Backpacker Buzz

Victoria is full of old world charm with its historic buildings. It’s also home to the famous Butchart Gardens and boasts Canada’s mildest climate, but there is more to B.C.’s capital than this. Victoria has a number of neighbourhoods around the downtown area that are well worth a visit. Here are a few of my favourites:

Oak Bay

This oceanside village is said to be more English than England! Along Oak Bay Avenue you’ll find coffee shops, antique shops, restaurants and one of my favourite pubs, the Penny Farthing.  This English style pub serves some pretty good brews and an excellent Bangers and Mash. Keep on walking down the avenue and you will reach the sea. It’s a great place to take a stroll or hang out on Willows Beach. If you’re feeling energetic I suggest you join a kayak tour and take a paddle over to the adjacent island. Watch out for the Cadborosaurus!

Fisherman’s Wharf and Dallas Road       

Technically this is probably downtown, but it does feel a million miles away. Fisherman’s Wharf is very quaint indeed. Have a wander along the boardwalk past the numerous float homes and keep a look out for the friendly seals that frequent the wharf hoping to grab a bite to eat from the fishmonger. You also have to try Barb’s fish and chips. To get to Fisherman’s Wharf you can either walk or grab one of the little ferries that nip around the inner harbour.

From the wharf follow Dallas Road around to the breakwater, you won’t miss it. You can walk to the end of the breakwater, take in the fresh sea air and work off those fish and chips. From here continue along Dallas Road, which hugs the coastline, offering a fantastic seaside stroll. To get back downtown you can cut through Beacon Hill Park. Put those calories you burned off right back on by sampling the famous soft serve ice cream at the Beacon Hill Drive-In.

Chinatown

Just off Government Street, one of downtown’s main strips, is Victoria’s Chinatown; it’s the oldest in Canada and a National Historic Site. It’s pretty small, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in character. The “Gate of Harmonious Interest” is very impressive; there are also many well preserved historic buildings and Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in Canada. Hungry? The only place to eat in my eyes is Don Mee Seafood Restaurant; go there for Dim Sum, which is served during the day- often there is a wait to be seated, but it is well worth it. The servers come around with carts full of delicious Cantonese-style snacks; you just pick and choose what you fancy! 

Downtown

Well I could not leave out downtown- after all, there are heaps of great things to see and do here. The Royal BC Museum is well worth a visit and you can take a guided tour around the BC Parliament Buildings. If you want to check out attractions, you might want to time a visit for March 1 – 4, 2012, when Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown is on. It’s only $10.50 for admission to several attractions, plus many other attractive discounts, and it’s always fun.

If it is nightlife you are after then head to the Strathcona, which has a whole host of drinking establishments all under one roof. The Roof Top Surf Club offers an al fresco experience and you can even grab a game of beach volley ball between cocktails. If you are after something a bit more luxurious then head to the delightfully colonial Bengal Lounge in the Fairmont Empress hotel. Between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. they serve a curry buffet dinner, which is fantastic!

Where to stay? HI-Victoria