19th September, 2016

Explore Canada in the footsteps of the Royals

With The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge due to arrive in Canada on September 24th 2016, you can view their official itinerary through this link: http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1466181306703/1466181406428

You can download images  relating to the tour itinerary via :

https://brandcanadalibrary.ca/app/#category/1901

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William and Kate will arrive in the province of  British Columbia and the  Provincial  Capital City, Victoria for an official welcome on Saturday September 24th, 2016. They will be exploring Vancouver on the mainland, meeting First Nation Peoples, new immigrants, Canadian Youth and Coast Guard projects before setting of to Bella Bella on the east coast of Campbell Island to explore the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world and home of the Kermode Bears  (Spirit Bears). They will also head to the interior of British Columbia, Kelowna where they will mark the 10th year anniversary celebration of the University of British Columbia Okanagan. The institution has cultivated a relationship with the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) to better provide tailored networks for Indigenous students, including an Aboriginal Centre and Aboriginal Access Studies programme. The area has a rich wine making tradition and the Royals will be able to sample a Taste of British Columbia whilst at the Mission Hill Family Estate.

Heading up to the Territory of the  Yukon, the couple will  meet local Canadian Rangers and Junior Rangers and visit  the Kwanlin Dun  cultural centre situated on the banks of the Yukon River.  They will visit the MacBride Museum of Yukon History and experience a traditional welcome ceremony in Carcross by the local Tlingit/Tagish First Nation peoples.  They will also  watch a Mountain Biking demonstration with an organisation called Single Track to Success (S2S) , youth trail builders aimed at providing training and improve wellness with local youth. The Couple will meet with local young riders who will demonstrate their skills.

Before departing Canada the Royals will return to British Columbia to  visit Haida Gwaii, and weather permitting take a canoe trip. Haida Gwaii, formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands, is an archipelago located off the Northwest coast of British  Columbia.  It is the ancestral home of the Haida Nation. The breath taking beauty and Argillite carvings, totem poles and ancient Haida Villages encourage visitors from all over the world to learn more about Indigenous culture and environmental stewardship.   Once  back in Victoria  the Duke and Duchess  will also get to experience  sailing a tall ship with Sail and Life Training Society (SALTS) and Jack.org which use training and teamwork to engage, inspire, heal and mentor young people from all walks of life.

If you've been inspired by their itinerary here are 5 ways you can explore Canada in their footsteps in 2017:

Spirit Bear Viewing with Frontier Canada

The exterior of the Spirit Bear Lodge pays homage to the traditional long houses as built by West Coast First Nations, with a modern yet peaceful interior and 12 comfortable guest rooms. After a day of Spirit bear viewing, a highlight is to relax in “The Great Room”, a warm, central room with comfy couches, 20-foot high ocean view windows, local Tsimshian Art and two 12-foot, solid cedar dining tables, looking out towards the grey blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and watching for passing Orcas, White-Sided Dolphins and Sea Lions. Enjoy the natural wonders of the pristine landscapes that surround you in this unique culturally-authentic accommodation.  Each room in the Spirit Bear Lodge has a private bathroom and all rooms take full advantage of the ocean and rainforest viewscapes.

http://www.frontier-canada.co.uk/hotel/view/spirit-bear-lodge-klemtu

Haida Gwaii by yacht  with Audley Travel

This 13 day package starts in Vancouver and then flies up to Sandspit in Haida Gwaii. After a  tour of the Haida Heritage Centre , guests are transferred to the Island Roamer from which you will explore the ancient native Haida Villages, experience the abundance of wildlife and the outstanding scenery.  You will primarily voyage to the eastern and southern shores of Moresby Island and along the islands and inlets of Gwaii Haanas National Park.  Naturalist on board will point out wildlife, and help passengers identify different species. Each day you will go ashore and visit old Haida Villages, walk through old growth rainforests and explore the low tide shoreline. There will be excellent opportunities to see humpback whales and orcas. 

https://www.audleytravel.com/canada/itinerary-ideas/haida-gwaii-by-yacht

Canoeing in the Yukon with 1st Class Holidays

Although the Royals are not set to canoe in the Yukon as far as we know we think it's a great way to explore the Territory. The Yukon river is rich in Gold Rush history  and on this 8 day package your canoe adventure involves 3 days on the river. The fast currents of the Yukon River take you through deep brush and forest. With luck you might spot moose, bears, lynx or even wolves. Often you catch sight of beavers and bald eagles. The fish you catch can provide variety on the daily menu and you'll have the chance to learn a few tricks of wilderness survival. During the trip you'll get to make a few backcountry hikes to get a real good impression of the Yukon Wilderness and explore this vast northern land.

http://www.1stclassholidays.com/yukon-river-canoe-adventure-mini-tour

Mountain Biking in the Yukon with Mountain Bike Worldwide

Whilst in the Yukon the Royals will meet members of a youth scheme who have been involved in building mountain bike trails in the territory. This flow of this 8 day package has been designed to become progressively more technical throughout the course of the week . Guides coach you through each new challenge so that you make the most of your Yukon  experience and in addition go home a more technically skilled and confident mountain biker.  The package does include a days biking the lower Montana Mountain trail network. This mountain underwent a transformation from silver mining hot spot in bygone years to a mountain biking paradise. Funded through the local Carcross Tagish First Nation, the Single Track for Success programme hired local youth to create mountain trails for the betterment of the community.  Set in some of Canada's most beautiful scenery, these professionally built trails snake their way down the mountain and finish at Bennett Lake. 

http://www.mountainbikeworldwide.com/bike-tours/yukon-canada

Fly Drive  Western Delights (Past and Present) with Canadian Affair

In  2011 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Canada shortly after their wedding. On that trip they enjoyed hospitality at the Calgary Stampede and a day of peace up in the Canadian Rockies at a remote lodge.  If you want to capture parts of that trip and this current trip a classic Canadian Affair  Fly Drive will  fit the bill. This two week tour starts in Calgary ,  takes in Banff and Jasper before heading across the Okanagan Valley to Kelowna where you can book in for a wine tasting tour.  Journeying on you'll visit the Provincial Capital, Victoria, on Vancouver Island before returning for a few final days in Vancouver. A snap shot of Western Canada taking in many of the  key moments of the Royal Tours!

http://www.canadianaffair.com/holidays/canada/fly-drive-holidays/west-coast-fly-drives/western-delights

For more information please contact Ms. Nim Singh,Media and PR Manager,  Destination Canada,  singh.nim@destinationcanada.com 0207 389 9983 (not for publication)