When you step onto Vancouver Island, into the city of Victoria, you’ll feel like you’re in a very British city; yet you’ll also see its combination of native, Asian and European heritage come through. This seaside town, population 300,000 is an amazing place to visit, with breathtaking harbor beauty.

The City is proud of its heritage, its fine homes and neighborhoods, its historic and attractive downtown, the flowers and parks and, of course, the Inner Harbour with its vistas toward the famous Empress Hotel and the Parliament Buildings. In fact, it’s one of the world’s favorite destinations.

Victoria is located at the very southern tip of Vancouver Island, 1.5 hours by ferry plus 1.5 hours by car south of Vancouver; or it’s a 2.5 hour ferry ride from Seattle, WA in the U.S. (Do not get Victoria, British Columbia -on the West Coast-confused with Victoria on Prince Edward Island on the very East Coast of Canada.)

Vancouver Island has a population of over 750,000 and stretches southeast to northwest along the western coast of British Columbia. The rugged west coast is cut deeply by fjords lined between high mountains with many communities located along the shores of protected bays. The eastern plain is rich with:

• Timber
• Farmlands
• Fishing streams
• Villages
• Modern cities

To get the full experience of this quaint city, consider where to stay. In addition to various quality hotels, Victoria has a neat selection of English-style Bed & Breakfasts, many of them Heritage Homes, and small mom-and-pop-owned inns.

There are many opportunities to get out and enjoy the great outdoors while in Victoria. And the island’s mild climate helps to make that happen nearly any day. (In fact, Victoria has the mildest climate in Canada. Temperatures are usually above freezing in the winter and very rarely above 80 F in the summer.)

Beaches, wilderness parks, mountains, deep temperate rain forests and a wealth of wildlife have long drawn adventurous visitors to this West Coast island. Though summer is the most popular time to visit, crowds can be found especially in July and August, the island has favorable skiing at Mt. Washington in the winter.

Golfing and gardening are a way of life on Vancouver Island, as are walking, hiking, cycling and birding. Rent a bike for the day and get out to see the beauty of the city. In fact, you’ll see many bicyclists because Victoria has more bicycle commuters than any other city in Canada!

If you’re up for a longer challenge, vs. just riding around the city, hook up with the Lochside Regional Trail on Vancouver Island that links Sidney, through Victoria, to Sooke. Or go to the Hartland Mountain Bike Park. Detailed information and maps for this superb mountain bike park are available at most bike shops.

The Strait of Georgia on the east side of Vancouver Island is dotted with islands and provides stunning wildlife scenery! You’ll be able to see orcas, eagles, and other local wildlife.

There are said to be about 200 resident and nearly as many transient orcas (also known as killer whales) in the Strait area. The unusual phenomenon is an amazing sight to see; thus whale-watching boat tours leave from Victoria on a regular daily basis during the spring and summer months. July, August and September are the best months to see orcas.

Note that in March and April is when thousands of migrating gray whales pass close to the west cost of Vancouver Island, as they are on their way from Baja California to Alaska. You’ll be able to see harbor seals, sea lions and porpoises anytime of the year.

The ocean is integral to life on Vancouver Island and, to truly experience Victoria, getting out on the water is recommended. Hiking, fishing and canoeing is a popular pastime in the region, appreciated by locals and visitors alike.

You might want to consider renting a canoe to paddle around Strathcona Provincial Park. Or be one of the many kayakers from around the world that are drawn to the Broken Group islands off the west coast. Both coasts of the island have excellent salmon fishing; for the best luck during the fishing expedition, hire one of the professional fishing charters from Victoria.

Hikers most often follow the path of the West Coast Trail, one of the world’s most famous trails that run along the western side of the Island. Strathcona or any of the other parks also provide fine hiking-trail networks. If you’d like to spend your days on the beach, choose from over 20 located on Vancouver Island.

Victoria's climate has also added to its reputation as the "City of Gardens". With its moderate temperatures and plentiful sunshine, Victoria boasts gardens that are home to many plant species rarely found elsewhere in Canada.

Several species of palms, eucalyptus, and even certain varieties of bananas can be seen growing throughout the area's gardens. The city takes pride in the many flowers that bloom during the winter and early spring, including crocuses, daffodils, early-blooming rhododendrons, cherry and plum trees.

Due to its Mediterranean-type climate, southeastern Vancouver Island is also home to many rare native plants found nowhere else in Canada, including:

• Quercus garryana (Garry oak)
• Arctostaphylos columbiana (Hairy manzanita)
• Canada's only broadleaf evergreen tree
• Arbutus menziesii (Pacific madrone)

Many of these endangered species exist here at the northern end of their range, and are found as far south as Central and Southern California, and even parts of Mexico.

Shopping is fun in Victoria and the thousands of visitors to Victoria each year have no trouble finding beautiful, unique treasures to take home with them to remember their time in Victoria.

Many specialty shops can be found along Government Street, Antique Row on Fort Street and there are several interesting and unusual shops in Victoria's Chinatown along Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in Canada. You might also want to go to Market Square, which features over 40 different shops and restaurants on two levels, located  around an inner courtyard.