courtesy Brentwood bay lodge & spa
VICTORIA IS A CITY OF CONTRASTS
Relaxed West Coast lifestyle with a sophisticated urban edge. Old-world charm blended with new-world panache. Refined traditions mingled with contemporary pizzazz. As a destination, Victoria is perfect for so many reasons: the mildest year-round climate in Canada, dazzling gardens, invigorating outdoor activities, intriguing history, exciting family attractions, world-class hospitality, and the breathtaking natural beauty of the Pacific Coast. British Columbia’s capital city, Victoria, is large enough to be genuinely cosmopolitan, yet small Š David R. Frazier Photolibrary, Inc./Alamy
enough to explore easily on foot or bicycle.
page one publishing inc.
O LD-WO R LD TR AD ITI O N MEE TS N EW-WO R LD EXPERIENCES
Victoria’s old-world charm is preserved in its heritage buildings, splendid formal gardens, old-fashioned horse-drawn carriages, and delightful teahouses. At the same time, Victoria is characterized by a youthful, modern energy apparent in the immense popularity of its many outdoor activities and the vibrancy of its cutting-edge arts and culture scene. The ancient culture of the First
page one publishing inc.
Nations thrives in museums, cultural centres, and the brilliant work of the new generations of artists, artisans, and performers. The splendour of Victoria’s forests, coastlines, and parklands provides a tranquil complement to the exciting bustle of the Inner Harbour and downtown. Victoria is a dynamic city, where the traditional and modern blend, offering visitors everything they could wish for in a vacation.
courtesy brentwood bay lodge & spa
WORLD-CLASS D E S T I N AT I O N
Truly a city with something for everyone, Victoria offers a wonderful array of vacations. The city’s resort and day spas provide the ultimate in relaxation, while the magnificent natural setting is a paradise of adventures. The variety and quality of our visual and performing arts make Victoria an enriching choice for fans of arts and culture. A favourite city among shoppers, Victoria is a marketplace of beautiful things from across Canada and around the world. Specialities include native art from the northwest coast’s First Nations and fine arts and crafts by B.C. artists and artisans. Culinary tourism flourishes in Victoria and includes a mouthwatering menu of tour options ranging from winery, cidery, and brewery tours, to
page one publishing inc.
farm tours, cooking classes, and multi-day gourmet adventures.
jo-anne lacroix / tourism victoria
SO MUCH TO SEE AND D O
When it comes to attractions, Victoria has everything from castles and handson education centres to kid-friendly activities. Victoria’s many museums focus on a variety of subjects: art, military, maritime, agriculture, pioneer, and natural history, as well as First Nations culture. Moreover, Victoria’s only natural and human history museum, the Royal B.C. Museum, is also acclaimed for its outstanding touring exhibitions. Several of Victoria’s heritage homes have been restored as museums, offering fascinating insight into the lifestyles of former residents. And then there are the many wondrous gardens, parks, and natural attractions. Add it all up and it’s easy to understand why Victoria is renowned as a world-class vacation destination. A broad range of sensational touring experiences is offered in and around Victoria, from year-round cycling adventures to authentic First Nations cultural
courtesy royal bc museum
performances and attractions. Victoria’s whale and wildlife watching tours are world famous and feature a variety of marine species, including killer whales, also known as orcas. Marine touring options are also provided by charter companies offering sightseeing, sailing, nature tours, and dinner cruises.
jason van der valk / tourism victoria
G AT E WAY T O LAND AND SEA
Victoria is the gateway to an amazing variety of marine-based and land-based activities. Kayaking is popular in all seasons and there is a long list of excellent kayaking locations, from the Gorge Waterway and the Inner Harbour in downtown Victoria, to coastal areas throughout Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Golfers can tee off on some of Canada’s most beautiful and challenging courses. Victoria is home to several championship golf courses and, in fact, entire vacations can be spent exploring outstanding courses up and down the Island. For hikers, there are unlimited trails and backpacking opportunities, from an
Other outdoor activities include fishing, canoeing, windsurfing, surfing, cycling, birdwatching, beachcombing, diving, and many more.
allcanadaphotos.com
afternoon hike along a nature path, to a multi-day trek through the wilderness.
terry patterson
FA RT H E R A F I E L D
Exploring farther afield is easy from Victoria. North of Victoria, the farmland, parks, and beaches of the Saanich Peninsula lead to the charming resort town of Sidney. West of Victoria, the highway winds through the West Shore communities and beyond to Sooke, offering an unforgettable nature experience of rainforests, lighthouses, forest hiking trails, and wave-swept beaches. Highway 1 leads north of Victoria along the dramatically scenic Malahat Drive and into the lush farmland, vineyards, and forests of the Cowichan Valley, Duncan, and Chemainus. Continuing north, Vancouver Island offers a multitude of overnight
page one publishing inc.
excursions from Victoria.
For more information, contact Tourism Victoria (250) 414-6999 administration@tourismvictoria.com www.tourismvictoria.com
Published for Tourism Victoria by Page One Publishing Inc. (250) 595-7243 info@pageonepublishing.ca www.pageonepublishing.ca