Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Victoria, Canada

I love visiting Canada and have been there at various times of the time. One place I like very much is Victoria, Vancouver Island. We have gone by train up the West Coast and then taken the ferry from Seattle on the Victoria Clipper which operates daily, or from Vancouver which is a journey of 90 minutes. We have also flown direct to Victoria but I must confess I do like the ferry ride better. I do like British Columbia best of all the Provinces, and a visit there is of good value.

Victoria reminds me of home. Lots of British accents, lovely gardens, friendly people, and yet you have lots of history of the First Nations people, and best of all, many places to have afternoon tea, and a shandy at a local pub. This is a very important capital, but it is small and easy to walk around. A must is to have afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel. I drool at the thought of cucumber sandwiches , scones and strawberry jam, and of course, a pot of tea. An important tip for the non-British, You must put milk in the cup first, the tea tastes better.

Three excellent hotels to stay at are the Fairmont Empress Hotel, the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbor, and the Laurel Point Inn. Go look at our website for great offers If this is your first visit, then do take a bus tour which will show you the highlights. We don’t rent a car usually, and manage to get around on our own. There is great hiking in the area, and you can see lots of whales, go kayaking and even surfing. My husband has taken several fishing trips staying at Campbell River which is the gateway to the wilderness of northern Vancouver Island, and then had his salmon catch smoked and shipped home. Painters Lodge and Quadra Island are the favorite locations which always have lots of fish waiting to be caught.

For a small town, Victoria is a unique shopping experience. Great art galleries, antique shops, and lovely book shops. Many little cafes, and browsing is fun. It has a large Chinatown which is worth exploring.

Even if you are not a gardener, you must go to see Butchart Gardens. For more than a century, the same family has taken this former quarry into a blossoming paradise which is one of the world’s greatest show gardens. Over a million people a year visit the gardens, which has an outstanding restaurant, and a great gift show with unusual items. Try and go early, or late, to miss the crowds in the summer months. I’ve been many times in the winter, which is a twinkling wonderland.

If you have the time, going up the West Coast of the island between Tofino and Ucluelet is truly magical. This is off the beaten track for many visitors, but well worth going to. For the ultimate in West Coast luxury stay at the Wichaninnish Inn. Breathtaking location, filled with art by local artists. Most romantic place I have ever been to. www.Wichinn.com

Go somewhere different and unique for a few days, or longer. You will enjoy the experience

Maureen Jones, Canadian Specialist

All Horizons Travel/Frosch

825 Santa Cruz Avenue

Menlo Park

www.froschvacations.com

650-961-2340 Direct

Maureen.Jones@Frosch.com