"A few days in Victoria, British... " a Victoria Travel Page by dabidc

Victoria, the Provincial Capital of British Columbia is located on Vancouver Island lying off the west coast of Canada.

The City is renowned for its mild climate, its flowers and the the feeling of being in England. Maybe the mild climate, the red double decker buses, the opportunity to taste an English tea time meal or the fact that many retirees live here who originated from Britain many years ago and decided to live here after many years living on the Prairies and the long winters experienced there.

Tourist attractions include several at or close to the Inner Harbour.

The Undersea gardens are located on the south side of the harbour just below the Royal London Wax Museum.

Close by are the Royal British Columbia Museum, coupled with the National geographic Theatre, with an Imax screen.Helmken Houseand Thunderbird Park are right next door. Miniature Word is behind the Empress Hotel on Douglas Street and Humbolt St. There is a Tourism Victoria Information centre on the walkway around the Inner Harbour and near that building one can take an open boat tour to see Whales in the Pacific Ocean west of Vancouver Island.

In transportation I show the ferries to the U.S coast, the loading area is along the Inner harbour. Regular scheduled Float plane service is also available from the Harbour. There are esplanades on two levels around the Harbour and stalld for tourist souvenirs are also seen here, as well as bag pipe players and small groups of musicians.

It is very much a people oriented location.

Just a few steps further north are several streets of shops, as well as Antiques Row. To the south east there is a large park, Called Beacon Hill, good for walking, jogging or lazing around on a fine sunny day. Views from here include Mount Baker on a clear day.

There is a big floral sign welcoming you to Victoria, partly hidden by the folks walking along the dockside, visiting the small stalls selling tourist items and jewellery.

Above the wall to the right and across Belleville Street is the Legislative Building for British Columbia.

No visist to Victorai is complete without spending several hours walking around the Butchart Gardnes, sure they are a few kilometres north of the capital towards Brentwood Bay, but well worth the journey.