Since I can remember, my mom has told me stories about visiting Victoria as a young girl. And being in Vancouver and not knowing if I'd ever get the chance to go back, I had to go! Victoria is 43 miles from Downtown Vancouver, the only problem is Victoria is a city on Vancouver Island so you have to take a ferry. Because I didn't have a car to get to the ferry, I decided to sign up with a tour bus company, Land Sea Tours. It was pretty expensive, about $190 Canadian, but worth the price. Included in the tour was a pick up from my hotel at 8 am, free admission for the ferry, admittance to a museum of my choice in Victoria, and my entry was paid for Butchart Gardens, and then the tour dropped me back off at my hotel at 9 pm. No way I could have done all that without a tour.
I have never been higher than San Francisco and didn't realize that Washington branches up into British Columbia territory. Going through the Straight of Georgia on the ferry, Washington was on one side and BC on the other. For a period of time I even got to use my phone because I was in US waters (it's way pricey to use your phone out of the country so I didn't do it often).
After an 1 1/2 hour cruise, I arrived on Vancouver Island and we made our way to Victoria. My highlight was having afternoon tea at The Empress. This is am AMAZING hotel. It's the closest to England I have ever been. Afternoon tea at this swanky establishment is not cheap! I had to make a reservation and was lucky to get one for my $76 (with tip) experience. Included with the tea are finger sandwiches and desserts, along with a box of teas to go. While the food filled me up and was tasty enough, you are definitely paying for the atmosphere. I don't even like hot tea, but I wasn't skipping this opportunity.
Fun fact: Pamela Anderson and Steve Nash are both from Victoria.
Next we headed to Butchart Gardens! This amazing setting started off as a garden at the home of the Butchart's and expanded over time into the beautiful attraction it is today. Not much can be said that would outshine these pictures I took:
On the ferry home I saw two orca whales. Unfortunately they were far away and didn't really go above the water, but it was still quite exciting. And of course, the day was ended with the famous, beautiful sunsets that I grew to love.
One more Vancouver post left! Stay tuned...er...keep visiting =)
16 comments:
Everything about this post is awesome. I went to Victoria when I was super young and the only thing I remember of Butchart Gardens was bringing home a pen from the gift store *sad face*. Oh well, at least it was one of those cool floaty pens. Looking forward to your next update!
It looks SO gorgeous!!
Merci beaucoup for stopping by darling =]
Hope you had a lovely weekend!
Stay safe and chic ma chérie,
English Rose x
http://iamanenglishrose.blogspot.com
Sounds like lots of fun! Great photos! I want to go there some day.
Wow! AMAZING PICTURES Leann! :D What a fun and beautiful trip! Can't wait for the next post!!! :D
What a beautiful & charming day, the last few pictures are breath taking! And such a beautiful garden.
everything is soo pretty and well, victorian-ish! :)
I'm a 2nd generation Victorian and it is like a piece of heaven here; although we do have our social problems as well and it is very expensive to live here.
Here's a little random trivia..did you know that the Empress is sinking......very slowly of course.
I had my wedding reception in the Empress almost 30 yrs ago; it is a building to be cherished indeed!
So glad you enjoyed your time here.
Wow sounds like such an amazing trip. I want to go to Victoria now!
http://wearingitonmysleeves.blogspot.com
Now you have me wanting to make a trip out west! The architecture is stunning as is your teacup :) Thanks for sharing all the pretty pictures!
I've been to Victoria and it is breathtaking...your pictures are so lovely, especially the ones in the garden..beautiful. Those pastries look delicious as well :)
Kisses,
Stephanie
Gorgeous photos!! I would love to go whale watching!! Just found the blog and I love it!! New follower!!
OMG, what an incredible looking trip. Your pictures are beautiful!
Those gardens look spectacular! What gorgeous flowers everywhere. Looks like such a beautiful place!
xo
Valerie
From a Canadian born Toronto girl then off to L.A. and landed in San Francisco for 8 years and I am so glad you loved your B.C. trip. Love your blog sweetie! Would love your weigh in on I wish they all could be California girls...
Afternoon tea?! What a delight!
It definitely sounds like an opportunity that I wouldn’t have wanted to pass up either and I think you did the right thing by going with the tour company. Sometimes convenience is best when it comes to things like that. I never knew that Washington branched into BC territory…very cool.
Afternoon tea at The Empress is another chance that I wouldn’t have let slip by. You must have felt like you were in London! The food sounds good, but I think you’re definitely paying for the experience. I love the shot of you with that pretty tea cup.
The Butchart Gardens look amazing. I don’t think I’ve even seen flowers like some of the one’s that you posted. The pink rose is perfect.
The sunsets over the water are incredible and that is so neat that you spotted two whales. I’m glad you had a nice trip.
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