Tips to Pet-Proof Your Home

High Tea and Historic Castles Rub Shoulders with Food Trucks and Fashion Boutiques in Western Canada’s Premier Destination

Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, Canada, may be a year-round tourist destination, but it sparkles a bit more in the summer sunlight. Upon arrival, it’s clear that there’s nothing quite like the sight of Victoria’s Inner Harbor; the sun shimmers on the glistening water, and the stately Parliament buildings and the massive ivy-covered Fairmont Empress Hotel hold court over your entry.

Athough you can access Victoria by car, plane, cruise ship, or bus, it seems the most common method for visitors is by ferry. If traveling from Seattle, Washington, you'll get an early morning start to your day, departing Elliott Bay promptly at 7:30 a.m. from Pier 69, via the Victoria Clipper.  You can opt for the much slower car ferry departing from nearby Port Townsend, but you won’t need a vehicle unless you’re traveling farther on Vancouver Island. It’s just three hours on the Clipper into the harbor, which passes quickly with open seating and friendly, first-class service.  Underway, you’re free to walk to the aft deck. Feel the rush of wind in your hair as the high-speed boat cruises through the Strait of Juan de Fuca and past the picturesque San Juan Islands. Back inside, enjoy a glass of bubbly from the on-board menu, shop for duty free luxury goods in the gift shop, and, if you’re lucky, spot a pod of whales racing alongside the boat.

Photography courtesy of (left to right) ©iStockphoto.com/constantgardener, ©iStockphoto.com/Richard Goerg.

Soon, you’ve arrived; embark a couple of blocks into town on foot or by the carriage of a cheerful pedicab driver, and it’s clear you are somewhere quite special, filled with the promise of fun. Seaplanes take off and land hourly, enormous overflowing flower baskets hang from every lamppost, and the welcoming and festive streets are groomed to perfection.  You’ll find many lodging options to choose from, including intimate bed and breakfasts, mid-priced hotels, and luxury accommodations that circle the Inner Harbor. The architecturally elegant Inn at Laurel Point is an airy, contemporary pick with luxurious, spacious suites and private decks overlooking the water. If you like quiet, discrete service and warm, residential interiors, this is a perfect spot.  At the center of everything, though, is the fabled Empress Hotel, now operated by Fairmont with exceptional four-star service. Even if you only plan to stay the day, it is well worth your time and moderate expense to partake of the English Afternoon High Tea—lavishly served in the hotel’s lobby at beautifully appointed, linen-covered tables, surrounded by love seats and comfortable wingback chairs. The experience is a spot of European polite society that is replete with a selection of tea by the cup, and delectable treats. The food is not only delicious but very, very pretty, and presented on polished silver trolleys, much as it was when the hotel opened its doors in 1908. Indulge in an ever-changing menu that includes staples such as chocolate-dipped strawberries and free-range egg salad croissants among other fanciful snacks. If you happen to be a guest on the Fairmont Gold floor, you’ll enjoy proprietary Empress tea service alongside savory and sweet treats throughout the day, including delicious canapé offerings at cocktail hour.  At dusk, enjoy an icy cold Canadian cider from the hotel’s ivy-covered veranda, and watch the nearby parliment buildings transform into their dramatic after-dark presence, as every profile is magically illuminated with LED fairy lights against the night sky. When you’re hungry for dinner, snag a table in the hotel’s stately Bengal Lounge—the decor of which is inspired by Queen Victoria’s role as the Empress of India. An authentic curry buffet with all the condiments is a delicious daily tradition. And if you go on weekends, jazz saxophonist Chris Millington will be on hand to entertain your party.  If fresh fish and plump Pacific Northwest oysters are more your style, wander across Humbolt Street to Pescatores Seafood & Grill, a savvy eatery that serves a full menu of sustainable seafood, grilled meats, and delicious cocktails. (Spicy Bloody Mary fans should try Pescatores Caesar for a horseradish rush!)  There is plenty to experience other than High Tea and oyster shooters. Tour the Royal BC Museum, which highlights the region’s history, or the British Columbia Parliment Buildings. A stroll down nearby Fort Street is an antique hunter’s delight, and a tour of Craigdarroch Castle, offers a beautiful example of Victorian architecture and a fascinating peek inside the 1890s life of wealthy coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. You can also tour the accurately restored home of Emily Carr, one of Canada’s most significant authors and artists. Of course, you can always hop a bus to the famous Butchart Gardens for a natural attraction—fifty-five acres of blooming flowers—that is especially magnificent at the peak of summer.  Although Victoria is steeped in tradition, it’s a highly diverse town of today, staying on-trend with sensations such as food cart dining. Each July, the city’s regional Food & Wine Festival showcases the marvelous farm-to-fork food of Vancouver Island, along with more than 100 British Columbia wineries. A thriving design and fashion district offers the latest in haute couture and home decor. If you’re more interested in outdoor activities than the city scene, test the waters with whale watching, fishing, or floatplane rides. Or, lace up your hiking shoes and explore a network of over eighty kilometers of interconnected regional trails. Whether you choose to stay for the day, a weekend, or longer, there is plenty of international culture to experience in Victoria, British Columbia.

Photography courtesy of (top two rows) Tourism Victoria, (bottom) ©iStockphoto.com/Andrew Penner.

Although Victoria is steeped in tradition, it’s a highly diverse town of today, staying on-trend with sensations such as food cart dining.

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2013

Kim Kroner REALTOR

800-961-1328

703-946-2526

Kim@KimKroner.com

www.KimKroner.com

<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN

As featured in

Home By Design

Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

All measurements are approximate.

Copyright 2013 Network Communications Inc.
All rights reserved.

--> -->