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New Year's at the Empress Hotel

December 29, 2008 – January 3, 2009
$2,449.00 Per Person – Double Occupancy
Includes: 5 Breakfasts & 3 Dinners

MONDAY – DECEMBER 29 – DAY 1

Are you ready to welcome in the New Year? The New Year’s Eve Dinner Party at the Empress Hotel will be a celebration that you will long remember.  We meet at Louisville International Airport to check in for our flight.

Be sure to have your passport and tickets ready to give the air representative.  Make sure that a luggage tag is firmly attached to your suitcase, and that the tag clearly shows your name, home address and phone number.  After check in, you should proceed through the security check and onto the departure gate of our flight.  We board our plane for our flight to the “Emerald City” of Seattle, Washington.

Upon arrival at the Seattle Airport, meet your Tour Director and transfer to your hotel in downtown Seattle.  Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at the Space Needle where incredible views make for a memorable dining experience.  Overnight in Seattle, Washington.  Meals: (D)

TUESDAY – DECEMBER 30 – DAY 2

This morning, board the Victoria Clipper for the scenic cruise journey from Seattle to Victoria.  Upon arrival, enjoy a Victoria City Tour featuring the Inner Harbor and the imposing Parliament Building constructed in 1897.  Amaze in the city’s Victorian charm.  Later, check into the world-famous Fairmont Empress Hotel for a three-night stay.  The Empress has been lovingly restored to her turn-of-the-century beauty while featuring the facilities and services of a modern hotel.  Overnight at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, Victoria, British Columbia.  Meals: (B)

WEDNESDAY – DECEMBER 31 – DAY 3

This morning we visit the world famous Butchart Gardens. Stroll among fifty-five acres of wonderful floral display, offering spectacular views along meandering paths and expansive lawns.  From the exquisite Sunken Garden to the charming Rose Garden, this show garden still maintains gracious traditions.  This afternoon, visit the Royal British Columbia Museum.  Through its unique galleries, the museum showcases the human and natural history of British Columbia.   Tonight, enjoy a special New Year’s Eve Dinner Party at the Empress Hotel, featuring an elegant dinner, music and a champagne toast to ring in the New Year.  Overnight same hotel. Meals: (B, D)

THURSDAY – JANUARY 1 – DAY 4

Enjoy a full day of leisure in the quintessentially British city of Victoria.  Stroll the waterfront, shop in the downtown heritage district, or indulge the amenities of the wonderful Fairmont Empress Hotel.  Overnight same hotel.  Meals: (B)

FRIDAY – JANUARY 2 – DAY 5

This morning, ferry through the Gulf Islands en route to Vancouver, the crown jewel of Western Canada and home to the 2010 Winter Olympics. Next, experience a Vancouver City Tour including Stanley Park, famous for its ancient Indian totem poles, Chinatown and Gastown, Vancouver’s turn-of-the century pedestrian mall lined with shops and restaurants along cobblestone streets.  This evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your traveling companions.   Overnight in Vancouver, British Columbia.  Meals: (B, D)

SATURDAY – JANUARY 3 – DAY 6

This morning, travel to Seattle for your flight home filled with wonderful memories of New Year’s at the Empress Hotel.  Meals: (B)

CLOTHING & WEATHER INFORMATION: The average temperature here at this time of year may range from 37 to 30.  Casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are in order for daytime touring.  Please bring along some dress clothing to wear each evening for dinner (ties and jacket not necessary).

You will need to take along a 220-volt adapter and converter kit for your small electrical appliances.  Check the voltage on your hair dryer, curling iron, etc., and get the correct adapter according to the voltage.  These can be purchased at Wal-Mart or any major department store.  Please note that most hotels provide adapters for men’s razors.  Also, some hotels do not provide face/wash cloths so you might wish to bring some.  (We usually recommend bringing a zip-lock bag to store your damp washcloth when departing hotel).

DRIVER & ESCORT GRATUITIES:  If you feel that your Driver and Tour Director have given you good service, it is customary to give them a tip at the end of the tour.  A suggested minimum is $3.00 per day per passenger for the Driver and $3.00 per day per passenger for the Tour Director.  This should be done on an individual basis, not by passing the bag around as a group.  Please put your gratuity in an envelope and hand it to the Driver and Tour Director on the last day of the tour. 

LUGGAGE INFORMATION: We would like to remind you that luggage is limited to one (1) suitcase per person.  The suitcase cannot exceed 30"x22"x10" in size and 45 pounds in weight.  Each person is allowed to have one (1) small carry-on piece of luggage such as an overnight cosmetic case (it must be able to fit under the seat) that you carry yourself. Luggage handling at the hotels is only provided for one piece of large luggage.  Due to limited storage space aboard the motorcoach we will use for the land portion of the tour, absolutely no hanging bags or folding bags will be allowed,

MEDICATIONS:  If you require special medications, you should check with your doctor prior to departure to ensure that you have an ample supply and you should carry your medications with you in your carry-on bag.  Medicines must be in the original container, with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket. Medications should be clearly marked on the front as to the content and the proper dosage and it is often wise to carry an extra prescription in case of emergency.  Additionally, it is smart to keep a listing of any allergies or special conditions on your person.  Do not forget your day-to-day personal needs--aspirin, vitamins, throat lozenges, etc.  Also, if you wear glasses, a second pair or a prescription from your eye doctor is strongly recommended for emergencies.

MONEY: Take extra funds in American Express traveler’s checks, and a Visa card is accepted almost everywhere.  We will get our money exchanged at the bank upon entering the country.  It is a good idea to take along some one-dollar bills, since these are good for tipping.

PACKING TIPS: Make use of every inch of space.  Many items such as handkerchiefs, underwear, men's socks, ladies' hose, etc. can be rolled tightly and smooth and will take up less space than if packed flat.  They will also remain wrinkle free and they can be put inside or used to stuff the shoulders of suits, jackets and dresses.

Take the time in packing to carefully arrange your suitcase to avoid excessive wrinkling.  Remember to lay flat any articles of clothing that don't have to be folded.  Rolling knit tops, casual slacks, etc. will also help you avoid creases in your clothing.

Put your shoes in plastic bags to protect your other clothing.  Always pack your heavier outer garments and shoes on the bottom of your suitcase, with blouses, shirts, etc. on top.  Some people prefer packing shoes along the sides of the suitcase with the soles facing outwards.  It is a good idea to place the same number of shoes on either side of the suitcase to ensure balanced weight.  Experienced travelers travel as light as possible and plan ahead by leaving room for purchases that they may make while they are on their trip. 

Things that are essential NOT to pack away:  valuable jewelry, needed medications, keys, cameras and film, citizenship documents such as passports, driver licenses, etc.

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