Let me start by saying that Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia, is picture-perfect. It's located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Olympic Mountains.
The city is renowned for its vibrant art scene, culture, international cuisine, beautiful parks, a plethora of outdoor activities and an unmistakable old-world charm by way of its colonial architecture which has been very well preserved.
There are many ways to travel from Vancouver to Victoria BC, you can fly, go by bus or ferry or take a seaplane. Some more luxurious options like V2V are also available for travelling between these two cities.
We took a BC Ferry which is quite a popular option since you can drive straight into the ferry parking in your vehicle. There is a ferry every two hours, so availability is not an issue. You must book your tickets in advance though.
Also, the ferry is spacious, there are eateries, washrooms, a play area for kids and an open deck with seating.
The ride lasts 90 minutes from the Tsawwassen Terminal to Swartz Bay Terminal in Victoria. The ride is fun and your sightseeing will begin from here as the ferry sails past a beautiful coastline over the Strait of Georgia in the Salish Sea.
Once you reach Victoria, plan to stroll around the stunning waterfront before heading on any activity. See the entire city come alive here, no words are needed to describe this ....
This was our second trip to Victoria. After having visited the city twice, both times on a day trip from Vancouver, I've concluded that we should've ideally kept aside at least two to three days in the city.
On our last visit, we opted for a whale-watching cruise. I'm sharing my experience via a video.
This was in 2011, please bear with me, the video quality is not as per today's standards but the excitement of seeing Orca whales in their natural habitat so close to our boat was thrilling...
This time, though, we decided to drive around the city and see the world-famous Butchart Gardens and spend the sunset at Ogden Point Breakwater, the beautiful walking trail close to Downtown Victoria.
Butchart Gardens Victoria
Butchart Gardens is a haven of colour and if you visit it in spring, then flowers like cherry blossoms, daffodils and tulips are in full bloom.
But regardless of the season, the garden with its beautiful Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, exquisitely arranged lush green foliage, water bodies with fountains, small winding paths, colourful totem poles and even a cute-looking carousel, is a treat to visit. The carousel is paid with a nominal ticket of $2 per person. Close to the entrance is a nice souvenir shop and some eateries too.
The gardens are located at a distance of 22 km from Downtown Victoria. It's easily accessible by both private and public transport. Parking facilities are good.
You should plan to spend at least 3 to 4 hours inside the gardens to fully appreciate its beauty. They are open till 11 pm on most days of the year except on holidays and Christmas Day.
We, like most people, visited the gardens during the day. But I've heard some rave reviews from people who visited it at dusk when the garden is illuminated. To have the best of both worlds, you can plan to go there in the evening and stay on till dusk falls.
You don't need a conducted tour of the garden, the paths are wheel-chair friendly and there are adequate spaces to sit and relax.
What more can I say about these gardens....the pictures are self-explanatory...
This was in summer so one can imagine the glorious hues in spring!!
Ogden Point Breakwater
After having spent a leisurely first half of the day amidst the beauty of Butchart Gardens, we decided to go to the Ogden Point Breakwater, a walk near Downtown Victoria.
It should take you about 5 minutes to drive to Breakwater Point from Downtown Victoria, or if you're up for walking, it will take about 35 minutes to reach the Breakwater. Walk towards Dallas Road and turn right onto the wide path leading to the Breakwater.
A 1.6-kilometer-long round trip of this scenic walk can take about 30 minutes to an hour. At the end of the walk is a lighthouse from where you can get glorious views of the sunset and Juan de Fuca Strait.
The walk is incredibly beautiful with planes flying overhead and cruises passing by. You will be able to see the busy Victoria Harbour with ferries and sailboats on the water and helicopters whirring overhead.
That sums up our day trip to Victoria. My parting tip is that one should plan to spend more time than just a day in this vibrant city to soak in its many wonders.
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