Victoria is a BC Capital Choice
Songhees Tours offers immersive Indigenous-run tours, including the chance to paddle the city’s Inner Harbour in a traditional canoe while learning about First Nations history through stories and songs.
By Lauren Jarvis
Why sell it
The capital of British Columbia, Victoria – and the Greater Victoria region – offers an exciting blend of outdoor adventure, history and authentic Indigenous experiences.Overlooking a scenic harbour and surrounded by forests with the Gulf Islands lying in the Salish Sea offshore, the stunning coastal capital offers a relaxed city break, with easy access to the Great Outdoors and the ocean adventures beyond the city limits.Located on the ancestral lands of the Lekwungen-speaking people of the Esquimalt Nation and the Songhees Nation, Greater Victoria has achieved Biosphere certification from the Responsible Tourism Institute and encourages visitors to “tread lightly and breathe deep”.
Who to sell to
“The perfect choice for those who prefer the road less-travelled, Greater Victoria captivates visitors with its unique blend of history, culture and lifestyle,” says Maggi Smit, founder and CEO of Canadian specialist operator, Canada As You Like It.
“It also offers an incredible range of experiences for nature lovers. Known as ‘The Garden City,’ Victoria’s mild climate nurtures lush green spaces, including the world-renowned Butchart Gardens, where a former quarry has been transformed into a breathtaking floral wonderland.”Add to the mix a range of accommodation, from stylish historic icons like the Fairmont Empress Hotel to boutique resorts like the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, plus a thriving farm-to-table dining scene and it’s easy to see why Greater Victoria is fast-becoming a popular choice for affluent travellers and those seeking soft adventures.
What to sell
“History fans will love exploring the Parliament Buildings, while the city’s Chinatown – the second-oldest in North America – highlights its global connections,” says Smit.
“The traditions and artistry of the region’s First Nations peoples are deeply woven into Victoria’s identity, too, shaping its culture and reinforcing its respect for nature.”
Owned by the Songhees Nation, Songhees Tours offers immersive Indigenous-run tours, including the chance to paddle the city’s Inner Harbour in a traditional canoe while learning about First Nations history through stories and songs.The Malahat SkyWalk yields fantastic views of the island from a 10-storey spiral tower soaring 250 feet above sea level, while the 34-mile Galloping Goose Regional Trail is a repurposed railway line offering excellent e-biking from Victoria’s city streets through farmlands to forests of Douglas firs.
How to sell
Combine a stay in Greater Victoria with a road trip around British Columbia. After exploring Victoria, head to Tofino on Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast and join a wildlife tour to see the black bears, grey wolves, otters and whales of the UNESCO-listed Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve.
Take a 30-minute float-plane flight or a 1.5-hour ferry ride from Victoria to the mainland city of Vancouver, before visiting the world-class wine region of the Okanagan, the alpine ski resort of Whistler and spending time in the province’s wonderfully wild Yoho or Kootenay national park.
How to book it
Canada As You Like It offers a four-night package at the Parkside Hotel & Spa in Victoria, including a one-way floatplane transfer from Vancouver with the return journey by bus and ferry, a Butchart Gardens Express return service from downtown Victoria, a 24-hour hop-on hop-off double-decker bus tour of the city, and a half-day whale watching excursion. It is priced from £654pp, sharing a twin room.