Victoria Tickets

The soft clip-clop of brilliantly colored double-decker horse-drawn carriages, some blending uncannily with the famed lush scenery, is music to one's ears on a stroll through the cobblestone streets. Add to that a perfectly struck balance with the perpetual buzz of urban frivolities, & one can understand why Victoria is one of tourism's hottest properties. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is the provincial capital of British Columbia. Existing as the westernmost province of Canada, British Columbia shares its northern borders with the expanse of the Yukon (Alaska lies northwest), while Alberta emerges to the east. Pacific waters meet the West coast, & the Treaty of Oregon demarcates its southern reaches from the US states of Washington, Idaho & Montana. Rich in natural splendor provided by the mountainous fjords & silent uninhabited coastal islands, British Columbia is a renowned tourist destination, & Victoria is its beating heart.

The soil varies geographically, changing from clay deposits in the north to loamy topsoil covering the southern parts. This curious phenomenon is due to the predominant effect of water influencing the texture. Heavy water pressure depressing the land, followed by glaciations, loamy depositions, melting away of glaciers, & subsequent clay deposition have shaped the land. 78,000 Canadians play host to over 3.65 million annual visitors. Marine West coast climate gives Victoria mild temperatures, increasing from an average of 5.9oC through wet winters to 15.5oC through the relatively drier summer season. Annual rainfall is 24 inches. VIA Rail provides rail service across the eastern Vancouver Island coast. The world's longest national highway, Trans-Canada Highway, has its western terminus (Mile Zero) located on the corner of Douglas Street in Victoria. The city stays well-connected through nonstop flights from the Victoria International Airport to many destinations across Canada & USA. A direct flight plan to the San Francisco Bay Area was recently approved, while ferries are also a major form of transport, operating from the BC Ferries Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.

The Spanish explorer Juan Perez, & British Captain James Cook are credited with initializing exploration in this area originally occupied by the indigenous Songhees. James Douglas oversaw construction of Fort Victoria in 1843 as a deterrent to American invasion, & the Treaty of Oregon separated it from American land along the 49th parallel, before the gold rush served as a catalyst to boost inhabitation & economical significance. Neighboring Vancouver eventually wrested the economic impetus from Victoria, yet the event has led to Victoria being increasingly recognized for its elegant affability instead of its commercial muscle. This impression has been enhanced by landmarks such as the lavish Victorian era mansion, Craigdarroch Castle, famous for the stained glasswork adorning its Chateau-like layout. Edwardian architecture is profound in the Hatley Castle & its Gardens. Overlooking the Inner harbor is Fairmont Empress, perhaps Victoria's most recognized landmark. After renovation through the 70s & 80s, the hotel affords a regal view; & its impressive clientele only serves as testimony to the brilliant service of this Edwardian, Chateau style masterpiece. Tourists enraptured by the history can pay a visit to the Royal BC Museum or the Maritime Museum, though the trendsetting Royal Wax Museum outstrips all in its creativity & elegance, bringing centuries-old monarchs to life. The automated Fisgard lighthouse retains the 19th century aura, while a visit to the old gun batteries & underground magazines at Fort Rodd Hill can accurately recapture the bygone era.

The renowned rhododendrons of the Abkhazi gardens overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca, & the lush breathtaking greenery of the Butchart gardens make them a must-see for all tourists. The amazing biodiversity of the Georgia basin is at its best in the 17 aquariums of the Shaw Ocean Discovery Center. Casino View Royal provides a nighttime hangout while the Royal Theater is a notable opera house & cinema theater. The Victoria Symphony orchestra has written its name in Victoria folklore through the massive following it gets on Canada Day celebrations, which include parades & a riveting fireworks display. The Dragon Boats Festival & the Tall Ships Festival are a part of the popular coastal culture. Victoria has increased its stature in sports circles, hosting the 2004 Commonwealth Games & the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. The sense of elegant civility prevails over Victoria. A ticket to the city is a perfect chance to witness the regal Edwardian architecture blending perfectly with the inherent scenic splendor. With the artistic beauty unfolding before one's very eyes, Victoria is a truly spectacular destination.