»
Bus Tours
Guided bus tours are a great way to see all of what
Victoria has to offer. Travel in air-conditioned comfort
through some of BC's oldest neighborhoods, including
the oldest Chinatown in North America.
Get a panoramic view of the city from the top of Mt.
Tolmie where the Parliament buildings and Beacon Hill
Park can clearly be seen. Tours depart from downtown
and range in price and duration. Some tours offer double
decker busses, some of which are cabriolets. For more
information on tours, ask your reservations agent when
you call to book your room, or enquire at Guest Services.
» Carriage Rides A ride in an elegant, white
horse drawn carriage provides memories to treasure forever
and offers the opportunity for a leisurely look at some
of Victoria's finest scenery. Tours depart from the
corner of Belleville and Menzies.
» Parliament
Buildings
The Parliament Buildings were officially opened in 1898.
They are home to our Legislative Assembly and occupy
a 5 hectare block next to Victoria's Inner Harbour.
Seen in postcards around the world, the parliament buildings
are illuminated every night with over 3330 light bulbs,
a tradition that began to celebrate Queen Victoria's
Diamond Jubilee. Guided tours run daily and showcase
the building's unique design features and construction.
This also allows visitors to sit in on a Question Period
for a chance to see the B.C. government at work. http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/
» Butchart Gardens
This is perhaps Victoria's most well known attraction,
and is a must see for anyone who needs proof that this
is the city of gardens. Themed gardens such as the Japanese,
Italian and the English rose garden showcase some of
the world's finest landscaping talent. Absolutely immaculate
in every way, this will surely be an inspiration to
anyone who has even the slightest of green thumbs. Also
featured are fountains and sculptures, as well as a
spectacular show and fireworks display on Saturdays
during the summer season.
Two fine restaurants and a gift shop completes the experience.
There are several ways to get to the Gardens, ranging
from public transit to chauffeured limousine. Ask your
reservations agent or enquire with Guest Services when
you arrive at the hotel about the best way for you to
get out there. The Gardens are open each day from 9:00
a.m. http://www.butchartgardens.com/
» Aerial Tours
See Victoria from a different perspective! Fights can
be booked for both day and evening. See the San Juan
Islands, check out the golf courses from the air, and
take in all of what Vancouver Island has to offer. Kenmore
Air also offers flights to the glacier fields of the
Olympic Mountains in Washington State.
» Epicurean Tours
Victoria offers a wide variety of gastronomical delights.
You can tour a chocolate factory, cheese factory, visit
a vineyard or brewery.
» Roger's Chocolates
Established in 1885 by Charles W. Rogers, Rogers Chocolates
has become world renowned for it's high quality and
fresh ingredients. Although best known for their 20
flavors of Victoria Creams, they also create decadent
milk, dark and solid chocolates and truffles. Factory
tours are available based on interest, and are free
of charge. Visitors will be shown how chocolate is made
and may even receive a free sample.
» Brewery Tours
Partially because of the English heritage, Victoria
is fortunate to have several brew pubs as well as Victoria's
own Vancouver Island Brewery. Vancouver Island Brewery
are makers of several superb lagers and ales located
on Government St. at Bay.
One of the more popular brew pubs is Spinnakers. Spinnakers
has great food as well a fine selection of brews. The
hotel courtesy van is available to take you to either
one of these great locations. Cheese Factory Just north
of Victoria on Hwy. 1 as you enter Duncan, you will
find the Cowichan Valley Cheese Factory. Operating from
a beautifully renovated brick church, the Cheese Factory
is a great place to pick up some fresh made European
style cheeses and fresh baked baguettes for a picnic
in the scenic Cowichan Valley. Off Hwy.#1 between Duncan
and Herd Rd. If you would like a tour of the Cheese
Factory, just let us know and we can make the arrangements
for you.
» Harbour Tours
A fun and economical way to see the harbour from the
water, the harbour ferries are jaunty little former
log jam tugs which briskly tour the waterways, stopping
at pubs, Point Ellis House and Fisherman's Wharf. Ferry
stop signs line the harbour at many of the piers.
The hours of operation for the Harbour Ferries vary
throughout the year, please check with the guest services
agent for current times. Driving Tours Most driving
tours take a morning or afternoon. Allow about 4 hours
and you will have a leisurely tour of some wonderful
scenery. Allow more time if you want to do some shopping,
or enjoy a relaxed lunch. Enquire at Guest Services
or the Front Desk for maps and more detailed information.
~ Victoria Bus Tours ~
~ Victoria Carriage Rides ~
~ The Parliament Buildings ~
~ Butchart Gardens ~
»
Marine Drive / Saanich Peninsula
Beginning at the breakwater at Ogden Point on Dallas
Road, you will travel north along the shores of the
Saanich Peninsula. Passing through Beacon Hill Park
and the Victoria Golf Course will bring you to quaint
Oak Bay, where you may stop to watch the seals frolicking
at the Marina, or visit Oak Bay Village for afternoon
tea or shopping. You might stop and enjoy the view at
Clover, Gonzales, 10 Mile Point, or continue on through
Cadboro and Cordova Bay. In Cordova Bay you will find
Matticks Farm with Adrienne's Tea Garden and unique
shops.
For a different perspective, take in the view from Mt.
Douglas or Mt. Tolmie parks, both just minutes off the
route. At the end of Marine Drive you may double back
to Victoria via Hwy. 17, or continue on to the unique
town of Sidney.
Enjoy a fantastic view of Mt. Baker, visit the museum,
cafes and marinas. Be sure not to miss Mineral World,
where you can pan your own gold or gem stones. From
Sidney, you may choose to travel inland, where you will
find the Ocean Sciences Institute, or visit the center
of the universe at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory,
also in this area is the world renowned Butchart Gardens.
Returning to Victoria takes you through scenic countryside
with farms, markets, and horseback riding.
» Salt Spring
Island
Salt Spring Island, the largest of the Gulf Islands,
is noted for its many artisans, galleries and studios.
Only a short drive and ferry ride away, it makes an
excellent day trip outing from Victoria. Take Highway
17 (Blanshard Street) north, out of Victoria for 40
minutes to the Swartz Bay BC Ferries Terminal. The 35
minute ferry ride docks in Fulford Harbour, follow the
signs for the 20 minute county road drive to the town
of Ganges. Maps are complimentary at the Visitor Info
Centre, and include directions to local artists studios.
Visit the many cafes, unique shops and marina, or plan
a day of golfing, kayaking or swimming in one of Salt
Spring's two fresh water lakes. On summer Saturday mornings,
there is a local farmer's and artist's market.
Returning to Victoria, you may take the Fulford Harbour
Ferry back to Swartz Bay, or choose the alternate ferry
at Vesuvius. This crossing drops you in Crofton, a fishing
village 10 minutes drive from Chemainus, famous for
it's murals by local artists. After viewing the murals
and maybe a bit of shopping, take Highway #1 South to
Victoria.
» Sooke - Port
Renfrew
From downtown Victoria, take Douglas street (Hwy. #1)
North to the Old Island Highway (Hwy. #14). A half-hour
drive will bring you to the town of Sooke, a quiet community
typical of Vancouver Island.
Visit the information Centre for free local maps and
details on activities such as Kayaking, fishing or hiking.
Also, you may want to visit the museum, with its focus
on the history of the local forestry industry.
From Sooke, continue on the Old Island Highway which
now becomes West Coast Road. Some of the local beaches
with easy access are French Beach or Sombrio, where
you can walk the coastline and view wildlife in its
natural setting. China and Mystic beaches are both also
accessible, by hike-in and are recommended more-so as
day trips. Maps to these areas are available at the
Sooke Visitor's Info Centre.
Further down West Coast Road is the logging town of
Port Renfrew. The furthest point accessible on the West
Coast Road, Port Renfrew is the gateway to the West
Coast Trail for hikers, and also to Botanical Beach.
If the tides are right, you can view a delicate microcosm
of sea life in the tidal pools here, created by the
perpetual motion of the ocean. The beach is an easy
walk down a trail from the ample parking provided.
» Westshore Tour
Leaving Downtown Victoria and traveling along the Gorge
Road and old Island Highway brings you to Colwood where
your first stop would be Fort Rodd Hill National Historic
Park to view the military installation and Fisgard Lighthouse,
another historic site.
Then on to Esquimalt Lagoon, a saltwater bird and wildlife
sanctuary. Nearby is historic Hatley Castle with its
museum and extensive gardens. Leaving Hatley Castle
it would be a short drive to Metchosin Road which takes
you to Witty's Lagoon Regional Park. This park has picnic
areas, restroom facilities and is wheelchair accessible.
» East Sooke
Park
From Downtown Victoria, take Douglas Street (Hwy. #1)
North to the Old Island Highway (Hwy. # 14) Head East
(Left) passing through the Royal Roads University Campus,
and the communities of Colwood and Metchosin. Make another
Left on Gillespie Road and travel along the Sooke Basin.
East Sooke Park offers two access points. A left turn
on East Sooke Road will take visitors to Aylard Farm.
A working farm during the early 1900's, this park offers
easy trails across meadows, through the forest, or along
the shoreline with impressive views of the Juan de Fuca
Strait and neighboring Washington State. Here, you may
also find hieroglyphics along the rocky coastline, left
behind by local natives centuries ago. For a more challenging
day hike, go right on East Sooke Rd. to Pike Rd. Use
the access point at the parking lot to follow trails
along the ocean, or through the areas where copper was
once mined. The more adventurous may take the hike up
Pike's Peak, for a fantastic view of East Sooke Park
and the Juan de Fuca Strait.
» Willows Beach
Located off Beach drive in Oak Bay, this popular beach
is a great place to see and be seen. Although the water
is cold, the beach is sandy, and a large grassy area
is great for a game of football or volleyball. Concession
stands are open during summer months. This is also the
site of the popular Oak Bay Tea Party, which is held
in late August. Parking is scarce, but busses are easily
accessed. For driving directions or bus information,
ask our Guest Services agent or the Front Desk Clerk.
» Gyro Park
Cadboro Bay beach is great for windsurfers and sailboaters
and is a great spot to bring the kids. Gyro park play
area is home to play apparatus, swings and of course
caddy the resident dinosaur. With its sandy beach, warmer
water and ample parking, Caddy Bay beach can be quite
busy. Located at the foot of Mackenzie Rd., 15 minute
drive from downtown.
» Island View
Beach
With beautiful views of the San Juan Islands, Island
View beach is on of the less frequented beaches in the
area. Great for exploring , photography and rock hounds
or just sunbathing. Off Hwy. 17 approx. 10 km from downtown.
» Sidney Spit
Created by retreating glaciers thousands of years ago,
the islands of sand and gravel were deposited, and formed
the spit, the lagoon and the hook. This unique area
can only be accessed by boat or by a ferry. The ferry
departs from the foot of Beacon Ave at the Government
pier. It departs on the hour for Sidney Spit and returns
on the 2 hour. The ferry service runs from June 16 until
September 4. Activities on the Spit include hiking and
walk-in camping.
» Esquimalt Lagoon
Esquimalt lagoon is located near the historic site of
Fort Rodd Hill in the municipality of Colwood. The lagoon
offers a beautiful sandy beach with a view of the Straight
of Juan de Fuca and the Esquimalt navy dockyards. This
is one of the most popular spots for birdwatching as
it is a migratory bird sanctuary. Plenty of parking
is available. Enquire at Guest Services or the Front
Desk for driving directions.
» Witty's Lagoon
Visitors will pass through west coast woodlands and
marshes as the hike down to the large lagoon and sandy
shoreline. A great place for bird watching, exploring
or just relaxing. Secluded and peaceful, Witty's lagoon
is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the
city. Numerous water features and stunning views of
the west coat islets make this marvelous west coast
experience.
» French Beach
Provincial Park
This 59 hectare park is the former home of pioneer James
French. He has such a love of the area that after he
passed away, he left the land to be used as a park.
Whales can be often be seen from the beach. It is also
a great spot for beach combing, hiking or picnicking.
Eagles, osprey and otters are also common sights. Located
on Hwy. 1 between Sooke and Jordan River. For driving
directions and more information, ask at our Guest Services
desk or the Front Desk.
» China Beach
With a beautiful sandy beach this park is a great place
for sand castle building. The beach is about a 20 minute
hike from the parking area. Camping is allowed on the
beach or in the parking lot in Recreational Vehicles.
The wave action here makes China Beach a popular spot
for surfing. It is also a starting point for the Juan
de Fuca Trail which is a 47 km. trail extending to River
Jordan.
~ Marine Drive ~
~ Salt Spring Island ~
~ Sooke - Port Renfrew ~
~ East Sooke Park ~
~ Sidney Spit ~
~ French Beach ~
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