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The capital of British Columbia, Victoria’s English past is reflected in its statuesque architecture and beautiful city gardens. Its proximity to the Haro Strait mean there’s plenty of options for boating and fishing, and if you’re worried about Canada’s notoriously cold winters, don’t – Victoria is far enough south that it rarely gets snow, and its wildflowers bloom virtually all year round. If you’re after a holiday in one Canada’s prettiest cities, combined with some of the best culture in BC, make Victoria your next holiday destination.
The first stop on every visitor’s itinerary should be a tour of Victoria’s parks and historic buildings. Beacon Hill Park is one the most attractive; this 200-acre retreat is located close to the centre of the city, and features a variety of manicured gardens, lawns and ponds. Make sure to keep an eye out for its roaming flocks of peacocks! Craigdarroch Castle and the British Columbia Parliament Buildings are survivors from Victoria’s founding days, and reflect the ornate Victorian architecture popular at the time.
Victoria is a well-developed urban hub, so it’s also worth taking the time to check out some of its most interesting neighbourhoods. Virtually every major city has a Chinatown, but Victoria’s Chinese diaspora is the oldest in Canada, and has an incredible range of eateries, shops and cultural offerings. Fisherman’s Wharf Park, meanwhile, is a floating pier populated with restaurants and shops; it overlooks Victoria Harbour, and visitors may have the chance to see seals and other wildlife. At the city’s heart, Downtown Victoria is the ‘it’ district, with upscale pubs, restaurants, hotels and boutiques competing for attention.
If you get tired of sight-seeing, visit some of the other attractions: zoos, museums, galleries and more. Victoria Bug Zoo, for example, is a unique rendition of traditional menageries. Housing a collection of tropical bugs from across the globe, this is a great place for the kids to educate themselves about the natural world. Alternatively, visit places like Miniature World, the Maritime Museum and Thunderbird Park.
