When it comes to beautiful cities, Victoria probably bags the award. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is British Columbia’s capital and one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest.  A British settlement since 1843 and named after Queen Victoria, the city is home to a multitude of gardens, a variety of historic buildings, including the beautiful parliament buildings and the world-famous Empress Hotel. The city is also home to the oldest Chinatown in Canada and vibrant First Nations communities who have called this place home long before European settlement. It is also widely known as “The Garden City” due to its almost year-round gardens.

For someone who lives in Vancouver, I did not think much of Victoria, expecting it to be another West Coast city, but was I wrong! Not only does it have the nature and temperate weather, it has an amazing downtown and urban center.  In this post, I’ll share with you some of the best things to do in Victoria while also sharing some tips on saving money, how to get around, where to stay, and much more.

GETTING TO VICTORIA BC

If you’re a visitor looking for different ways of getting to Victoria, here’s some practical advice on how to get there. 

Plane: The first method is pretty straighforward, and that's by plane. You’ll most likely be flying into Victoria International Airport (YYJ). Although there are other smaller airports around the island, this is the one that gets used by most visitors. It’s located near the ferry terminal and is just 25 minutes from downtown and offers easy access to downtown Victoria, including by public bus or taxi. The public bus costs $5 CAD but space for baggage is limited.

Ferry:  Victoria is also a great place to visit by ferry, especially if you want to bring your car and plan on exploring more of Vancouver Island. If you’re driving to Victoria, you will need to take a ferry from the mainland to either Victoria or to Nanaimo. The crossing time is approximately 1.5 hours. The BC ferries leave from Vancouver’s Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (Victoria). The other option is to take the ferry to Nanaimo, and then drive 2-hours to Victoria. The cost for car and driver is approximately $75 CAD for a one-way trip. Depending on timing, you want to arrive 1-2 hours earlier than the ferry departure as it can be very busy. Upon arrival, you will be in Sidney, BC, which is 32 km (20 miles) north of Victoria, taking approximately 30 minutes by car to reach downtown Victoria.  This method  is suggested for those who want to visit Vancouver. Otherwise, I would advise flying to Victoria. Another really cool feature about Victoria BC is that you can actually take a ferry right from downtown Seattle to downtown Victoria, sailing through some really beautiful coastal scenery. The journey takes approximately 3 hours and starts at around $110 USD.

Bus: Unfortunately, there is no bus that takes you all the way to Victoria from Vancouver. However, you can take a bus to the ferry, and then another bus from the ferry to Victoria. Within Vancouver, you can take the Canada Line to Bridgeport Station and then bus 620 from bay 11 to Tsawwassen ferry terminal. On Vancouver Island, catch the 70 express bus or 72 bus to downtown Victoria.

HOW TO GET AROUND VICTORIA

Victoria is not a huge city, and thus, there is no subway train system. There is, however, a pretty good public bus network, as well as taxis to get you around. You could also rent a car, or if not going too far, Victoria is also a great place to walk and even bike. If you’re only going to be exploring downtown Victoria, walking is the best way to do it and you won't really need to use a bus or taxi except for commuting to the airport or ferry terminal. Most of the sites are within walking distance of one another. 

WEATHER AND BEST TIME TO VISIT

Victoria is one of the mildest cities in Canada, receiving very little snowfall and rarely dipping below 0°C. It does, however, get quite a bit of rain during the winter months. Summer can get busy so that is why Spring and Autumn are great times to visit. In the Spring, which is from March to May, flowers are in bloom so the gardens are great to visit. Summer is also great but also the warmest, busiest and costliest time to visit. The fall from September to November is also a great time to visit the island, though you should expect more rain. It does get a bit cold mid October, so I would try to aim for a September trip!

TOP THINGS TO DO IN VICTORIA BC

Victoria is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada, which creates loads of attractions, activities, and other things to do. Below is a list of some of the best things to do when visiting Victoria.

1. THE BUTCHART GARDENS

One of the most visited tourist spots on the island, the Butchard Gardens is an iconic site, as well as a National Historic Site of Canada. The gardens are around 55 acres and home to 900 bedding plant varieties, 26 greenhouses, and 50 full-time gardeners! This is top attraction and though tickets are not very cheap, they are well-worth it. The gardens are not in downtown, so you should allocate a full day to this activity since you would want another day to explore downtown and its attractions.

2. THE ROYAL BC MUSEUM

Another spot to visit, especially if it is a rainy day, is the Royal BC Museum. Founded in 1886, the Museum offers three permanent galleries inside, including Natural History, Becoming BC, and the First Peoples Gallery. The natural history collection alone has more than 750,000 records of specimens that are almost exclusively from the province. The Royal BC Museum is also home to touring exhibitions, such as Titanic, Egyptian artifacts, and the Vikings. Among all the museums in BC, this one is by far the grandest. It’s also conveniently located within walking distance from the Empress Hotel and the inner harbour so is definitely not out of the way.

3. INNER HARBOUR AND VICTORIA PIER

Perhaps the most charming activity in Victoria is to simply stroll around and enjoy the inner harbour, which is one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and similar to the one in Sydney, though smaller. Most of the historic streets and buildings are near the harbour, as is the Royal BC Museum, the Empress Hotel and the Parliament building. 

4. VICTORIA PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Right next to the Inner Harbour is the impossible-to-miss British Columbia parliament buildings. Overlooking the stunning Harbour, these beautiful historical buildings are definitely remnants of a very European past. Though we did not have a chance to check out the inside, I believe visitors are able to do self-guided tours of the buildings or can go on a regularly scheduled 35-minute guided tour, which occurs seven days a week during the summer months. 

5. EMPRESS HOTEL AND MINIATURE WORLD

Right adjacent the parliament building, overlooking the harbour is the Empress hotel, owned by the Fairmont group. It happens to be one of the most historic buildings as well and as soon as you step inside, it would be like stepping back into time. This hotel was owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway, built between 1904 and 1908 and is famous for its afternoon tea, which is served in the lobby to more than 800 visitors per day. 

Besides the afternoon tea, the Empress hotel is also home to another top tourist attraction – Miniature World. This little world features many miniature dioramas and displays, including the world’s smallest operational sawmill, the Great Canadian Railway, one of the world’s largest model railways, and even two of the world’s largest Doll Houses complete with over 50 furnished rooms! The attraction is conveniently located within the Empress Hotel, though is a separate ticketed attraction, with adult tickets costing $18.

5. FISHERMAN’S WHARF

Not far from Victoria’s Inner Harbour is the lovely floating neighbourhood of Fisherman’s Wharf. This is a great place to eat food, shop at unique stores, and go on eco-tours. This place was busy with people eating fresh seafood when we visited, but our favourite part was touring the floating homes and just imagining what it would be like to live in a house that moves with the water.

6. BEACON HILL PARK

If you’re looking for a beautiful park to stroll around for the afternoon, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one better than Beacon Hill Park, which is conveniently located in downtown Victoria. Simply walk up Belleville Street past the Museum of Natural History and the Imax Theatre to Douglas Street, take a right, and then climb a short hill until you reach the top. Beautiful inner-city nature awaits you. However, do note that the park is a whopping 200 acres in size, so plan your visit accordingly.

7. CASTLES

Not only is Victoria home to some exquisite gardens, it is home to some gorgeous and grand castles, including Hatley Castle and Craigdarroch Castle.  Hatley Castle is a Classified Federal Heritage Building and since 1995, the mansion and estate have been used for the public Royal Roads University. From the 1940s to 1995, it was used for the Royal Roads Military College, a naval training facility. The gardens are definitely worth a visit!

8. CHINATOWN AND GOVERNMENT STREET

It’s quite amazing how many cities around the world are home to Chinatown. But Victoria’s is unique in that it’s the second oldest Chinatown in all of North America, second only to the one in San Francisco. Created by Chinese immigrants more than 150 years ago, Chinatown has become a testament to the resiliency of the culture and traditions brought overseas long ago. From the Gate of Harmonious Interest to the bold colours of lucky red and gold throughout the neighbourhood, Chinatown is simply a place you shouldn’t miss when visiting Victoria. While there, don’t miss meandering down Fan Tan Alley as well, which is one of the narrowest streets in Canada.

9. ABKHAZI GARDEN

Victoria is full of gardens, besides the Butchard gardens, hence earning its nickname “The Garden City”. Among its gardens is the Abkhazi Garden, created in 1946 by Prince and Princess Abkhazi, with its own heritage home. It is a small garden, only one acre in size but features dramatic glaciated rocky slopes, magnificent native Garry oaks and gorgeous vistas, Japanese maples and rhododendrons. A nice addition to the trip, and is unticketed.

10. VISIT THE VICTORIA BUG ZOO

We didn't visit this since our kid isn't fond of critters but if your kid is at that age of marvel and wonder, this should be a must-see. All families with kids trek their way to this bug zoo, full of insects and spiders, and what not. It also is home to Canada’s largest ant colony, giant walking stick bugs, alien-eyes praying mantids, and even glow-in-the-dark scorpions. 

11. VICTORIA BUTTERFLY GARDENS

Another garden but this one has another thing to offer: Butterflies. And who doesn’t love butterflies? These gardens are very tropical looking and filled with thousands of butterflies fluttering about the place. Not to mention, lots of koi fish, turtles, poison dart frogs, parrots, flamingos, and many tropical flowers. Tickets are around $18, and definitely worth a quick visit if you have time.

12. DO DAY-TRIPS TO THE SMALLER ISLANDS

While Vancouver Island is quite big, there are actually hundreds of smaller Gulf Islands and inlets in the Georgia Strait around Victoria, BC. These make for excellent day trips. You could rent a boat, arrange a tour, or even take the ferry to popular islands such as Gabriola, Saltspring, and/or Thetis. Once on the little islands, you can simply relax in nature, go biking or hiking, visit local artisans and eateries, or find yourself a nice beach to whisk the day away. Ferry rates are about $10 CAD ($7 USD).

13. EXPLORE VANCOUVER ISLAND

While some certainly visit Victoria just for Victoria, we highly recommend taking another week or more and exploring more of Vancouver Island. It’s truly a special place and one of the most beautiful areas in the country. You’ll find gorgeous rainforest treks, mystical coastal beaches, jaw-dropping waterfalls, lovely little island towns, and the best surfing in Canada out by Tofino. There’s also whale watching and wildlife tours all over the island, the opportunity to go snorkelling with salmon around Campbell River, and some of the best multi-day hikes in North America. Where will you go?

Here are the most amazing hotels of Asia - Click on them to book your next stay!

Plantation - This gorgeous hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia is perhaps the only reason why you SHOULD go to Cambodia. In fact, if there was one thing I adored about Cambodia was the stay. While you will find hotels in Cambodia to be as cheap as $1, I would advise on "splurging" to get the best place. The Plantation is a charming colonial style hotel, located close to the Royal Palace and National Museum, in the heart of Phnom Penh. As soon as you enter, you'll feel like you are in a spa. This is because the hotel is set up in a lush and exotic garden with a main 20 meter natural stone swimming pool and red pool & bar. There is a lotus pond greeting you at the reception, delicious breakfast and quite often a free massage. You also have a restaurant, two bars, spa, fitness and a shop on site.

Pavilion -  I've said this before and I will say it again - go to Cambodia if only for the hotels. The level of hospitality, and the quality of that hospitality is unmatched. For the price point, Cambodian hotels and resorts are the best in the world. I would really consider retiring here.

Sabara Resort - Located merely 15 minute from Angkor Watt, you can't go wrong with this amazing resort (and spa)! It is a little ways from the bustling downtown area where the restaurants are, but a tuk tuk makes everything accessible. You are always graced with a welcome drink, and hospitality is impeccable.

Green Park hotel - Its hard to find hotels outside of Cambodia, that are under $50 and comparable in terms of the service, hospitality and luxury. Well, the Laotian neighbours compete well. This hotel, which is in Vientiane is a boutique hotel that captures the essence of Lao orientalism, along with contemporary architecture. The location is also great, as it is  located in the central business and embassy district, from where you can easily walk to Morning Marketing Shopping mall (Talat Sao Market) and tourist attractions. The hotel also provides free of charge scheduled shuttle bus to city center as well as complimentary bicycles use to explore most of the city.

Cinnamon Bey Beruwala - Alright, this isn't under $50, but Agoda, Booking and Trip are always running deals to get this resort down to $80/night. And YES. This resort matches the amazing Cambodian resorts I've stayed at. The breakfast is divine, the beach next to it is divine, and this is truly a resort for honeymooners.

Hopefully, these five hotels which are affordable AND luxurious will make your mouth melt with wanderlust. They are making mine melt!

There are a lot of lists out there of travel gear to buy but if you are frugal like me, you'll find that lots of that gear is useless and you don't ACTUALLY need it. However, there are indeed travel items that you do need, especially if you are traveling with an infant or toddler. And if there is one on the way, you can put these items in your Amazon Baby Registry! So here is my list of travel gear that will make your journey flawless:

1. Carrier

If you have a lightweight kid, and you plan to be doing some hikes that are going to be non-stroller friendly, a baby carrier is your best friend. In fact, it has been rated the #2 most important travel item by families, and I totally agree. Depending on the weight and size of your baby, you can decide if you want to get a small carrier wrap like the Moby Wrap, or Baby Bjorn, or a carrier for a toddler so that you can go hiking, such as a backpack carrier. If you are like me, you probably want something affordable and longer-lasting (though remember, nothing lasts too long with kids since they will always outgrow it - eventually). That's why I should suggest the Infantino Convertible carrier, that works for a baby up to 32 lbs and is both front and back facing.

2. Travel Stroller

A compact travel stroller is essential, even if you have a carrier, and even if your kids can walk. In fact, even when your infant or toddler loves to walk, chances are they will get tired and you will be the one having to lift them - AND THEIR SH**. That's why be nice to your back and go with a stroller. You would like to go with a compact one, but one which has a storage pouch as well to throw in your diaper or milk bag. There are lots of affordable options, and the best one is the Summer Infant 3D Lite. It’s inexpensive, durable, only 13 lbs, and has a multi-position recline that can go practically flat for an on-the-go nap. It fits in the smallest of trunks and if easy to take on the plane. Note that this is not for "off-roading" and also, not the most suitable for a very small baby aka newborn. But it works great for travel purposes and even for regular use.

If you want a somewhat more durable and heavy duty stroller, you could go for a lighter Graco stroller, such as the Nimblelite. The Graco stroller is amazing when it comes to folding and unfolding, and have larger handles for those maneuvers. The Graco seat does recline, but certainly not suited for a baby under 5 months. The Graco has bigger wheels, making it easier to push through dirt and rocks. 

On the other hand, the Summer Lite Stroller is smaller, more compact, and lighter. While it seems that a stroller isn't always needed, carrying my newborn in a carrier for a long haul flight was exhausting and I realized that a stroller would indeed have been useful, if not essential.

3. Diaper Changing Pad

I didn't think I needed a Diaper Changing Pad but given the bathrooms one encounters during travel, and also doesn't encounter, a changing bad is a must. It keeps your kids arms contained when we are changing him or her in seriously dirty places. You can use it anywhere, from a bathroom, to an airport floor, a museum or a park. The best thing is these diaper changing pads are standard and cheap. You can buy one for as little as $20. Check this one out.

4. Backpack

A backpack is a must, especially one that is gentle on your back because face it, you aren't getting any younger. You should NOT be using a handbag when traveling. It is not only inconvenient but with a kid, it really takes up your hand and arm space. While you need a backpack, though it doesn't need to be anything special. In fact, a backpack replaces a diaper bag or formula bag, which I think are useless. A regular good back pack will do. Get one that is compartmentalized enough to contain your documents and important kids stuff, including some diapers and wipes and one change of clothes that doesn't take space. Don't put everything there, since you can keep it in the carry-on. You'll also get diapers on the plane, as well as kid food. 

My favorite backpack is my own Discovery Expedition, which is an explorer backpack. Fortunately, Amazon has a bunch of options for you, from the cheap to the expensive. The main difference between some of the cheap ones is that they are unbranded or some sketchy brand and *may* be of poor quality. 

This Zomake backpack for example has great reviews and is only $26. A backpack like this would help to keep you organized and would be gentle on your back.

On the other hand, if you happen to be a backpack snob and want to go for one of the top brands, you can try the Osprey. Prices vary but you can find a really great Osprey backpack for as little as $90 which is a steal. It is also one of the best thing you can do for your back since it is great for those with back pain issues.

If you are traveling with an infant, and are not interested in offering your boob in front of a swathe of travelers, I'd really look into liquid formula. For an infant that doesn't really need more than 24 ounces a day, two prepared bottles were work well. Pay the extra and you save yourself the hassle of carrying boiled water or boxes of formula. I would choose the Enfamil liquid formula since it is the closest to breast milk and is the formula that most hospitals use.

6. Baby monitor

I never thought I would need a baby monitor when I am traveling, but surprisingly it is very useful on your journeys as well. If your kid is sleeping and you want to use the pool in the hotel or the jacuzzi in the room, the baby monitor will be handy since you can relax in peace while keeping an eye on your little one. It is also handy because in your destination site, you will have the option to hire a babysitter if you need to, and the baby monitor will be able to function as a nanny cam as well.  I'll also suggest a baby monitor because they are compact and most include in-built lullabies and music to lull your kid to sleep. I would highly suggest getting one which has sound and video like this one.

7. Car seats

This isn't an essential thing to take, mainly because if you are booking a car at your next destination, chances are that you can easily rent a car seat for your kid. Also, in case you are not renting a car and borrowing it, chances are you can borrow a car seat or buy one second hand. Often it will be cheap and won't set you back by more than $50.

However, if you are going to be buying a car seat anyways, you can choose to buy one that is aviation travel friendly. Make sure however, to check if these seats are acceptable in the countries you travel to, since some locations require a seal from their own country, such as Canada. However, by and large, the two widely accepted and affordable car seats in North America are the Cosco Scenera Next and Evenflo Tribute.

The Cosco Scenera NEXT is an awesome little travel seat. It’s bare bones, kind of large looking and has an infant insert, and is lightweight as well. Most likely you will find it at the Walmart, and you can easily order it online.

The other one is the Evenflo Tribute. A bit nicer than the Scenera, the Evenflo Tribute weighs just over 9 lbs. The Tribute has a removable head cushion for older kids, an upfront harness adjustment, and buckle release, as well as a body cushion, though it’s not the easiest to install. In Canada, you'll get it for less than a $80, which is one of the cheapest options when it comes to car seats. It also can be used all the way till the age of 4 or 5, or when the kid weighs 40 lbs. It does have a recline option, but you need to watch a video how to properly install it for infants.

 And this matters because not everyone has the luxury to travel everywhere without extensive visas or permits, or the ability to partake in activities such as WOOF or "Teach English" programs.

In fact, whenever you do read a travel blog, the tips and tricks are those that are relevant for people from privileged countries. Where are the blogs that talk about visas, flights, discrimination, surveillance and what not? 

Well, lo and behold, there are blogs and here are my favorite ones:

Girl with Green Passport.

My favorite blog is Anam's blog called Girl with Green Passport. She is from my own homeland Pakistan and has the most amazing resource out there: Visa Guides. This matters because applying for visas from Pakistan is a lengthy and tedious process often requiring extensive documentation, from your marriage certificates, family registration certificates, itineraries, bank statements and cover letters demonstrating extensive home ties. The process is daunting and even then, there is no guarantee that a visa will be granted. Anam's blog resonates with every Pakistani, as well as others from the developing world who need visas to travel to most countries. Not just that, she's a woman and colored women have a hard time traveling than white women. Her gender, passport, and color of her skin have not stopped her from travelling so everyone should be following her.

Ishq in a Backpack

This blog is of a lovely couple, Sona and Navdeep. Sona Charaipotra is a New York City-based journalist, who's written and blogged for many well-known publications. She's also writing her novel. Navdeep Singh Dhillon teaches university courses like English composition, Film and literature, and Creative Writing. Both have two kids and their blog is focused on food. While I have found their adventure stories to be sparser than most, I love one thing about them. THIS POST. It has laid bare the problem with most travel blogs which are overwhelmingly white and gloss over the many challenges that non-white folks face. And there are a lot of us there.

Travel with Lakshmi

One of my favorite blogs, and also because Lakshmi is a wonderful writer. I would love to meet her, and get to visit India with her. Her itineraries section is great because she suggests great activities if you are short on time or you have a 48 hour layover. 

Dose of Travel

The blogger is Nabila, an East Coaster-turned-West Coaster Pakistani-American who is awesome and relates her cultural struggles of being raised in a Pakistani family while traveling. She has traveled to 35 countries as a full-time student in both undergraduate and pharmacy school. Hot Damn! Talk about overachieving!

One Girl One World

Francesca is your go-to girl who has written about study abroad while broke! She's based in California, but is a proud Afro-Latina with Honduran Garifuna roots. Francesca is also a professional journalist and on-camera host.