Try going on a whale watching tour from victoria.
We did it a few years ago and I am hoping to go back again this year.

I found Butchart's Gardens incredible (I live in Montreal now but have lived in the DC area as well) not only for the arrangement of flowers (I'd never seen so many delphiniums in my life), but in the variety of trees surrounding (that is uniquely Pacific Northwest, with arbutus, redwood, tall pine, fir and spruce), the organization of space in a hollowed-out former quarry, attention to detail and incredible peek-a-boo views of coves of water. To me, a mindblowing visual words cannot adequately describe; I've never seen anything like it in my life... I'm amazed one could leave disappointed. But to each their own. I would recommend going and coming to your own conclusions at very least.

Thanks Daniel, I have to admit the "not thrilled" report had me questioning if I want to go. I have killed almost every plant I ever had (black thumb). But after your interesting description, I think I will go. I'll let you know how it works out. We are going to Callaway Gardens in Georgia next month with a real gardener. I suppose that will be a trial run of sorts.

I think you should go and make up your own mind. I went to Buchart Gardens in spring. Again, I did not say it wasn't nice. I just thought that the plants were pretty much what I could see at home. Different strokes for different folks.

i think butchart is perhaps more interesting in the operational sense: the melange of garden, food, concerts, fireworks, dog friendliness than for the fabulous garden design ( except the quarry which is a noce site specific response). the "japanese" garden is hardly ditto the "italian. anevening w/ the fireworks is spectacular.

i prefer abkhazi garden ( near fairfield and foul bay roads a ten minute bus ride from downtown) as it was a more personal response on a large residential scale rather than the institutional scale of butchart

the overall experience of beacon hill park is also not to b overlooked and is adjacent to the downtown and runs down to the ocean

the gardens at gov't house ( 15 minute walk from downtown ) r magnificent and open to the public w/ music in the summer on thursdays as well and a few resident deer. great views fromthe benches just below the house ( itself rather butt ugly) on the south ( rear) side

cheers
AndrewDavid

ps. just strolling through fairfield, parts of oak bay and the uplands is a great garden tour as well

cheers
Andrew