Canada & USA Destination Planner 2018 | Page 69

Join Five Star Whale Watching for an adventure of a lifetime – an experience that you will never forget! As Victoria’s longest-running family owned and operated whale watching company and first catamaran company, Five Star has positioned itself at the forefront of establishing Victoria as a world-class destination for whale watching. Setting the bar high for the local whale watching industry, it has been inspiring and educating visitors since 1985, introducing them to the wonders of the Salish Sea and the resident orca whales. Five Star's high-speed expedition catamaran is the only vessel of its kind, offering the most stability and best platforms for viewing. The crew of on board marine biologists will guide you with expertise on the whales and the waters in which they live. With the highest repeat customer base and number one ranking on TripAdvisor, you will certainly leave Victoria in awe and longing for return. As their esteemed “local whale guru” Ron Bates (researcher) so eloquently states, “Nothing prepares you for the first sight and sound of a killer whale or whales coming out of the fog. They just sail along so confidently and with full knowledge of where they are and what they are doing. Maybe someday we will understand more.” Come for the journey of a lifetime! The Five Star office is conveniently located at the Fairmont Empress hotel, next to Miniature World. From $110 Vancouver 2 Victoria Downtown Ferry V2V Vacations is a direct luxury service ferry operating between two of Canada's premium harbour cities – downtown Vancouver and downtown Victoria, British Columbia. V2V welcomes you on board to experience the V2V Empress. You have three seating classes to choose from: Premium Comfort, First Class and Royal Class. Each class allows you to select your own seat before you board and offers complimentary Wi-Fi, USB and charging ports at each seat. Food and beverage service is available to your seat, including a selection of B.C. beer, wine and cider for purchase. If you don't feel like sitting the whole trip, you are invited to the upper outside deck to enjoy a full 360-degree view, especially beautiful as you travel through Active Pass. The service departs daily from downtown Vancouver at 8am and from downtown Victoria at 2pm. Terminal locations: Vancouver – Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre 1055 Canada Place. Victoria – Steamship Terminal Building 470 Belleville Street. From $120 BC Ferries Connector Explore two of Canada's most beautiful cities with ease, comfort and best of all, at your convenience. Daily year-round scheduled service is convenient, affordable and hassle free. No transfers required. Hotel pick-ups in Vancouver are available with reservations. Travel between downtown Victoria and downtown Vancouver at your leisure, spending as many days as you wish in each city. Once aboard the luxury coach, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride to the ferry and then be treated to the spectacular 95-minute cruise through the Gulf Islands aboard BC Ferries. Friendly and courteous drivers make this trip very pleasurable. From $69 The Butchart Gardens When Robert and Jennie Butchart came to live at Tod Inlet on Vancouver Island, they named their home ‘Benvenuto’ – Italian for ‘welcome’. Jennie began a lifelong project to create a garden. With great vision, she transformed the barren limestone quarry into what is now 22 hectares (55 acres) of breathtaking gardens. Discover the gardens on a self-guided daytime walk and enjoy afternoon tea. Come a little later to enjoy fine dining and local wines in the Dining Room Restaurant, or relax in the conservatory atmosphere of the Blue Poppy Restaurant featuring seasonal menus. Enjoy flowers, fountains and landscape in a different light with Night Illuminations from June to September. Butchart Gardens opens daily at 9am, except Christmas Day, when it opens at 1pm. Closing times change seasonally. From $30 From prices for accommodation are ‘per room’ and sightseeing are ‘per person’. Prices do not include applicable taxes. www.andersonvacations.ca