TOUR 7 - Whistler/Pemberton Tour, $695 per person
(9 a.m. - 6 p.m., daily)

Our tour to Whistler begins with a drive along the aptly named, scenic Sea to Sky Highway, and route to the 2010 Winter Olympics. We'll stop at Shannon Falls, B.C.'s third highest waterfall at a majestic 355 meters (that's 1105 feet, six times higher than Niagara Falls). Your driver will explain the sights en route.

On arrival, we'll stop in to Function Junction, a 'suburb' of Whistler Village, to pick up our resident Whistler guide, avid Slow Food member Chef Greg Cousar of Whistler Cooks Catering. If Whistler visitors are joining the tour, they'll embark here as well.

• Al Fresco Slow Food Lunch We'll stop for a luxurious four-course regional lunch paired with top B.C. wines. We'll dine outdoors at one of Chef Cousar's favourite 'picnic' spots complete with professional server, white linen, china, and stemware. In case of inclement weather, we'll dine in style in a rustic barn.

We'll head a few kilometers north to fertile Pemberton Valley farm country (and the seed potato capital of North America). Our regional ambassador, Chef Cousar will supply commentary about the area's sustainable farming practices, the area's Slow Food roots and more, and field any and all questions.

• Across the Creek Organics A Pemberton mainstay, known locally as Miller Farm, traces its roots back to 1912 and supplies area restaurants and local residents with organic produce that runs the gamut from salad greens and snap peas, to tasty tomatoes, beets, herbs, potatoes of course and much more. We'll sample just-picked seasonal veggies grown on this 500-acre farm: 250 acres are cultivated, the remaining are wild wetlands and old growth cedar groves.
• North Arm Farm Farmer Jordan Sturdy is also mayor of Pemberton, a farm-based community north of Whistler. This vibrant and picturesque farm sits on 55 bountiful acres at the base of towering Mount Currie. We'll stroll fields of flowers and vegetables, visit with resident pigs, sheep, donkeys and geese before stopping in the farm bakery to sample fruit, pies, famous butter tarts, farm pickles and more. We might bump into a Whistler chef or two: This is where many buy produce for their restaurants.

Heading back to Whistler Village, our stops will include either

• Whistler Farmers' Market If it's Sunday, a visit to this colourful market is a must. You'll find North Arm Farm and Across the Creek Organics here together with many other farmers, crafts people, bakers, chocolatiers, musicians and much more.
• Whistler Village While there won't be time to "shop till you drop", you'll have a relaxed 45 minutes to stroll the picturesque village, shop, relax with a glass of wine on a village square patio, or at the base of magnificent Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains, and watch the eclectic passing parade of locals and global visitors.

We'll bid farewell Chef Cousar and head back to Vancouver and your hotel to savour the day unless you've opted to continue on with us to one of our featured CHEF & CHAUFFEUR dinners.

For more information please contact Diana Becker by email diana@chefandchauffeur.com