Three, the whales are a fairly close distance to the Victoria harbour meaning you don’t have to travel for two hours just to see them. Many Victoria whale watching companies have a few larger boats with onboard restrooms for the comfort of their guests.

details, refinishing, additions and upgrades were ongoing right up until 1915. Francis Rattenbury and his crew made an effort to use local materials, resources and expertise when building the Parliament Buildings, as during this time in B.C.It was important to both him and the government to support local businesses. Granite rock foundations were brought in from nearby Nelson Island, the site facades were locally imported from Haddington Island, and most of the local brick, lime and Douglas Fir were accumulated from areas around Vancouver Island.

The inside of the buildings are just as grand as the outside, which features a statue of Queen Victoria on the front lawn.  You can book tours of the buildings that will give you both insight and perspective on the historical significance of Victoria as the command center for British Columbia. The Parliament Buildings are also worth a visit at night-time, as the 3,300+ light bulbs that adorn the façade are lit up, casting a magical glow over the harbour.

The political governing body – elected by British Columbians – assembles in this house to pass law and make decisions affecting the future direction of the province. Some of the nearby attractions include Beacon Hill Park, the history of the BC Royal Museum and the shops, boutiques and artisans in the downtown core on Government Street.

The BC Parliament Buildings provides guided tours Monday to Friday. Tours are provided in both official languages of Canada – English and French – and can be arranged in other languages when notice is provided. BC Parliament Buildings are located on Belleville Street in Downtown Victoria’s Inner Harbour. (Telephone) 1-250-387-3046

Robert and his wife, Jennie Butchart , moved west to Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island from Ontario, Canada. The Butchart family has been responsible for carrying on the legacy of these now famous gardens. Jennie Butchart recognized that the mild temperatures and the lush environment was an ideal setting for gardening. Slowly the gardens grew and the Butchart Gardens were born. The Butcharts received many accolades. Robert Butchart was given the key to the city and was made a Freeman of the city of Victoria in 1928. Jennie Butchart was named Citizen of the Year in 1931.

After the death of Jennie Butchart, the gardens fell into despair. The grounds were left unattended and it became a wilderness garden up until 1946. It was then that Ian Ross, the grandson of Jennie Butchart and his wife, Ann Lee Ross, resurrected the Butchart Gardens. In order to help with the costs, they began charging admission and generating revenue from their Seed and Gift Store, as well as the Benvenuto Tea House.

Today the gardens are open year round and you can see hundreds of different colors and varieties of flowers. The rose collection of the garden is considered one of the best in the world with each breed marked with the country of origin. Overall there are 117 varieties of tea rose plants, 64 types of floribundas, and 400 grandiflora roses planted on the 55 acres that make up the Butchart Gardens. Further to roses – the rhododendrons are a dominating sight in the early spring, the assortment of perennials are a highlight throughout most of the year and the Japanese, Mediterranean and Italian Gardens are major attractions during the fall. Closer to the holiday season, the Butchart Gardens are decorated with Christmas lights accompanied by carollers and a brass band, bringing joy to the world.

You will see license plates from all over North America as people come to check out these spectacular gardens unique to Victoria. Water fountains, lights and night-time fireworks help add to the grandeur of the place visited by nearly a million people every year.

gardens with seasonal flowers, rhododendrons and well-manicured Japanese trees. There are many places to make a pit stop for a walk along the pathway located on the ocean side of the road. Because the walkway is exposed to the coastal elements, it is always wise to prepare for strong winds as well as sunshine, as there are stretches of the pathway that provide very little shade.

There are areas with sightseeing benches and access to stairs leading down to the rocky and sandy coastline. Some of the marine sightseeing includes cruise ships, sail boats and yachts cruising on by. During the winter months the pathway also serves as a lookout point for watching storms and crashing waves. Sections of angle parking are convenient for winter weather and rainy days, as one can watch the storms from their vehicle.

The Dallas Road waterfront connects to Beacon Hill Park and continues along sidewalks and side streets to an area of Victoria called Oak Bay, which boasts some lovely sandy beaches. While exploring along the waterfront there are often opportunities to view marine and sporting activities. Some of the activities enjoyed on the waterfront ocean playground include kite surfing, kayaking, scuba diving and kite flying.