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Victoria, Canada Port Review
Victoria On Your Own Shore Excursion
By Tom Ogg
Victoria, B.C. Canada's Inner Harbor
Overview:
As the capital of British Columbia, Victoria is a wonderful
city that enjoys Canada's most ideal climate. It clearly has
a distinct British influence, as one sees double-decker
buses, horse drawn carriages and buildings that make one
think that they may have arrived in England by mistake. The
Parliament Buildings overlooking the inner harbor with the
Fairmont Empress Hotel as their neighbor give Victoria a
very majestic and sophisticated feeling. Victoria is a
wonderful port that is easy to do on your own. It offers
great sightseeing, excellent shopping and many wonderful
restaurants. No visit to Victoria would be complete without
a visit to the Fairmont Empress Hotel, the queen of
Victoria.
Cruise
Port Location and Information:
Docked in the port of Victoria
Ships dock
at the port of Victoria, which is about a mile from the
inner harbor area of downtown Victoria. It is a leisure walk
into the inner harbor and can be made in a number of ways.
The Port of Victoria
Information Center
As soon as
you leave the dock itself you will see the port information
center. There are a number of tours offered here, as well as
general information. There are also shuttle buses that will
take you into the inner harbor, but unless you have trouble
walking, I would suggest that you walk into and back from
the downtown area, as some of the best attractions can be
seen on the way and on your return.
The Port of Victoria,
Canada Entrance
The easiest
way to get to downtown is to exit the port and then turn
right about 2 blocks to Oswego Street. Turn left on Oswego
Street and follow it across the peninsula to the inner
harbor. Once you hit the inner harbor, you will see the
Fairmont Empress Hotel at the very foot of the harbor on
your right. This is the place to start your exploration
from. Menzies and Government Streets (farther to the right
past Oswego) will also take you across the peninsula, but
the most direct route is to take Oswego Street. It is about
a 1/2 mile walk from the port entrance to the inner harbor.
Exploring on Your Own:
Victoria is easily done on your own and this is the
preferred way to visit it. You can do this walk in either
direction, but we will go the long way into Victoria's inner
harbor and see some of Victoria's wonderful diversity long
the way. After leaving the port, turn to your right along
the water's edge. This is known as the Dallas Road Walkway
and is one of the most scenic in Victoria. The walkway
continues for quite a distance and when you arrive at the
first little park o the cliff above the ocean and look back
you can see the port at a distance.
Viewing the Port From the
Dallas Road Walkway Leading to the Park
After a few
more minutes you will arrive at a round-a-bout. This is the
very beginning )mile 0) of the Trans Canada Highway. You
will also see the entrance to Beacon Hill Park across the
street.
Beautiful Beacon Hill Park
Cross the
street carefully and enter the park. You can choose whatever
trails that you would like to follow, as they all end up at
the same place at the other end of the park.
A Beacon Park Waterfall
While
Beacon Park is not as glamorous as Buchart Gardens, it is
amazinly beautiful and an excellent substitute if you are
not going to visit Buchart Gardens.
Beacon Hill Park Flowering
Trees
There is
quite a bit of wildlife that you will see along the way and
the flowers are amazing.
Beacon Hill Park Bridge
You would
never know that you are in a large city and that the inner
harbor is only blocks away. Once you arrive at the other end
of the park, exit on Douglas Street and continue north on
Douglas street about a block until you hit Belleville
Street.
Thunderbird Park
Right at
the corner of Douglas and Belleville is the location of
Thunderbird Park, a landmark of Victoria for more than 60
years. The totems were move and also constructed here to
preserve them from destruction. Right next to the
Thunderbird Park is the Royal British Columbia Museum.
Continue on Belleville Street a cuple of blocks and you will
arrive at the inner harbor next to the Fairmont Empress
Hotel.
You have
now arrived in downtown Victoria. When it is time to return
to the ship, you can continue your exploration of Victoria's
sights. Simply return to Belleville Street and continue
walking away from Beacon Hill Park along the inner harbor,
past the government buildings and into the hotel and
residential areas.
The Sign For Fisherman's
Wharf
You will
come upon a sign indicating that you have arrived at
Fisherman's Wharf. Continue on the road that leads towards
Fisherman's Wharf until you come upon an entrance to the
docks that house the boat houses that make up Fishman's
Wharf.
Fisherman's Wharf Boat
Houses
Fisherman's
Wharf is truly an overlooked attraction in Victoria. It is
made up of dozens of boat houses that also serve as fish
restaurants. It reminds one of a Fisherman's Wharf before
tourism changed the way they present themselves.
Fisherman's Wharf Ferry
There is a
ferry that runs from the inner harbor to Fisherman's Wharf
and one can board it by the Cisitor's Center in Victoria.
While there are fish markets at Fisherman's Wharf, you can
enjoy freshly prepared fish in one of the restaurants here.
It is excellent and certainly worth a visit. To return to
the ship, just retrace your steps back to Dallas Road and
continue on to the port, which is quite close from this
point.
Shopping
Tips:
Victoria offers wonderful shopping opportunities. The place
to start is right in front of the Fairmont Empress Hotel. It
is located on Government Street and all you have to do is
turn to the right when you are facing the inner harbor and
cross the street. Government Street is nothing but shopping
opportunities.
The Bay Mall
About three
blocks up the street one finds the Bay Mall. This is a
formidable shopping mall with many of the stores one would
find at their hometown mall, but, there are some unique
stores, as well. However the mall is certainly worth a visit
as it is beautiful.
Shops Lining Government
Street
There are
blocks of shops that sell everything imaginable.
Candy Anyone?
There are a
number of specialty stores selling fabulous chocolates and
other candy. They are very difficult to resist.
Warm Weather Clothing
Stores are Especially Interesting
Among some
of the more interesting shops are the clothing stores that
offer warm weather gear. If you are heading up into Alaska,
this is a great place to pick up a parka or other cold
weather items. While the shopping is not limited to
Government Street, you will find numerous shops within a few
blocks in either direction making the shopping experience in
Victoria robust.
Port
Highlights
The Fairmont Empress Hotel
No trip to
Victoria would be complete without visiting the Fairmont
Empress Hotel. Celebrating afternoon tea at the Empress is a
tradition and something not to be missed if you enjoy formal
teas.
Government Buildings
There is always something to
see and do in the Parliament and surrounding buildings. They
are all located right in the heart of the inner harbor area
and are very easy to get to.
Eagle Art
There is a tremendous amount
of artwork found around the iner harbor. I especially
enjoyed the "Eagle Art" displays.
Another Eagle Art Piece
Of course, besides the
Empress, one of the main attractions that is visited from
Victoria is Butchart Gardens. Located about 14 miles north
of downtown Victoria, the gardens are a "must see" if you
are interested in elaborate horticultural displays. Each
year Butchart Gardens features over one-million individual
plants making up one of the most beautiful gardens in the
world. Most ships offer a shore excursion to Butchart
Gardens and this is the best way to see it. You can also
drive to the gardens if you have a rental car.
Victoria's Visitor Center
Directly across the Street
from the Empress Hotel is where the Victoria Visitor Center
is located. This handy spot features tons of brocures and
tours one can take while visiting Victoria.
The Victoria Hop-On hop-Off
Tour Bus
An excellent way to see all of
the city of Victoria is by using the HoHo bus. For a single
fare you can depart the bus at any of its scheduled stops
and then re-board the next bus to continue your self guided
tour.
Victoria's Horse Drawn
Carriages
A wonderful way to see the
downtown sights is to visit by a horse drawn carriage. You
will find dozens of them by the Empress Hotel.
Double Decker Tour Bus
There are also double decker
tour buses that can take you on a tour of Victoria.
Some of the Flowers in
Victoria
Everywhere you look in
Victoria ou are treated to an abundant display of flowers
and they are siply breathtaking.
More of Victoria's Fabulous
Flowers
Even the street lights have
flower pots attached to them overflowing with beautiful
flower arrangements.
Off The
Beaten Path
Victoria Seaplane ready for Take Off
Grab a seaplane to any number
of destinations for the day. You can catch a seaplane right
in Victoria's inner harbor and fly to Vancouver for the day,
go whale watching, take a tour of the area and so much more.
Dining
and Drinking Suggestions
I have enjoyed glasses of wine on the parch of the Empress
Hotel watching the sun go down and I don't think it gets any
better than that. The Fairmont Empress provides blankets and
wine, nature provides the sunset.
Must Do List
I would give both Butchart Gardens a "must do" rating in
this port and also afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress
Hotel. This is a wonderful port to visit. Reader
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