Victoria sits on the southern most tip of Vancouver Island, a two-hour ferry ride from either Vancouver or Seattle. Originally founded as a fur trading outpost for the Hudson Bay Company, it long ago shed its humble beginnings to take its place in the world as a cosmopolitan travel destination. Nestled along the coast and hemmed in by temperate rainforest, this refreshing city offers opportunity to explore all aspects of the great outdoors.
Victoria is most often found in the company of the adjecive "charming," praise which originates in the incredible dichotomy and diversity that is deep seeded in the city. Home to one of Canada’s finest universities, the University of Victoria, it draws a large population of environmentally-conscious students — but the city is also notorious for being a prime retirement location. With regards to cultural diversity, Government Street, which runs through the heart of the city and down into the Inner Harbor, presents a solid English-style facade, but among the quirky shops that line it you'll encounter many galleries selling the work of local indigenous artists. Original prints, masks and jewelry are only some of the exciting finds stashed in the intriguing array of stores, once you've battled past the staggering number of cheesy t-shirt shops waiting to lure in an unsuspecting tourist. Overall however, Victoria has done an excellent job of maintaining a tasteful flavor for its tourist crowd and the tacky tourist is a breed you are not likely to encounter.
One of the most alluring things about Victoria is the many opportunities available in the city coupled with the number of adventures accessible from the city. In the downtown core, the house of artist Emily Carr has been preserved and is open to the public, as are the Parliament Buildings on Belleville St., some of the finest architectural edifices in Victoria. Make sure to swing by at night when they take on a magical appearance entirely lit up by strings of tiny white lights. The Royal British Columbia Museum exhibits the history of the region from the arrival of Europeans, up and through the colonial period, with intriguing coverage of British Columbia’s First Nations people. Adjacent is the brand new IMAX theater. After exploring these sites, why not relax at Milestone’s, 812 Wharf St., a restaurant perched right on the Inner Harbor. In the summertime they have tables on the Causeway surrounding the docks, making it an ideal spot to people-watch and to take in the street entertainers. In the summer, special highlights include the Dragon Boat Festival, the Victoria Airshow, the Swiftsure International Yacht Race, and the Fringe Festival, a collection of original local theater productions.
If you're looking to get your feet wet, you'll find plenty of opportunities to delve into the ocean. Coastal tours, scenic plane rides, fishing excursions, scuba diving, kayaking and sailing charters are a sample of the adventures waiting to be had, but for a unique experience, take a whale watching tour. The Prince of Whales (sic), offers a variety of daily trips to explore the local waters for sitings of majestic killer whales; their website offers photos of what to expect. For landlubbers, the Galloping Goose Trail runs through Victoria and up into Sidney — and since it's paved, it makes for a great leisurely strolling path or a venue for trying out the roller blades or bicycling. More challenging walking and hiking is to be found all over the island and is most easily accessible by car. Three hours up-island is the infamous West Coast Trail, 77 grueling kilometres that attract hikers from around the world. Reservations are required to embark on the trail as a means to limit the traffic and preserve the fauna and floral. Other parks near Victoria include Carmanah, home to gigantic trees reminiscent of California’s redwoods, and Strathcona. A more tame taste of park beauty can be experienced at Butchart Gardens, which is about 15 miles north of Victoria. If you don’t have a car you can get to this quarry-turned-flower-garden by bus # 75.
To navigate the complexity of the accommodations available in Victoria, it's best to get in touch with the Visitor Information Center, who can help you navigate the plethora of hostels, bed and breakfasts, and a wide range of hotels.
So pack your sense of adventure, your appreciation of nature and culture, and maybe throw those hiking boots in the bottom of your bag. Prepare to be astounded with the beauty, diversity and excitement that British Columbia’s capital has to offer! |
