(My solo road trip of western Canada – Tuesday 29th September)

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada, and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada’s Pacific coast. A truly beautiful place that was in mind boggling bloom, although it was the end of September, the colours were absolutely magnificent and a pleasure to the eyes.

Named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and, at the time, British North America, Victoria is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest.  Two of the most famous landmarks are the Legislative buildings (finished in 1857) and the Empress hotel (opened in 1908). The city’s Chinatown is the second oldest in North America after San Francisco’s, which I unfortunately did not have time to visit.

According to some reviews, Victoria is in the top twenty of world cities for quality-of-life, I can believe this and can see why.  The beautiful and rugged shorelines and beaches make Victoria very popular for boaters.  Victoria is also popular with retirees, who come to enjoy the temperate and usually snow-free climate of the area as well as the usually relaxed pace of the city.  Keep this in mind Nour, I have my eye on this place (wishful thinking you may say, but hope and wishes can definitely be actualised!).

http://www.victoria.ca/

http://www.tourismvictoria.com/