Victoria - What was your favorite?

[saileyellie]

I haven't seen alot of posts about Victoria. I'm thinking about the waterfront or beacon hill carriage tour with tallyhotours (http://www.tallyhotours.com/choose_tour.htm). My dad thought the castle would be good. I also found out a community theater group is performing "And then there were none" which could be really fun.

 

What have you done/plan to do?

The victoria symphony season begins in August if anyone is cruising through then:

http://victoriasymphony.ca/concerts/splash.html

[Putterdude]

Probably the number one atraction in Victoria is Butchart Gardens and people come from all over the world to see them. There is also a second horse drawn carriage company that you may want to consider. The castle tour has been designed for tourists....and I will leave it right there. The Royal BC Museum is very worthy of consideration as well. Here are some links for you convenience:

www.butchartgardens.com/

www.victoriacarriage.com/

www.rbcm.gov.bc.ca/

[briangl]

The Gardens are my favourite.

[Luckysll]

(EDITED TO ADD - just checked the cruise ship schedule and it doesn't look like there's a ship in port this day, but if you are spending some time pre or post-cruise in Victoria, and will be here for this, it is well worth it.)

 

For anyone who will be in Victoria on Sunday, August 3/08, there is a wonderful event called Symphony Splash that takes place at the Inner Harbour. Here is a description from the Victoria Symphony website:

 

On Sunday, August 3rd 2008, beginning at 4pm, the Inner Harbour will become an outdoor concert stage, with children’s activities, local food vendors, and live music. The 19th annual Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash spectacular finale of the evening will feature the Maestra Tania Miller leading the Victoria Symphony and a host of special guests. Stay tuned for more details!

 

Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash is the largest annual symphony event in North America, attracting up to 40,000 Victoria residents and visitors. The unique setting for the performance is on a barge moored in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, in front of the picturesque Provincial Legislature.

 

Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash appeals to audiences of all ages; the music performed is a mix of classical and popular selections, and a talented young soloist is featured each year with the assistance of the Leslie and Murray Glazier Young Musicians Fund. The concert concludes with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, complete with bells, cannons and fireworks.

Here's a link to some photos from previous concerts. It is a very popular and well attended free event. They usually sell glo-sticks to raise money.

http://www.victorialodging.com/splash_photos

[agabbymama]

Oh my goodness. We enjoyed everything about Victoria, it's difficult to name just one thing.

 

First of all we rented a car for the day. Walking from the cruise pier to town wasn't an option we wanted, and we didn't know Budget would pick us up, so we paid for the shuttle. I think it was 5 CND. Then we walked to a totem park, then to Empress Hotel. Then on to Budget when they opened. We were first in line and out in only about 10 minutes. They were ready for us and even upgraded us to a lovely convertible Camaro. Too bad it rained off and on all day, so had to keep the top up.

 

We then headed out to Butchart Gardens, very easy to find. Spent the morning there, then had lunch in their small cafe. Then headed back toward town, but decided to look for an old Army fort (Fort Rudd?) with a lighthouse there also. Took a little effort, but we found it and just got to see it before the heavens opened. A real deluge, so we ran for the car. Back to town to find Craigdarrock (sp?) Castle. That was another real treat.

 

Then unfortunately our time in port was over, so we turned the car in and headed back to the ship.

[AlinaMaria]

Just came back from Dawn Princess on 06-06-08, went to Butchart Gardens on 06-04-08 and it is beautiful. We took the ship's excursion to make sure we would be back on time.

 

The ship was late coming in into Victoria due to very high winds. The captain waited 45 minutes before a second attempt was made to come into Victoria and it was successful.

 

We were happy to have taken the ship excursion since the time allowed in Victoria was not extended even though we were late coming in. This was we were able to see the city and not be late.

 

The tour guide was great. It was a quite comprehensive view of the city, then 1.5 hours to walk the gardens (which is enough time). Then, tea at the gardens was a great experience, the food delicious, and the restaurant is beautiful with lots of windows and great views of the italian and japanese gardens.

 

Personally, worth the money!!!

 

AlinaMaria