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British Columbia

Vancouver & Victoria: Hike, Bike, Paddle and Explore Canada's Pacific Northwest

Program No. 21437RJ
Explore the Pacific Northwest by kayak, bicycle and hiking trail as you learn about marine ecology, native cultures, Victorian-era sites and off-the-beaten path landmarks.

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
climate
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Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Jun 18 - Jun 25, 2023
Starting at
2,799
Jul 23 - Jul 30, 2023
Starting at
2,899
Aug 6 - Aug 13, 2023
Starting at
2,899
Sep 10 - Sep 17, 2023
Starting at
2,799
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Jun 18 - Jun 25, 2023
Starting at
3,499
Jul 23 - Jul 30, 2023
Starting at
3,749
Aug 6 - Aug 13, 2023
Starting at
3,749
Sep 10 - Sep 17, 2023
Starting at
3,499

At a Glance

Experience British Columbia’s iconic and hidden treasures in one great multi-activity adventure that ventures off-the-beaten path — discovering the best of Vancouver and Victoria as ocean and mountain vistas follow you wherever you go. In Vancouver, enjoy miles of clean beaches, beautiful gardens and the winding seawall, towering cedars, footpaths and totems of Stanley Park. By bike, kayak and on foot, explore Victoria’s waterways, parks and gardens.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Walk 3–5 miles with interpretive stops. Bike 12 miles over three hours on paved paths/trails. Kayak on calm, protected water, no experience required.
Small Group
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 and the Public Market with a culinary expert and sample tastings of regional foods.
  • Experience a panoramic view of Vancouver Harbour and the Gulf Islands on an exciting journey to Victoria on Vancouver Island.
  • Explore by bike some of Victoria’s most treasured landmarks, gardens and seaside communities, including the historic Inner Harbour.

General Notes

You may enjoy our easier paced Signature City program, "Signature Cities Vancouver & Victoria" (#20578) or our garden-focused program, "Victoria and Vancouver: Glorious West Coast Gardens" (#2679).
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
John Atkin
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.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of John Adams
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.
Profile Image of John Atkin
John Atkin View biography
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.
Profile Image of Sara Mitchell
Sara Mitchell View biography
Sara Mitchell is a proud third-generation Vancouverite, delighted to share her city’s beautiful landscape and history. She inherited her interest from her grandfather, a well-known Vancouver pilot who photographed British Columbia in the early 20th century. Sara brings an interesting mix of work and life experience to her position. As an artist whose talents include singing, acting, and screenwriting, jobs in tourism and hospitality were favorable. The Road Scholar team is proud to have Sara leading many programs in Vancouver and Victoria.
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.
The West Beyond the West, A History of British Columbia
by Jean Barman
A fascinating history of the Canadian province from the 18th century to the mid-1990s. The author weaves portraits of major personalities and events into a readable overview of the cultural and social influences that have shaped the region.
The Last Great Sea, A Voyage Through the Human and Natural History of the North Pacific Ocean
by Terry Glavin, Carl Safina (Introduction)
A wide-ranging conservation history of British Columbia and the North Pacific Ocean. Glavin lives in the Gulf Islands, where he writes frequently about fisheries and environmental issues facing the region.
The Raven Steals the Light
by Robert Bringhurst, Bill Reid (Illustrator), Claude Levi-Strauss (Introduction)
A classic collection of 10 Haida myths and legends with accompanying black and white etchings by Vancouver artist Bill Reid. These stories capture the storytelling traditions of the Haida.
The Island Within
by Richard Nelson
A beautifully written tribute to the Pacific Northwest. Drawn from the author's journals, this is an account of the natural and cultural history of an island in the waters of Haida Strait, with emphasis on the relationship between people and the land.
Eyewitness Top Ten Vancouver & Victoria
by Eyewitness Guides
A compact, illustrated guide in the popular series, featuring favorite attractions in Vancouver and Victoria.
Myths and Legends of the Pacific Northwest
by Katharine Berry Judson
Presented here with 52 photographs, these traditional stories, first collected in 1910, reveal myths and traditions of creation, alongside noted geographical features of the territory.
Northwest Coast Indian Art: An Analysis of Form
by Bill Holm
An in-depth analysis of the form, shape and texture of the art of the Northwest Coast Indians by an artist, teacher and expert in the field, illustrated throughout.
Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast
by Bill Richardson
Lake Woebegone goes British Columbian in this humorous slip of a novel about an unconventional Vancouver B&B, which features twin bookworm brothers, a talking parrot and a motley crew of hotel guests.
Grass Beyond the Mountains, Discovering the Last Great Cattle Frontier on the North American Continent
by Richard Hobson
Hobson's classic memoir of his cross-country trek and pioneering days as a rancher in British Columbia's undiscovered remote north.
Vancouver Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species
by James Kavanagh
This pocket-sized reference for the bird enthusiast includes illustrations of over 120 species and a map of local birdwatching hotspots.
Burrard Inlet, A History
by Doreen Armitage
A short history of Burrard's Inlet, the port surrounding Vancouver. The Inlet's story is one of Native Americans, developers, businessmen, environmentalists and other influential figures in the rise of the Greater Vancouver area.
Must-See Birds of the Pacific Northwest
by Sarah Swanson
A practical, "blissfully unscientific" guide to the feathered friends of the Pacific Northwest. The 85 birds common to Oregon and Washington are profiled with color photographs and explanatory text that tells readers where to see and how to find each animal. Ideal for a long weekend birding trip!
Vancouver Then and Now
by Francis Mansbridge
This installment in the Then and Now series takes stock of Vancouver’s evolution by placing antique photographs side-by-side with contemporary ones. It peels back the years so that readers can see city fixtures as they once were.





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.