A Day in
Victoria, Canada
By Marcia Frost
Victoria, Canada
The picturesque city of Victoria,
Canada, offers more than enough for a week's stay, but if you find yourself
with just one day on during a trip British Columbia or on a cruise stop, be
sure to catch some of the highlights. You don't need to worry about a car in
this city, so put on your best walking shoes and hit the pavement.
Silk Road Tea
Silk Road Aromatherapy
& Tea Company
Start off your day in relaxation mode at Silk Road Aromatherapy & Tea Company. Zen is the word
here with all natural aromatherapy and spa products, but it's the tea that really
makes it worth the trip. The selection represents different teas from around
the world. There's also a tea bar so sit down for a while and do a tasting.
Owner Daniela Cubelic has traveled the world and put
together tea flights that reflect country of origin, or taste. Try the Velvet
Potion, a black tea that smells like chocolate and tastes like vanilla beans.
Chinatown & Old Town
Chinatown in Victoria
Chinatown & Old
Town
Just next door to Silk Road is Chinatown and
you can't miss it with the colorful entrance. Take some time to walk around.
It's only a few blocks long, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in
history. This is the oldest Chinatown in Canada.
Be sure to take a walk down Fan Tan Alley before you start heading to Old Town
to check out a combination of historic buildings and hip new shops. It's here
you will sense the British influence in this city, which you will feel even
more at your next stop.
The London Chef
The London Chef
Why go to a restaurant when you can spend
lunchtime with a chef? Daniel Hayes is the chef from London who married
Victoria bred Micayla. The two decided to combine
their love of cooking and open up this unique space. The London Chef
offers cooking private and group cooking classes where you can sip some wine
and make a meal with the chef. He'll listen to your food favorites and then you
can choose whether to help him out or just watch as he turns fresh, local
ingredients into a culinary masterpiece. Make sure you set up an appointment
here in advance as they can book up.
Aurea Restaurant on the Waterfront
Walk to the Waterfront
It's time to walk around and burn off some of those calories.
Head down to the Inner Harbor where you won't run out of things to do. Check in
at the Victoria Tourism Information Centre and pick up some maps. You can then
walk around the Fisherman's Wharf and check out the handmade goods and artwork
being sold. Next, head to the Royal BC Museum, which has both Natural and Modern
History Galleries.
Before you finish your day in Victoria, go to The Fairmont
Empress, for their infamous high tea, or have a cocktail and a small bite
plate on the patio of the Aura Waterfront Restaurant at the Inn
at Laurel Point.
For maps and additional information on
visiting Victoria, British Columbia, see the city's official
website.