Victoria, BC (Canada)

[inuvik]

Someone recently PM'd me about whether I knew Victoria and was it worth visiting (yes to both), so I thought I'd put my answer here as well. I don't have my original answer, but here's the gist of it.

Victoria tries to be a mini-England. You can have high tea at the Empress Hotel, buy British-like souvenirs, and eat great pub food. You can also rent a horse and carriage to see downtown, and there are double decker buses.

There are lots of walks. The Inner Harbour is fantastic, and there is a huge main park, Beacon Hill. The downtown is small enough to be easily walkable from any of the hotels.

A popular tourist attraction is the Butchart Gardens, just outside of Victoria. In the summer, they have fantastic fireworks in the evenings as well (at least they used to).

A great website is www.tourismvictoria.com

On the lighter side: Victoria is referred to in Canada as home of the "newly wed and nearly dead", due to the huge number of seniors (lovely climate) and because it's such a popular place for honeymooners.

[carl1951]

Inuvik: Now one question I would have if I were still driving. Do you drive on the left as they do England, or did the English-thing stop there?

I just might have to add your fair city to my "must see" list.

Later, Carl

[Duchess of Lashes]

carl1951 said:

Inuvik: Now one question I would have if I were still driving. Do you drive on the left as they do England, or did the English-thing stop there?

I just might have to add your fair city to my "must see" list.

Later, Carl

If I might answer: no where in Canada has the English-thing spilled over on to our roads. Unless we have made a very wrong turn, we all drive on the right hand side of the road!

And for anyone who has ever contemplated visiting north of the border, while there are so many beautiful cities and so many scenic areas, you can't possibly go wrong with a visit to Vancouver (absolutely incredible city!) or Victoria, so quaint, so picturesque, so beautiful.

And Inuvik, don't forget that Victoria is home to the world's tallest totem pole! I remember being completely enthralled with that when I was a kid!

My father is a B.C. native, his ancestors the first white settlers in Cowichan Indian territory of Vancouver Island. Beautiful British Columbia has a very special place in our hearts!

[anna]

I was the one who originally asked Inuvik about Victoria, and I appreciate all of the information that she has provided. I always have wanted to see the gardens.

This would be enough reason for me to go



but others with whom I might go would need a little more to entertain them. It sounds like there would be enough to make anyone happy!

And on the subject of gardens (sort of), I saw the first hosta shoots in the border today. Spring is here!

[carl1951]

I used to drive up to Winnipeg all the time when I still had my sight.

I know they drive on the left same as the states.

I said that in jest. Not visiting the city, though, that I would really like to do.

Later, Carl

[Duchess of Lashes]

carl1951 said:

I used to drive up to Winnipeg all the time when I still had my sight.

I know they drive on the left same as the states.

I said that in jest. Not visiting the city, though, that I would really like to do.

Later, Carl

I knew that - and I answered in jest too! Drove to Winnipeg from where? Cause that prairie crossing is one very straight, very flat and very looooooooooooong stretch of highway!

[inuvik]

carl1951 said:

I just might have to add your fair city to my "must see" list.

Not my fair city any more, sigh.

And Longlashes--I used to love that totem pole too! I also lived in Victoria as a child. My fondest memory is collecting horse chestnuts in the fall. We use to have bags and bags on them in the basement! They are so smooth and beautiful. I called them conkers. It was great fun to get them out of their spiky green cases.

Speaking of the great white north--BC is fantastic, and Alberta too! Hey if anyone comes all the way here, you may as well see both provinces. The national parks between BC and AB are world famous.

Anna, thanks for the great picture of Butchart Gardens. The Sunken Garden, if memory serves?

[carl1951]

Longlashes: I knew you knew it was in jest.

Try saying that 5 times.

Later, Carl

[bjfan4eva]

[/quote]And for anyone who has ever contemplated visiting north of the border, while there are so many beautiful cities and so many scenic areas, you can't possibly go wrong with a visit to Vancouver (absolutely incredible city!) [/quote]

Vancouver would definitely be my favourite place in the whole world! My husband and I have been to Canada three times in the last four years, and from the minute I set foot in Vancouver I felt like I had come home. Atmosphere was very much like home (which is Perth in Western Australia) and as far as we are concerned, Canadians are Australians with accents. We share the same humour and the same laid back attitude to life. If I had my wish, I would move there. Where else could you go sailing in the morning and skiing in the afternoon?

[inuvik]

I'm off to Victoria next weekend--I'll be looking at the blooms I'm sure. And walking in Beacon Hill Park, and breathing the salt sea air--lovely.

Anna, are you still considering making the trip?

[anna]

inuvik said:

I'm off to Victoria next weekend--I'll be looking at the blooms I'm sure. And walking in Beacon Hill Park, and breathing the salt sea air--lovely.

Anna, are you still considering making the trip?

Oh, I'd still love to go. It didn't work out this summer, but maybe next year . . .

Have a great time!

[Chocky]

I went to Victoria once, I was living in Seattle at the time. I remember the gardens being spectacular and it was a very pretty city.