During one week in late February, when the rest of the country is shoveling itself out from under a blanket of snow, Victoria is out in the gardens, counting their blooms. In 1976, 130 million blooms were reported in BC’s capital. By 2005, the count was up to 4.8 billion.
The range and breadth of flora is a point of pride in Victoria and the gardens are a sight not to miss.
10:00 a.m.
Butchart Gardens Benvenuto Avenue, Central Saanich
250-652-5256
From the Inner Harbour, you can either catch bus 75, or drive out Highway 17 (Pat Bay Highway) to the well-marked Butchart Gardens. The gardens are about 20 km (14 miles) from the Inner Harbour.
Butchart Gardens was started in 1904, when Jenny and Robert Pim Butchart began to develop and beautify what used to be a quarry for Portland Cement Company.
(rate:$20 adults, discounts for seniors and children)
1:00 p.m.
Enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants in the gardens.
2:00 p.m.
Shop at Benvenuto Seed & Gift Store which sells garden items and seeds.
3:00 p.m.
Return to Victoria by car or bus.
4:00 p.m.
From Government Street, walk to Belleville. Turn left. Walk one block to Douglas Street. Turn right. Follow Douglas to the corner of Beacon Hill Park, the crown in the jewel of Victoria's parks.
It boasts both natural and landscaped beauty. Besides a breadth of plant life, it's also home to many Great Blue Herons.
6:00 p.m.
Rebar 50 Bastion Square
(250) 361-9223
You've spent the day with flowers. Time to enjoy the best of the earth with a simple, hearty vegetarian meal.
Walk back along Douglas Street. Turn left on Belleville, then right on Government Street. Walk up Government Street past Fort Street to View. Turn left. Walk into Bastion Square.
This unpretentious restaurant makes vegetarian meals sing. Enjoy their food. Don't forget to pick up one of their best-selling cook books.
You've spent the day outside. Now spend the evening inside, watching theatre.
Walk back to Government Street. Turn left. Walk up Government Street two and a half blocks to McPherson Playhouse.
10:30 p.m.
Walk back down Government Street to the Inner Harbour and your hotel.
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