Three senior couples looking for pre-cruise tour of Victoria and Vancouver. Any recommendations or experiences regarding Grayline or Clipper Vacations? Thanks for any input.

Date: 03/16/2006, 11:44 pm
I would take the Grayline
http://www.victoriatours.com/victori...ing_tours.aspx
or Pacific Coach lines http://www.pacificcoach.com/. Leaves from downtown Vancouver,on to the ferry and over to Victoria. I haven't done it personally but travelled by ferry a number of times and toured Victoria. You can just take the bus over to Victoria and the snoop around the city on your own or go on a full guided tour. It is easy to see the sites, and you can see it at your leisure. The BC Museum is very unique and a must see. Buchart Gardens is quite a ways out of the city , very lovely if you like the flora and fauna , food is expensive at Butchart. Victoria is the Capital of B.C and it has lots of history and a British atmosphere to it and you can easily walk to many attractions and see the Parliament Buildings, The historic Empress Hotel - have high tea here expensive but fun, also the horse drawn carriage rides. There is also a sea wall walk, or go down to the waterfront hop on a very small passenger ferry and tour the harbour. http://www.harbourferry.com/ It holds about 12 people, you can buy a pass for the day. They even make a stop at a harbour side fish and chip place. I take this tour everytime we go. You can also take this tiny ferry to the hotel from Victoria Harbour as this is one of it's stops http://www.deltahotels.com/hotels/hotels.php?hotelId=51, there are cheaper hotels in the area as well.

this site has lot's of good info - I have never stayed at this lodging but looks interesting http://www.andersenhouse.com/ferries_maps.html
If you are interested in early medicine visit the Helmcken House or the old Cemetary tours can be fascinating ?
http://www.tourismvictoria.com/content/en/724.asp
Not sure what time of the year you plan on going but it can be a bit breezy and sometimes cool unless it is in the summer time. Take your umbrella if the skies look gray !

Thanks, joyadvtr. We will do this trip the end of June. As we are inexperienced travellers, any advice is greatly appreciated.

I do not know if this tour company is good but we booked "Landsea Tours" for going around Vancouver as a precruise. They then drop us off at the ship. Then when we get back after cruise we are touring with them for Victoria and the gardens. We found them listed under vancouvertours.com. We are not going until September.

Thanks, Jeff7660. All info is appreciated.