Canada

What a better way to experience the heart of British culture in Victoria, BC than Butchart Gardens along with teatime at the Fairmont Empress Hotel.  Although there are countless things to do in Victoria, the gardens and teatime truly express the essence of its nature and culture. 

Victoria, BC is a living museum in itself.  A flavor of British charm majestically rests on the Strait of Juan de Fuca’s lush Vancouver Island.  Its temperate and maritime climate is a fertile ground for Victorian gardens in the fresh breeze from the Salish Sea.  Flowery and briny air is omnipresent no matter what you do in this beautiful community.

Ferry Routes to Victoria – Best to Leave Car Home

Being a Seattleite, I’ve spent many weekends in Victoria and gotten there in 3 different ways.  First, the easiest and most scenic way is on the Victoria Clipper Ferry from Seattle. This is a 2-hour and 45-minute ride into the very heart of Victoria’s Inner harbor.  Secondly, I drove to the Olympic Peninsula’s Port Angeles and crossed over on the ferry, leaving my car behind.  The only ferry now is with Blackball Transport and provides a vehicle/passenger crossing in 1 hour 35 minutes. Thirdly, as an Acupuncturist-at-Sea on a cruise ship, I spent days off in this wonderful port.  Also, BC Ferries takes a 1-hour 35-minutes route from Vancouver to Victoria.

Victoria is a splendid walking community with efficient public transportation.

Being in Victoria countless times, Butchart Gardens still stands as my favorite, quintessential excursion in this port.  There are tours to the Gardens. However, going on your own gives you the time and leisure to take in all of its beauty at your own pace.  The number 75 Bus makes the 65-minute trip from downtown Victoria to Butchart Gardens throughout the day.  It’s good to plan at least a half a day here to soak in all of its beauty. 

History of Butchart Gardens in Victoria

In the early 20^th century, Robert and Jennie Butchart moved to Vancouver Island to build a cement plant.  As the limestone deposits wore down, Jennie envisioned gardens in its place.  They transferred top soil by horse and cart, eventually upcycling the quarry into today’s Sunken Garden.  Between 1906 and 1929, the Butcharts expanded with the Japanese, Italian and Rose Gardens.

The Butcharts gifted the gardens to their grandson, Ian Ross, who transformed the gardens into what it is today.  He added the outdoor concerts, night lighting in summers and the Magic of Christmas.  The Family legacy continued with later additions of the Firework show, Children’s Pavilion and Menagerie Carousel.

Butchart Gardens in Victoria Today…

Like stepping into a Monet painting, the 55-acre Butchart Gardens is home to 900 varieties of plants. It showcases various gardens, such as, the Japanese, Italian, Rose and the iconic Sunken Garden.  Each season highlights its signature flowers amidst arches, gazebos, walkways, vines and floral gardens all around you.

Spring season’s most popular colors bloom from flowers, such as, rhododendrons, tulips, daffodils, cherry, magnolias and peonies.  Summer brings on favorites, for example, roses, hydrangea, lobelia, begonia, fuchsias, and daylily.  Autumn favorites, such as, Japanese Maple, beautyberry, chrysanthemum, coneflower and dahlia faithfully transition to winter.  Finally, the winter season features more hardy species, such as, daphne, crocus, heather, primrose, witch hazel and hellebore. Also, restaurants for meals and refreshments are available, such as, The Blue Poppy Restaurant, Coffee Shop and The Dining room.

Related: Ten Best Botanical Gardens in Seattle “The Emerald City”

Teatime at the Fairmont Empress Hotel

Since 1908 the iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel has served England’s most cherished ritual of afternoon tea. This Victorian landmark majestically reflects on the Inner Harbour waters, with its green, ivied walls and regal presence.  During summer months, the Empress serves more afternoon tea than most hotels in London.  I thoroughly savored my time here with my rose tea and scones.  Overall, it’s the quintessential British experience to invigorate the senses.

Also, check on the dress etiquette, as there are no flip flops, cut-offs and the like allowed.  Therefore, it’s important to be in the right state of mind and clothes to blend in with this experience.  If you’re not in the mood, there’s plenty of high quality tea for sale in the stores in Victoria. Also, tea makes for a nice souvenir.

Finally, Inner Harbour is the Tourist Center…

Victoria is one of my favorite destinations for walking. Within walking distance, visitors stroll to the heart of everything at the Inner Harbour, with the Empress Hotel’s reflections. There are ferry tours of the harbor and even whale watching expeditions. Shopping galore is magnificent, along with numerous world-class museums, like the Royal British Columbia Museum.

Also, I love the nearby China Town in Victoria and usually walk there for authentic, Asian food. Overall, there’s countless things to do here with its culture and amazing nature and wildlife excursions on the vast Vancouver Island.  And, of course, not to miss out on the most quintessential Victoria at Butchart Gardens and Empress Hotel for high tea.

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