Day 1: Roche Harbor

Arrive at Roche Harbor via Kenmore Air Floatplane. Meet MV Olympus at historic Roche Harbor marina. After hors d' oeuvres and champagne, you might want to stroll through historic Roche Harbor. Relics of an earlier much different era mingle easily with the trappings of a modern day resort. A display in the lobby of the historic Hotel de Haro explains the resort's history. Be sure to see the Presidential signatures on the old guest logs. Built by a young Indiana lawyer in the early 1900's, Roche Harbor was the largest lime producing company west of the Mississippi.

Read about Roche Harbor in the books aboard Olympus, and be sure to borrow the little booklet called "A Walking Tour of Historic Roche Harbor" from the yacht so that you don't miss a thing on your arrival. Guests can frolic in the swimming pool, and don't miss the flag lowering ceremony featuring the American and Canadian flags at sunset. Finish your day with a stroll just before bedtime in the beautiful gardens.

Day 2: Roche Harbor to Bedwell Harbour, B.C.

The yacht will get underway cruising through the northern islands of the San Juan archipelago. Keep your eyes open for orca whales, seals, sea lions, and all kinds of bird life. The length of the trip is dependent on how much wildlife you see.

You will dock at Bedwell Harbour, B.C. where you will clear customs. You will find yourself at Poet's Cove Resort, a beautiful resort on South Pender Island. You may wish to swim, enjoy various treatments at the lovely Poet's Cove Spa, or just relax with a book on the fantail. Crab for dinner, perhaps, if you have been lucky crabbing the day before near Roche Harbor.

Day 3: Bedwell Harbour to Ganges Harbour, Salt Spring Island

A beautiful cruise through the Canadian Gulf Islands will end at Ganges on Salt Spring Island. This is the largest island in the Gulf Island chain, and features terrific landscaping, farming, wineries, cheese factories, and a beautiful active harbour. If you are lucky enough to be in Ganges in on a Saturday during the summer, do not miss the Saturday market.

Obtain your Canadian crabbing permit right near the dock and the captain will bait the crab pots for you. There is nothing like Dungeness crab, hot bread, and wine from the Salt Spring Winery. Enjoy the day and evening in Ganges.

Day 4: Ganges Harbour to Brentwood Bay

The yacht will travel to Brentwood Bay, the back entrance to the world famous Butchart Gardens. Docking at luxurious Brentwood Bay Spa & Resort, the crew can assist you with spa appointments to be scheduled later in the day. Board the MV Olympus tender for the ten minute trip to the back entrance of the gardens with your gourmet picnic lunch prepared by the chef.

This world renowned 55 acre display garden began in 1904 as a quarry owned by Robert Pim Butchart. Robert's wife Jenny began creating a garden in the pit that had resulted from the mining efforts. From this humble beginning of the glorious Butchart Gardens over 100 years ago four separate gardens have now been created: The Rose, Sunken, Italian and Japanese. Each year over 1,000,000 bedding plants from over 700 varieties are used to insure uninterrupted blooms throughout the spring, summer and fall.

Return to the yacht after walking in the gardens and enjoy your spa treatments. After a gourmet dinner, enjoy dessert on the fantail because if you are in Brentwood Bay at the right time, you may see a fireworks show from the garden from the comfort of the MV Olympus.

Day 5: Brentwood Bay to Sidney

The trip from Brentwood Bay to Sidney will be filled with scenery and wildlife. Upon arrival in Sidney, you will find yourself in a beautiful marina with hanging flower baskets on the dock. If you wish, the MV Olympus crew can take you to Sidney Spit where there are beautiful sandy beaches and you can enjoy a picnic lunch and meet up with the yacht later.

You may wish to walk two blocks from the marina into the quaint town of Sidney for wonderful boutiques, shops and bookstores.

Day 6: Victoria

The yacht will take you from Sidney to Victoria, the beautiful capital of British Columbia. The marina is right in front of the historic Empress Hotel. If you wish, the crew can arrange for you to have formal tea at the Empress.

Take a horse drawn carriage ride and be sure not to miss the Museum of British Columbia, a short walk from the marina where there are incredible exhibits depicting the history of the area and the influence of the First Nations people.

Cocktails on the back deck before dinner, and dessert on the fantail where the Parliament Building will light up at dusk.

Day 7: Victoria / Departure

Take a brisk walk in the morning and explore more of Victoria. After a leisurely breakfast, pack and get ready for your return to Seattle via either Kenmore Air float plane or the Victoria Clipper, the high speed ferry.

Before you leave, be sure to discuss the next year's itinerary with the captain, perhaps you will be able to join the yacht in Alaska or further north in British Columbia next year.