Category: lodging

How To Spend 48 hours in Victoria BC

how-to-spend-48-hours-victoria-bc

If you are lucky enough to visit beautiful Victoria, you may feel unlucky if you only get to explore for a short amount of time. Many people underestimate how many activities and sites the city and surrounding area has to offer, and as a result book too little time in this picturesque capital of British Columbia. While it is best to spend at least three to four days in Victoria, if you are on a time crunch and only have 48 hours take a look below at the best way to spend your limited time:

Stay at the Chateau Victoria

You will love this four star hotel in the downtown core as it is near many major attractions so you don’t have to travel far. They also offer complimentary downtown shuttle service for those who can’t walk or don’t want to walk! The Chateau Victoria is one of the best hotels in Victoria and offers comfortable accommodations as well as many great additional services such as highly rated restaurants.

Get a Rental Vehicle

If you are only in Victoria for a short time, it is highly recommended to pick up a rental car so that you can quickly get around and even visit some of the attractions just outside the city. Luckily if you are staying at the Chateau Victoria there is a rental vehicle pick-up point right around the corner!

Visit National Historic Sites

Once you have your car it is a great idea to visit the Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse historic sites. These two beautiful locations offer a glimpse into history and are exciting to explore. At Fort Rodd Hill, you can tour the coastal fort located in Esquimalt Harbour, while at Fisgard Lighthouse you can explore the interior of the lighthouse and snap a stunning photograph outside with this unforgettable backdrop. Between May and October it is even possible to book a tented cabin and camp at Fort Rodd Hill!

Experience Fine Dining at Cafe Brio

If you are looking to indulge while visiting Victoria, check out Cafe Brio for lunch or dinner. The entire menu is made from scratch using fresh local ingredients, and they even offer half portions for lighter meals.

Have an After Dinner Drink at Clive’s Classic Lounge

While staying at the Chateau Victoria, take a stroll down to Clive’s Classic Lounge for an award winning cocktail that is steps from your room.

Take Advantage of Chateau Victoria’s Restaurants

Whether you choose to stay at the Chateau or not, you can still enjoy the fine food and stunning views of their Vista 18 restaurant. This rooftop restaurant and lounge offers a scrumptious brunch menu including eggs benedict with crab!

Head out of the City for Sightseeing

Victoria has many attractions to see within the city, but some of the best sights lie only a 20-30 minute drive away. Take some time to stroll through Butchart Gardens, or enjoy a craft cider sample with a charcuterie plate at Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse.

Take a Whale Watching Tour

Head down to the docks at Fisherman’s Wharf to experience fresh fish and chips, a village of floating homes, the fresh ocean air, and of course: whale watching! Eagle Wing Tours operates from here, and with this family run business you can see orcas, sea lions, marine birds, and many other stunning sights. While taking your whale watching tour, you will also learn about conservation and the company’s efforts to protect the wildlife of Victoria.

Experience the Diversity of Victoria

It is a little known fact that Victoria is a diverse city, and the restaurants certainly reflect that! Whether you visit Chinatown for authentic cuisine, or stop by La Taquisa for reasonably priced mexican meals, you will be shocked at the many flavours Victoria has to offer.

Grab one Last Breakfast Before Hitting the Road

While Victoria has many wonderful places to grab a bite, check out Willie’s Bakery and Cafe for all day breakfast, or just a small bite. This is British Columbia’s oldest bakery, and you can tell they are very practiced at making great food.

As you can see, it is tough to experience Victoria in all of its glory in just two days. If you need help booking or extending your getaway now that you’ve seen how much is on offer, contact us today or learn more about our sightseeing tours.

Best Victoria BC Hotels

Best Victoria BC Hotels in 2017

Are you planning a trip to Victoria, BC? Great choice! Victoria is one of the provinces most up and coming tourist destinations, and there are many impressive things to see and do while visiting. Victoria is also full of places to stay during your visit- but how do you know where the best places are? Read on to find out about the best hotels in Victoria and why you should consider booking them.

  1. Fairmont Empress

    The Hotel Empress is one of Victoria’s most well known hotels, as it stands proudly on the inner harbour. This luxury hotel has many top ratings and awards, and is home to the Q Bar restaurant and it’s famous martinis. Spending the extra cash to stay in one of the Empress’ classic rooms is worth it to soak up the true beauty of the city. The hotel is also a popular destination for conferences and weddings as it has a expansive area for both types of functions.

  2. Inn at Laurel Point

    The Inn at Laurel Point is another hotel that visitors to Victoria do not want to miss. Due to its proximity to the Victoria Conference Centre, many conference guests stay at Laurel Point during their visit, and they love every minute of their stay by the ocean. Guests at this hotel also enjoy many discounts and perks to local businesses and tourist attractions such as museums, whale watching, restaurants, and activities.

  3. Oswego

    Away from the bustle of the downtown Victoria inner harbour you will find the Oswego Hotel, a boutique hotel that offers urban decor in a prime location. This hotel offers everything from studio suites all the way up to two bedroom suites that have balconies and stunning views of the city. The O Cafe and Bistro on site offers live jazz music and a menu that ranges from coffee shop items to a full dinner menu. Also be sure to check out the spa services that happen right in your room!

  4. Chateau Victoria

    The Chateau Victoria is a long standing feature of downtown Victoria, and it offers luxury stays in everything from small suites to their newly renovated penthouses. With two restaurants on site, the Chateau Victoria is a great place to come for dinner even if you are not a hotel guest. Enjoy more traditional room types for shorter stays, or indulge in a large suite for longer adventures in the city.

  5. Delta Ocean Pointe

    Another beautiful place to stay on the inner harbour is the Delta Ocean Pointe. This location is perfect for those who like to fill their days with as many attractions as they can, as many activities are just steps away from the Delta Ocean Pointe. Guests can also enjoy LURE restaurant and bar on site, a dining option that offers locally sourced dishes on a beautiful outdoor patio. For those who like athletics, the hotel offers tennis, racquetball, and squash courts. Guests can also relax in the full service spa.

  6. Hotel Grand Pacific

    Yet another perfect location on the inner harbour is the Hotel Grand Pacific, a hotel that boasts a distance of just a few minutes’ walk to the downtown shopping and dining districts. With private ocean facing balconies, the rooms at the Hotel Grand Pacific live up to expectations. The Hotel Grand Pacific offers a whopping four dining options along with its own spa which make some guests never want to leave. The friendly staff will also take care of any bookings you may want to make for activities, appointments, or other services.

When in Victoria and looking for sightseeing tours, be sure to learn more about the tours we offer.