Victoria and Vancouver Island Travel Guide

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Victoria, the capital of a province whose license plates brazenly label it "The Best Place on Earth," is a walkable, livable seaside town of fragrant gardens, waterfront paths, engaging museums, and beautifully restored 19th-century architecture. In summer, the Inner Harbour—Victoria's social and cultural center—buzzes with visiting yachts, horse-and-carriage rides, street entertainers, and excursion boats heading out to visit pods of friendly local whales. Yes, it might be a bit touristy, but Victoria's good looks, gracious pace, and manageable size are instantly beguiling, especially if you stand back to admire the mountains and ocean beyond.

Hotels

Victoria and Vancouver Island Hotels

Victoria has a vast range of accommodation, with what seems like whole neighborhoods dedicated to hotels. Options range from city resorts and full-service...read more

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Restaurants

Victoria and Vancouver Island Restaurants

Wild salmon, locally made cheeses, Pacific oysters, organic vegetables, local microbrews, and even wines from the island's new farm-gate wineries (The B.C...read more

Fodor's Choice

Things To Do

Things To Do in Victoria and Vancouver Island

Explore the best sights, entertainment, and shopping with our top choices and insider tips.

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Victoria and Vancouver Island Experiences

  • Top Reasons to Go

    The Journey here: Yup, getting here is one of the best things about Victoria. Whether by ferry meandering past the Gulf or San Juan islands, by... Read more

  • Victoria Tours

    Harbour Air Seaplanes has 20-minute flightseeing tours of Victoria and beyond, starting at C$99.... Read more

  • Afternoon Tea in Victoria

    Maybe it's the city's British heritage, but afternoon tea—a snack of tea, cakes, and sandwiches taken at about 4 pm, not to be confused... Read more

  • Victoria Waterfront on Foot

    You can walk most of the way around Victoria's waterfront from Westbay Marina on the Outer Harbour's north shore, to Ross Bay on the Strait of... Read more

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    Victoria and Seattle

    We said goodbye to my daughter and her family at the Vancouver airport. Read more

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    Vancouver and Whistler with Kids

    On March 19th, Sara ( Mom), me (Grandma), Eddie (6), Jules(4) and Nicholas(9 mos.) flew from Pittsburgh to Vancouver. Grandpa(GPA) left from New York and arrived jus Read more

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