Victoria:

Dating back to 1843, the city of Victoria was first established by the Hudson's Bay Company as a fur trading post.

The province's capital since 1868, Victoria is situated on Vancouver Island. It's beautifully preserved Victorian heritage and First Nations culture may be found in the abundant museums, galleries, pioneer homes and turn of the century mansions scattered about the city.

This busy seaport, with water on three sides, has a mild climate year-round with an annual rain fall of only 68cm (27in).

Craigdarroch Castle:

Located a short walk or drive from the downtown harbour, Craigdarroch Castle is a beautiful historic Victorian-era mansion, which was built in the 1890s by wealthy BC coal baron Robert Dunsmuir.

There are 39 rooms, most of which are furnished lavishly in the style of the 1890s – 1900s period. With over 20,000 square feet of space, the house and gardens are being restored exactly as they were originally built, and you will find artisans working on restorations most days.

BC Parliament Buildings:
These imposing buildings which house the British Columbia Legislative Assembly tower above the Victoria Harbour on Belleville Street. Atop the main copper-covered dome (1897) is a gilded statue of Captain George Vancouver, the city of Vancouver's namesake and the first European to circumnavigate Vancouver Island.

Empress Hotel:
This grand hotel was erected in 1908 by the CPR. Formal gardens, plush waterfront dining room, vine-covered walls and a conservatory complete with aviary make the Empress a pleasant place for high tea or just a stroll around the grounds.

Royal BC Museum:
One of Canada's finest museums, the Royal B.C. Museum has an impressive collection of First Nations artifacts as well as a pioneer style fish cannery, sawmill, coal mine, a reconstruction of Captain George Vancouver's ship, the Discovery and an extensive natural history display. The museum is located at 675 Belleville Street. Admission is free on Mondays from October 1 to April 30.

Maritime Museum of British Columbia:
The Maritime Museum features splendid displays of nautical artifacts and maritime history including ship models, figureheads, bells and uniforms from various eras. It is located at 28 Bastion Street in what was the city's first courthouse, built 1889.

Emily Carr Gallery:
Known to the Indians of Vancouver Island as 'Klee Wyck' - the Laughing One, this famous eccentric painter was influenced by the Impressionists and Canada's Group of Seven. Her bold style, which captures the mystical beauty of the coast, may be viewed at the Emily Carr Gallery at 1107 Wharf Street.

Helmcken House:
Built in 1852, this pioneer home is one of the oldest standing in the province. Once the home of Dr. J.S. Helmcken, who helped negotiate B.C.'s entry into Confederation, this building is now a provincial museum with a display of colonial artifacts.

Bastion Square:
Visit the beautifully restored 19th century buildings adjacent to the square which include the city's first jail and Provincial Court House. This is the site where Fort Victoria was established in 1843.

Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley:
Victoria's Chinese heritage dates back to 1858, which grew rapidly with the influx of Chinese labourer's who played a great role in the building of the railroad. Fan Tan Alley, once famous for its opium dens and gambling houses is now a centre for Chinese commerce and culture. The ornate Gate of Harmonious Interest with its hand-carved lions makes for a beautiful entrance to the west coast's oldest Chinatown.

Beacon Hill Park:
Rolling lawns, rose gardens, a cricket field and an outdoor theatre and art displays complete with a stunning view of the Olympic Mountains make Bastion Square a pleasant place to relax for the afternoon.

Thunderbird Park:
View the impressive collection of First Nations totem poles, cedar dugout canoes and a 19th century Kwakiutl house. The styles within the park represent several of the Pacific coast tribes. Thunderbird Park is located at the corner of Belleville and Douglas Streets.

Esquimalt:
Just west of Victoria Harbour entrance, is Esquimalt Harbour, home to Canada's Pacific naval fleet where visitors may see destroyers and the dockyard. This being an older section of Greater Victoria, there are several heritage buildings worth seeing. Occasional walking and water taxi tours are available.

Accent Inns: At Accent Inns we take care of you like family. The room you'll stay in will be spotlessly clean, the bed really comfy, and you’ll be taken care of by some of the friendliest staff you’ll ever meet. You're going to feel at home here at BC’s own Accent Inns. more

Admiral Inn: Real hospitality - Victoria harbourside location - great value! We offer comfortable quality hotel-class rooms & suites with balconies at very competitive rates. You’ll find helpful hospitality & we’re close to downtown shops, attractions and restaurants. more

Eagle Wing Whale Watching: Bear witness to natures most awe inspiring creature – the Killer Whale. Our guided expeditions take you through 100’s of Islands in search of ‘Guaranteed’ Whales and other marine wildlife. Come discover a ‘treasure chest' of diverse marine wildlife on an Eagl... more

Golf Bear Mountain Resort: World renowned Bear Mountain is more than just golf – it’s the gateway to the rest of Vancouver Island -- the perfect location to explore every vacation possibility. You can also stay in our downtown Victoria penthouse with beautiful ocean and mountain views. more

Golf Vancouver Island: Proudly offering complete Vancouver Island golf packages and vacations including tee times at 11 destination golf courses, accommodation, airfares, ferry reservations, après golf activities such as fishing, whale-watching and spa Our four distinct regions on V... more

Great Pacific Adventures: Welcome to Great Pacific Adventures, offering whale-watching tours from the spectacular Inner Harbour of Victoria, BC. Locally owned and operated our family of certified outdoor specialist will provide you with an insightful and exciting adventure of a lifeti... more

Harbour Air Seaplanes: Harbour Air is the world’s largest all-seaplane airline, offering frequent scheduled flights between the Lower Mainland and the Islands, as well as scenic tours and private charters. All services are carbon neutral and include a high quality carbon offset. more

Ideal Vacation Rentals: For vacation accommodations by owner world-wide, or here in BC, we’re the perfect choice. Condos, cottages, private villas, beach homes, ski cabins & chalets, golf course homes and more. Find your ideal home away from home, with Ideal Vacation Rentals. more

Island Outfitters: Our store carries over 20,000 products from some of the finest fishing, outdoor, and hunting equipment in the world. We also offer fresh / saltwater fishing charters off the famous waters of Sooke, Victoria, Port Renfrew, and the Cowichan River in boats up to... more

Orca Spirit Adventures: We experience the longest season & most active whales & marine mammals in BC! Focused on conservation, environmental safety, education, family fun, and exhilaration, we own the operation which locates the whales; giving us the highest success rate. more

Pacific Coach Lines: Serving southern BC for 70+ years with daily scheduled service on BC Ferries (Vancouver, Victoria, & Nanaimo), & a direct year-round daily Vancouver to Whistler connection. We offer charter services, sightseeing tours, daytrips to Victoria & Butchart Gardens f... more

Pacific Coastal Airlines: Enjoy scheduled service from Vancouver's South Terminal to Anahim Lake, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Campbell River, Comox, Cranbrook, Kamloops, Klemtu, Masset, Port Hardy (float & amphibious aircraft to coastal communities), Powell River, Trail, Victoria, & Will... more

Parkside Victoria Resort and Spa: Victoria's newest resort hotel is ideally located for the best of downtown shopping, heritage and culture. We feature private access to the finest dining, spa, fitness and lounge facilities. The Parkside Victoria features a three-story atrium, topped by garde... more

Pedder Bay RV Resort and Marina: Our wilderness playground, with adventures at your doorstep, is minutes from Victoria. The RV resort and marina is in a sheltered bay in Metchosin, with the finest fishing, and the natural beauty of the Cascade Mountain Range and the Race Rocks Marine Reserve... more

Reel Obsession Sportfishing: Reel fishing stories begin with Reel Obsession Sportfishing, with fully guided salmon and halibut sport-fishing charters around Zeballos, Nootka Sound, Esperanza and Victoria. Let Reel Obsession customize a world-class fishing experience to suit your needs. more