Trip to British Columbia: Part 2 - Victoria

Our crossing into British Columbia began with a very short 30 minute flight from Seattle to Victoria. Barely enough time for a sip of water, and suddenly we were stepping into Vancouver Island’s capital.

We wasted no time heading downtown, where we browsed through stalls filled with fresh produce, handmade crafts, and homemade ice cream. After a bit of shopping, lunch called our name. We found ourselves at Fin’s, where the menu was, of course, seafood. Fish and chips were served golden and crispy, while a steaming plate of clams reminded us why coastal cities have the best of the best when it comes to freshness.

The highlight of the day, however, was just outside the city: Butchart Gardens. About a half-hour’s drive through windy roads led us to what can only be described as a hidden gem. Spread across the grounds were four distinct gardens: Japanese, Italian, Rose, and Sunken, each of which had its own personality. The Japanese garden was calm and quiet, while the Italian one was elegant. The rose garden was uniform and had fountains at all angles. But the Sunken Garden turned out to be the family favorite. Every color seemed to work in harmony, creating a kind of living painting you could walk through.
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As if that weren’t enough, the evening closed with a firework show that lit up the dark sky. Victoria was the best welcome to Canada we could’ve asked for. Next stop: Tofino.