There’s a plethora of swanky cocktail bars in Victoria BC worthy of their elegant hometown. Whether you’re celebrating the New Year or just raising a toast to another day, these sip-worthy destinations don’t disappoint.
Read more
From aromatic steam rooms and rejuvenating body scrubs to massaging waterfalls and breathtaking views, let your body relax and be restored at these premier resort and day spas in Victoria BC and Vancouver Island.
Want to unwind during the busy holiday season? Are you looking for a romantic Valentine’s Day getaway? Do you want to soak and massage away the winter blues? Whether you’re looking to give your healthcare regime a spruce, your mind and body a dose of TLC, or all the above, a spa-focused getaway is just the thing.
The following selection features the best spa resorts and day spas in Victoria and Vancouver Island. Because you deserve a getaway that lets you rest, rejuvenate and return home ready for whatever life holds.
Read more
Though Victoria offers all kinds of big city perks like high-tech WiFi and a thriving food scene, this quaint capital has maintained its small-town charm – which makes it an ideal destination for stress-free holiday shopping. With an impressively high walkability score and a collection of eateries perfect to take a rest, you’ll have as much finding gifts this season as giving them.
Read more
History, elegance, and kindness: a timeless recipe, readily available in British Columbia’s quaint capital. Nestled at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria, BC is closer to America than its own mainland. But don’t let its proximity to the USA fool you — it’s rife with old-world charm and cultural diversity. Comfort abounds in this urban jewel, where a temperate climate offers strollable streets and a seasonal bounty that spans all four seasons.
Maximize your time by catching a direct flight to Victoria’s Inner Harbor or Victoria International Airport.
Read more
The Butchart Gardens didn’t earn its rank among the top display gardens in the world during the cool months of winter. But should you happen to be in Victoria, the quaint British Columbia capital at the southern tip of Vancouver Island during the dormant ‘off-season,’ The Gardens are well worth a visit.
Read more
Some might ask, “Why visit Victoria this winter?” But don’t let this northern gem fool you into thinking it has closed up shop. While the hanging baskets are stored for the season, there are still a plethora of fun things to do in Victoria this winter.
Sure, you’ll want to pack a good jacket. But don’t worry that exploring will put you at risk of frostbite, as it will throughout much of North America. The BC Capital is tucked at the edge of the Olympic Rain Shadow, making winters relatively mild and an early spring a common occurrence. And with the Victoria Inner Harbour and Victoria International Airport being just a short flight from the Emerald City, this is arguably the easiest Seattle weekend getaway around.
Read more
Thanks to its old-world elegance, walkable streets, and temperate weather — Victoria oozes romance. Here, mundane tasks, like grocery shopping, can feel like a date. But it’s not just the city’s day-to-day living that’s filled with couple-worthy activities. There’s an impressive selection of romantic things to do in Victoria, BC.
Read more
Standing 38 feet tall and spanning a full city street, the Gates of Harmonious Interest is an eye-catching red and gold beauty. Featuring three arches, each of the pedestrian pathways is guarded by a stone lion. It was erected in 1981 and marks the entrance to Victoria, B.C.’s Chinatown.
However, the historic destination wasn’t always so ornately decorated and lovingly maintained. Chinatown was founded in 1859 by Chinese merchants from San Francisco. They’d come north for the Fraser River Gold Rush, building simple wood shacks that served as homes and businesses. Initially, the new settlers were connected to the city center by three narrow footbridges that spanned the Johnson Street Ravine — a natural waterway that was used for waste disposal.
Read more
Wind Cries Mary is truly a hidden gem in Victoria. Opened in 2019, just eight months before the Covid shutdown, the restaurant has become both a favorite for locals and a destination for those traveling to Victoria. Located downtown in Bastion Square, Wind Cries Mary is in the downstairs of the historic Law Chambers building.
Once you descend down the stairs you’re met with a dark and moody candlelit space. The canopied bar at the center of the room filled with local and international wine and spirits lets you know that this is the right place to come for a good drink. Explore farther into the restaurant and you’ll find an even cozier brick-walled room that, for some, will bring back memories of Camille’s, a Victoria staple that occupied the space for 27 years.
Read more
Whether it be a remote wilderness lodge, a comfortable resort on the beach or a refined hotel in the city, there is getting away and then there is truly escaping. Being open to new experiences, whether that be trying new local foods, stepping out of your comfort zone by kayaking through a deep fjord or being brave and pulling up a chair to connect with strangers over a shared meal are all certain to make your experiences richer.
Read more
