Tailor Made Holidays To Victoria, Vancouver Island

Oozing old-school elegance with its plentiful high tea offerings and grand hotchpotch architecture, Victoria – Vancouver Island’s southern-most city – is certainly quaint. It’s been repeatedly dubbed “Canada’s most British city”, which isn’t without reason. Union Jacks make a solid appearance here and a tour of the British Columbia Parliament Buildings will give more than a couple of nods to England’s royal traditions. Including an appearance from Queen Vic herself – ok, not really, but the impersonator is good.

But, you haven’t travelled all this way just to be transported back home. Thankfully, of late, Victoria has shaken its theme-park-esque little Britain feel and received an injection of personality in the form of boutique shops, hip coffee houses and stylish eateries. So, with its newfound cool, oh-so-pretty harbour, world-class museums and picturesque parks, you’ll be glad that you made the trip to British Columbia’s provincial capital. 

And despite its steady influx of tourists, this city remains a relaxed and sophisticated stop – this is Canada after all, a laid-back atmosphere is pretty much guaranteed. Hemmed in by thick, old-growth forests on one side and the cobalt waters of the Pacific on the other, Victoria offers just the right mix of urban charm and outdoor adventure. Think an eclectic downtown, spectacular surrounds and an ever-warm welcome – it’s a city that packs quite a punch for its small, seven-square-mile size, that’s for sure.

Unlike the majority of Canada, Victoria’s mild weather means that whichever season you choose to make your visit, wandering the myriad delights is not just possible but pleasant. Which is good to know because city strolls are the best way to explore – amble arm-in-arm down to the harbour for sunset and the ‘most romantic city in Canada’ will live up to its moniker. The rest of its romance? Well, that’s up to you to find.