Category: Uncategorized

What to do in Victoria during autumn

Posted on September 26, 2018 by - activities, attractions, events, general, Uncategorized

Are you coming to Victoria in the offseason and looking for something indoors to do? Here are a few options!

Butterfly Gardens

Get out of the wind and rain and explore the Butterfly Gardens. This indoor oasis will not disappoint, it is tropical and warm with exotic wildlife and many different types of butterflies. The Butterfly Gardens also has an insectarium, where they have stick bugs, leaf cutter ants, tarantulas and more! One of the highlights of Butterfly Gardens is Little E, he is an Eclectus Parrot and is very friendly, but the thing is he will only land on women, he is quite the ladies’ man. Butterfly Gardens is about a 40-minute drive from downtown Victoria, it is about a five-minute drive from Butchart Gardens. Butterfly Gardens is an indoor greenhouse and is perfect to go to on a rainy day. Come explore this indoor tropical jungle and hang out with the wildlife.

Axe and Grind

Frustrated because it’s raining on your vacation? Take some aggression out and go axe throwing! Axe and Grind is an indoor axe throwing club in Victoria. It’s one of Victoria’s newest attractions and people are loving it. Axe throwing is a very unique sport that is very fun! When you first go there the staff will teach you how to safely throw axes. After that have fun! They have different types of axes that you can throw. Challenge your friends and have fun!

Afternoon Tea

There are many places that you can have tea around Victoria. The most iconic places to have tea are The Fairmont Empress and Butchart Gardens.

The Fairmont Empress is a classic place to get tea in Victoria. They offer 21 different varieties of tea paired perfectly with their three-tiered platter offering sweet and savory options. You can read more about the experience in our previous blog regarding everything you need to know about Tea at the Empress.

A second place to have tea is Butchart Gardens. If you already have a trip to Butchart Gardens this is great add on to complete your day especially if it is a little chilly out. They have nine different varieties of tea that you can choose from and if you really enjoy it you can purchase most of them from their gift shop and the end of your visit. They offer a three-tiered platter complete with sweet and savory options.

Museum

The Royal BC Museum is the perfect place to go on a rainy day. Learn about the history of British Columbia. The museum is currently holding the exhibition Egypt: The time of the Pharaohs until December 31st. They have many interesting artifacts on display in this exhibition. The museum also has some permanent exhibits which include the Natural history of BC, Modern History, First Peoples Galleries, and Our Living languages. All the exhibits in the museum are exceptional.

 

We hope that this blog has given you some ideas on what to while in Victoria during the rainy months.

Victoria’s Best Beaches

Posted on June 14, 2018 by - activities, attractions, events, Uncategorized

The benefit of traveling to Victoria is the abundance of beaches, since we are on an island there are many that we can choose from! Here are some of the best beaches in Victoria to check out on your next trip here!

Dallas Road

The name does not technically describe this as a beach, but you will not be disappointed! All along Dallas road you can experience the ocean in many ways. You can take a drive along the coastline in a car, bus, or bike! Enhance your experience by renting a scooter for the day! On Dallas road you can walk along walkway and enjoy the stunning view. If you’re wanting a more up-close experience you can walk down the (many) stairs and explore the rocky beach! If this doesn’t sound appealing to you, you can always walk the break water out to the lighthouse it is a lovely short 20-minute walk. Rain, or shine Dallas road is worth exploring and you never know what you’ll come across!

Many tourist come in at Ogdon point just off of Dallas road. This is where all the cruise ships doc during the year. One of the most beautiful spots to dock in our opinion!

 

Willows Beach

Willows beach is filled with many activities. It is about a 20 minute walk away from downtown and they have so much to do there in the summer! They have a large grass field perfect for a family picnic. Don’t want to pack a lunch? They have a concession and tea room.  Willows beach has many events going on throughout the summer such as free yoga and free concerts! Check out their event calendar here. Willows beach is a beautiful long beach that has a cement path to walk along or you can walk on the sand! Be sure to check out some of the creative sculptures that they have there such as the Bohdi Frog by the artist Doug Taylor. Every year in Oak Bay they have a sculpture contest and the one with the most votes wins and becomes a permanent instillation purchased by the city or sometimes even residents if they want the sculpture to stay! Willows beach is fun for the whole family and a great spot in Victoria.

French Beach

If you have a car while in town, French beach is one of the most amazing beaches on Vancouver Island. It is a long drive but well worth it! French beach is perfect for a day trip, bring a packed lunch as it is very far from any stores. When at French beach it is a slight hike down to the water and be aware of the wilderness as it is very secluded so there is wildlife in the area. The beach has many hidden treasures you can walk along the main beach, hike in the forest, and along your way find some amazing spots to sit and relax or go and explore!

 

What is the most important part to remember if you go to any (or all) of these beaches? BRING YOUR CAMERA! All of these beaches are breathtaking in their own way.  You can get amazing shots of the scenery, sunset, yourself, or your family. It will be an amazing unforgettable time!