Canada's jewel

The provincial capital of BC is a gem worth more than the usual day trip from Vancouver by the bussed in hoards on their package deals. The quaintly "British" city of Victoria sits at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, which stretches some 300 miles to Port Hardy. The city has something for everyone. The BC Transit busses are on time and regular, so it is worth staying outside the city to gain from the lower room charges. Do the usual tourist things, Butchart Gardens, the Inner Harbour, shop at The Bay and the myriad tourist shops, but also do something different, take an Inner Harbour or Gorge tour on one of the mad little ferries, walk Beacon Hill Park and/or Dallas Road and take a coffee at Ogden Point, see Mile Zero of the Trans-Canada Highway, stroll round the Royal BC Museum, take a number 11 (UVic) bus to Cadboro Bay and Gyropark. Visit Salt Spring Island or take the E&N train to Nanaimo for the day. ride a seaplane for a 30 minute scenic tour of Victoria, Sidney is a smart seaside town and visit Chemainus for the murals. On the way to Tofino or Ucluelet, stop at Coombs to see the goats on the roof, but for a really different trip, take the ferry to Hornby Island, via Denman Island and Buckley Bay to get away from it all. Once you have visited Victoria, you will want to come back. The people are really friendly and welcoming. Enjoy your holiday in "Beautiful British Columbia."

Great for: Beaches, Hiking/Camping, History/Culture, Theatre/Music, Nightlife, Family Holidays

Last Visit: September 2007

31 August 2007 | A Yahoo! User

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Old World Class

From the minute you step (or drive) off the ferry onto Canadian soil and into the streets of Victoria you have an instant sense of what a lovely, classy city it is. Before you even have a chance to fully explore, you stand on the sidewalk taking it all in and you just want to run in a million different directions and do it all at once. There are horse-drawn buggies and young college students on bicycles strewn about the steets, waiting eagerly to wisk you off to another hidden, exotic part of the city. Another one of the first things you notice about the city is a mix of the old world style and the new, modern architecture, like the towering glass apartment and office buildings next to the harbor with the rustic Parliament Building just around the corner. I think Chinatown just might be my very favorite part of the city. The Silk Road Tea Shop is always a must-go-in-and-buy-something for me personally. I always find something new and exciting in the quaint little shop. I have been to Victoria for the last three summers and I'm probably booking an airline ticket for this summer as well! If you want to see London, but don't want the Trans-Atlantic flight, I recommend Victoria, because you get a little slice of the Old English life, (including high tea at the Empress Hotel), but you get better exchange rates, and the locals speak simple American English. =)

6 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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cant wait to go agin

i like everthing,to eating and walking down the street to look at stuff

6 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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Victorian charm, Perfect spot for tea

It is a nice island getaway with access to whale watching, native indian art, taking time out for tea, and just enjoying the different attractions downtown. The wax museum, undersea gardens, parliament buildings, and royal provincial museum are all within a few blocks. Butchart Gardens is a "must see" site as it is a photographer or any gardener's dream. Different flowers are in bloom most seasons. Double decker buses or even the local bus service which is cheaper will give you access to Butchart Gardens and other activities outside of town. Great climate and weather almost year around and quick access by air or boat from Seattle, Port Angeles, and Vancouver. Spring and Summer are probably the best seasons but like any place it is nice to see how it changes with each season.

6 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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We can't wait to go back!

Victoria is a great place to relax and enjoy beutiful nature; from american bald eagles at goldstream park, to amazing gardens at butchart gardens, whale sightseeing is also spectacular. Beautiful hikes in the Sooke area made for excellent photography, alos great dinning made this a vacation that was superb!.

6 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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