JUST LAUNCHED: CUBA CRUISE REVOLUTIONIZES TRAVEL TO CUBA, MAKING FASCINATING PORTS AND CULTURE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

Priced from CD$586 for a 7-day Circumnavigation Cruise, new Canadian line Cuba Cruise combines incredible value, delicious cuisine and a once-in-a-lifetime cultural exploration

www.yourcubacruise.com

Toronto, Canada - January 29, 2013: Newly-launched Cuba Cruise breaks new ground with its circumnavigation of Cuba, making the Island’s fascinating but otherwise hard to reach ports accessible and affordable for all. Each cruise includes the opportunity to visit world famous beaches, six UNESCO world heritage sites and four National Parks & Preserves, as well as in-depth exploration of Cuba’s dynamic culture. The experience offers the best qualities of cruising and all-inclusive getaways combined with a Cuba that few people see.

Prices start at CD$586 double occupancy for a seven-night cruise. The upcoming season will run from December 16, 2013 to March 31, 2014 with a total of 15 departures.

“It is exciting to offer something truly unique to the travel market, and Cuba Cruise is certainly the only offering of its kind,” said Cuba Cruise President Dugald Wells. “We provide the best of both worlds to our guests – a top-notch all inclusive cruise experience and the type of in-the-know exploration of Cuba’s remarkable sights, sounds, flavours and history that is usually reserved for locals only.”

Your Cuba, Accessible & Authentic

The line’s launch diversifies traditional Cuban travel options to provide access to the true, authentic Cuba, encouraging guests to “find your Cuba” beyond busy beaches and high-occupancy hotels.

Cuba Cruise has received overwhelming support from the people of Cuba and the Cuban Tourist Board. “Passengers of Cuba Cruise will be greeted as special guests to our home, and experience the warmth and generosity that defines the authentic Cuba,” says Ruben Jiminez, Director of the Cuba Tourist Board of Canada.

For More Information Please Contact:

Media Contact:
Jillian Dickens
1-416-660-7660
jillian@bannikin.com

Brochures & Information:
info@yourcubacruise.com
1-855-364-4999 ext. 4356

Trade Sales Support:
Annika Klint
1-855-686-0110
annika@yourcubacruise.com

BELCAMPO BELIZE WELCOMES GUESTS OF ALL FLAVOURS AND FEATHERS FOR REMARKABLE RANGE OF 2013 PROGRAMMING

Punta Gorda, Belize, January 28th, 2013:

Belcampo Belize, a 12 room luxury eco resort in Belize’s southern Toledo district is known for its role as an eco-reserve, contributor to the local economy, foodie haven and stunning getaway for travellers seeking anything from bird watching and sport fishing to luxury suites and spa treatments. The resort was founded on the principals of conservation, economic development and delivering training for locals to deliver excellence in hospitality in the remote and exotic jungle of southern Belize. At the helm of Belcampo Belize is manager Mara Jernigan, a Canadian chef, cooking teacher and former Slow Food Canada president who is well known for her work championing local food on Vancouver Island's Cowichan Valley where she ran a culinary retreat. In 2013, Belcampo offers guests a new host of experiences sure to enrich their year and have them returning in 2014.

2013 Programs include:

Experience the Birds of Belize with Dr. Lee Jones
February 15th to 20th 2013 –5 nights – US$2,500 per person

Dr. Lee Jones is a leading ornithologist, author, and Ph.D recipient in avian biography. With over 400 species of birds taking flight within 15 kilometres of the lodge, Belcampo provides the ideal location for birding in Belize.

Package includes:

• Transfers to and from the Punta Gorda airstrip
• Nightly accommodation
• Daily guided birding
• Daily full breakfast, coffee, tea, afternoon snacks and three-course dinner
• Complimentary WIFI & personal laundry service
• A copy of The Birds of Belize by Dr. Lee Jones

Permit Quest with Todd Calitri
March 21 - 27, 2013 – 6 nights - $4995 per angler (based on double occupancy)

Join Orvis Travel Saltwater Expert Todd Calitri and a small group of anglers and their companions in southern Belize, and learn what it takes to catch the elusive and hard fighting permit. This part of Belize is arguably the best place in the world to catch a permit on a fly, and this fly fishing trip was put together to maximize your chances for success.

Package includes:
• Transfers to and from the Punta Gorda airstrip
• Nightly accommodation
• Daily guided permit fishing trips with expert coaching
• Daily meals
• Complimentary WIFI & personal laundry service

Package includes:
• Transfers to and from the Punta Gorda airstrip
• Nightly accommodation
• Daily guided chocolate tours and tastings
• Daily meals
• Complimentary WIFI & personal laundry service

Passionfruit, Jam and Marmalades & the Tropics
May 2nd to 6th 2013 – 5 nights – US$2587

A jam and marmalade master class led by Rachel Saunders of Blue Chair Fruit. Transplanting modern nostalgia to the tropics, Rachel will teach you traditional preserving techniques and how to approach flavor and texture, while exploring the full range of ways to combine fruits, herbs, and spices into luscious spreads.

Package includes:
• Transfers to and from the Punta Gorda airstrip
• Nightly accommodation
• Daily guided tours and tastings
• Daily meals
• Complimentary WIFI & personal laundry service

 
Canadian travellers who want an extraordinary travel and culinary experience have several options on how to get there. There are daily flights to Belize City on United Airlines through Houston from Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal. There are also easy routes to Houston for Vancouverites with United flights via Calgary and San Francisco. A new weekly direct flight with Sunwing from Toronto to Belize City makes the journey all the more easy. Once in Belize City there are daily connecting flights on local carrier Tropic Air that deliver guests safely and easily right into the care of the attentive Belcampo staff.


For more information please visit www.belcampoinc.com/bz/ and www.bannikin.ca

About Belcampo Belize

Belcampo Belize is a 12-room hotel, a 1000-acre farm, planned Agritourism center, and a 12,000-acre rainforest preserve. Located in Belize’s Toledo District, our Lodge and Farms is at the heart of the watershed for one of nature’s most spectacular marine environments and is proud to play a part in the conservation of the marine life of the Belizian reef through sustainable agricultural management and conservation of intact rainforest ecosystems.

For More Information Contact:
Emily Blake
Bannikin Travel and Tourism
647.291.6097
emily@bannikin.ca
www.bannikin.ca

EXCLUSIVE TOURS OFFERS CANADIANS ACCESS TO THE BEST OF RIVER CRUISING WITH AMA WATERWAYS AND LUFTNER CRUISES

AMA Waterways’ early bird booking discount extended to January 31st, 2013

Toronto, Ontario, December 19th, 2012:

As travellers look ahead to a new year full of amazing travel opportunities, one of the biggest travel trends of the last decade stands out; river cruising. Seventeen years ago, Exclusive Tours was one of the first to introduce this style of cruising to the Canadian travel market, and as the representatives of two of the most unique and well-regarded river cruise companies, they remain leaders in the field today. These companies, AMA Waterways and Lüftner Cruises, stand out similarly in their exceptional quality of service, but are distinct in several ways, making them both ideal choices for travellers looking to experience the ultimate river cruising experience.

AMA Waterways has always been distinguished by their unsurpassed attention to detail and quality of service. No matter what category of booking, each guest’s needs are met by the carefully trained staff who are more than happy to go above and beyond. Whether it be finding a specific “locals only” dining experience, helping secure access to out-of-the-way sightseeing opportunities, or even providing airport pick ups and drop offs, AMA Waterway’s highly trained staff know no service is too big or too small to make a guest happy. To ensure all who wish to cruise the waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam, Cambodia or Africa have the opportunity, the deadline to take advantage of the early booking discount of $200 per person on select departures for 2013 is being extended to January 31st, 2013. 

Lüftner Cruises is another of the industry’s crown jewels, also known for its impeccable guest service. While other river cruise companies cater mostly to North American travellers, Lüftner Cruises is set apart by their appeal to a diverse mix of international clientele, often a blend of European and North American. This variety gives the onboard experience the feeling of a stylish European boutique hotel. Another notable difference between Lüftner Cruises and other river cruise operators is their “a la carte” approach to shore excursions. They are the only company to offer all of the shore excursions as extras, rather than bundling them into the main price, giving their guests the freedom to only select and pay for the excursions that truly interest them.

The remarkable offerings of these companies are why Exclusive Tours has felt confident in promoting river cruising to the Canadian market for nearly two decades. They know that what makes river cruising so compelling for guests is the access to more exclusive ports of call, where traditional cruises cannot reach.  The trend towards more intimate, experiential travel is why river cruising is sure to continue to boom in 2013.

About Exclusive Tours

Exclusive Tours specializes in unique, best in class, small ship cruising. Exclusive Tours’ experienced team has the expertise and knowledge to provide guests with the best selection, quality and value for their vacation. Exclusive Tours’ goal is to ensure the optimal cruise experience for their guests, through their highly select small ship cruise partners.

To learn more about Exclusive Tours, please visit www.exclusivetours.ca

For More Information Contact:
Emily Blake
Bannikin Travel and Tourism
emily@bannikin.ca
www.bannikin.com

ADVENTURE CANADA CELEBRATES THEIR 25 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

New Years Resolution Rate honours 25th anniversary with $250 savings on any 2012 cruise or land-based adventure booked by January 18th 2013

Port Credit, ON, December 17, 2012: Exploring the Great White North has been a dream of adventurers for centuries. For the last 25 years, Adventure Canada has been making this dream a reality for travellers from all over the world. Incorporated 25 years ago today on December 17th, 1987 by brothers Matthew and Bill Swan and their good friend David Freeze, the company continues to be a family affair with the next generation Cedar, Alana and Matthew James at the helm of all business operations.

To help celebrate this anniversary, Adventure Canada is extending their guests a very special New Years Resolution Rate. Guests who book and pay in full by Jan. 18, 2013 will receive a $250 discount on any 2013 adventure. While pricing is in USD, during this time frame the Canadian dollar will be accepted at par. This rate applies to both new bookings and also those who have already booked their Adventure Canada adventure for 2013.

“The success of Adventure Canada has come through the relationships we have cherished over the past 25 years with the local communities we return to each year and the incredible guests who join us,” says Cedar Swan, Vice President of Adventure Canada. “It has been our mission as a company and a family to share these remarkable destinations with our guests and guide their exploration and learning.”

In honour of the anniversary, the upcoming year of expeditions will feature a compilation of Adventure Canada’s best trips selected from their 25 years of operations, including Scotland, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu, the coasts of Labrador and Newfoundland, and of course the place where the company’s story began: The Arctic. Travellers who choose to join the expeditions will have access to the unparalleled talents and knowledge of Adventure Canada’s featured staff and guests that includes authors, artists, poets, storytellers, musicians, historians, culturalists, biologists, ornithologists, archeologists and more. Among special guests in 2013 are musicians Ian Tamblyn and Barney Bentall, celebrated Canadian authors Michael Crummey, Noah Richler and Lisa Moore and cultural interpreters and experts Bernadette Dean, Johnny Issaluk, Thomas Johnston and Andrew Qappik.

To book and for more information please go to Adventure Canada’s website www.adventurecanada.com or call 1.800.363.7566.

SAILING SOLO MADE SIMPLE WITH VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY SPRING MEDITERANNEAN SAVINGS

New offers feature low single supplement of 10% on spring Mediterranean sailings

Toronto, Ontario, December 12, 2012:

Exclusive Tours knows firsthand that cruising in the Mediterranean appeals to everyone, including solo travellers.  While most cruises charge a significant single supplement for those wishing to book a single-occupancy stateroom, Voyages to Antiquity is making solo travel affordable in the spring of 2013, with three sailings featuring a special low single supplement of only 10 percent.

These three sailings also feature significant savings for two travellers in the same stateroom in the form offree category upgrades and early booking discounts leading to savings of between $800 and $1000 per stateroom. In addition, all guests appreciate a low air add-on of only $595, inclusive of all taxes from eight major gateways across Canada.

The departures on sale are a 14-night cruise-tour departing on April 24th from Athens to Venice; a 16-night cruise-tour departing May 6th from Venice to Rome; and another 14-night cruise-tour departingMay 16th from Rome to Cannes.

“This exceptional single supplement pricing is truly a unique offer for those travellers who have put off such a journey because of the higher single supplements usually charged.,” says Michael Geske, Managing Director of Exclusive Tours.  “Additionally, as shore excursions and gratuities are included, it makes this overall package a great value.”

These sailings feature new itineraries, each delving into the unparalleled art, historic sites and local cultures of its ports. For travellers seeking a longer cruise experience there is also a 24-day sailing with even more exciting incentives, featuring stateroom savings of up to $1000 as well as free round-trip airfare, and the 10% single supplement. This extended sojourn sails from Venice to Cannes beginning May 6th, in the spirit of the Grand Tour, visiting four countries along the way; Italy, Croatia, Spain and France. Highlights include the galleries of Renaissance Florence, the mosaics of Monreale Cathedral in Sicily, the ruins of Imperial Rome and the architecture of Barcelona, as well as a visit to Napoleon's island of exile, Elba.

For more information about these limited time offers please click HERE.

BELCAMPO BELIZE RECEIVES 2013 CONDE NAST JOHANSENS AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

Punta Gorda, Belize, November 28, 2012

Belcampo Belize was awarded a winner of Conde Nast Johansens' 2013 Awards for Excellence. The prestigious awards were created to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across the recommended properties in Conde Nast Johansens’ guides. A 12-room, sustainably-managed eco-lodge and 3,000-acre farm situated in the tropical canopy of Punta Gorda, Belcampo Belize was named the Most Excellent Lodge and Most Excellent Eco Resort for the region of Mexico and Central America.

“We are honored to have received a Condé Nast Johansens award and be named the leader in such prominent categories,” said Mara Jernigan, General Manager of Belcampo Belize. “We have really focused on increasing our food production at the lodge in the past year and through these efforts, we are able to build our menus around our own ingredients, providing a wonderful narrative for our guests.”

Condé Nast Johansens remains the most comprehensive illustrated reference to annually inspected, independently owned hotels. With dedicated and highly trained inspectors almost ten times as many properties have been assessed as appear in the Guides, in order to narrow the final selection down to, quite simply, the best selection of accommodation for independent travelers. The awards are based on responses from guest feedback, online nominations and regional inspector reports drawn from the hotels featured in the most recent guides. The 2013 awards are featured in the December issue of Conde Nast Traveler and can be viewed online at condenastjohansens.com/news/2013-awards-for-excellence.

Belcampo Belize grows more than 70 percent of the fresh produce they incorporate into their menu in addition to producing their own pastured poultry, eggs and local rare breed pigs. This year alone, the Belcampo farm staff has completed planting 60 acres of rare criollo cacao in the hills surrounding the lodge. These examples provide only a glimpse into the recent strides to maximize the lodge’s sustainability efforts.

For more information on Belcampo Belize or to book a reservation, visit www.belcampobz.com or call (011) 501-722-0050.

ABOUT BELCAMPO BELIZE

Belcampo Belize is a 12-room, sustainably-managed eco-lodge and 1,000-acre farm situated in the tropical canopy of Punta Gorda, the southern-most part of Belize. Surrounded by 12,000 acres of intact rainforest, Belcampo Belize is located at the heart of the watershed for one of nature’s most spectacular – marine environments and is proud to play a part in the conservation of the marine life of the Belizean reef through sustainable agricultural managements and conversation of intact rainforest ecosystems. In fall 2012, Belcampo Belize will open Belcampo Farm Center providing hands-on learning in the production of coffee, chocolate, jam, rum, and spices. Belcampo Belize is a destination for food lovers, bird watchers, fly fishers and adventure seekers to share in one of the world’s most spectacular, unique and pristine places.

ABOUT BELCAMPO INC.

Belcampo Inc. owns and manages agricultural ventures across the globe that offer unparalleled integrated approaches to food and agricultural businesses. Current active projects are in Shasta, California, Punta Gorda, Belize and Jose Ignacio, Uruguay. Each Belcampo destination shares a commitment to sustainably managed land and the principles of organic agriculture and is focused on offering delicious and authentic foods via direct-to-consumer retail and uniquely rooted tourist destinations. Belcampo transforms agricultural ideals into international realities as visionaries and managers of farms, hotels, retail shops, and educational centers.

Media Contact:
Emily Blake
Bannikin Travel & Tourism
emily@bannikin.ca
647.291.6097

SANTIAGO ADVENTURES GRANTS GUESTS PRIVILEGED ACCESS TO CHILE’S WINERY OF THE YEAR, CASA MARIN

Providencia, Santiago de Chile, November 12, 2012;

Chile’s wine culture is world-renowned, and an integral element of the experience for guests of Santiago Adventures, Chile’s leading operator of wine, ski and bike tours. While the entire region is celebrated by oenophiles, Casa Marin is especially notable due to accolades from international and regional media, including its inclusion on Wine & Spirits Magazine’s list of Top 100 Wineries in the World. Santiago Adventures is thrilled to share their country’s most celebrated winery, located in the San Antonio Valley, with guests on many of their wine tour itineraries.

“We are proud to have a close partnership with the exceptional team at Vina Casa Marin.” says Brian Pearson, Founder and Managing Director of Santiago Adventures. “Their recent awards come as no surprise to us – our team and all our guests who have had the pleasure of visiting their winery are happy to share our favourite local secret with the rest of the world.”

Santiago Adventures offers many itineraries that include Casa Marin. Guests can visit during the full day San Antonio Premium tour, which guides the group through the stunning terroir of the San Antonio Valley, including a tasting and gourmet lunch. For a more in depth experience, guests can select the Casa Marin Winery Stay, a luxurious overnight visit to the winery with accommodation in the winery’s hill-top vine covered villa with incredible views of the vineyards, the town of Lo Abarca and the pacific ocean.

For the active and adventurous guest, a bike tour called The Hidden Back Roads of the San Antonio Valley is newly available.  On it, guests arrive at the winery for a tasting and tour after an exciting day of riding and exploring. Casa Marin is also included in most of Santiago Adventures’ longer (5+ days) itineraries.

Casa Marin is Chile’s most coastal vineyard, situated just 4 kilometres from the Pacific shoreline. Owner Maria Luz Marin was Chile’s first female winery owner, and is considered an innovative leader in the industry. Casa Marin’s recent awards also include the selection of two of its varietals – their Sauvignon Blanc 2011 and Syrah 2010 - as Best in Chile by Descorchados, Chile’s most prestigious wine guide. Over 1300 wines were tasted and scored for the 2013 edition of the guide.

“It is a great honour to receive these awards, especially as a young winery in an emerging region.” says Maria Luz Marin, Casa Marin’s owner. “We look forward to another year of the fruitful partnership we have created with Santiago Adventures.”

For more information please see Santiago Adventures’ website: www.santiagoadventures.com

About Casa Marin Winery

Casa Marin is a family-owned winery in Chile’s San Antonio Valley and is Chile’s most coastal vineyard, located just 4km from the Pacific shoreline. Founded in 2000 by Chile’s first female vineyard owner, Maria Luz Marín, Casa Marín has been described as one of the “most daring and innovative” vineyards in the country. Most recently, it was named for the sixth time among the Top 100 Wineries in the World (2012) by Wine & Spirits magazine. Two of its top wines – Miramar Vineyard Syrah 2010 and Cipreses Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011 – were named the “best in Chile” by the South America’s most prestigious wine publication Descorchados.

www.casamarin.cl

Media Contact:
Shannon Guihan
Bannikin Travel & Tourism
shannon@bannikin.ca
416.903.8307

BELCAMPO BELIZE IS AWARDED GLOBAL VISION AWARD FOR PRESERVATION BY TRAVEL + LEISURE

Punta Gorda, Belize, Sept 21, 2012: Belcampo Lodge Belize is honoured to announce that Travel + Leisure Magazine has awarded them a Global Vision Award for Preservation.  The award is given to organizations committed to preserving the culinary, cultural and ecological customs of international destinations. Travel +Leisure’s 2012 Global Vision Awards jury weighed in on dozens of projects—including hotel and school programs, voluntourism initiatives, eco-lodges, and an energy-efficient airline—to select 20 winners in five categories.

“ To be recognized in the area of preservation is very special as it is at the root of our mission, to preserve traditions and reinvigorate the local economy by celebrating food culture,” says General Manager Mara Jernigan “By growing delicious indigenous and hard to find traditional varieties of products such as cacao, black corn and vanilla as well as raising local breeds of chickens and pigs we can all share the story of these authentic local flavors with our guests.”

Belcampo features a luxury 12 room hotel, a 1000-acre sustainable farm and a 12,000-acre rainforest preserve. When describing why they selected Belcampo to receive the award, Travel + Leisure credits the property’s farm, guest education programs and partnerships with sustainable international companies such as Blue Bottle coffee and Vosges Chocolate for “helping build a global marketplace for Mayan products.”

Beyond the culinary and ecological priorities, Belcampo Belize is celebrated for its world-class fly-fishing and bird watching. An onsite swimming pool, luxurious spa and beautifully appointed accommodations make it the ultimate rainforest getaway.

Read all about the Global Vision Awards in the October issue of Travel + Leisure, on newsstands today.

For more information please visit www.belcampoinc.com/bz/ and www.bannikin.ca

BELCAMPO BELIZE OFFERS A NEW KIND OF CULINARY TOURISM WITH CANADIAN CHEF AND MANAGER MARA JERNIGAN

Photos: www.taradonne.com

Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District, Belize. July 16, 2012. Belcampo Lodge Belize is a self-contained sanctuary featuring a luxury 12-room lodge, a 1,000-acre sustainable farm, planned Agritourism centre and a 12,000-acre rainforest reserve. Offering unique new educational programs where guests can learn to process exotic culinary specialties such as chocolate, rum and coffee, the lodge also combines garden fresh organic food, Maya cultural tours, and natural beauty in an area of southern Belize world-renowned for its unparalleled fly-fishing.

Belcampo Inc, which includes farms in California and Uruguay, is a collaboration between CEO Anya Fernald, an Iron Chef judge and expert in sustainable food and business management, and philanthropist, conservationist and avid fly fisherman, Todd Robinson. Located on a river a short boat ride from the sea, Belcampo Lodge and Resort is at the heart of Belize’s pristine marine environment. The property’s guiding principles are practicing the tenets of sustainable agriculture and conservation of the surrounding rainforest and marine life. Guests of the lodge stay in spacious and luxurious rainforest suites, located high on a hill with stunning private jungle views.

Overseeing these goals is Canadian General Manager  Mara Jernigan, a chef and cooking teacher with more than three decades of experience. The former Slow Food Canada President received high acclaim for her work at Fairburn Farm Culinary Retreat & Guesthouse, a field to table cooking school on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. In her role at Belcampo Belize, Mara brings her vast wealth of experience and passion for agricultural sustainability, innovative educational culinary programs and fine dining to the table.

“I am thrilled to be a part of executing Belcampo’s visionary concept,” says General Manager Mara Jernigan “The beautiful lodge and innovative farm programs are a perfect fit for my skills, interests and values. Southern Belize is unspoiled and culturally rich - it is a great pleasure to work with the friendly local staff and share this beautiful place with guests from around the world.”

Belcampo Belize offers a one-of-a-kind tropical getaway for Canadian travellers. With an easy 2-hour flight to Belize International Airport from gateway cities Miami, Atlanta, Houston and Dallas, this English speaking former British colony is the next hot place to escape from the cold winter.

Belcampo has paired with the founders of quality producers Blue Bottle Coffee and Vosges Chocolate, James Freeman and Katrina Markoff, to offer 3-5 day intensive coffee and chocolateprograms in early 2013. Planning for a rum partnership is also underway. Beyond the culinary delights, Belize is well known for both fly-fishing and bird watching, activities that attract Canadian fishermen and birders to the property annually. An onsite swimming pool, luxurious spa specializing in locally made spa treatments such as coconut massage oil, and cacao facials and sumptuous accommodations make Belcampo Belize the ultimate rainforest escape for travellers whether they are seeking relaxation or adventure.

To further establish their reputation with Canadian travellers, Belcampo has partnered with Bannikin Travel & Tourism, a Toronto-based niche travel and tourism group who specialize in enhancing the business of unique hotel properties. They will play a key role in strengthening the eco-destination’s brand presence across Canada through targeted media relations.

For more information please visit:
www.belcampoinc.com/bz/

Stay in touch: 
facebook.com/belcampobelize
Twitter.com/belcampobelize

For More Info Contact

Emily Blake
Email: emily@bannikin.ca
Mobile: + (647) 291 6097
Skype: emblake
www.bannikin.ca

Arbutus Routes goes Into the Vineyard with New Okanagan Wine Cycling Tour

Toronto, May 3, 2012. British Columbia’s premier cycling and multi-sport adventure company has just announced their latest tour: A unique cycling journey through the Okanagan desert to visit the region’s emerging shining stars in the winery world. The tour is in partnership with the newly launched B.C. based wine-focused tour company, Into the Vineyard.

The Okanagan is a relatively undiscovered haven of great wine, and this tour digs even deeper to visit the region’s hidden gems. Taking the slow road on two-wheels, guests will meet with the winemakers setting lofty new standards of quality. Morning rides pass through the dramatic scenery of this desert-like climate, and each afternoon is centered around winery visits and sampling some of the region’s best, albeit least known, vintages.

“The Okanagan has all the elements that cater to great road-bike routes,” says Arbutus Routes owner Matt Delany. “Quiet roads, beautiful vistas overlooking verdant wineries, and a ton of options to extend or shorten the route to suit all preferences. We’re excited to get out on these roads, and then off them again to visit the estates!”

The tour is four nights beginning in Penticton, exploring the Naramata Bench, then Okanagan Falls, Osoyoos and the Golden Mile and ending in Black Sage five days later. Guests will spend their evenings at the charming and elegant Naramata Heritage Inn & Spa in Naramata and the luxuriousSpirit Ridge in Osoyoos. Guests will cycle approximately 35 kms per day, with some longer ride options extending to 70 kms on certain days. Arbutus Routes has deemed this tour moderately difficult, meaning a mid-level degree of fitness is recommended.

Highlights include al fresco dining set in vineyards under the stars, while tasting the estate’s best wines, meeting 10 of the top winemakers in the Southern Okanagan at their properties for exclusive visits focusing on what sets their wines apart, and enjoying some of the best road riding routes in North America with quiet roads weaving through lakes, mountains and vineyards.

Bikes, accommodation, pick-up and drop off at Penticton Airport, transport, guides and bike mechanics throughout the trip, wine and gourmet culinary experiences and all the regional information and advice guests may need is included in the package.

There are two Into the Vineyard Wine Cycling tours scheduled for 2012. Dates are September 13-17 and September 20-24. 

For more information about this tour please visitwww.arbutusroutes.com/okanagan_wine_cycling.html 

About Arbutus Routes

Arbutus Routes specializes in multi-sport adventures in Southwest British Columbia and operates a Whistler-based bike shop offering bike rentals, service, retail and everything needed to book and plan a British Columbia multi-sport holiday.

For more information about Arbutus Routes please visit: www.arbutusroutes.com.