subject: Heritage Attractions Vancouver Island Attractions Winter Fun Nearby Beaches Temperate Climes Picture [print this page] Heritage Attractions and Victoria Hotels Heritage Attractions and Victoria Hotels
Western Canada's oldest city, Victoria was named in honor of Queen Victoria and established in 1843. Victoria is understandably packed with historic attractions to explore and unravel, such as the Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse, national historic sites showcasing Canada's military and maritime heritage. These adjacent sites are located at the western entrance to Esquimalt Harbour, and just 10 km. by road from downtown Victoria. Fort Rodd Hill features three 1890s coast artillery gun batteries, barracks and searchlight emplacements. Canadas oldest west coast light house, Fisgard Lighthouse was built in 1860. Hatley Park is Canada's largest and most diverse National Historic Site. Featuring a sprawling castle built in 1908, Hatley Park also has museums, Japanese, Italian and Rose Gardens. You should also see the Emily Carr House, birthplace of one of Canada's famous landscape painters and writers Emily Carr. Dont miss out on these heritage sites either: the Abkhazi Garden, Craigdarroch Castle, and the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory.
Great Tours and Victoria Hotels
The best way to enjoy Victoria, City of Gardens, is to tour its beautiful gardens and attractions. The best way to enjoy this beautiful city is to tour its beautiful gardens and natural attractions. Historical walking tours are excellent ways to see the city; they highlight the citys heritage buildings, unique districts and notable residents. The Inner Harbour, Old Town, Market Square, heritage homes, Antique Row and Chinatown are typically covered by these walking tours. An interesting way to see the city is from up high with scenic air tours over the city and surrounding mountains, islands and coastlines. Or you might want to consider a boat charter through the Gulf Islands to watch Whales and other marine mammals, such as the Harbor Seals and the Dalls Porpoise. Keep in mind that the best time for these activities are from April to October, these months are also best for kayak tours and rentals. The months of April to October are the best months for boat tours, these months are also best for kayak tours and rentals. Inquire with Victoria hotels for recommendations on professional tour guides doing walkabouts of Olde Town, Chinatown, Beacon Hill, and Craigdarroch Castle.
Victoria Hotels and Scenic Attractions
Founded in 1843 as a Hudson Bay Company trading post and named in honor of Queen Victoria, Victoria is Western Canadas oldest city. Victorias charms are helped along by its moderate climate and British heritage proudly on display in its elegant homes, neighborhoods, and stunning architectural gems such as the famous Empress Hotel and the Parliament Buildings. Stay in Victoria hotels that put you within yards of these architectural gems or stay in one of them for the experience. The hotel has undergone a $45 million restoration, allowing you to enjoy 4 diamond hotel service amidst the grandeur and elegance of a bygone era. These scenic destinations should be part of your itinerary: Beacon Hill Park, with its formal rose gardens, a band shell for outdoor summer concerts, and a petting zoo; Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site of Canada spanning 55 acres of breathtaking floral collections. Theres also the spectacular City Hall, designed in 1875 and conceived in the "Second Empire" style.
Victoria Hotels for Garden and Park Tours
Victoria is aptly called the Garden City, and the citys beautiful gardens are made possible by the fact that it enjoys the mildest climate in Canada and the most annual sunshine in British Columbia. Your garden adventures should start with the Abkhazi Garden. Founded by Prince and Princess Nicholas Abkhazi in the middle of the last century, this one-acre property features quiet woodland, rocky slopes, spectacular scenery, and a restaurant serving lunch and afternoon tea. Beacon Hill Park should also be in your itinerary with its alpine gardens, wildflower meadows, rose gardens, lakes, Mayor's Grove of Trees, and native Garry Oak forest. Dont miss out on Government Houses 8. 9 hectares of a rare Garry Oak ecosystem and 5. 7 hectares of formal gardens: the Bruce Pavilion, Rotary Garden of International Friendship, Victorian and Sunken Rose Gardens, Winter, Iris, Perennial, Alpine, Heather, Herb, Cut Flower, Cottage and English Country Gardens. Hatley Park is a sprawling Edwardian estate that features a Scottish-inspired castle, formal gardens, lush old growth forests and ocean vistas. Of course, theres world-famous Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site of Canada with 55 acres of superb gardens located in Greater Victoria on Vancouver Island.
