Mom & I visited Victoria for 2 days in celebration of our shared birthday! Flew from Seattle to Victoria on Kenmore Air out of Lake Union. This is definitely the way to go: the flight was smooth; view of the islands spectacular; and only 40 mins each way at $159 r/t! We left Seattle at 9am on Sat and departed Victoria at 6pm on Sunday, so had 2 full days to explore (not possible had we taken the Clipper or ferry).

We stayed at the Amythest B&B. While the property is about a 20 min walk to the harbor, it is a heritage Victorian building and is beautifully furnished. We stayed in the gorgeous Dutchess room with a 4 poster bed, fireplace & whirlpool bath for 2. We peaked at a number of the rooms and all were lovely. There is also a parlor room in which complimentary sherry is provided in the evenings (if you beat other guest to it!) and a dining room where scrumptious home made breakfast is served. (*Note to ghost hunters - one picture taken in the parlor captured strange white haze where there would've been no lens obstruction or reflection?!)

Just a few blocks from the Amythest is the Craigsdorroch castle and an art gallery. We visited the castle (not European variety of stone and moat) which is really a large Victorian mansion built by the premiere family of the era, made wealthy by coal. The home was lovely with mural painted ceilings, wood vaulted wall panels, stained glass windows, a pipe organ alcove, bedrooms w/ some original personal effects, a great billiards room, a smoking room, and a top floor view that was once the highest in the city. The history provided was very rich and docents are available to answer questions. It was quite easy to imagine grand dances and other activities that once took place there.

We easily spent the next 8 hours on foot exploring streets and shops closer to the harbor, into little China town and back. We made a stop at Rogers Chocolates, in the same location since 1885 and worth the indulgence. Dinner reservations are recommended for Pescatore's. We made ours late and then arrived 1 hour early (we just couldn't walk any more). Although they couldn't seat us, they called their sister restaurant around the corner and sat us at their wine bar. I wish I could remember the name ("something Bistro") because their by-the-glass syrah was superb and the ambiance equally pleasant. They informed us when our table at Pescatores was ready. There I enjoyed boneless Sooke trout stuffed w/ brie and King crab, veggies and Gruyere gratin potatoes (OMG - the trout was firm, mild and fabulous and although not a gratin fan - these spuds were to die for!) Mom had their salmon special and we also shared the shrimp/avocado salad - both of which were also delectible.

Sunday, after (fresh fuitcups, juice/coffee, cream scones and light, fluffy waffles w/ homemade preserves and real whipped creme - we supplied our own champagne to make mimosas!) a filling breakfast at Amythest, we arrived to the ticket booth outside of The Empress to purchase a package City and Buchart Gardens bus tour. The tour was informative, provided breathtaking scenery along the coast and carried us through neighborhoods we would have otherwise missed. We even made a pitstop where frozen fish sold for $2 allowed visitors to hand feed resident mom seals and their pups. Call it perfect timing, it was raining when our tour began, but by the time we changed buses and arrived at the gardens the sun had returned. We spent every minute allotted at the gardens and were surprised how quickly they passed by. From Japanese to Chinese gardens, dahlia to Italian gardens, the blooms were all spectacular. I heard a passerby comment how amazing it was with so many touring the gardens how peaceful it still remained - so true!

Great town, clean, lots of things to do. You can get access to much of the parliament buliding without the harassment of security.

We walked on the ferry in Port Angeles, WA and left our car there. While we just visited for the day, you could easily spend a week there. There are hotels within walking distance of the dock, and you can rent bicycles or scooters to get around the area on those days that you would want to venture out. I would say that you could easily fill over half the week just doing things within walking distance of your hotel.

An of course, the people are very friendly.

If you are a US resident, one thing that might surprise you when you depart back to the US is that there is a US Customs agent stationed in Canada who will check you out before you can board the boat back to the US. They told me that eventually the Customs presence on the US side would pretty much be eliminated and it would all be done in Victoria, BC.

Well where do I start. This city is perfect for people that like to shop in touristy overpriced shops and eat decent food . After coming from Vancouver through Horseshoe bay on the ferry for 1.5 hours then driving another 1.5 hours, through industrial, warehouse type communities that were mostly very unattractive, we expected to be blown away with the city.

Unlike, say Solvang, CA., where the entire city is authentic and truly picturesque, Victoria was far from that. Besides the extremely touristy area right by the ferry port, its like any regular city except , I must admit it has the most beautiful flowers EVERYWHERE.

We ate at Nautica Nellie's on Wharf st. The painkiller drink was good as well as the "tasting in a box." The museum seem lacking so we headed to the famed castle. Although pretty, believe me skip it. After returning from Europe and living in Washington, DC, I guess we are spoiled re museums and castles. We left early and took the scenic route to Swartz Bay ferry terminal. It a was pretty drive, sadly it was not enough of a redeeming factor.

We arrived at Swartz Bay at 7pm and knew that we missed the 7pm trip, but FYI on sat they don't have an 8pm trip. The next one was 9pm. UUUGGGGHHHH. 2 hours of waiting. No problem, we thought, we will have drinks and something to eat. We were sadly disappointed again, adding insult to injury, as they have only one small snack bar and they were sold out of cheese pizza the only vegetarian option, nor was there a bar. Lucky, the ferry company sometimes adds additional trips if scheduled ones fill up, so we got on the 8pm.

NOTE: if you do travel to Victoria, take the Vancouver - Victoria (Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay) ferry. DO NOT take the horseshoe bay ferry to Victoria. You will have to drive about 1.5 hours to get to Victoria once you land. BELIEVE me, it's better to drive through Vancouver to the Tsawwassen ferry port just outside of Vancouver. That way you land in Swatz Bay and TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE into Victoria.

We recently visited Victoria on Vancouver Island from July 7-14. We had amazing weather as they were experiencing a heat spell which we are used to being from Ontario. Because they do not usually experience such hot temperatures, some accomodations and restaurants do not have A/C as it is usually not necessary.
We stayed at a timeshare, Destination at Royal Victoria Suites which was a lovely two bedroom apartment in a Heritage Building right downtown and within walking distance of everything. There are a lot of nice pubs & restaurants, Irish Times, The Swan, two of our favourites. The parliment building inside tour is a must and is free. Also the BC museum and Craigdarrough Castle also worth the visit. The Victoria harbourfront is lovely and has cute little harbour ferries that can move you around from spot to spot if you get tired of walking.
Only unpleasantness of Victoria is the obvious problem of homelessness which was disturbing.
We also took a nice drive up to Tofino which takes you through Cathedral Grove where you will see some of the biggest red cedars you will ever see.