| VICTORIA
– the City and its Attractions |
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia and is known
for its natural beauty and quality of life. It enjoys a mild
climate (22°C in summer / 6° in the winter) with little
rain, arguably the most comfortable in Canada. This temperate
climate permits one to enjoy a wide variety of sports throughout
the year. With a population of about 360,000 people Victoria
has many advantages of a lager metropolitan city while retaining
the comfort of a smaller city. Its location on southern Vancouver
Island puts it in close proximity to Canada’s mainland
and the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The Island’s
great natural beauty is reflected in the region’s many
provincial and national parks.
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| Some of the most popular tourist attractions
in and around Victoria include: |
Outdoor·
- Baseball, Basketball and
Soccer·
- Whale Watching and Sailing·
- Wind surfing and Scuba Diving·
- Kayaking and Canoeing·
- Swimming and Fishing·
- Hiking and Rock Climbing·
- Cycling and Horseback Riding·
- Beacon Hill Park and Petting Zoo
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Cultural·
- Royal BC Museum and Imax Theatre·
- Wax Museum and Maritime Museum·
- Shakespeare Outdoor Theatre·
- Ballet, Opera, and Live Theatre·
- Greater Victoria Art Gallery·
- Chocolate Factory Tour·
- China Town
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Out of town·
- Royal Roads University and Hatley Castle
- Goldstream Park· East Sooke Park·
- Sooke Potholes·
- Chemainus Murals·
- Cathedral Grove and Qualicum Falls**
- Long Beach and the West Coast**
- Vancouver weekend trip**
- Salt Spring Island
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Local sightseeing
- Butchart Gardens
- Empress Hotel
- Parliament Buildings
- Government House
- Miniature World
- Craigdarroch Castle
- Crystal Gardens
- Butterfly World
- St. Ann’s Academy
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Note :
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Surcharges may apply for certain activities
These excursions will incur overnight expenses** |
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| Victoria
- Calendar of Events |
Victoria hosts an exciting line-up
of annual events and festivals throughout the year.
Spring Events: |
| Late February - April |
Blossom time in Victoria |
| April |
Jazz Festival; a five-day musical party |
| May |
Victoria Day weekend; Swiftsure International Yacht
race; the largest and oldest offshore race in the Pacific
Northwest |
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| Summer Events |
| June |
First weekend in June: Oak Bay Tea Party;
an annual celebration with entertainment and activities
in Victoria’s most ‘British’ neighbourhood. |
| Late June |
Victoria Flower and Garden Festival |
| Late June – Early July |
A ten-day extravaganza of jazz, blues, and world music |
| July 1rst |
Canada’s Birthday; a variety of events that take
place all over the city. Fireworks at the Inner Harbour |
| Mid July – Mid August |
Shakespeare Festival |
| Early August |
First Peoples Festival; a look at Victoria’s rich
heritage and culture. |
| Late August |
Classic Boat Festival; a display in the Inner Harbour
of classic and power vessels from all over the Pacific
and Northwest. |
| Early September |
Fringe Festival; Victoria’s theatres, restaurants,
clubs and public stages set the scene for ten days of
theatre on the edge. |
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| Fall Events |
| Labour Day Weekend |
Saanich Fair; an old-fashioned agricultural
fair with livestock show, activities and entertainment.Thanksgiving
Weekend: Royal Victoria Marathon; watch or participate
in this (Sunday) annual race through the city’s
downtown. |
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| Winter Events |
| November |
Salmon Run and Eagle Watch at Goldstream
Provincial Park; salmon spawning. |
| December |
Annual Christmas festivities, store illuminations, nightly
events, horse drawn carriage rides, etc. |
| Mid-December |
Christmas Lights Tour; nightly tours of Victoria’s
best decorated and illuminated houses. |
| December – January |
Christmas at The Butchart Gardens; a magical wonderland
of festive lights and entertainment. |
| New Year’s Eve |
Celebration at the Inner Harbour; an evening of entertainment
and fireworks. |
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