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Step 1
Victoria is a walkable city. A stroll along the waterfront will provide you with a clear view of the substantial Provincial Parliament Buildings and the Empress Hotel. Both designed by Francis Rattenbury in the late 1890s they lend a special texture to the waterfront with all the stone features. If you are intriqued by Rattenbury's work, check out the Crystal Gardens, located behind the Empress Hotel, on Douglas Street. Craigdarroch Castle is the historical home of a poor Scottish Coal miner that became one of the weathiest men in British Columbia in the 1890s.
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Step 2
The Royal British Columbia Museum is adjacent to the Parliament buildings and well worth the entrance fee. With exhibits depicting life in British Columbia through the ages, as well as early native indian life. The sights and sounds of the past along with a multitude of artificts makes this museaum a definite To Do.
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Step 3
No trip to Victoria is complete without a trip to the Butchart Gardens. Located East of the city in Saanch, Butchart Gardens is a 50 acre gardening extravaganza. Paths wind their way through garden after garden, all reflecting bountiful themes and bouquets. There are two restaurants and one cafe on the grounds and there are seasonal events throughout the year.
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Step 4
On the North side of the Parliament Building lawn there are horse drawn carriages for hire. Think about indulging--reclining in your carriage, listening to the clip clop of hooves as you amble down streets lined with historically correct street lamps festooned with overflowing floral baskets. As the evening turns to night the stars wink at you, confirming that you're in a special place.
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Step 5
It doesn't get much more British than afternoon tea, and THE place to enjoy it is the Empress Hotel. Even if you choose not to indulge in the sumptuous tea service or book accommodations, the hotel definitely deserves a walk through so that you can see all the ceilings and ornate woodwork that was found after tearing down false plaster walls during a renovation.
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Step 6
If you wish to have a picnic spot, the best in town is Beacon Hill Park. You can get beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains in Washington State to the South.
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Step 7
Emily Carr House is the birthplace of Emily Carr, one of the Group of Seven. Some of her early pottery and sculptures along with her extraodinary artwork are on display.
