Victoria - British Columbia's Scenic Capital

Situated on the southern tip of Vancouver Island,Sooke Harbor House. Set against a spectacular
Victoria is a beautiful coastal city of more thanbackdrop of the Olympic Mountains and Juan de Fuca
300,000 people. The capital city of British Columbia, ItStrait, this is the original and most authentic of west
boasts many historic buildings and some of the mostcoast cuisine restaurants. Sooke Harbour House uses
fascinating museums in Western Canada. The cityonly BC ingredients in its dishes, sourced as locally as
benefits from one of Canada's mildest climates, whichpossible. Savour seafood unique to Pacific Northwest
allows its residents to pursue outdoor pleasures allwaters, tender meats from nearby farms, local
year round. Often called the "Garden City" Victoriaberries as well as fresh herbs, vegetables and
also enjoys some of the country's most exhilaratingflowers grown on the grounds. Sip wine from one of
scenery: there's an ocean or mountain vista aroundthe most magnificent wine cellars in the world,
every corner, while the city's flower gardens arerecipient of Wine Spectator Magazine's Grand Award
famous the world over. Whether your taste runs toin 2003. Sooke Harbour House is 40 minutes by car
hiking, biking and fishing (appropriate license(s)north of downtown Victoria via Highways 1 and 14.
required) or you're more the shopping, dining andWe can't leave Victoria without mentioning the
theatre type, there are no end of delights for youcustom of afternoon tea in Victoria, introduced by
and your family in Victoria.If, as the late Victoriansthe British in the 19th century. Tearooms all over the
believed, gardening is physically, morally andcity serve afternoon tea in quaint, intimate
psychologically uplifting, then Victoria must have theenvironments. For a grand experience in the most
world's healthiest population! Mild temperatures,British of traditions, nothing surpasses the Fairmont
occasional rain in summer and frequent sunshineEmpress Hotel's exquisite, silver-service afternoon
create ideal growing conditions for a vast variety oftea.Never experienced the delights of afternoon tea?
flowers, shrubs and trees. You'll find flowers in bloomIt's a dainty and delicious between-meals repast,
here year-round: lilacs and rhododendrons in spring,generally served with china cups and plates. Some of
alyssum and heliotrope in summer, roses andthe most popular menu items are tea that is often
goldenrod in fall, as well as cherry blossoms, daffodilsan exclusive "house" blend, fresh berries, finger
and pansies in winter.More than a million people visitsandwiches and scones topped with preserves and
Butchart Gardens each year to enjoy floral displaysthick cream.After sampling all that good food, there's
and themed gardens on a scale seen in only a handfulstill time to visit one or more of Victoria's museums.
of places in the world. Seven hundred varieties ofThe Royal British Columbia Museum, Helmcken House
bedding plants provide continuous bloom over 22 haand the Maritime Museum of British Columbia are all
(55 acres) from March through October. In summer,within walking distance of the city's downtown core.
multi-hued "Night Illuminations" make strolling throughThey cut a wide swathe through the history of the
the gardens a magical experience. The Gardens are aprovince, from prehistoric times to the present day.
30-minute drive north of downtown Victoria viaOutside the city, but still within easy reach, are the
Highway 17.Butchart Gardens has grown in sizeSooke Region Museum and BC Aviation Museum.
gradually over 100 years. It is still operated byThere's something to interest everyone in Victoria's
descendents of Jennie Butchart, who started it allengaging museums.And finally, if you don't like
when she attempted to beautify a worked-outflowers, food, or museums, how about whale
cement quarry near her home with a few blooms.watching? Few experiences compare to witnessing a
There is an admission fee in effect and you should5,000-kg (12,000-lb) Orca arcing out of the water and
allow 1-3 hours minimum for your tour.Victoria's oldestlanding with a splash that can be heard for several
municipal park with 200 acres, Beacon Hill, handilykilometres. No wonder, then, that whale watching has
accommodates both nature lovers and sportsbecome such a popular activity in Victoria. Tours
enthusiasts. The park's paved and cedar-chip walkingleave from the Inner Harbour, the community of Oak
trails wind past manicured lawns, picturesque bridges,Bay, Sooke and Sidney. You may also spot seals,
quiet lakes and ponds as well as themed gardensporpoises, eagles, sea lions and marine birds along the
that are in full bloom from mid-May through October.way. Get ready for a real adventure! Most tours take
The recreational venues at Beacon Hill Park are many:about three hours. The best time for whale watching
soccer fields, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, puttingis during the feeding season, May through
green, 100-year-old cricket pitch, petting zoo, sprayNovember.Victoria, British Columbia is a truly blessed
pools and playgrounds.If you have worked up ancity. Great views are just a happy fact of life in
appetite after all that walking, with over 600Greater Victoria. Mountains, sweeps of island-dotted
restaurants in the Victoria area, there's a diningocean and beautiful gardens are just par for the
experience to suit everyone's tastes. Surrounded bycourse on urban, waterfront walkways. And you
the Pacific Ocean and bordered by the farms of theneedn't travel far for sweeping vistas of the whole
Saanich Peninsula, Victoria chefs specialize in usingregion: a number of trails to mountain summit
local ingredients, with worldly results.For a diningviewpoints are less than a half-hour's drive from city
experience that is both gourmet and unique, visitcentre.