| ria British Columbia is the garden city of Canada; its | | | | British Columbia Museum and the Maritime Museum of |
| refreshing ocean climate is the reason why flowers | | | | British Columbia. If you are interested in adding some |
| grow here all year long. The natural beauty it | | | | of Victoria BC's native art to your collection, there |
| possesses lures several million tourists from all over | | | | are many shops and galleries ready to cater to you. |
| to Victoria BC. | | | | And, when you have finished up with all that |
| Although Victoria BC has so many wonderful features | | | | shopping, stop in at a microbrewery, restaurant, or |
| to share with the world, many people are simply | | | | bistro to people watch and drink up the atmosphere. |
| unaware of where it is because of its location on the | | | | Would you like some more details? Let's start with |
| south tip of Vancouver Island, which is quite a ways | | | | the Inner Harbour and the Fisherman's Wharf, both |
| away from Vancouver and Canada. And, the people | | | | popular tourist destinations. You will obviously have an |
| who do come to see Vancouver sometimes won't | | | | endless supply of fresh fish from the commercial |
| go to Victoria BC because of how far they have to | | | | dock close by, but you might be too busy to notice |
| travel; however, they are really missing out on a | | | | because you are looking at all the restored historic |
| lovely city that is safe enough to explore by walking. | | | | boats. Or, maybe you are more interested in the |
| And getting there is not as bad as it seems. The | | | | buskers and skilled craftsmen who are entertaining |
| three typical ways: if you are coming in by plane then | | | | and building. As you can see, there are numerous |
| fly to the International Airport, if you coming from | | | | things to do on the harbour. |
| Vancouver or Tsawwassen then take the BC Ferry, | | | | Victoria BC's Chinatown, the first in Canada, is a great |
| or if you are coming up from Washington State then | | | | place to go too. Because it is only two blocks, it is |
| take the Coho Ferry at Port Angeles. Both the BC | | | | not difficult to travel through by foot. But, do not let |
| Ferry and the Coho Ferry take approximately and | | | | its small size fool you. There are so many shops, |
| hour to cross over the Strait of Georgia. | | | | studios, and restaurants. And when you come to |
| 170 years ago, Canada and America were fighting | | | | Chinatown, take notice of the red and gold archway |
| over their common border. James Douglas from | | | | with two stone lions. This is called the Gate of |
| Hudson's Bay Company knew that they would call | | | | Harmonious Interest, and you will find the tile and |
| the dividing line at the 49th parallel, so he leased an | | | | stonework absolutely breathtaking. |
| area of land belonging to the British government. His | | | | Now, you definitely do not want to leave without |
| main purpose was to keep this land from falling into | | | | seeing Victoria BC's Butchart Gardens. This is one of |
| America's hands. He called this place: Fort Victoria, and | | | | the main things people come for, and it is only about |
| since Fort Victoria was underneath the 49th parallel, it | | | | 13 miles away by highway. For senior citizens, Via Rail |
| remained the property of British Columbia. | | | | and other tour companies offer discounts. The |
| Then, Victoria's 1850's Goldrush brought 25,000 | | | | location of this place will shock you. It is actually a |
| hopefuls to the area, but like most goldrushes, the | | | | sunken garden in an abandoned quarry. It took |
| gold soon ran out and so did the people. After that | | | | Jeanette Butchart 9 whole years to create from |
| happened, the area, now called Free Port of Victoria, | | | | start to finish, and every year, 60 gardeners have to |
| saw a rise in population to 20,000 around the year | | | | plant around 250,000 flower just to maintain its |
| 1900. The town's industries began to boom: mining, | | | | beauty. And, the lights and fountains really add |
| lumber, and fishing, and also brewing and shipbuilding. | | | | something special to the atmosphere. |
| And when you do visit Victoria BC and see The | | | | After all that running around town, you will need |
| Empress Hotel and British Columbia's Parliament | | | | somewhere relaxing to rest your head. Well, Victoria |
| Buildings, remember that this was the time period in | | | | BC has no shortage of options. There are low priced |
| which they were built. | | | | budget hotels, tons of bed and breakfasts, and |
| Now that you have arrived in Victoria BC and know a | | | | several luxury resorts: Fairmont Empress Hotel, Delta |
| little background information, where should you go? A | | | | Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa, The Westin |
| couple major attractions are the Inner Harbour, Emily | | | | Bear Mountain Resort, and the Inn at Laurel Point. |
| Carr House, and the Village of Oak Bay. There are | | | | But, if you want to research further then go to |
| gardens and parks such as the Butchart Gardens and | | | | Travel BC's website. No matter what time of year |
| Thunderbird Park. And do not forget the museums | | | | you plan to visit Victoria BC, you will enjoy your stay. |
| full of native art, artifacts, and history: the Royal | | | | |