CruisinLynette Posted October 25, 2006 #1 Share Posted October 25, 2006 What do you all recommend for our visit to Victoria. Are there special things that we can buy there?? I know NOTHING about the place. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp2001 Posted October 25, 2006 #2 Share Posted October 25, 2006 If you like gardens, Butchart Garden is very, very nice. If you're not a big fan of gardens, I would suggest that you avoid the long bus ride for the gardens and simply walk around the city. It's a lovely City, and the Capital of British Columbia. They have free visits of the parliament building (I found it was very interesting and I recommend it). Many hotels and restaurants also serves afternoon tea if it's something you like (Fairmont Empress Hotel is probably the best place for an elegant afternoon tea). Here is my personnal top 5 best Canadian Cities (I've seen very many of them). 1. Quebec City 2. Victoria 3. Vancouver 4. Halifax 5. Ottawa (As you can see, many of these cities are Capital cities too). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultimatemaniaccruiser Posted October 25, 2006 #3 Share Posted October 25, 2006 There's lot's to do and see here in Victoria. They're a pretty good museum (Royal British Columbia Museum), there's the legislature buildings, the Empress Hotel, there's entertainers along the harbour front causeway (summer time only), butchart gardens, whale watching, fishing, and some great hiking. Let me know if you have any more questions. I live in Victoria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agabbymama Posted October 25, 2006 #4 Share Posted October 25, 2006 I would recommend renting a car. While it's easy to walk around, the car makes seeing different things easy. Check out the internet for Victoria. There is a Totem Park not far from Parliament. There is Craigdarrock Castle a couple miles up the road from Parliament. There is a Historical House right next to the Museum. Then we drove to Butchart Gardens ourselves instead of taking a bus. On the way back, we detoured to Fort Rudd (I think) where there is Fisguard Lighthouse. My friend and I love lighthouses, so when I spied Fisguard Lighthouse on the map, I had to try and find it, then to my surprise there was Fort Rudd (an old army installation now a museum). The two are in the same place. There is a glass bottom boat to Underwater Gardens (wasn't impressed). The Empress Hotel does do a tea, but it's very costly. I'm sure you could find other places to have tea for a lot less, if that's what you want to do. Enjoy your stay in Victoria, it's absolutely beautiful. So lush and green.:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftcoastBC Posted October 25, 2006 #5 Share Posted October 25, 2006 and along with all that stuff mentioned already. Harbour tours on the little shuttle ferry boats. A very walkable city and harbour area. Even from where the cruise ships dock it's only 15-20 min. stroll to downtown through residential areas. A beautiful spot. oh ...and there are Whale watching tours also. Avaiilable downtown at the tourist info Centre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoobee2 Posted October 26, 2006 #6 Share Posted October 26, 2006 We were in Victoria at night on the last night of our cruise. Because it was late in the season, the tour to Butchart Gardens which I would have loved to see was not operating. We signed up for the Ghosts and Graveyards tour which I would not recommend. We did learn a little about Victoria history but standing around in a dark graveyard listening to long stories for over 3 hours was not a lot of fun. It might have made for an interesting 1 hour tour followed by shopping downtown but by the time we got downtown, there wasn't time to shop and so everyone just returned to the ship. Very disappointing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinLynette Posted October 26, 2006 Author #7 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Thanks for all the info. i'm glad to hear the review of the ghosts and graveyard tour. We are BIG Gettysburg people and LOVE doing the ghost tours and searches there so I was intregued by that tour. Now I'll know to stay away. Does anyone know about the WINE up there?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultimatemaniaccruiser Posted October 27, 2006 #8 Share Posted October 27, 2006 Wine is expensive in BC. The tax rate is 200% on all liquor and I'm not joking at all about this. To give you an idea a 6 pack of garbage beer is $12. That being said there are some good wines (not a huge wine drinker so I won't recommend anything!). There's a liquor store in the Bay center mall right downtown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinLynette Posted October 31, 2006 Author #9 Share Posted October 31, 2006 Well that won't be high on the shopping list then!!!!! Thanks.:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftcoastBC Posted October 31, 2006 #10 Share Posted October 31, 2006 The local wines are certainly more expensive that what we find when travelling. Especially the US. But there are a lot of great BC wines now and well worth a try. With the $ difference around 10% and knowing that all that tax we pay here goes to our social programs..give one or two a whirl :) Certainly on Par with the smaller wineries in WA and California as far a price and even taste on most also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teri Wimmer Posted November 1, 2006 #11 Share Posted November 1, 2006 There's lot's to do and see here in Victoria. They're a pretty good museum (Royal British Columbia Museum), there's the legislature buildings, the Empress Hotel, there's entertainers along the harbour front causeway (summer time only), butchart gardens, whale watching, fishing, and some great hiking. Let me know if you have any more questions. I live in Victoria. Hello ultimate crusier, We will be in Vancouver on May 12, 2007. We need to find a hotel for 3 nights. I am thinking about the Wedgewood. Are you familiar with it? Can you recommend any others? We are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary so I would like it to be something special. Also, what is the weather like in May?Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paradise4ever Posted November 12, 2006 #12 Share Posted November 12, 2006 Everything every0ne mentioned is great. One thing we did was the Pub Tour. We went to 3 different pubs. One in th city, one by the marina and one out in the country (a nice ride out there). We had a wonderful time and tasted all the beers which were complimentary. Two of the places served Hor derves which were really good/. You can get something to eat off the menu so you don't get drunk. Everyone was able to get acquainted. Have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftcoastBC Posted November 12, 2006 #13 Share Posted November 12, 2006 Hello ultimate crusier,We will be in Vancouver on May 12, 2007. We need to find a hotel for 3 nights. I am thinking about the Wedgewood. Are you familiar with it? Can you recommend any others? We are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary so I would like it to be something special. Also, what is the weather like in May?Thanks in advance! The Wedgewood gets high ratings and is a great central spot. It's not all that close to the Cruise Dock however. Should qualify very easily for that something "Special" If you want to pop for something closer to the Water.. the Pan Pacific or the "Waterfront" with a water view would also qualify. and also a pretty good arrea to start your days in Vancouver. Westin Bayshore is also pretty nice as is the Sutton Place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzy-sue Posted November 13, 2006 #14 Share Posted November 13, 2006 There's lot's to do and see here in Victoria. They're a pretty good museum (Royal British Columbia Museum), there's the legislature buildings, the Empress Hotel, there's entertainers along the harbour front causeway (summer time only), butchart gardens, whale watching, fishing, and some great hiking. Let me know if you have any more questions. I live in Victoria. AHH< i WILL ASK YOU DRIVING QUESTION (S): HOW FAR A DRIVE WOULD IT BE FROM SEATTLE TO VICTORIA?? IS THIS DO-ABLE? HOW FAR FROM VICTORIA TO VANCOUVER??? WOULD A FERRY BE BETTER? IS THERE A BETTTER WAY THAN DRIVING??? TRAIN????? I guess what I am looking into is flying in to Seattle (half the cost of flying into Vancouver)We cruise out of Vancouver on Sept. 5 - would like to see Victoria and Vancouver. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftcoastBC Posted November 13, 2006 #15 Share Posted November 13, 2006 AHH< i WILL ASK YOU DRIVING QUESTION (S): HOW FAR A DRIVE WOULD IT BE FROM SEATTLE TO VICTORIA?? IS THIS DO-ABLE? 4 1/2 hours of freeway and crossing border/get out of airport should be about right. (Border is an unknown on long weekends and other times too) HOW FAR FROM VICTORIA TO VANCOUVER??? WOULD A FERRY BE BETTER? You can drive from Seattle to Port Angeles 3hours or so & Take ferry to Victoria 2 more hours or so. Drive from Victoria to Ferry to Vancouver and mainland 30 mins. Ferry is 2 hours give or take and then you drive from where ferry lands to Vancouver it'self about an hour for beginers. IS THERE A BETTTER WAY THAN DRIVING??? TRAIN????? Yes. Train from Seattle leaves at 7:40 each morning (take business class.) Highly recommend that. Gets to Vancouver around noon. Reverse train goes in evening at 6 PM. I guess what I am looking into is flying in to Seattle (half the cost of flying into Vancouver)We cruise out of Vancouver on Sept. 5 - would like to see Victoria and Vancouver. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!! ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp2001 Posted November 14, 2006 #16 Share Posted November 14, 2006 AHH< i WILL ASK YOU DRIVING QUESTION (S): HOW FAR A DRIVE WOULD IT BE FROM SEATTLE TO VICTORIA?? IS THIS DO-ABLE? HOW FAR FROM VICTORIA TO VANCOUVER??? WOULD A FERRY BE BETTER? IS THERE A BETTTER WAY THAN DRIVING??? TRAIN????? I guess what I am looking into is flying in to Seattle (half the cost of flying into Vancouver)We cruise out of Vancouver on Sept. 5 - would like to see Victoria and Vancouver. http://www.victoriaclipper.com/victoria_clipper_ferry_service Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!! I did that, I flew to Seattle, took the express ferry to Victoria (4h00 if I remember weel), spent 1.5 day in Victoria then took the bus to Vancouver (obviously, the bus also included the ferry to the mainland... it was not a floating bus :D) I liked it and the ferry brings you directly to the harbour area of Victoria, close to most touristic attractions and buses to Butchart Gardens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftcoastBC Posted November 14, 2006 #17 Share Posted November 14, 2006 oops.. HOW FAR A DRIVE WOULD IT BE FROM SEATTLE TO VICTORIA?? IS THIS DO-ABLE? 4 1/2 hours of freeway and crossing border/get out of airport should be about right. (Border is an unknown on long weekends and other times too) This info is Seattle to Vancouver sorry. & of course the Victoria Clipper is nice and direct to Victoria. There is no train Service to Victoria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parker1 Posted November 15, 2006 #18 Share Posted November 15, 2006 I had the opportunity to spend time in Victoria when a friend was living there and it's a lovely, very walkable city. One suggestion I didn't see listed was the Kabuki Bike Kabs. They can give you a wonderful tour and can customize the tour to what you want to see. My husband had never been to Victoria and when our cuise only allowed 5 hours in the town, we took a cab to the Inner Harbor (walkable, but my husband has bad knees), enjoyed a glass of wine on the porch of the Empress Hotel and hired a Kabuki Kab for a tour of Beacon Hill Park and through the James Bay neighborhood, ending back at the ship. Their website is Kabukikabs.com. Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure you'll enjoy Victoria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayesktrm Posted April 5, 2007 #19 Share Posted April 5, 2007 We will be arriving at 6 PM on a Saturday. Are the shops still open? Until what time? We are originally from the PNW and have been to Victoria several times...we just love walking around looking at the shops. Would love to go to the Empress for tea, but would they be having tea and crumpets that late at night? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ldybandt Posted April 10, 2007 #20 Share Posted April 10, 2007 We will be in Victoria May 19th. I would like to go see the gardens. Which is the best bet to get there, with the exception of renting a car or doing a cruise excursion? Thanks for in imput, Joan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckysll Posted April 10, 2007 #21 Share Posted April 10, 2007 We will be in Victoria May 19th. I would like to go see the gardens. Which is the best bet to get there, with the exception of renting a car or doing a cruise excursion? Thanks for in imput, Joan Grey Line operates several tours to Butchart Gardens (on red double decker buses). http://www.grayline.com/Grayline/destinations/canada/victoria.go They run from in front of the Empress Hotel at the Inner Harbour. You can either walk from the cruise terminal or take a cab to the Inner Harbour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftcoastBC Posted April 10, 2007 #22 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Until OCTober SS Titanic. everything you did or didn't want to know. The travelling exposition with all the artifacts and pictures is in town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussie jb Posted April 10, 2007 #23 Share Posted April 10, 2007 We will be in Victoria in about 2 weeks time and I was looking forward to going back to the museum anyway, but now that I know that will be on, I know what we will be doing for at least half a day :) Thanks Leftcoast! Debbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sea scaper Posted April 13, 2007 #24 Share Posted April 13, 2007 What hotel would you recommend staying at in Victoria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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