History and elegance seem to tumble into the same sentence as 鈥淰ictoria, British Columbia.鈥 Though this quaint city has certainly transitioned into the 21st Century, it has retained its old world vibe. This provincial capitol is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. On a clear day, you can see stunning views of Washington State鈥檚 Olympic Mountains from its shore. A true walking city, there鈥檚 little need for a car during this Victoria weekend getaway. When a ride is needed, cab fare anywhere is typically $5 (except for the must see Butchart Gardens).
Friday
6:00 p.m. 鈥 Dinner at
After your flight, give those legs a stretch with a stroll around Fisherman鈥檚 Wharf as you head to Barb鈥檚 Fish & Chips. Opened in 1984, they鈥檙e the Wharf鈥檚 only floating restaurant. Waits can be long, but their pager system allows for minimal wandering around the dock. Don鈥檛 like seafood? This walk-up food boat also has a selection of burgers and hotdogs. (310 Saint Lawrence St., Victoria, BC, 250-384-6515)
7:00 p.m. 鈥 Horse and Buggy
Sit back and soak up the lights and life of Victoria in your own horse drawn carriage. A variety of carriage stands are located on the corner of Belleville Street and Menzies Street in front of the Parliament buildings. Ask your driver to head towards Old Town where street musicians and performers gather nightly. Plus, be sure to catch a glimpse of the BC Legislature Building. It鈥檚 decorated with over 3,000 lights.
Saturday
8:00 a.m. Breakfast at
Refuel with an organic breakfast made from seasonal ingredients. Sourcing whatever they can from local farms, Mo:Le鈥檚 eclectic restaurant draws a crowd. (The 8:00 a.m. arrival time is in the best interest of your growling belly.) Between pesto hash browns and egg filled bites, be sure to check out their featured artwork and music. (554 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC, 250-385-6653)
9:30 a.m. Explore the
Inhale the flowers of Victoria at the Butchart Gardens. Just a 25-minute cab ride from downtown, you鈥檒l find 55 acres of year-round blooms and beauty. No matter the season, the gardens always have something eye catching popping up. This former limestone quarry was harvested for cement. The first patch of its depressed ground was planted in 1904. Countless horse drawn cartloads of topsoil were required, but the results are stunning. (800 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay, 250-652-5256)
12:00 p.m. Lunch at
Go for the food and stay for the beer at Canoe Brewpub. Their menu, designed to highlight the seasonal bounty of local farmers, is a comfort food extravaganza. It鈥檚 perfect for a two-person pit stop or a celebratory party. (If you鈥檙e of the appetizer-sharing finger-food crowd, their Dirty Chips feature house made potato chips topped with a mess of aged cheddar, bacon, and cr猫me fra卯che.) Small batch handcrafted beers are brewed to comply with the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516. Signature beers range from a red lager to a pale ale. Seasonal menu selections might feature an off-the-wall combination of dark stout and espresso. Located in a designated heritage site, it was originally the 鈥淐ity Lights鈥 building erected in 1894. (450 Swift Street, Victoria, BC, 250-361-1940)
1:00 p.m. Inspirational Shopping at
Get your explorer hat ready for 20,000 square feet of shopping and inspiration at Chintz & Company. Filled with interior design treasures, don鈥檛 be surprised if you find yourself contemplating an entire home makeover.
(1720 Store St., Victoria, BC, 250-381-2404)
3:00 p.m. Explore
Head over to Beacon Hill Park for a stroll in the 62-acre oasis located within city limits. Dating back to 1882, its lakes are filled with herons and ducks. Sloping hills, old trees, and manicured gardens make it ideal for a romantic stroll or casual picnic. Playgrounds and the Children鈥檚 Farm (complete with petting zoo) also make it family friendly. (Circle Dr., Victoria, BC)
4:30 p.m. Unwind with a Cocktail
Take a load off at one of Victoria鈥檚 bars or pubs. On the water, offers libations with a view (1127 Wharf St., Victoria, BC, 250-380-1322). For pre-dinner oyster shooters check out (536 Yates St., Victoria, BC, 250-360-1824). Strong stouts can be found at (2232 Oak Bay Ave., Victoria, BC, 250-590-7424) where they offer more than five Irish beers and several other European imports.
6:00 p.m. Dinner at
Tucked away in Waddington Alley, Il Terrazzo can be hard to find. Don鈥檛 give up. This is one Italian dinner you don鈥檛 want to miss. Homemade pasta, West Coast seafood, and wood-oven roasted meats are prepared with a focus on Northern Italian cuisine. Call ahead to score a table on the patio next to one of their six brick fireplaces. If you can, save room for their tiramisu 鈥 Italian lady fingers soaked in espresso and liqueurs. (Located in Waddington Alley, directly behind Willie鈥檚 Bakery at 537 Johnson St., Victoria, BC, 250-361-0028)
Sunday
9:45 a.m. Breakfast at the
The Marina Restaurant offers sweeping views of Mt. Baker on the Washington State mainland, plus the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Their legendary Sunday brunch features a wide variety of house made goodies including French toast with real maple syrup. A rotating collection of art is displayed throughout the year. Visit their website for the latest artists. (1327 Beach Dr., Victoria, BC, 250-598-8555)
11:00 a.m. Explore the
For 17 years, the Bastion Square Public Market has filled Bastion Square with a brilliant array of locally produced arts, crafts, and entertainment. There you will find jewelry made from antique utensils, local cheese artisans, and custom designed eco-friendly bags. (The market is open until September 30th.)
12:00 p.m. Relax in Elegance at the
No Victoria adventure is complete without afternoon tea. Since 1908, The Fairmont Empress has been serving tea in their world-renowned tea lobby. The enchanting setting, decorated with antique tapestries and rugs, elegant wing back chairs, and hand-carved tables, has been enjoyed by royalty, celebrities, and dignitaries. Reservations are strongly recommended and don鈥檛 forget, the dress code is casually elegant 鈥 no short shorts, flip flops or baseball caps allowed. (712 Government St., Victoria, BC, 250-389-2727 or 1-866-540-4429)