Canada’s Sonora Resort Opens Its 11th Season with New Experiential, Eco-Luxury Packages

Luxury Canadian wildlife retreat and Relais & Chateâux property Sonora Resort welcomes its first guests of the season May 2, 2013.

Located within the secluded Discovery Islands in British Columbia, Sonora Resort unveils new exhilarating wilderness packages including the “Into the Wild” ocean safari and “Prepare for the Bears” photography weekend.

Grizzly Bear

“Canada is one of the top 10 tourist destinations in the world with a wealth of natural resources,” says Wynne Powell, Sonora Resort president and CEO. “When guests visit Sonora Resort, they want to see and experience the bountiful British Columbia wilderness and its beauty, up-close. Sonora harnesses this wonder by offering unique activities that truly make for memorable and unforgettable travel, such as our new “Prepare for the Bears” and “Seeing the Light" nature photography weekend.”

This exclusive Photography Weekend Workshop runs from September 20 to 23 with internationally acclaimed photographers Rosemarie and Pat Keough. The Keoughs are experts in wildlife and scenic photography, having photographed the natural world from the Arctic to the Antarctic. They are local residents from Salt Spring Island, British Columbia and know the area well. Guests will have the opportunity to embark on a special trip with the Keoughs to capture photos of the magnificent grizzlies inhabiting and fishing on the traditional lands of the Homalco First Nation and the mighty Orford River.

Additional notable packages this season include Into the Wild, where guests get the ultimate eco-treatment such as a tour to see Pacific white-sided dolphins, orcas, and sea lions; a hike to view some of the province’s oldest growth forests; and a helicopter ride for a bird’s eye view of the swirling ocean, tides and currents.

Food lovers can also rejoice over Sonora’s Gourmet Getaway, where Executive Chef Terry Pichor will take visitors on a food trip around the Pacific Northwest - enjoying his cuisine first on a private boat sailing the inlets surrounding Sonora Island, and then into candlelight in Sonora’s fine dining room.

Sonora Resort lies within the heart of the intimate ecological meeting place where the North Pacific waters touch the coastal rainforests of B.C. Visitors can only travel to Sonora by way of helicopter, sea plane, or boat. “The possibilities for ecological adventure and animal sightings are endless,” says Powell.

“We are here to create uniquely tailored experiences for each and every guest,” adds Sean Ross, General Manager of Sonora Resort. “For example, a helicopter to the glaciers for some champagne and caviar, followed by a snorkeling with salmon trip can definitely be coordinated.”

Sonora Resort’s Island Currents Spa is introducing indoor and outdoor yoga for guests this season, with an entirely new program to be unveiled this summer.

Relais & Chateâux Sonora Resort welcomes guests from all over the world and is a proud member of Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts, Conde Nast Johansens and a TripAdvisor 2013 Travelers’ Choice multiple-award winner with 100% excellent reviews.

Sonora Resort season opens May 1, 2013.