During an exploration of Vancouver's signature landmarks meet a representative from the Greenest City Action Plan Committee who will share this exciting plan to become the world's greenest city.

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.

Lodging: Best Western Sands by the Sea

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Vancouver's Signature Neighborhoods/Gastown/Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens/Chinatown Historic Walk

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Today we explore two of the city's most fascinating neighborhoods - Gastown and Chinatown. Join a well-known cultural historian on a walk through Gastown, one of the oldest parts of the city and much of the early architecture and character remains, giving it a different look and feel than the glass and concrete of the rest of downtown. Learn about the importance of Gastown and the birthplace of the city of Vancouver, which was created around the same time that Canada became a nation. The neighborhoods are also unique in that they have the kind of old-fashioned architecture that no longer exists downtown or in the West End.

Morning: An expert on Asian history and culture will be our guide at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, the first of its kind outside of China and an authentic representation of an age – old garden tradition which reached its peak in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Garden is characteristic of the private spaces within a Ming scholar’s residence. With its asymmetrical arrangement of rocks and plants, its winding paths and corridors, and the vistas that overlook its courtyards, the Garden emulates the rhythms of nature.

Lunch: Enjoy a traditional Dim Sum lunch in Chinatown.

Afternoon: Continue with an exploration of Chinatown and its brightly colored facades, street markets, and the buzz of modern-day Cantonese commerce. Built by Chinese people to authentically reflect their culture and traditions it is still predominantly populated by Chinese people. (Unlike San Francisco’s Chinatown which was built by their Chamber of Commerce to attract tourists.) Discover Chinatown's rich heritage, vibrant culture, and incredible food markets while exploring the colorful streets and alleys. Sample traditional Chinese tea at the well-known Tea House and indulge in steamed rice cakes and warm apple tarts from a traditional bakery. Learn about the Millennium Gate, a four-pillar, three-story high, brightly painted arch spanning Pender Street which was erected in 2002 to mark the millennium and commemorate the Chinese community's role in Vancouver's history.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Best Western Sands by the Sea

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Vancouver Arts and Culture/Granville Island Market and Tasting/Vancouver Art Gallery

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Enjoy a short morning stroll along English Bay followed by a brief ferry ride to Granville Island, an industrial-area-turned-public-gourmet market and arts shops. Imagine an island in the middle of a city - a place molded by a fascinating history, buzzing with a colorful artistic community. Enjoy a private in-depth exploration of the market. Sample an eclectic array of culinary discoveries - from Canada's only artisan Sake distillery and an active brewery to artisan bread makers, organic coffee producers, cheese specialists and locally produced gourmet foods. A living, breathing urban oasis filled with fine waterfront cafes, theatres, galleries, studios, unique shops and the most spectacular fresh food market you have ever seen.

Lunch: Picnic lunch at the Granville Public Market.

Afternoon: Curatorial staff from the Vancouver Art Gallery will provide and introduction to the largest art gallery in western Canada. The Gallery presents national and international exhibitions of works by a range of artists, from groundbreaking contemporary visionaries to historical masters. Discover the Gallery's most important holdings, its more than 200 major works by the British Columbia artist Emily Carr, the world's most significant collection of Carr's work.

Dinner: Dinner on your own to explore the many dining options available in the city.

Lodging: Best Western Sands by the Sea

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Natural Vancouver/Stanley Park/Temperate Rainforest Walk/Free Afternoon

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Meet with a member of the Stanley Park Ecology Society for an in-depth exploration of Stanley Park, a breathtaking park which remains unspoiled and a testimony to the giant trees which occupied the site of Vancouver in its former days. With the ocean and mountain vista as a backdrop, learn about this unique park and its temperate rainforest ecosystem. Its natural west coast atmosphere offers a back drop of majestic cedar, hemlock and fir trees which transports visitors to an environment rich in tranquility. World famous landmarks in the park will also be discussed including Lost Lagoon, totem poles, various monuments and sculptures, and the 5.5 mi seawall which encircles the entire park.

Lunch: Lunch on your own.

Afternoon: Free afternoon to explore the city on your own. Information will be provided for free time activities.

Dinner: Farewell dinner and evening wrap-up.

Lodging: Best Western Sands by the Sea

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: For those not departing early join the group leader for a leisurely stroll through the trendy warehouse-turned-retail/restaurant district of Yaletown. Once a gritty area of loading bays and brick warehouses, Yaletown has undergone a facelift and is now a stylish mix of the fashion-savvy, dot-commers and celebrities. Some of the city's hippest destinations are here: high-end galleries, chic fashion and furnishings boutiques.

Meals Included: Breakfast