DESTINATIONS CANADA | VICTORIA
ABOVE: Victoria’s Parliament Building is a legacy of the city’s British colonial heritage BELOW: Chinatown PICTURES: Ben Johnson; Destination Canada GETTING THERE
There are no direct flights from the UK to Victoria, but there are daily non-stop services from Heathrow to Vancouver with British Airways and Air Canada. From there, travellers can board a 90-minute BC Ferry sailing to Swartz Bay, Victoria’s nearest ferry port, then drive south for half an hour. Alternatively, soar over the islands on a 25-minute flight, or even take a floatplane (a type of seaplane) or helicopter ride from Vancouver. Harbour Air also launched its first direct seaplane service from Seattle to Victoria’s Inner Harbour in June, running daily until September 30, with one-way fares from about £79.
about £32 per hour). Traversing Victoria’s convenient bike lanes, we follow the story of the city through both its British-inspired architecture and Indigenous artworks. Exploring some of Vancouver Island’s oldest colonial communities, we zip past quaint houses with painted awnings shadowed by monkey-puzzle trees. They give way to peaceful parks where intricately carved totem poles made by Indigenous communities stand sentinel. To discover more of the city’s storied past, I spend my evening wandering through back alleys in Chinatown with another guide, John Adams, on Discover the Past’s Ghostly Walks tour (from £14 per person). Under the glow of golden streetlights and neon restaurant signs, Adams spins tales of jilted lovers, ill-fated fortune seekers and gruesome Jack the Ripper-like murders.
CREATURE COMFORTS As morning breaks over Victoria, the smell of freshly ground coffee fills the air, along with the buzz of locals out for a decadent brunch. Inspired, I set out on my own quest to sample Canada’s signature dish – poutine. Thankfully, there’s an entire menu dedicated to these cheesy chips at OEB Breakfast Co. Adding its own west coast flair, plates include avant-garde additions such as lobster, seared scallops and salmon lox. Seafood dominates Victoria’s cuisine, and it’s a
speciality in my next port of call, the harbourside Red Fish Blue Fish restaurant. A classic fish-and-chip joint, its crispy, battered cod pays homage to Victoria’s British heritage. This western province is also known for another pub staple: cider. Alongside Kevin Bélanger, owner-operator of Alset Tours, I venture to Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse.
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Sipping my way through an extended flight of delectable house-brewed ciders, I can taste the signature fruity and floral flavours of Vancouver Island in each sip. Capping off my indulgent retreat with a relaxing finale, I go for a total refresh at Aerth Saunas near Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Though I may not be scaling glaciers or swimming the Rockies’ numbing lakes, I get a taste of Canada’s biting cold as I plunge into the bone-chilling icy pool. But unlike in the country’s wild mountains, I have instant relief: it’s always warm in the sleek sauna rooms. After skimming the waves in search of wildlife or soaring to new heights in search of scenic views, it’s proof that Victoria offers a gentler kind of adventure.
TW BOOK IT
Prestige Travel offers a 10-night Vancouver Island Small Group Tour from £4,474 per person, based on two sharing. Includes daily breakfast, select excursions, ground transport and flights departing May 21, 2027.
prestigetravel.co.uk
Kuoni’s 13-night Best of British Columbia Road Trip ends in Victoria and costs from £3,849 per person, based on two sharing. Includes car hire, select excursions and flights departing September 22.
kuoni.co.uk
Newmarket Holidays has introduced a 13-night tour, Canada’s Pacific Coast Wildlife and the Rockies, starting from £4,829 per person, based on two sharing, room-only. The itinerary includes two nights in Victoria plus ground transport, whale watching, Butchart Gardens entry and flights departing October 4, 2028.
newmarketholidays.co.uk
travelweekly.co.uk
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