Victoria, BC, Canada

P

pj103

Guest
Our 1st cruise is in May, 2009. I have been checking out and deciding which excursions to take at each port, however, I am not clear and cannot decide when we arrive at our last port, Victoria. It is a late afternoon arrival, and I know everyone talks about Buchart Gardens. How far is it from the ship and how do you get there? What else is recommended as a must see in Victoria? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
B

Beryl

Guest
The Butchart Gardens are located in Brentwood Bay about 30 minutes north of downtown Victoria. I would recommend that if your ship is offering a tour to the gardens that you visit that way.
 
C

Conniemc

Guest
There is no more beautiful place in the world. Take a taxi to Empress Hotel and the Inner Harbour and stroll the gardens...simply heaven. If you have to choose between Butchart and the Harbour....do the Harbour and walk the village. Also the Royal BC Museum is located there - here is what is on exhibit. I was there for the Titanic exhibit, and it's an AMAZING museum.

http://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/MainSite/default.aspx

Butchart took us over 45 minutes to get to from downtown Victoria....not so close but well worth it if you have at least 4-5 hours to allow for transportation and viewing.

Here's their website, they can help you with hours, location, packages, etc.

http://www.butchartgardens.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

The "must see" is the BEAUTY of the inner harbour. Here's more on the harbour. That covers everything!!!
http://www.explorevancouverisland.com/Victoria_Inner_Harbour_Vancouver_Island_BC.htm
 
B

Beryl

Guest
Whoops...late arrival...I missed that. Are you on one of those itineraries that arrives at 7pm and leaves about midnight? Definitely not the best time to see the city...but IF there is a tour to Butchart Gardens I still recommend it! When the gardens are lit at night they are magnificent....my general recommendation is to go late in the day and walk around once in the daylight and once again when night has fallen ... but if that is not possible.....

You might also be interested in a city tour that will take you to the Inner Harbour as Connie suggests. The lights on the Legislative Buildings are quite pretty. Lot's of little shops along Government Street..and if you're walking along here do drop in to Roger's Chocolates and spoil yourself just a little. You could also do this on your own...perhaps taking a taxi from the pier and a horse drawn trolley back to the ship (or vice versa).

Do not be tempted to do tea at the Empress. It is little more than a very expensive cattle call.

If you are going in May you might want to check out the Royal British Columbia Museum. An exhibition from the British Museum begins in May. It is entitled TREASURES the world's cultures from the British Museum ...however the museum does close at 5pm...how late is your late afternoon arrival?

Many of these things on my favourite things to see and do in Victoria will not work for you because of your time restraints but perhaps you'll come back for another longer visit one day!

Butchart Gardens..a definite 'must see' for the first time visitor.
Craigdarroch Castle
The works of Emily Carr at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Symphony Splash at the Inner Harbour (but it's the long weekend in August)
The RBC Museum if there is a really good exhibit...Titanic definitely was one and I'm hoping to see TREASURES
Marine Drive with time to stop at Oak Bay for tea at the Blethering Place.
Dinner at the Marina Restaurant at the Oak Bay Marina
A stop on Government Street for tea at Murchies
Chocolates from Rogers' Chocolates....try the Victoria Creams
A walk around China Town that includes Fan Tan Alley (the narrowest street in Canada)
Fisgard Lighthouse and Fort Rodd Hill
The Gardens at Royal Roads College...what can I say...my husband was a Royal Roads Cadet when it was a Military College
A drive to the top of Mount Douglas
Drive along Arbutus Drive...to gaze in awe at the arbutus trees
A visit to Sidney by the Sea
Matticks farm is fun
..and for me..a trip down memory lane with a visit to UVIC, my alma mater, is a must.

Have a wondeful time, however short it may be, in a wonderful city!!
 
P

pj103

Guest
Wow Beryl! This makes me want to spend about a week in Victoria. So much to see and do. As it is May and we arrive late in the day, I guess we will have to limit ourselves to 1 or 2 things to see.
 
J

jon-boy

Guest
When in May will you be in Victoria ? It really all depends on the time of day of arrival of what is worth seeing and timely. I lived in Victoria up until two years ago. I now live in north eastern Alberta. I whole-heartedly agree with Beryl. You must see the gardens if at all possible ! The inner harbour is absolutely gorgeous at this time of year ! The Royal BC Museum is actually very fascinating ! My wife and I will be aboard the Island Princess which sails from Ft. Lauderdale through the Panam Canal a few stops in Central America and Mexico and we will be in Victoria for mothers day. Couldn't have planned the trip any better to visit my mom and my wife's ! I hope you enjoy your trip and your stop in Victoria. Whatever you get up to, you will definitely be wanting to make a return trip just to see more of this majestic city ! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Have a great day...

jon
 
P

pj103

Guest
Our last port will be Victoria. We will arrive at 5 PM on Saturday, May 16th. I am not sure if the gardens will be open at that time, but I hope so, as I have seen pictures and would not want to miss it.
 
L

Luci

Guest
I have visited Victoria several times and arrived on a cruise ship each time. They have a bus that takes you to the heart of Victoria City where all the activities and stores are located for only $6.00 round trip. There is also an information place at the bus drop off where you can get some of the local tours too. Last time I visited I chose to take a local bus to downtown for a few coins from the cruiseport.
YOU CAN WALK TO THE MAIN CITY from the cruiseport too. You can see the Harbor from the cruiseport. Many cruisers love to walk.

I always stop at the money exchange window at the port before taking the bus to Victoria downtown. I ask for Canadian coins so I can take the local buses for a ride around the city. I tell the bus driver that I am only going for a ride. The bus drivers take me all around and take me back to my original place where I took the bus.

I have so much fun doing my own thing. I love to shop at the "Buck or More Store", in all of the Canadian cities. I have bought angora wool socks in those stores for only $2.50 a pair when they have them available. They have plenty of nice gifts to take home.

You can take a local bus to the B. Gardens like the local Canadian people do.

I love Victoria...... and I wish I could live there but it is too cold for my old body. I try to visit as much as possible.

This information is for people who like to save money and just do their own thing in Victoria.

The ship tours are expensive especially if you have family members with you. Luci
 
C

Conniemc

Guest
I found the weather divine...fell so much in love with the place I indeed DID look for a condo there...I went in the Spring...and the weather there is pretty much the same as the Philadelphia area. Couldn't find anything for my big shaggy dog, and then started a company at the Jersey shore, so that ship sailed.

Would love to go back someday...:daisy
 
C

cathiej

Guest
We will been in Vic on our last stop one week later (May 23). Will the Buchart Gardens be in full bloom that time of year?....we come from another part in Canada where the trees are barely starting to sprout leaves in May (and there are certainly no flowers blooming).
 
C

Conniemc

Guest
cathiej said:
We will been in Vic on our last stop one week later (May 23). Will the Buchart Gardens be in full bloom that time of year?....we come from another part in Canada where the trees are barely starting to sprout leaves in May (and there are certainly no flowers blooming).

That was the precise time I was there and I don't think the timing could possibly have been better. Temps in the low 70's (F) and sunny and gorgeous. If you'd like, I can send pics from my trip last May of the gardens. Just PM me your e-mail.
 
W

wwwmarge

Guest
Thanks for all your help. I found this site through Google because I was looking for info on Victoria.

We are on RCCL Mariner for May 10 Mx Riviera and we are heading now NORTH instead of south.

Your quote is so beautiful. I will use it many times.
 


Write your reply...
Top