Ski Trips - Victoria BC - Canada's Most Beautiful City is Worth a Visit

The Garden City - Victoria British Columbia Canada

The Oceanside climate here allows flower to bloom all year round and the city is safe and accessible by foot. A city that sets the standard in most ways for Canadian travel destinations, canada's warmest climate year round is in Victoria BC. Canada's west coast lures millions of tourists from around the world to see its natural beauty.

It will be time well spent, but if you have time for a day trip while visiting Vancouver, visitors to Vancouver may not make the trip to Victoria because of the distance. The city still remains a mystery to many people, the garden city is known for its flowers and moderate climate yet because Victoria sits on the south end of Vancouver Island isolated from British Columbia and the rest of Canada.

A Brief History of Victoria BC

The land would remain the possession of British Columbia, by setting up operations in Victoria. Victoria is below the 49th parallel. The British and Americans were in dispute over the boundary between Canada and the US and Douglas knew they would choose the 49th parallel as the dividing line. Douglas leased the region from the British government and was responsible for ensuring Victoria didn't fall into the hands of Americans. The city of Victoria began only 170 years ago as Fort Victoria established by James Douglas of the Hudson's Bay Company.

Several of Victoria's most prized buildings were constructed including the British Columbia Parliament Buildings and The Empress Hotel, during this period. 000 residents, its population soared to 20, by 1900. And shipbuilding, brewing, fishing, lumber, the Victoria Goldrush quickly dissipated and soon the newly named Free Port of Victoria would become the seat of trade in mining. 000 gold seekers into the Victoria area, the Goldrush of the late 1850's created an influx of 25.

The ferries typically take about an hour to cross the Straight of Georgia. Use the BC ferry service from Vancouver and Tsawwassen or the Coho Ferry from Port Angeles in Washington State, you can fly into the International airport, to get to Victoria.

Tourist Sites

The Royal British Columbia Museum has an impressive collection but you'll find much more at shops throughout Victoria. The presence of native art is another key attraction on Vancouver Island. And the Maritime Museum of British Columbia, the Village of Oak Bay, emily Carr House, thunderbird Park, craigdarroch Castle, chinatown, the Royal British Columbia Museum, butchart Gardens, parliament Buildings, empress Hotel, the major tourist draws are the Inner Harbour. And plenty of bistros and restaurants to give you several full days of touring, museums, galleries, there are microbreweries. Take horse drawn carriage rides or get on a double decker tour bus, to see all the tourist sites of Victoria you can walk.

Victoria's Harbour

There is no shortage of fresh fish as a commercial fishing dock is very nearby. Sailing ships and restored historic ships, the dock has plenty of boats moored including at times. Here you'll see Buskers and artisans offering entertainment and art creations. The inner harbour and Fisherman's Wharf are popular gathering spots for tourists.

China Town

A red and gold tiled archway that also incorporates two hand-carved stone lions, you'll pass through the Gate of Harmonious Interest, to enter. And restaurants, artist studios, it's only two blocks in size but has plenty of interesting shops. The first Chinatown in Canada is small enough to make an enjoyable stroll, victoria's Chinatown.

And other artefacts and see Giant Woolly Mammoths, masks, this is an excellent way to learn more about native BC art including totems. The natural history gallery shows and explains the features of BC's forests and oceans. Its collection is a total of 7 million items in four featured galleries. The Royal British Columbia Museum is adjacent to the Parliament Buildings.

Butchart Gardens

The gardens are also lit by miles of electric cord which also power a water fountain. 000 flower and plant bulbs every year, 60 full time gardeners plant 250. This sunken garden took 9 years for Jeanette Butchart to create, contained in an abandoned rock quarry almost 40 feet deep. Via Rail and several tour companies offer seniors discounts for admission to Butchart Gardens. Butchart Gardens are located only 13 miles north of Victoria accessible by highway. In particular seniors, the flowers of Butchart Gardens are world famous and one of the biggest draws of tourists.

Victoria Hotels

There are plenty of low priced hotels in the city as well. You can find more hotels via Travel BC's accommodation guide on their web site. Numerous bed and breakfast inns exist as well. And the Inn at Laurel Point, the Westin Bear Mountain Resort, spa, delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & several exceptional resorts offer luxury accommodations including Fairmont Empress Hotel. You'll need accommodations, or a full week or longer, weekend, if you're coming to Victoria for a day trip.

Unique to Canada, you'll enjoy exceptional weather and experience an unusual geography and culture, whether you're visiting Victoria in Summer or winter.