Compare Whales & Bears of British Columbia by Exodus Travels vs Signature City Montreal by Road Scholar

Day 1 Start Vancouver

The adventure begins in Vancouver on Canada's west coast. If you have time, we recommend a stroll around this cosmopolitan city to get a feel for it. Treat yourself to moreish maple cookies in Stanley Park, a 990-acre (400ha) green wonderland where you can see authentic totem poles put up in the 1920s or sit in one of the cafes and enjoy a spot of people watching. A welcome briefing may be held this evening or tomorrow morning, in which we gather as a group and meet our tour leader. Accommodation: Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown (or similar)

Day 2 Morning ferry to Vancouver Island

In the morning, we head to the port for a ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, a 1hr 30min journey across the Strait of Georgia. On arrival in Nanaimo, we continue by road, stopping for a walk and picnic lunch at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park. Rathtrevor is known for its majestic old-growth woodland, beautiful ocean sunsets and a wide, sandy beach with picnic areas nestled amongst the trees. We then continue our drive to Ucluelet, our base for the next three nights. Today's travel time is approximately six hours. Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)

Day 3 Pacific Rim National Park Reserve; boat excursion to observe grey and humpback whales

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is nestled between the mountains of the Vancouver Island range and the Pacific coastline. We walk inside the park this morning to admire the rich natural heritage of the west coast of Canada. The reserve has almost 10mi (16km) of sand and a huge collection of driftwood, while the next stop is Japan! We usually take the Nuu-Chah-Nulth trail to the beach and visit during low tide to explore some of the intertidal pools and rocky islands. You may see lime-green anemones and purple, brown and orange starfish. In the afternoon, we board Zodiacs with a naturalist guide who leads a 2hr 30min to three hour whale-observation excursion (depending on the low-tide schedule, this activity may take place earlier in the day). Our goal is to see humpback and grey whales, but it is also common to come across orcas, seals and sea lions among the rocky headlands. Today’s driving time should not exceed two hours. Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)

Day 4 Rainforest Figure Eight trail; boat excursion to observe black bears

Today our leader will take us on an easy hike on the Rainforest Figure Eight trail, an hour-long walk along wooden boardwalks through the majestic forest. This is a peaceful trail and we will be surrounded by a dense foliage of ferns, Western Red Cedar and Western Hemlock trees. Keep your eyes peeled for birdlife - our tour leaders have reported sightings of Steller's jays and Rufous hummingbirds! Late this afternoon, we board Zodiacs for a 2hr 30min expedition to observe black bears and bald eagles (depending on the low-tide schedule, this activity may take place earlier in the day). In the wilderness of Clayoquot Sound, black bears search for crabs and clams on the rocky beaches. We travel the fjord inlet by Zodiac, looking in sheltered bays and stopping to see any black bears we find from the comfort of our vessel. Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)

Day 5 To Campbell River and Cathedral Grove Provincial Park

Depart Ucluelet and drive for four hours to Campbell River on the north shore of Vancouver Island. Campbell River is known as the salmon capital of the world for its hugely impressive salmon runs, where five species of Pacific salmon swim the river. It has been designated a Heritage River for its importance in British Columbia; following the fish are bears, seals, kingfishers and eagles. This afternoon, we stop at Cathedral Grove Provincial Park to see the last remains of the temperate rainforest that covered the island more than a 1,000 years ago. This is one of the most accessible areas of giant Douglas fir trees in the province and there are many trails enabling us to meander through Douglas fir, western hemlock, grand fir and western red cedar trees. Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)

Day 6 Boat excursion to Orford River to observe grizzly bears

Board a covered boat for a full-day excursion to the Orford River area (on the mainland of British Columbia) to observe grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Conservative estimates suggest there are 10,000 grizzly (brown) bears in British Columbia, with 92 percent of the original habitat of grizzlies still occupied. The abundance of spawning salmon in the Orford River at this time of year brings grizzlies down to feast. A two-hour journey by boat with a spectacular backdrop of mountainous scenery brings us to the mouth of the Orford River. From here, we take a short bus journey inland, where there are five viewing platforms from which to spot the bears. We visit one or sometimes two of these platforms, where we hope to observe the bears catching and feeding on salmon, sometimes with cubs in tow. On the boat journey to and from the Orford River, we may also see black bears, orcas, humpback and grey whales, dolphins, porpoises and sea lions. Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)

Day 7 Quadra Island for hiking or optional sea kayaking

Board a ferry for a 10-minute journey across the Discovery Passage to Quadra Island, where we spend the day exploring the island trails and beaches by foot. Our leader will determine the best trail based on the group's preference and ability, but options include the Shallaligan Pass Trail along Quadra Island's coastline, which offers panoramic ocean views, or the Heriot Ridge Trail that passes through the bush and out onto a ridge for coastal views galore. There is also an optional three-hour sea kayaking excursion from Quadra Island. Accompanied by kayak and marine life observation guides, there is never a dull moment as we paddle by kayak around Quadra Island – we could see soaring eagles, oystercatchers, herons, cormorants, gulls and, if lucky, seals, sea lions, dolphins and porpoises. The mountain views offer a stunning backdrop to this excursion, which is suitable for beginners. Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)

Day 8 Transfer to Victoria; whale-watching in the Salish Sea

We drive for around four hours to Victoria, capital of British Columbia. Victoria is well-known for its colourful gardens, British architecture and arts scene. In the afternoon, we have one final wildlife-viewing opportunity as we embark on a whale-watching excursion from Victoria, where orcas, humpback whales and sea lions are often spotted in the waters of the Salish Sea. A certified marine naturalist will accompany us in the Zodiac boat, helping to spot wildlife and providing background information on the species we observe. Accommodation: Huntingdon Manor (or similar)

Day 9 Ferry to Vancouver; orientation tour and end Vancouver

It's an early start on our final day in British Columbia as we take the ferry (approximately 1.5 hours) across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver. Our leader will take us on a guided orientation tour of the city then there's free time to explore Vancouver at your leisure. Those on Land Only arrangements may choose stay longer in the vibrant city of Victoria. Please speak to your sales representative if you'd like to add post-tour nights in Victoria or Vancouver.

Day 1
Check-In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location: Montreal, Quebec Meal: D Hotel:  Holiday Inn Montreal Centreville Downtown
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Arrivals and transfers to the hotel in Montréal in the afternoon. Meet your group leader between 4:00 - 5;00 p.m. to pick up your program packet. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet at the front desk.

Dinner: Welcome dinner at the hotel.

Evening: We’ll begin our evening with an orientation session where we’ll get to know each other as well as review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes. We’ll go over important information as well as have time for questions. 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. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. If you’d like to go out on your own, the hotel is close to the Metro (public transit system) and is within walking distance of Old Montréal, museums, and some of the finest restaurants in the city.

Day 2
Introductory Lecture, Old Montréal, Pointe-à-Callière
Location: Montreal, Quebec Meal: B,L,D Hotel: Holiday Inn Montreal Centreville Downtown

Activity note: Walking approximately 2 miles and standing, over about 3.5 hours; sidewalks, busy city streets, cobblestones and hills.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: We'll start the day with an introductory lecture on Montréal, with a focus on the culture of this world-class city. A short lesson on local French will provide tips and phrases to help us make our way in shops and restaurants. Armed with our new vocabulary, we'll hit the streets on a walking field trip through Old Montréal. With our expert guide, we'll learn about the city's history as we stroll narrow cobblestone streets lined with heritage buildings. We’ll pass through Marche Bonsecours, inaugurated in 1847- a wonderful example of the era’s neoclassical style - and stop at two of its beautiful squares - Place Jacques Cartier and Place d'Armes.

Lunch: At the Pointe-à-Callière Museum café overlooking the Old Port.

Afternoon: Located in the heart of Old Montreal, across from the Grand Quai, the Pointe-à-Callière Museum is strategically situated at a site of human habitation for more than 1,000 years. Inaugurated for the 350th Anniversary of the City of Montréal in 1992, the museum sits atop the ruins of the original Fort Ville-Marie, built in 1642-43 by the French missionaries. The Pointe-à-Callière Museum showcases history and artifacts from the settlements of Indigenous Peoples to the present day. A museum expert will provide interpretation during our visit and will provide a summary of noteworthy events and notorious characters who have shaped the illustrious history of this World Heritage City.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: Our dinner restaurant is a mainstay of Montreal's active jazz and blues scene. Enjoy a live music performance at the restaurant starting at 7 p.m.

Day 3
Jewish Cultural Exploration, Golden Square Mile, McGill
Location: Montreal, Quebec Meal: B,L,D Hotel: Holiday Inn Montreal Centreville Downtown

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking approximately 2 miles, some standing, about 3 hours; pavement, busy sidewalks.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: This morning we are headed by coach to the historical neighborhoods of Mile End and Plateau for a cultural and culinary learning adventure. Our guide, a researcher on important culinary contributions made by Montreal’s Jewish community, will tell us about her findings and then we’ll head out, walking streets frequented by cultural icons like Mordechai Richler and Leonard Cohen, to visit some favorite spots for tastings. We'll sample some of Montreal's iconic foods, including Schwartz's smoked meat sandwich, Fairmount bagels, and the Wilensky special. Come with a healthy appetite!

Lunch: We'll enjoy our Jewish delights at the Museum of Jewish Montreal.

Afternoon: We will begin the afternoon with a presentation by a local historian, during which we will learn about Quebec, and its evolving place in Canada. After our lecture, an expert from the McCord Museum will join us for an exploration of the McGill University campus and the surrounding neighborhood, known as the Golden Square Mile. Established in 1821 by royal charter, McGill is the home of Canada’s oldest law and medical schools and has long been a central part of English Canada’s presence in Quebec. This district was long the center of prestige and power in Montreal, and by extension, Canada. We’ll hear about the district’s transformations over the years, see some of its mansions and see photographs that will take us into the homes and lives of some of the most influential individuals of 19th and 20th-century Montreal.

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 4
Montréal Coach Exploration, Musée National des Beaux Arts
Location: Montreal, Quebec Meal: B,L Hotel: Holiday Inn Montreal Centreville Downtown

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Walking up to 1 mile, some standing at museum, about 2 hours.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We begin the morning with a coach exploration the city. As we journey through Montréal, we will discover iconic Montréal landmarks such as "The Big O" Olympic Stadium, Habitat 67, the Plateau neighbourhood, and the mountain that gives the city its name, Mont Royal. Next, we will visit Musée National des Beaux Arts du Québec which features over 22,000 selections, including Canadian and international early, figurative, modernist and abstract art. We will explore its outstanding Québécois, Indigenous and Canadian art collections with an experienced docent. There will be some time to explore independently.

Lunch: At the cafè at the museum.

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 leisure.

Day 5
Notre-Dame Basilica, Château Ramezay
Location: Montreal, Quebec Meal: B,L,D Hotel: Holiday Inn Montreal Centreville Downtown

Activity note: Walking up to 2.5 miles, some standing, approximately 1.5 hours; pavement, cobblestone, busy streets, several stairs at the entrance of Notre-Dame Basilica.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: No Montreal experience is complete without seeing the magnificent Notre-Dame Basilica. This masterpiece of Gothic revival architecture is renowned for its interior, sculpted in pine and black walnut, paint and gold leaf. During our expert-led exploration, we’ll learn about the history of Notre Dame, and its great organ that was built in 1891 and has undergone several restorations. Then, we’ll enjoy a recital with Pierre Grandmaison, the esteemed titular organist of the Basilica since 1973.

Lunch: On own, or join the group leader at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will take a short walk to Château Ramezay, one of the few vestiges of colonial New France open to the public. The Château Ramezay is on the list of 1001 places to see before you die – a list developed by a team of experts in collaboration with UNESCO. The Chateau was built in 1705 and has been a witness to many of the historical events in North America, with many historical figures, including the poet Émile Nelligan, Governor Lord Elgin and Benjamin Franklin, coming through its doors. We’ll learn more about this exemplary historic site and explore its French colonial garden with a museum expert.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at a well-known local restaurant in the Old Port.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 6
Program Concludes
Location: Montreal, Quebec Meal: B
Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: Independent departures after breakfast per individual plans. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!