FESTIVALS AND GARDENS GALORE
Victoria anchors the south end of Vancouver Island, a centre with all the amenities of a city set on an ocean playground boasting the mildest year-round temperatures in the country. Writer Barb Livingstone explores five great things about Greater Victoria
HISTORY
Victoria is Western Canada’s oldest city (founded in 1843) and saw rapid growth with the Fraser Valley gold rush. One third of the arrivals to the port city were Chinese, and Victoria is home to the oldest Chinatown in Canada and oldest intact Chinatown in North America. The city celebrates its 400 heritage properties and many heritage buildings proudly display historic completion dates. The oldest heritage structure is St. Ann’s Schoolhouse built in 1844, located on the grounds of the Royal B.C. Museum. Visit the Royal B.C. Museum or pick up a self-guided walking map. tourismvictoria.com/plan/aboutvictoria/ history
CYCLING CAPITAL
With the mildest year-round temperatures in the country, it is no surprise Victoria is the cycling capital of Canada, as well as the fittest city in the country. Popular biking areas include Galloping Goose Trail and the Seaside Touring Route, or along the Saanich Peninsula and the West Shore. Join in or watch Tour de Victoria (50 km, 100 km, 200 km routes) on Aug. 23, founded by Ryder Hesjedal, a Victoria-raised professional cyclist who placed sixth in the 2010 Tour de France. hellobc.com/victoria/things-todo/outdoor-activities/ biking
EVENTS/ FESTIVALS
There is no lack of festivals or events happening in Victoria. There’s a farmers’ market every weekend, festivals celebrating craft beer (Great Canadian Beer Festival is Sept. 11-12 and nine-day Victoria Beer Week is March), Aboriginal culture, music, chalk art, buskers or flying kites ( Victoria International Kite Festival is May 29 to 31). tourismvictoria.com/events/ calendar/
GARDENS
More than 1,000 flower baskets grace Victoria’s downtown yearround — not surprising in a place known as the City of Gardens. When British settlers “tamed” the Pacific wilderness, they planted roses to remind them of home. The passion for gardening can be found all over Victoria, but the best example is at the century-old Butchart Gardens. The former abandoned quarry now hosts more than one million bedding plants in 900 varieties and is visited by more than a million people every year.
ButchartGardens.com
FOOD
In such a walk-friendly city, why not combine exercise with a love of good food. Good walking shoes are recommended for this fully guided two-hour tour that will take you to six to eight different, locally owned restaurants in downtown Victoria. Along with your delectable treats, described by the chefs themselves, you will learn about the history of the oldest city in Western Canada.
victoriafoodtours.com