Fly Drive Canada

Depart the UK on your scheduled flight to Vancouver. Upon arrival, collect your rental car and proceed to the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, where you will spend the first three nights of your culinary adventure. Located in the heart of downtown, you can wander to Gastown, along the waterfront or find one of the city’s great restaurants.

We’ve allowed two full days for you to truly experience all that Vancouver has to offer, but you may need more as this city is packed with fabulous attractions. Quite literally surrounded by natural beauty, Vancouver is considered to be one of the most desirable places to visit in the world, drawing visitors from all corners of the globe, eager to be charmed, wowed and entertained. Vancouver is an outdoor playground, filled with green spaces and an attractive waterfront. Walking, cycling, rollerblading and watersports are not holiday activites for Vancouvian’s, but simply an every day way of life. This city is also renowned for its diverse culture and ethnicity. The Coast Salish people have called Vancouver home for thousands of years and their cultural traditions, love of nature, art crafts, heritage, and spiritual history run deep into Vancouver’s roots. Make sure you include a visit to Stanley Park, Granville Island, Canada Place and of course, Gastown.

CULINARY CONNOISSEUR HIGHLIGHTS: Vancouver is a foodie city. Food and Wine magazine and Condé Nast Traveler have both named it one of the best food cities in the world. Beyond the many awards, as you walk through Vancouver, you sense the local appreciation for great dining. You’ll see it in the lineups for food trucks and brunch spots. You’ll smell it in the streets, lined with kitchens wafting with beautiful aromas. Gastown is home to cobblestone streets, great nightlife and culinary combinations – modern cuisine and fusion foods in laid back settings. Chinatown is, as you might imagine, home to great Chinese food, from the classic bakery, to the welcoming dim sum spot, to more modern takes on traditional dishes. The West End has become an absolute hub for ramen lovers. If you’re out late, you’ll probably find yourself in a karaoke joint, or chowing down on late night Korean food. Kitsilano seems to be the chosen destination for some of the best new restaurants in the city. Just across the bridge from downtown, you’ll find contemporary cuisine for every price range. Granville Island is home to a great market where you can find everything you need for a delicious picnic or home cooked meal. It’s also home to great casual drinking and dining. We have included a Granville Island Market Foodie Tour with one of the city’s leading companies and Behind the Scenes Brewery Tour for an insight into the IPA making process. 

A relatively short drive brings you to Fraser Valley. From your base in Harrison Hot Springs, you are able to explore all that the region has to offer. There is fresh produce and homespun menus at family-run farms in the Fraser Valley, but did you know that you can combine your culinary cravings with some pretty cool animal encounters? At Taves Family Farm, Saturdays and Sundays are better known as GOATerdays. Pick up an apple cider slushie at the Applebarn for the humans and some grain to feed the animals, then drive down to the goat playground to watch these pampered cuties frolic. Alternatively, ditch the stuffy studio to practise goat yoga at Maan Farms in a fragrant field under the sun. Set up your yoga mat in the wide-open spaces (downward goat, anyone?) and cuddle your new four-legged friends in between poses. You may choose to explore the Fraser Valley on a guided tour with a member of the Stó:lō Nation to learn about the cultural significance of various structures and natural landmarks throughout the region. Your guide will share insights into the living history and traditions of the Stó:lō people, and you’ll hear stories, be introduced to traditional language and place names, learn about Indigenous artwork, and more. Destinations range from a 9,000-year-old archaeological site to a newly renovated interpretive centre, and tours operate on foot, by bus, and on the water. Did you know that the Chilliwack River is a hotspot for river rafting? Whether you’re a newbie who wants to ease in or a hard-core enthusiast who’s all about the rapids, there’s an experience here for you. Whatever you choose to do with your time, there is gorgeous mountain scenery and quaint towns and villages.

CULINARY CONNOISSEUR HIGHLIGHTS: At Maan Farmssee see what Mama Maan has whipped up in the kitchen to take home, like butter chicken and chickpea curry best paired with Maan’s own fruit wine. Call by Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery, who’s delectable waffle bar offers outdoor seating and an old-fashioned drive-through. Included are fresh-from-the-field seasonal fruit toppings, farm-made berry syrups, and fresh whipped cream. Thirsty? The Fraser Valley is home to dairy farms, berry farms, and wineries galore, but did you know there’s also a dedicated BC Ale Trail that spotlights half a dozen craft breweries between Langley and Chilliwack? Choose a designated driver or take a tour, and make a day of it as you seek out some new favourite pours. Book a table on Field House Brewing’s covered patio or grab a Salted Lime Mexican Lager on their drop-in beer lawn. Don’t miss Old Yale Brewing Co.’s Sasquatch Stout, which they boldly declare is Canada’s best beer. All beer aficionados should check out Dead Frog Brewery’s Green Magic. Campbell’s Gold Honey Farm & Meadery is Fraser Valley’s ultimate honey destination! Learn about ‘all things honey’ from artisanal honey wines, natural source honeys, beeswax products and more. Chaberton Estate Winery is the oldest Fraser Valley Winery. Try their award-winning wines or sit and enjoy a classically French-inspired meal in their Bacchus Bistro. Visit EcoDairy Farm Discovery Centre in Abberford and learn what innovations are used to improve life on the farm, improve food quality and reduce the environmental footprint. Take a barn tour, meet the cows, and watch a robotic milker in action. Hofstede’s Country Barn in Chilliwak is a food lover’s dream! They have top-quality produce, a full-service deli, and a café where they make 18 different soups from scratch each week. They also have a selection of in-house baked desserts and pastries. Roots and Wings Distillery is a farm-to-bottle distillery where they grow, ferment and distill onsite. Check out their tasting room, serving cocktails and small snacks. The Fraser Valley Cider Company in Langley is the valley’s first Cidery, where you can enjoy hand-crafted, small-batch ciders on the patio.

Osoyoos is located in the South Okanagan, in the Thompson Okanagan region. There are a wide range of activities and attractions to keep you entertained. This location ia a hiking and biking delight. Perhaps one of the main highlights is Anarchist Mountain Lookout, a stunning viewpoint located just outside of Osoyoos which is 4,892 ft above sea level, and offers panoramic views of Osoyoos Lake, the town, as well as South towards Washington State. There is horse riding and a myriad of pursuits at Osoyoos Lake, whether out on the water or a meander around it. In town there are countless museums and history centres. Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre is a state-of-the-art interpretive centre constructed into the hillside in a 1,600-acre desert conservation area. There is also Okanagan Art Gallery, Osoyoos & District Museum, Osoyoos Desert Centre and The Art Gallery at Osoyoos.  

CULINARY CONNOISSEUR HIGHLIGHTS: Osoyoos has everything from street-side cafés to vineyard-view bistros, sure to please all foodies. The chefs and restaurateurs are passionate about promoting food grown locally, raised sustainably and prepared with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Osoyoos Farmers Market, outside the Town Hall, is a great find if your visit includes a Saturday (seasonal). Whilst in town, make a call at Lake Village Bakery, packed with sweet treats, and Sugar Quail Bake Shop renowned for its pies and jams. There is no forgetting that this is primarily a wine region. La Stella, Nk’ Mip Cellars, Adega on 45th, Moon Curser and Young & Wyse wineries are all local. Osoyoos and the South Okanagan is also one of BC’s major sources of apples, which has ultimately made the area ideally suited to dabble in the sweet world of cider. a new Cider Trail includes eight locations around the Osoyoos region. A one-stop-shop, District Wine Village is nestled between the mountains and lakes in the heart of Okanagan Wine Country. It is home to 13 Wineries, one Brewery and one Distillery, and it’s primary focus is to celebrate artisan production and craftmanship. Perhaps consider a trip to Oliver, a few miles to the north, for a Covert Farms Tour or to visit Dubh Glas Distillery and Firehall Brewery.

Kelowna has a reputation as being the heart of Canada’s wine country, but this eclectic year-round destination has a lot more to offer than just internationally recognized food and drink. Perched on the shores of Okanagan Lake, Downtown Kelowna is the city’s cultural heartbeat. Join the crowds of locals by Kelowna’s most photographed sculpture, The Sails, head west to Okanagan Lake City Park for the city’s best beach, as well as biking trails and a water park. To the east, stroll down Bernard Avenue and enjoy some of the city’s best boutique shopping and restaurants. To the north, walk along the picturesque waterfront boardwalk and through Waterfront Park. The entire Western edge of Kelowna is bordered on the pristine Okanagan Lake where you can rent a paddleboard, canoe, or kayak and head out along the lake. Often recognized as one of the most beautiful wineries in the world, Mission Hill has a lot more to offer than just wine tasting. Stroll through the expansive grounds, from the fortress-like gates to the courtyard bell tower. Take in a live performance of Shakespeare in the intimate outdoor amphitheatre, or reserve a table at the award-winning terrace restaurant and watch the sunset over the vineyards, mountains, and lake. Myra Canyon’s 18 trestle bridges and 2 tunnels were originally built by the Canadian Pacific Railway to service prospectors during 20th century mining boom, but you can now immerse yourself in this piece of history. Situated on the scenic Kettle Valley Runway, this outdoor escape is perched along a steep-walled canyon offering a complete outdoor adventure just a short drive from the city. If you are looking for some of the best views in the Okanagan Valley, Knox Mountain is a must. Sitting on the edge of downtown Kelowna, the 766 acre natural park is just minutes away from most hotels. If you’re feeling adventurous, park at the bottom and hike or bike up to the summit, approximately 300 meters above Okanagan Lake. 

CULINARY CONNOISSEUR HIGHLIGHTS: Kelowna is all about perfect pairings, with over 40 wineries  just minutes from the city. We have included a six hour Taste, Savour And Indulge, Kelowna Winery Tour  visting a number of vineyards and including a great lunch, and a Kelowna Dinner Cruise, for a great evening of food complemented by picture-perfect views. While in Kelowna don’t forget to visit the BC Wine Museum and learn about the inside scoop on the staff’s favourite local wines.

The north and south Thompson rivers meet in Kamloops, where a desert-like interior boasts wide-open grasslands, sagebrush, ponderosa pine forests, sandstone canyons, and chiseled hoodoos. With abundant sunshine, and over 100 lakes within easy reach, Kamloops is the perfect place to head outside and enjoy a plethora of pursuits. Paddling, fishing, mountain biking, horseriding, golfing and climbing are popular pursuits.

CULINARY CONNOISSEUR HIGHLIGHTS: Kamloops is home to one of BC’s newest wine regions and one of the northernmost vinifera growing areas. With four wineries covering six vineyards and 120 acres under vine, the growing industry is winning provincial, national and international awards. Well-drained soils rich in mineral content result in bright, crisp aromatic whites and fruit-forward, well-balanced reds that are quickly becoming a signature style in the region. We have included a Monte Creek Ranch Winery Tour and tasting, which prioritises quality, innovation and sustainability in its production. For more than 40 years, the Kamloops Farmer’s Market has been a place for connecting local producers and consumers, and a place to share a passion for food – from breads and baking to fresh produce and hand-made artisanal products. The Kamloops craft beer scene is small but it packs a punch, with five micro-breweries in town; Iron Road Brewing, Bright Eye Brewing, Noble Pig Brewhouse, Alchemy Brewing and Red Collar Brewing. Kamloops’ food scene is hitting the streets with food trucks ready to take your order. Enjoy diverse cuisine from menus that range from burgers and BBQ to sandwiches and treats. 

This four-season destination is home to North America’s largest ski resort, Whistler Blackcomb— providing a mountain playground throughout the year where hiking and biking are commonplace. Just beyond the comforts and cafés of Whistler, the trails and ancient forests of British Columbia’s wilderness call to casual adventurers. Whistler Village is the beating heart of a the community and bursts with character. From the cultural to the culinary, the educational to the entertaining, its boutique shops, museums, restaurants, galleries, events and festivals deliver countless options for all, in all seasons.

CULINARY CONNOISSEUR HIGHLIGHTS: Whistler’s dining scene is eclectic – laidback après, exquisite meals, authentic pubs and street food all vie for attention in this mountain town. Do fondue by snowmobile, sample your way through a brewery, and savour caviar and Champagne at an alpine lake. To expereince this mix for yourself, we have included two great tours. Finer Things Culinary Tour is a guided walking tour featuring four delicious courses at four award-winning Whistler restaurants: the Bearfoot Bistro, Hy’s Steakhouse, Quattro, Rocky Mountain and the Firerock Lounge, plus a visit to an impressive 15,000-bottle wine cellar where guests learn to ‘saber’champagne. Salmon Bake by Jeep is known as Whistler’s best adventure dining tour. You’ll enjoy an incredible 4×4 experience of climbing in a Jeep Rubicon, 6,000ft up Blackcomb Mountain to the Horstman Glacier to enjoy a salmon dinner on the most spectacular patio in Whistler. You could visit Whistler Brewing Company for a 45 minute tour of the process and finish with a flight of tasting treats. Perhaps take a 2 hour distillery tour to Montis Distilling with Whistler Valley Tours, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the facility, tastings of all available products paired with charcuterie from local favorites Picnic Whistler.

Today you make the 84 mile journey back to Vancouver International Airport, where you return your rental car and check in for your flight back to the UK.