Majestic West Coast Mountain & Valley Tour –
Custom Designed Three-Day Pre Tour

Departing Tuesday, June 16
Returning Thursday, June 18

Visit British Columbia’s majestic mountains, rivers and rugged coastline during this three-day pre convention tour.

You will travel via coach from Vancouver to Whistler along the Photo Credit: Tourism Vancouver, Tourism Whistler breathtaking Sea to Sky highway, which winds through the coastal rain forest at Horseshoe Bay, along the ocean’s edge to Shannon Falls and Squamish, and through Garibaldi Provincial Park, until you reach the Resort Municipality of Whistler, venue of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games!

You will then settle into the small alpine valley that contains Whistler. This natural year-round playground offers a bounty of activities such as alpine sightseeing, mountain biking, hiking and shopping. Or ride a gondola chair to the top of one of the mountains for breathtaking vistas of the surrounding area. Relax on an outside deck of a local pub or café and then visit the shops. In the evening, enjoy dinner with your fellow Rosarians and stay at Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Nestled at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, Fairmont Chateau Whistler defines mountain luxury. Tastefully designed rooms with spectacular mountain or village views were created to blend with the natural alpine setting.

The next morning, the adventure will continue through the Pemberton Valley, traveling over the scenic Duffey Lake Road to the historic Goldrush town of Lillooet, where we will stop for a refreshment break and enjoy the cool breeze. The Duffey Lake/Cayoosh Creek Valley was historically used as a travel route between the Lillooet First Nations on Lillooet Lake and the Stl’alt’imx First Nation on the Fraser River. The area was important for hunting, trapping and gathering. The winding drive along Duffey Lake Road is rewarding with views of mountains, lakes, and wilderness.

Your next stop will be sure to impress – Hell’s Gate, a mountain of rock that causes havoc in the Fraser River. After a gorgeous drive through Lytton, located where the green waters of the Thompson River meet the brown, silt-laden rushing waters of the mighty Fraser River, we will arrive at Boston Bar, aptly named after the “Boston men” (American gold seekers). Here enjoy a tram ride over Hell’s Gate and a traditional West Coast lunch buffet while watching the white water rafters manoeuvre their way around the mountain of rock.

From Boston Bar, you will travel through rugged terrain and tunnels and over bridges with the mighty Fraser River below on your way Harrison Hot Springs. This quaint town is located at the southern end of spectacular glacier fed Harrison Lake in the lush green Fraser River Valley.

After a fulfilling day of sightseeing, relax and rejuvenate at the Harrison Hot Springs Hotel and Spa, soaking in the natural hot springs, enjoying the spa or wandering the nature trails before an evening of dancing to big band sounds over dinner.

On our final day, we will wind our way back towards Vancouver with visits to private and public rose gardens. First, sponsor William McCarthy, a Master Gardener, Garden Designer, Rosarian, and Certified Rose Judge, will host us for lunch and share his 110 acre retreat property, Shiloh Hill Estate. Situated Shilo Estate 100 kilometres east of Vancouver, the sloping hillside property includes the McCarthy family's estate residence and various themed gardens and landscaping. All residences, buildings and gardens were designed by William McCarthy, who has integrated over 1,250 roses representing over 850 different varieties in designated rose beds and as part of assorted gardens and beds. From species roses through hybrid teas, all rose classifications are represented and displayed in the 15 acres of gardens surrounding the main residence, Mission Claire.

Next, we will visit the Centennial Rose Garden in Burnaby Mountain Park. The Garden features more than 900 bushes of modern Hybrid Teas and Floribundas. Nearby are majestic totem poles, a reminder of the community's proud native heritage. Beautiful Roses

After wandering the Centennial Garden, we will continue on to the Herb House Rose Garden at Queen’s Park in New Westminster. Planted in 1956, this sunken rose garden contains 1,100 hybrid and floribunda roses in the pattern of a Shakespearean garden. The Garden underwent a major renovation in 1992 including new brick pathways through the garden, planting of more than 800 roses in rebuilt beds, a new lawn and a cedar gazebo was constructed to provide a quiet sheltered spot to enjoy the beauty of the garden.

After a day of experiencing roses, we will arrive at the Westin Bayshore Hotel in time to register for the Convention and enjoy the Meet and Greet reception.

Tour Duration: Three days and two nights

Price per person:

CDN$995 per person based on double occupancy
CDN$1,295 per person based on single occupancy
CDN$935 per person based on triple occupancy

Price includes:

One night’s accommodation at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler (hotel subject to change)
One night's accommodation at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa
Luggage transfers
Two (2) breakfasts
Two (2) refreshment breaks
Three (3) lunches
Two (2) dinners
All admission fees
Return coach transportation
Gratuities, hotel accommodation taxes and 5% Goods and Services Tax

Price does not include:

Meals other than those outlined above
Alcoholic beverages
Optional activities such as the Gondola Ride

Convention attendees - Register now

Thursday’s visit of Shiloh Hill Estate is sponsored by W.P.J. McCarthy and Company Ltd.

W.P.J. McCarthy and Company Ltd.

Register Here

Hotel Reservations

Did you know…?

Imagine - A rose with your name on it.

Enter a draw to name a rose by registering and paying for the Rose Convention and booking your accommodation at the Westin Bayshore Hotel by October 15, 2008. The "Name a Rose" contest is sponsored by breeder Brad Jalbert of Select Roses.