British Columbia

Victoria and Vancouver: Glorious West Coast Gardens

Program No. 2679RJ
Discover the botanical beauty of Victoria and Vancouver, where a blend of Asian, First Nation and European aesthetics combine to create some of the world’s most stunning gardens.

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At a Glance

Cradled by sheltered waters and dramatic mountains and freshened by a gentle coastal climate, Vancouver is a city filled with parks and forests whose gardens reflect the city’s blend of cosmopolitanism, natural beauty and art. Across the Strait of Georgia, on the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria’s Edwardian architecture accentuates the city’s Britannic refinement, of which no lovelier example exists than the world-renowned Butchart Gardens. Explore both cities and their gardens, uncovering rich history, natural beauty, First Nations heritage and more.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking 1-2 miles a day over flat terrain.
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.

What You'll Learn

  • Discover Vancouver’s Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, a classical Chinese Garden and the old growth forest in Stanley Park.
  • Join a horticulturalist who will take you behind the scenes to the elegant Queen’s Gardens to experience Victoria’s colonial past.
  • Explore the renowned Butchart Gardens where some 900 varieties give you uninterrupted bloom from March through October.

General Notes

You may enjoy our easier paced Signature City program, "Signature Cities Vancouver & Victoria" (#20578).
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
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.

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 Marlene Kumnick
Marlene Kumnick View biography
A certified travel director and master gardener, Marlene is always on the lookout for unique cultural experiences, travel and learning opportunities. She’s also fluent in English and German and game to improve her French and Spanish. She has a passion for sharing her knowledge and love of Canada with others. With degrees in everything from Music to Medieval Studies to Landscape Design, Marlene loves to talk on a large variety of subjects and is always happy to teach and learn more from those she leads.
Profile Image of Phil Foster
Phil Foster View biography
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.
Profile Image of Chris Adams
Chris Adams View biography
Chris was raised in Victoria and attended the University of Victoria where he received his BA in history. Chris spent many years of his early adult life in the UK and received a diploma in human ecology from Strathclyde University in Glasgow. He and his wife now live in Victoria with their two children. Chris is a historian, storyteller and interpretive leader. In his spare time, he is a hard-working urban farmer, tending flocks of chickens, ducks and quail, along with many hives of bees.
Profile Image of Alasdair Butcher
Alasdair Butcher View biography
Alasdair Butcher is a Vancouver-born and based local expert, community organizer, and educator. He has a B.A.H. in human geography from the University of British Columbia and a master's in urban studies from Simon Fraser University. In 2008, he founded Vancouver DeTours with the aim of reclaiming travel as an act of educational empowerment. Since then, he has taken more than 100,000 guests on explorations of Vancouver's social history, architecture, urban planning, public art, and contemporary topics through an approach he calls "pedestrian pedagogy."
Profile Image of Lori Snyder
Lori Snyder View biography
Lori Snyder is an Indigenous Metis herbalist and educator with a deep knowledge of wild, medicinal, and edible plants that grow in everyday spaces. Through Lori’s eyes, our immediate surroundings take on a new life and offer a wealth of untapped nutritional and ecological resources. Through Indigenous methods, Lori leads people of diverse backgrounds in reconnecting to the Earth’s wisdom. Lori's vision is to continually co-create insightful dialogues, and to remediate and reconcile with Indigenous plants as we reintroduce them into urban landscapes.
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.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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8 days
7 nights
16 meals
7 B 4 L 5 D
DAY
1
Check-In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Vancouver, British Columbia
D
Coast Coal Harbour

Activity note: Hotel check-in begins at 4:00 pm.

Afternoon: Program registration begins at 4:00 pm. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.

Dinner: Enjoy a welcome dinner at 6:00 pm in the hotel.

Evening: Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

DAY
2
Indigenous Plant Presentation, gardens and Mural Festival
Vancouver, British Columbia
B,L,D
Coast Coal Harbour

Activity note: Getting on and off a motorcoach. Walking for approximately 1 mile (1.6 km)

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: We will start our day with a presentation from a local Indigenous Metis Herbalist. Learn about the wild, medicinal and edible plants that grow in the Vancouver area. Next, discover the VanDusen Botanical Garden with a local expert. This 55-acre garden features a Scottish shelter in the Heather garden, a hexagonal Korean Pavilion, and an Elizabethan Maze made of 3,000 pyramidal cedars.

Lunch: At a local restaurant

Afternoon: This afternoon we visit the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, named after the man considered the father of modern China. This garden is the first Chinese “scholar’s” garden built outside of China and is an authentic representation of the garden tradition that reached its peak in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Next, we will join a local expert who will take us through the alleys and backstreets of the Vancouver Mural Festival. These stunning murals will tell the story of neighborhood changes, colonialism, immigration, gentrification, de-industrialization and the rise of the tech economy in Vancouver. Admire the many Indigenous artists, especially from the local Musqueum, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

Dinner: At a local restaurant

Evening: Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

DAY
3
Queen Elizabeth, Nitobe, UBC Botanical Gardens, Free Time
Vancouver, British Columbia
B
Coast Coal Harbour

Activity note: Walking up to 1 mile (1.6 km) on pavement and stone walkways, some periods of standing.

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: This morning we explore the stunning Queen Elizabeth Park with your group leader. This beautiful park is the highest point within the city, with incredible views and 130 acres covered with flowers, gardens and trees. Next, we explore the Nitobe Memorial Garden with an expert. The garden is designed as a traditional Japanese Garden and celebrates the memory of Dr. Inazo Nitobe (1862-1933), who strove to create an understanding of Japanese culture in the West. We then visit the UBC Botanical Gardens and learn about plants from all over the world, and wander through a variety of gardens including a woodland garden, food garden, and Carolinian forest garden.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At your leisure.

DAY
4
Butchart Gardens
Victoria, BC
B,D
Hotel Grand Pacific

Activity note: Getting on and off a motorcoach and ferry. The ferry to Victoria is 24 nautical miles and takes approximately 1.5 hours; participants will be responsible for boarding and disembarking the ferry with their luggage. Walking up to one mile (1.6 km) on paved paths and groomed trails. Some standing, and stairs with railings.

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: We'll transfer by coach and ferry from Vancouver to Victoria.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like on the ferry.

Afternoon: A local expert will join us on the coach to introduce us to the Butchart Gardens. Learn about the history of the gardens, and the garden’s namesake, Jennie Butchart. Explore the Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site with 55 acres of floral displays and expansive lawns. Wander through the Sunken Garden, see the Ross Fountain, and the Japanese, Rose, and Italian gardens. Maps and flower guides will be provided on arrival for independent exploration.

Dinner: Dinner in the dining room at Butchart Gardens.

Evening: At your leisure.

DAY
5
History of Victoria, Inner Harbour Walking Tour, Free Time
Victoria, BC
B,L
Hotel Grand Pacific

Activity note: Getting on and off a motorcoach. Walking 1.5 miles (2.4 km) on gravel paths, and mostly flat ground.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This morning, learn about the historic city of Victoria with a local historian who will explain the social economic forces which shaped the city and gave it a sense of British charm. Then, explore Victoria’s Old Town and Inner Harbour on foot, and see the Victorian architecture on display on Wharf Street, the historic Empress Hotel, as well as the British Columbia Parliament buildings.

Lunch: At a sea side restaurant.

Afternoon: Free time. You might like to take a walk along historic Government Street, have tea at one of the numerous tea houses or the spectacular Empress Hotel, or explore Inner Harbour.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy local fare.

Evening: At leisure. You might like to continue exploring local sites, take a horse-drawn carriage ride or harbor ferry exploration, explore Beacon Hill park, walk along the seaside trail, just relax.

DAY
6
Government House,City Tour, Beacon Hill Park, Private Garden
Victoria, BC
B,L,D
Hotel Grand Pacific

Activity note: Walking up to 3 miles (4.8 km) on pavement, packed gravel, and some uneven ground; standing during field trips.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Roam the gardens of Government House, home to the Lieutenant Governor, the Queen’s Representative in British Columbia, and marvel at the dozens of distinctive gardens, from an extensive rockery, to a formal tapestry planting of Mediterranean herbs. Next, embark on an exploration by coach of Victoria’s iconic landmarks and neighborhoods, including the Government House, Mile Zero, Beacon Hill Park, Oak Bay, the University of Victoria, Mount Tolmie and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Lunch: Taste local cuisine at a nearby restaurant.

Afternoon: This afternoon, we will explore Beacon Hill Park, a Victorian Park which includes bridges, lakes, ponds, and an alpine garden. A local expert will walk the grounds with us as we see the numerous species of ducks, birds, and peacocks which roam the grounds of Garry Oak, Arbutus, Douglas fir, Western Red Cedar, birch and maple trees. Then we will have an exclusive visit to a private garden in the James Bay neighbourhood.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At your leisure.

DAY
7
Horticulture Centre, Abkhazi Garden, Afternoon Tea
Victoria, BC
B,L,D
Hotel Grand Pacific

Activity note: Getting on and off a motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles (3.2 km) on uneven terrain in public and private gardens, concrete and gravel paths; standing during field trips. Variable weather conditions.

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Today we will visit the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific with a gardening expert. This non-profit gardener’s garden is devoted to conservation, research, and life-long learning. There are more than a dozen specialist and seasonal gardens cared for by staff, students and volunteers.

Lunch: Enjoy afternoon tea service, including fresh baking and delicate savouries at the Abkhazi Garden Tea House.

Afternoon: Explore with an expert the Abkhazi Gardens which features splendid rhododendron displays, and Japanese maples situated on glaciated rocky slopes surrounding a heritage house.

Dinner: Enjoy our farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Evening: Reminisce with your fellow Road Scholar travelers and share your favorite memories during our final evening together.

DAY
8
Program Concludes
Victoria, BC
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out is at 11:00 am.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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