Victoria Accommodations

Victoria Information

Vibrant Victoria... the gem of southern Vancouver Island, has much to offer for those seeking their recreation on land or on the waters of the blue Pacific. Awash with blossoms of every hue and framed by the snow white peaks of the Olympic Mountains, this capital of British Columbia has earned its place as the premier tourist spot in the Pacific Northwest. This British flavoured city offers a charming combination of historic landmarks, world class dining, impressive museums and an Inner Harbour that is both vibrantly alive and picturesque. World class yachts share space with eclectic houseboats and cruise ships come to call on their way to distant ports.

Boasting the mildest weather in Canada, thus a favourite vacation spot for Canadians, Victoria is known for its flowers. Stroll the downtown streets amidst hanging flower baskets that adorn the city's lampposts and sidewalk mini gardens that front businesses both large and small. Explore for yourself the vast variety of plant life made possible by mild temperature, occasional rain showers in summer and frequent sunshine kissed days.

Beacon Hill Park, once the site of a First Nations village long before the arrival of colonial settlers in the 1840's, borders the downtown core and extends to the shores of Juan de Fuca Strait. Endless trails weave throughout the park and link with neighbourhood streets. Shoreline trails offer incredible ocean views with the snow capped Olympic Mountains in the background. From mid May through October the themed gardens are in full bloom and serve as a dramatic backdrop to quiet lakes, ponds and picturesque bridges. The park is home to a petting zoo, soccer fields, baseball diamond, tennis courts, a putting green, a 100 year old cricket pitch, spray pools and playgrounds. "Mile Zero", the starting point of the Trans Canada Highway is marked at the south-western tip of the park.

Greatly influenced by the style of England's formal gardens, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia welcomes visitors to its extensive grounds. Just east of Victoria's downtown core, the gardens offer such themes as English Country, Winter, British Columbia Native Plants, Herbs, Sunken Gardens, Rose and Rhododendron. The gardens are in full bloom from May to September. The grounds are open to the public daily from dawn to dusk with only the occasional exception. This Rockland neighbourhood of Victoria offers several bed and breakfasts housed in elegant mansions, many having beautiful gardens of their own. Check with EasyRez for information on these lovely properties and summer specials.

One cannot speak of Victoria, British Columbia without a mention of the Butchart Gardens. Roughly one half hour north of Victoria in the town of Brentwood Bay, this 55 acre floral display garden is visited by more than a million people annually. Founded in 1904, the gardens have achieved international acclaim and have been designated a National Historic site. Open year round, Butchart celebrates each season with its own colourful tribute. In December and early January, the Magic of Christmas celebration features tens of thousands of lights, a Twelve Days of Christmas display and an outdoor skating rink.

Downtown Victoria is a mixture of the old and the new. The Empress Hotel, which just celebrated its 100th birthday, takes its ivy covered brick wall facade right out of the pages of early 20th century England. Famous for its authentic British High Tea, it is a signature landmark of the popular Inner Harbour. Wander through the Empress flower gardens and you find yourself at the Royal British Columbia Museum. Founded in 1886, the museum is home to natural history displays, recreations of Victoria's past, an impressive array of First Nations artefacts and an IMAX theatre. Ask EasyRez about winter specials in the area surrounding the museum.

Follow the road towards the Inner Harbour and you will find the Parliament Buildings which at night are framed by hundreds of white lights. Across from the Inner Harbour steps you will find horse drawn carriages ready to take you on a relaxing, slow motion tour of the upscale James Bay neighbourhood. One of the oldest residential areas in Victoria it houses stately mansions, boutique inns and a host of B&B's.

The Inner Harbour itself is home to restaurants offering authentic cuisines from many nationalities, most incorporating fresh local seafood and ingredients into their menus. Museums, cafes, hotels and shops rim the harbour. A large boardwalk, at sea level, is home to sidewalk merchants and entertainers during much of the year. Vendors offering whale watching tours, fishing charters, seaplane flights, and the green and yellow Inner Harbour Ferry taxi service make this part of Victoria a fun and energetic place.

Go back to Victoria's roots with a visit to Old Town. Just one block east of the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square offers galleries and sidewalk restaurants and its own assortment of sidewalk vendors and entertainers. Historic Market Square, a restored 19th century courtyard houses an eclectic collection of shops, restaurants and offices on three levels. A few blocks north you will find yourself in the second oldest Chinatown in North America. Sample dim sum in the afternoon, an authentic full course meal or look for unusual items in one of the many shops.

Two other examples of Victoria's elegant past are Craigdarroch Castle, built by Robert Dunsmuir in the 1890s and the Carr House, the 1860 birthplace of Canadian artist Emily Carr. Those having the time may want to go a bit farther afield and take a drive out to Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site, or maybe take the scenic drive to the town of Sooke and its famed Potholes Regional Park. Continue past Sooke and explore one of many parks and beaches such as French Beach or the surfing hot spot of Jordan River. Check with EasyRez for information on boutique hotels, condos and bed and breakfasts near these popular sites.

Victoria and Vancouver Island are reached by air or by the BC Ferry system. Flights are available into Victoria International Airport from many parts of North America. The airport is about thirty minutes away, as is the closest BC Ferry terminal. Seattle, Washington in the USA offers both float plane flights and passenger ferry service into the Inner Harbour. Port Angeles, Washington, also offers car/passenger ferry service right into downtown Victoria. Combine your Victoria stay with a visit to cosmopolitan Vancouver and have doubly delicious British Columbia experience. Let EasyRez help you plan your vacation to these Pacific Northwest gems.