Victoria, British Columbia, Canada was storybook charming as much as it was beautiful and inviting. I set off on an adventure on the first weekend in August with my wife Terri, to uncover this jewel of Canada inside of 36 hours and I have the pictures to prove it.
There is so much history in Victoria with homes dating back to the early 1800's. If you love breathtaking views, British history and great architecture you might consider Victoria as your next stop when visiting the Northwest. You will return transformed for the better.
The Victoria Clipper takes about two and a half hours in travel time departing out of Seattle. There is no shortage of coffee, meals and hospitality on the trip over. We lodged at The Empress Hotel which is steeped in history built between 1904 and 1909. My experience with afternoon "high tea" and a quiet late afternoon nap in the rose garden of The Empress were both unforgettable events. I would classify the treats served with our tea on a tiered white stand absolutely to-die-for. I am not a huge tea drinker, but I certainly became one when I was served high tea in the classic Edwardian style at The Empress.
One of my most memorable afternoon meals was the traditional Irish grub and local brews at the Irish Times Pub in Bastion Square, the original site of Fort Victoria. The food is exceptional along with the exotic ales they serve. Irish Times sits directly across from Garrick's Head Pub which history tells was the place where prisoners from the fort were sent to enjoy their last meal and brew before they were hanged in the square. Bastion Square is found along Government Street where there is no shortage of shopping, eateries and wonderful British History. I suggest that you venture further into Market Square and into the old town area, not allowing yourself to get caught in the many tourist traps along Government Street.
There are plenty of places within walking distance around Victoria which adds to it's charm. Sample some old world chocolate tradition at Rogers' chocolates which supplies treats to both Buckingham Palace and The White House. The first Rogers' chocolates were made in 1885 by Charles (Candy) Rogers in the back of his grocery shop in Victoria, B.C. The store you'll find on Government Street was opened in 1903. I tried the dark chocolate caramels and dark chocolate almonds, they were both exceptionally good.
The second most memorable afternoon I had was on a two hour kabuki cab (open bike) ride around the old Victoria neighborhoods and the coast of James Bay. Our humble tour guide Ian talked us through an amazing history lesson as we enjoyed the sunshine and fresh sea air. I would recommend taking one of these rides outside the city area to enjoy the rugged coast line that Victoria has to offer. The summer weather in Victoria typically lasts around three to four months in the mid seventies with no rain. That sounds like a perfect summer for my tastes.
If you have not been to Victoria, B.C. I suggest that you write it into your tour schedule and don't wait seven years to get there like I did since arriving in Seattle in 1999. Terri and I committed to return again soon, making our next trip back a few days longer. We will most likely stay at one of the more quaint bed and breakfast locations we uncovered on our Kabuki Cab ride through the James Bay neighborhoods.
Though Victoria does have a plentiful amount of tourist attractions, you can find some amazing out of the way places to explore as long as you plan ahead for plenty of walking. There are several places to rent bikes and mopeds which we plan to do on our next visit. You'll also find kabuki cabs and horse drawn carriages plentiful around downtown.
The boat ride home was more enjoyable than the early morning trip. It included a beautiful sunset off the back of the boat allowing us to close our adventure with an orange August sky as we were carried by a cool sea breeze that left Lady Victoria far off in the distance, eagerly awaiting our return.
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