As a proud Vancouverite, I often forget that my city isn’t the centre of everything on the West Coast, nor in British Columbia, for that matter. There are plenty of other notable cities in our province that each come with their own unique story, culture, activities and culinary expressions.

One such city is Victoria, our laid back and beautiful provincial capital located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. One of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest, Victoria sits calmly - and stately - like a grand dame on its Inner Harbour. The harbour is home to the boarding jetties for Canadian and US airlines that use the Victoria Inner Harbour Airport.

I recently got an opportunity to do a quick visit to Victoria for some R&R, outdoor adventure, wellness and culinary experiences!

Sailing with BC Ferries

Ever since I was a little kid, growing up in Vancouver I’d make regular trips over to Victoria via BC Ferries. It’s definitely a fantastic way to see the coastline and it’s super relaxing. It really reminds me of those days when things were much slower and we weren’t in a rush to get anywhere. You’d get loaded onto the ferry and head upstairs to the lounge or sit outside to awe at that gorgeous coastline and perhaps even catch a whale fin sighting or two if you’re lucky!

Tasting at Sea Cider House

I’ve done plenty of wine tastings over the years but a cider tasting? Not so much. BBut being at Sea Cider House south of Victoria for a tasting gave me more than a glimpse of what real, serious cider making looks like. It can often be as serious as wine, when it comes to exploring flavour profiles, for instance.

The location is fantastic as it sits atop a hilly spot overlooking a bed of fruit trees, in line of sight of Georgia Strait. We did a flight of ten ciders, from crisp and bright to darker and richer flavours. Since we were a bit munchy following the ferry ride it was nice to also pair the ciders with a platter of their finest local charcuterie and cheeses. I highly recommend a visit - the staff are really knowledgeable and friendly - you will have a great time.

The Magnolia Hotel

I was so excited to be returning to The Magnolia Hotel, located in the heart of Victoria, just a block from the Inner Harbour and parliament buildings. In fact, our room had a spectacular view of the parliament buildings that would be all lit up at night. We were staying in a corner suite on the top floor that has a beautiful fireplace with almost 180 degree views.

The interiors went through a beautiful refresh a few years ago by renowned design firm BBA Design. The look and feel of the rooms is calming, while fresh and modern. Every detail has been carefully thought out - from the bed linens to the ergonomic leather office chair that accompanies the desk. This hotel is often frequented by business guests and I will tell you - the wifi is lightning fast and the chair is incredibly comfortable to spend hours responding to email.

In fact, I love the interior decor and colour palette so much that I’m getting inspired looking ahead to designing my future home. I would love for it to reflect the quality, care and finishes that this room exhibits. And while we only stayed for one night this time, it was the best sleep I’d had in weeks.

Goldstream Provincial Park

On this trip, Keith and I wanted to explore the wilderness, the streams and wildlife just outside Victoria. Enter Goldstream Provincial Park: known for the annual fall salmon runs in the Goldstream River, and the large numbers of bald eagles that congregate to feed at that time. Measuring a total of 937 acres, the park is located in the town of Langford, which sits just north of Victoria. There are huge trees, among them Douglas fir and western red cedar, some of which are up to 600 years old. Goldstream Park has several hiking trails which we explored. If you ever have a chance to spend a few hours there, please do. It’s really beautiful and there are hikes for varying abilities.

Dinner at The Courtney Room

On my last visit to Victoria, I missed the opening of The Courtney Room, an extension of The Magnolia Hotel & Spa. This time I made sure I got to experience it. I had heard great things about the food, the interiors, the ambiance, the staff... all of which exceeded my expectations when we were there for dinner this trip. The interiors of The Courtney Room were also done by BBA Design, so that the dining room would act as a natural design extension of the guest rooms. It reminded me of the grand, modern hotels in Paris that Keith and I used to frequent. In particular, the commissioned artwork by Blu Smith provided a stunning backdrop.

The food was delicious, the service impeccable and the cocktails strong and inventive. If you’re up for a sophisticated dining experience in Victoria, I highly recommend a visit to The Courtney Room.

Tea at White Heather Tea Room

The great thing about how Keith and I travel is that we often stumble upon new places and meet interesting people. At the White Heather Tea Room, we did exactly that. More often than not, visitors to Victoria will head to the usual touristy establishments for high tea. On this trip, Keith and I took the more unusual route and headed to the boutique, family-run White Heather Tea Room. The team was so warm and welcoming, the tea selection incredibly vast and the high tea assortment of finger sandwiches, quiches, scones, and plethora of desserts was absolutely delicious. The owner’s daughter, Chi Ling Cheung, a Vancouver architect who is currently on a professional sabbatical, was one of those wonderful personalities that stays with you long after you leave. Borrowing a line from the movie, La La Land, Emma Stone’s character says, “People love what other people are passionate about.” This describes our interaction and experience with Cheung to a tee. Her enthusiasm for their tea service is infectious. She’s almost like a five year old kid on Christmas morning when she talks about the tea service and the various tea options. She gets you excited about what you’re going to experience, and that’s a great thing. Just go to White Heather Tea Room. Period. You’re welcome.

Best Facial Ever at Silk Road Tea

Have you ever heard of a spa at a tea shop? I hadn’t until this trip. I was familiar with Silk Road Tea as they have a location in Vancouver - in my ‘hood of Kitsilano, incidentally. While I’ve always loved their teas, I had no idea they had a spa at their Victoria location. Upon entering the shop, the spa is located downstairs behind a nondescript door. Kind of like a spa-speakeasy, if you will. When you’re down there, the rooms are small but cozy; the space efficiently laid out. As I lay down on the table, waiting for my facialist to arrive, I was starting to wonder - what did I get myself into? I really had zero expectations coming in because it was surprising enough to go for a facial at a tea shop. And perhaps that was a good thing because the facial was 90 minutes long and it blew my mind. I’m not exaggerating but it was the best facial I’ve ever had. Anywhere. The magic is that your face isn’t the only area of focus. Your neck, scalp, shoulders, upper back, arms, legs are all massaged along with incredible oils that are nurturing and organic. I was told I was the first person to experience this 90-minute massage. I hope to be back again soon before word gets out and it becomes difficult to get an appointment!

Cocktails at the Fairmont Empress Hotel

There is nothing better after a facial than heading to your favourite watering hole and enjoying a few craft cocktails. The Fairmont Empress, which underwent a multi-million dollar renovation not too long ago, excels in the area of cocktail making. I mean, when a gin is made in your name (yes, I’m referring to the uber-popular Empress Gin), it brings with it a certain expectation that you’re going to be sipping a fine work of art. In addition to the liquid art, the ones on the wall in the hotel lounge are pretty impressive as well. Let’s just say not only did we sip a few cocktails, but the experience of lounging in the Fairmont Empress was so fantastic, we stayed and ate dinner at the bar before catching the ferry home.

Closing

Victoria is still as impressive as ever. From outdoor exploration to fine dining and cocktail culture, there is something for everyone. I strongly recommend that if you haven’t spent time or visited Victoria before, please do. It’s a short 90-min ferry ride from the Tsawassen ferry terminal just south of Vancouver. You won’t regret it.

Editor’s Note: A special thank you to Tourism Victoria for their support on this press trip and to The Magnolia Hotel & Spa for their sponsored accommodations.