Accommodations Victoria with Local Travel Information

Traveller Facts - Victoria BC

Abigail's Hotel of Victoria suggests:
 
Tip Name: Self Guided Walking Tour
Type:       Walk/Hike

Enjoy a self walking tour guided tour of downtown Victoria. The audio tour will start at Abigail's Hotel and guide you towards the BC Museum and Parliament Buidlings, then through downtown where you'll pass by some of Victoria's most beautiful historic areas including Bastion Square and China Town. The tour will bring you back to Abigail's where you can enjoy a refreshment and some appetizers in the Library or the garden patio.

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Cycle Inn Bed and Breakfast of Victoria suggests:
 
Tip Name: Victoria Running Races
Type:       Walk/Hike

For those of you interested in running, walking and generally celebrating your fitness, there are many scheduled runs in Victoria which occur throughout the year.

You may have a function to attend in Victoria and want to fit in a recreational run, or you may decide to take a challenge and aim to better your time in one of the runs offered here. A schedule of some of the interesting runs happening here in Victoria this year follows below.

There are many others such as the Run for the Cure, Terry Fox Run, and the 24 hour Relay for the Lions Club which happen regularly as well. The following list gives you a sampling of the different kinds of races that are run here - short runs (3K St Pat's), long runs (Elk Lake/Beaver), classic runs (Victoria Marathon), family oriented runs (Michael Dunahee), trail runs (Gut Busters), scenic runs (Sooke) - hopefully there is something for everyone!

If you do travel to the Victoria for a running race, think of staying in a tranquil spot the night before the race. The experienced crew at Cycle - Inn supports runners, offering encouragement, a great runner's breakfast, and directions to the start or the race. For more information about running events go to pih.bc.ca. Good luck and good health to you all. A tip from Joanne at cycleinn.com.

January
Alzheimers Walk for Memories
UVIC
Sunday January 28th 9AM

February
Bear Mountain Resort Summit Challenge
Sunday February 18th 9AM
Hatley Castle 8K
Sunday February 25th 11 AM

March
Bazen Bay 5K
Sunday March 11th 9AM
St. Patrick's Day 3K
Ocean Pointe Resort
March 17th 5:30 PM
Frontrunners Gutbuster Trail Run 001
Royal Roads University
March 24th 10 AM

April
Michael Dunahee 5K
Esquimalt Curling Rink
Sunday April 1st 10AM
Sooke River 10K
Sunday April 15th 9AM
Times Colonist 10K
Sunday April 15th 9AM

May
Harrier's Elk/Beaver Ultras
Beaver Lake, Victoria
Saturday May 5th 6AM

June
Front Runners Gut Buster Trail Run
Mount Douglas, Victoria
Saturday June 2nd 10AM
New Balance Half Marathon
Sunday June 7th 6:45 AM
Do It For Dad Run
Royal Roads University
Sunday June 17th 10AM

July
Langford Mile
Goldstream Station Plaza, Langford
Sunday July 8th 10 AM

October
Royal Victoria Marathon, Half Marathon, and 8K
Victoria Inner Harbour
Sunday October 7th 8:30 AM

November
Bear Mountain Resort 10K
Sunday November 18th 9 AM

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Oceanfront Grand Resort & Marina of Cowichan Bay suggests:
 
Tip Name: The Best Ice Cream on the Island!
Type:       Dining

When visiting Cowichan Bay be sure not to miss Udder Guys Ice Cream!

Judy Piggot, owner of The Udder Guy's Ice Cream makes good ice cream. Just taste it and you'll agree. In September 2000, Judy began ice cream production, and in the short time since then her product line has grown to include 16 different flavours of ice cream and five flavours of sorbets. More flavours are also in development. All of the ice cream and sorbet recipes have been developed exclusively by Judy and are all-natural – you won’t find any preservatives, additives, or artificial colours or flavours in her recipes! As much as possible, Judy uses local ingredients in the production of the ice cream and sorbets. And of course, only the finest ingredients are used. If they aren’t available, production is simply put on hold until the ingredient is available again. Judy doesn’t believe in compromising taste and quality by just for the sake of getting the product made. All the fruit used in the products is purchased locally and prepared in season. The fruit is frozen in quantities to last the year, but if it happens to run out then that flavour is unavailable until it is in season again. As for the “goodies” that go into the ice cream, Judy makes most of them herself. For example, the fudge that goes into the Chocolate Fudge Crunch is made by Judy in order to maintain its all-naturalness and quality. Judy also makes her own pralines, and the chunks of maple walnut candy in the Pure Maple & Walnut are made with pure maple syrup. As well, Judy only uses fresh ginger, not the candied variety. Be sure to stroll down to Udder Guys when staying at the Oceanfront Grand Resort & Marina in Cowichan Bay!

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Tip Name: Grand Wine Tour
Type:       Wine Tour
Author:     Donna Petrie

Southern Vancouver Island is the second-largest wine region in British Columbia. The majority of Vancouver Island's wineries are located in the Cowichan Valley, 35 minutes north of Victoria. The vineyards located here enjoy a unique location with ideal growing conditions on southern, sun-drenched slopes. Vancouver Island's coastal climate is mild, by comparison to other major wine growing regions in North America, yet well-suited to growing grapes. The scenery surrounding Vancouver Island's vineyards is as delicious as the wine. Rolling pastures framed by ocean and mountain views make a tour of the wineries a must for any wine enthusiast.

Enjoy a relaxing day trip touring BC's newest and vibrant wine-growing region second only to World Renowned Napa Valley. A chauffeured limousine bus will guide you through Vancouver Island's most scenic countryside stopping at four of the best wineries on the island. Wine tastings along the way and a delicious 3 course gourmet lunch with wine pairing will make this an exciting and truly memorable day. Tour participants have the option at an over night stay at the Oceanfront Grand Resort & Marina located on the oceanfront in Cowichan Bay. Guest rooms feature ocean views, cozy king beds with modern furnishings and a full kitchen. Romantic Getaway, Golf and Wine & Dine Packages are also available! Wine tours start at only $99 per person call today 250-881-1000 or visit www.GrandWineTours.com!

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Rosewood Victoria Inn of Victoria suggests:
 
Tip Name: Taking The Path more Haunted
Type:       Walk/Hike

Discover The Past offers a wide variety of haunted walks and tours around Victoria, BC. You could enjoy "an evening with doris" at the Victoria Golf Club, or take a walk around Chinatown. Tours are conducted by long time historian, John Adams and his team of guides. www.discoverthepast.com

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• Planes or ferries are the only ways to reach Victoria unless you're a fish. BC Ferries from Tsawwassen connects Vancouver to the capital. Float planes regularly traverse the distance between the Vancouver and Victoria Harbours.
• Victoria is located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island just overlooking the Juan de Fuca Strait.
• Victoria BC dips below the 49th Parallel, which is the official border between the US and Canada. However, the Treaty of Washington in 1846 bent the line through the middle of Juan de Fuca Strait to include all of Vancouver Island in Canada.
• European settlement started with Fort Victoria by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1843. It became the provincial capital in 1868 and the famous downtown Legislative Buildings were built in 1898.