Day 1 - Monday, May 27

Our companions will kick off their first tour day at the Muttart Conservatory, a botanical garden in the North Saskatchewan river valley, across from the downtown core in Edmonton. One of the best-known landmarks of Edmonton, the conservatory consists of three city-operated greenhouses, public gardens, as well as four feature pyramids for display of plant species found across three biomes, with the fourth pyramid hosting a seasonal display. A fifth minor skylight pyramid lights up the central foyer. After a guided tour of the conservatory, we’ll enjoy a lunch at the on site Café Bloom. After lunch, we’ll board the High Level Street Car for a scenic ride from downtown, over the high level bridge and into the popular Whyte Avenue area.

Day 2 - Tuesday, May 28

The day will begin with a bus ride out to Elk Island National Park for the Bison Backstage Guided Tour. This tour is the exclusive, behind the scenes look at bison conservation at Elk Island. Visitors will be led through the Plains Bison Handling Facility and along the way will learn about the history of bison, how they affect the prairie landscape around them, and how park staff herd these magnificent wild animals through the world-class plains bison handling facility as a tool to connect visitors to Canada’s bison story and Parks Canada’s ongoing role in bison conservation efforts.

After a lunch break, we will head to the Barr Estate Winery in Sherwood Park for a tour and tasting. Barr Estate is a fruit winery built upon the owners family’s original homestead.

Companions are also invited to participate in all evening programming and the Local Tour Day on Thursday, May 30.