Dane Tredway

Tell us about you and your company.

Butterfield & Robinson is an active luxury travel company founded in 1966 by three friends from Toronto. Originally specializing in cycling tours across Europe, the company has since evolved to offer a wide range of active and experiential journeys, now operating in over 60 countries worldwide. As an Experience Designer and Region Manager, I oversee our North American portfolio, which includes Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. I began my career with B&R in 2012 as a biking and hiking guide, and as a planner, I have spent nearly a decade crafting unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for private and small group travellers. 

Here’s a bit more about me.

What’s the entry level to talk to you? (a trip cost minimum, a planning fee, a membership fee?)

Trips in North America generally start around US $1,000 per person, per day. We ask for a trip development fee of $1,000 to get the private trip planning process underway. This fee is seen as a deposit and is ultimately credited towards the final cost of the trip. 

What is the sweet spot of your expertise?

Finding the balance between raw adventure, epic scenery, immersive cultural experiences and the creature comforts where they matter most. 

Can you share a few favorite trips/itineraries you’ve planned in Canada that best represent your philosophy?

For families – British Columbia’s West Coast is an ideal destination for a multi-active adventure suited to all ages. Most journeys begin in the vibrant city of Vancouver, known for its dynamic food scene—highlighted by Granville Island Market and the Richmond Night Market—and its easy access to nature, including the old-growth forests and beaches of Stanley Park. From here, a scenic seaplane flight takes us to Vancouver Island’s wild West Coast, where we settle into the renowned Wickaninnish Inn, a Relais & Châteaux property perched on a rocky point in Tofino, Canada’s surf capital. In addition to surfing, we explore by bike and on foot through ancient cedar forests, head out on bear and whale-watching excursions, and enjoy interpretive beach walks with a Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation guide. The adventure continues with a private boat charter into remote Clayoquot Sound, where we stay at the luxurious Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. From this 5-star tented retreat, guests can enjoy everything from sea kayaking and canyoning to horseback riding, mountain biking, and rock climbing.

For foodies – Visiting Québec feels like a trip to Europe—without the transatlantic flight. The food is a major highlight, from Montréal’s diverse, world-class restaurants to the cozy French bistros and old-world bakeries of Québec City. Beyond the cities, regions like the Eastern Townships offer a chance to sample some of the Northeast’s finest wines and produce from its Agritourism Trail. Further along the St. Lawrence River, areas like Baie-Saint-Paul and Île d’Orléans are dotted with orchards perfect for farmhouse picnics, as well as goat farms and artisanal cheese-makers ideal for tasting stops on a scenic countryside bike ride. In season, we can also visit a traditional sugar shack, where maple syrup is harvested and hearty Québécois meals—think pea soup, baked beans, cretons, ham, sausages, and pancakes—are served in a rustic, festive setting.

For serious adventurers – The Canadian Rockies are my top recommendation for travelers seeking epic adventure. While iconic sites like Banff and Lake Louise deliver bucket-list moments—think surreal turquoise lakes framed by jagged, snow-capped peaks—it’s the vast, untamed backcountry that truly sets this region apart. Highlights include heli-hiking into remote alpine terrain to traverse wildflower-filled meadows and sweeping ridgelines without the slog; trekking across one of North America’s largest glaciers with a First Nations guide, gaining insight into the cultural and historical significance of the Icefields through an Indigenous lens; traversing Mount Norquay’s via ferrata—Italian for “iron road”—on a guided cliff-side climbing experience; and horseback riding past glacier-fed lakes to a century-old teahouse built by Swiss mountaineers during the golden age of exploration.

For cultural immersion – Newfoundland, a rugged island off Canada’s East Coast, is my top pick for cultural immersion in Canada—largely thanks to its disarmingly warm and welcoming people. On a B&R trip, you experience the soul of Newfoundland through its locals—fishermen, chefs, artists, and musicians—who share stories, traditions, and a way of life shaped by the sea and salt air. Once a British dominion, Newfoundland was the last province to join Canadian Confederation in 1949, and a visit here often feels more like a journey to the west coast of England, Ireland or Scotland, from where many of its residents trace their roots. Music plays a central role in local culture, especially during traditional kitchen parties—lively, communal gatherings filled with food, song, and dance. In the province’s remote corners, you find opportunities to witness and engage with long-lost cottage industries—many now enjoying a revival—including traditional woodworking, punt building, quilting, rug hooking and hand weaving, canning, preserving and salting cod.

A couple of favorite hotels/lodges/houses in your region(s) that you love and go back to again and again…

Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland – This property has a compelling origin story, and its founder, Zita Cobb, is a visionary hotelier in my view. Created with the goal of revitalizing the local economy and preserving traditional ways of life in Newfoundland, the hotel is as meaningful as it is beautiful. Architecturally, it’s one of Canada’s most striking, reimagining the humble fishing shack through a lens of bold, contemporary design. Perched at what feels like the edge of the earth, its remote setting only enhances the impact of its luxurious amenities and world-class dining.

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, British Columbia – One of the best-executed tented lodges in North America, hands down. The accommodations offer all the creature comforts of a plush five-star stay, yet remain deeply connected to the surrounding wilderness—perhaps it’s the outdoor showers tucked beneath towering old-growth cedars. The food and drink program is exceptional, far surpassing that of similar properties I’ve experienced. Surrounded by epic scenery and a profound sense of seclusion, it feels worlds away—yet it’s just a short, scenic seaplane flight from Vancouver or a quick boat ride from Tofino.

The most memorable meal you’ve had while traveling…

A B&R picnic is a quintessential part of any Butterfield & Robinson journey and often one of my most memorable meals on the trip. In Newfoundland, we venture out to see icebergs, whales, and the abandoned offshore settlements of the Bonavista Peninsula before returning to dry land for a seafood feast accompanied by a live fiddler on the docks of a working fishing shack. In the Canadian Rockies, an expert forager joins us to identify native wild edibles, which we then enjoy as part of a refined picnic by a remote subalpine lake—followed by an invigorating cold plunge. In Québec, instead of a traditional sit-down picnic, we bike along the province’s agritourism route, stopping at markets, wineries, cheesemakers, orchards, and vegetable farms to sample the region’s finest fare in delightful small bites. 

A not-to-be-missed favorite experience in your region of expertise…

Hiking in the alpine regions of the Canadian Rockies offers a rare sense of solitude and the thrill of exploring seemingly untouched wilderness. Jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, and rushing creeks set a dramatic scene, while iconic wildlife—grizzlies, elk, bighorn sheep, and cougars—adds to the sense of awe. For those eager to earn the views, trails like Yoho National Park’s Iceline Trail deliver unforgettable rewards. But reaching the alpine doesn’t always require a strenuous trek: take a helicopter into Kananaskis Country, ride horseback to the Plain of Six Glaciers, or hop on a gondola to Sunshine Meadows for a high-elevation adventure with a lighter lift.

Underrated location, overrated location, personal favorite, recent discovery?

Underrated – Atlantic Canada is a beloved destination for many Canadians, yet places like Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland remain relatively undiscovered by our neighbours to the south. From traditional lobster boils and sweeping sand dune beaches to charming antiques shops, lively pubs, and billion-year-old rock formations—some of the oldest on Earth—this region offers something for everyone.

Recent discovery – On a recent scouting trip to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, I was struck by how much the windswept landscapes reminded me of Donegal, Ireland, and was equally fascinated by the distinct Francophone culture of the Acadians. It’s a region rich with opportunity for exploration, offering exceptional biking, coastal hiking, and an authentic slice of East Coast life.

Overrated – I would hardly call the more easily accessed trails of Banff National Park overrated, but there are many opportunities beyond the usual tourist circuit that offer the chance to connect with nature in a more meaningful way. We’ve got access to areas of the National Parks where few venture.

Personal favorite – As someone who lives in British Columbia, I am partial to the endless beauty and opportunity for adventure in Western Canada.

The hardest-working item you always pack…

Whether you’re on the windswept coast or high in the rugged interior mountains, it always pays to be prepared for sudden shifts in weather, so I always recommend my travelers prepare for all four seasons. My lightweight hooded Patagonia down jacket is a must have on-trip for that reason. It packs up into a small pouch and takes up almost no room in a small daypack.

What do you think Americans most misunderstand about travel in Canada?

While Canada is famous for its vast, epic wilderness, many Americans may overlook the country’s rich and unique cultural experiences. Canada’s vibrant cultural landscape is shaped by Indigenous heritage, French and British colonial history, and diverse waves of immigration. From the soulful rhythms of First Nations powwows and Inuit throat singing in the Arctic to the lively winter festivals of Quebec and the multicultural culinary scenes of Toronto and Vancouver, Canada offers a cultural tapestry that rivals its stunning natural beauty.

How would you like people to reach out to you?

dane.tredway@butterfield.com