Victoria - British Columbia - Canada

Victoria is one of British Columbia’s best kept secrets - but not for much longer. From April to October every year more and more cruiseships call on British Columbia’s capital.

In fact, during the Swine Flu scare of early 2009, several major cruise ships were diverted from Mexico to BC, and Victoria welcomed a number of new cruise passengers.

It’s never been a hidden jewel as a destination, of course.

Images of Victoria’s stunning Inner Harbour grace the covers of many of the British Columbia guide books. And for good reason. Set in the heart of the city, flanked by the stunning architecture of the world famous Empress Hotel and the British Columbia Parliament Buildings, the peaceful Inner Harbour and pathways around it offer a perfect first impression of the city.

Not far from the Inner harbour is Bastion Square, the site where the Hudson’s Bay Company constructed Fort Victoria in 1843 and where the restored 19th century buildings now house restaurants, shops and art galleries.

Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in North America, leads into Canada’s oldest Chinatown.

Among Victoria’s many attractions are The Royal British Columbia Museum, one of North America’s leading natural and human history museums, the National Geographic Imax Theatre, The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, and The Victoria Maritime Museum. Several splendid 19th century buildings are open to the public, including the 39-room Craigdarroch Castle.

The current exhibition at the Royal BC Museum is "Treasures: The World’s Cultures from the British Museum" - showcasing more than 300 of the most treasured artefacts from the British Museum, London. The exhibition runs through September 30, 2009.

Highlights include stone hand axes from Africa made 1.5 million years ago, a 3,000-year old Egyptian mummy, a letter from the king of Babylon to the king of Egypt, dated 14th Century BC, a 2nd century marble Roman statue of Dionysos, the god of wine, a rare, bird-shaped stone pestle from Papua New Guinea, works of art by Picasso, Renoir, Matisse and Rembrandt, as well as gold-and-gemstone jewellery, gold and silver coins, house wares and military hardware from all eras and continents.

For a full account of the exhibition visit THE BRITS HAVE ARRIVED - AND THEY’VE BROUGHT A WORLD OF TREASURES WITH THEM at Travel Scribbles.

In Thunderbird Park, beside The Royal British Columbia Museum, ancient Native totem poles stand tall. You can watch traditional poles being carved in the carving shed. Tour companies offer a multitude of wildlife-watching opportunities for up-close looks at seals and sealions, schools of porpoise and Killer Whales.

Only 30 minutes from Victoria are the world-renowned Butchart Gardens, an enchanting 50 acres of groomed gardens on a 1904 country estate.

A cosmopolitan city with “small town” atmosphere, Victoria’s many hotels, spas and resorts provide a home away from home.




Photo courtesy Tourism Victoria