ON ISLAND TIME

One hour: that’s how quickly you could be in Victoria from Vancouver if you time your Harbour Air flight right. And with this itinerary for a Perfect Victoria Saturday (patent pending), you won’t be able to get the idea of a quick-toria day trip out of your head.

By Stacey McLachlan

Brunch Down Under

Aussie-inspired Bear and Joey (left) has a menu just as beautiful as the whimsical decor. Case in point: the bread pudding served with poached eggs (right).

8 a.m.

The Carbo Load

Meade Design Group crafted the Instagram-bait interiors of Bear and Joey, decking out the Aussie-inspired café in soft pastels and mid-century-meets-art-nouveau touches. But the brunch menu wows as much as the interiors. The savoury-and-sweet bread pudding ($19) is the sort of photogenic and indulgent meal that inspires both a post-breakfast social media update and a nap.

10 a.m.

Take the Plunge

Ritual is a Scandinavian spa circuit experience just outside Victoria’s downtown core—think a compact Scandinave Spa. Run through the Nordic relaxation cycle—hot, cold, relax, repeat—at your own pace over the course of a twohour session (from $59), hopping between the cedar sauna, eucalyptus steam room, test-your-mettle cold plunge pool, bucket shower, salt lounge and fire pit as you see fit.

12:30 p.m.

To Market, to Market

Stop for a horchata latte and homemade toaster tart at the colourful, postmodern-cool Hey Happy before shop-hopping your way through Johnson Street and Market Square. Still Life curates lifestyle goods and fashion essentials—think quirky ceramics and perfect mid-rise jeans— while stalwart Paboom packs shelves with Danica Heirloom pinch bowls, waxed wood cutting boards and a huge selection of Baggu. A pit stop at teeny-tiny Ayo Eat for an Indonesian gado-gado wrap ($4) is a must—the peanut sauce will haunt your dreams (in a good way!).