Canada

Victoria is the capital city of the Canadian province of British Columbia on the southern tip of Vancouver Island of Canada’s Pacific coast. Victoria is known for being one of Canada’s most English cities. You can see English culture, city plan and history in Victoria. British Columbia has spectacular natural scenery. You can understand why British Columbia is labeled “Beautiful Columbia” when you visit there. British Columbia has the mildest weather during the winter time for this reason it is the best place to live in Canada. However, during the summertime you cannot feel hot weather. At all times the ocean’s wind keeps you cool. Don’t forget to bring your cardigan with you during the summertime, too.

Victoria is located on Vancouver Island. There is no land connection with Vancouver or other cities. You can leave this island with a ferry, airplane or water-plane. It takes 2 hours from Victoria to Vancouver with a ferry. If you have a U.S visa, you can cross to Seattle with ferry in less than three hours.

Victoria is a very touristic city. You can see lots of visitors in summer and spring. I strongly recommend visiting Victoria. You can enjoy the downtown area to see colorful Victorian buildings, to walk on the very touristic Government Street, windows-shopping on Johnson Street. You can take a picture with the amazing and historical Empress Hotel. And you can have a tea-time break at Empress Hotel. Or you can give a tea-time break with historical English tea houses in James Bay, too. After a walk on the Inner Harbour walkway, you can visit the beautiful parliament building. You can learn historical stories about Victoria when you visit the parliament building. This building is lit up every night. I suggest taking a walk in the downtown area to see amazing night views. Royal BC Museum is the best place to reach more information about native people and their lives. If you are hungry, you can eat fish and chips at the harbor. Otherwise, as another option, you can have fish and chips at Fisherman’s Wharf. You can enjoy the boat house at Fisherman’s Wharf. Don’t forget to visit Beacon Hill Park downtown. Whenever I visit this park, I feel so fresh and relaxed. Every season in this park is so amazing.

Butchard Gardens, castles and provincial parks are other places which may make you happy, but you need a vehicle to arrive at these places.

As you know, outdoor activities are common in Canada. You have lots of chances to perform them in beautiful and natural places in Victoria. You have a chance to do kayaking and paddling in the ocean. It is very common in Victoria.

Even though the cost of living is very high, you see homeless tents all around, travel from and to the Island is expensive and requires additional stops; at the end of the day, I am very happy to live in the beautiful garden city.