Detailed Itinerary

Fly into Victoria International Airport (YYJ), and pick up your rental car at the airport.

Victoria: 3 nights at the Fairmont Empress Hotel

Arrive in Victoria, the ‘City of Gardens’ perched on Vancouver Island’s southern coast. Stay at the beautiful and iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel, arguably the finest hotel in the city. I especially love their harbour-view rooms.

Fairmont Empress Hotel

This hotel has a distinctly British history and character that makes it unique. Named after Queen Victoria, the Empress has been popular as a base for visiting royals & celebrities since it opened in 1908.

FUN FACT: Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was a guest at the Fairmont Empress Hotel during Prohibition, and was served brandy in a teapot.

While you may not be able to order teapot brandy anymore, the Empress is still famous for its lovely High Tea, available on weekends. It is a great way to treat yourself to some delicious varieties of tea and pastries, in a historic and beautiful setting. *Make sure to book your High Tea as early as possible, as it is very popular and can get booked up well in advance. Reservations are required.

FUN FACT: The hotel’s grounds include lush gardens that are home to four bee hives. Their honey is used to make pastries, enhance their tea, and brew the Empress’ signature craft honey lager.

The 5-star Empress feels regal and luxurious; its design beautifully marries classical architecture with sophisticated decor and rich textures. You can expect all the best amenities, including on-site restaurants, a fantastic indoor pool, fitness centre, and indulgent treatments at Willow Spa - all making for a comfortable and pampered stay.

Those seeking extra pampering can also book into Fairmont Gold, a special hotel within the hotel with 65 rooms, separate check-in, a private lounge, a concierge, complimentary breakfast, and more perks.

Experience the royal treatment when staying at the Empress, which is not only stylish and historic, but a perfect base from which to explore the city. The Empress is ideally situated in the walkable downtown of Victoria, just steps from the harbour and close to many nice restaurants, boutiques, and historic sites. The Parliament Buildings are also nearby; make sure to walk by at night when they are lit up with lights, for a completely different view.

There are also a number of fantastic restaurants in downtown Victoria, many of which take advantage of over 950 nearby farms to supply their products. Fresh fish and seafood are caught daily.

After a day or two exploring the city, venture out for a day trip of sampling local food & wine along the Saanich Peninsula Flavour Trail. Located just 30 minutes outside of Victoria, the Saanich Peninsula is one of Vancouver Island’s best kept secrets, home to orchards, vineyards, farmsteads, breweries, and more, all spread out over gently rolling hills overlooking the ocean.

“The Flavour Trail is a self-guided expedition that really celebrates the richness of the region. You can buy fresh cut basil, taste fireweed honey, take a winery tour, pick berries, sip cider or taste our local delicacies. And because of its proximity to Victoria, [visitors] can do all this and be back in town in time for tea.” - Tourism Victoria

You can see more of the area travelling around it by car, or you can explore by standard or electric bike for a more leisurely experience. Take your time tasting the local flavours and feeling the rhythm of the region. A half-day is the perfect amount of time here.

Of course, no trip to Victoria would be complete without a visit to the famous Butchart Gardens, it is a must-do.

Meander through a living oasis of lush greens and manicured colourful blooms, passing through different themed areas such as the Italian Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden (my personal favourite, where you can see rare Himalayan Blue Poppies blossom in the late spring). There are also restaurants and a cafe offering refreshments and picturesque garden views.

It is a leisurely and beautiful way to spend a relaxed couple of hours, perfect for any time of year as things are always changing.

Do not leave Victoria without a final cocktail up on the Empress hotel’s chic rooftop bar, Q Bar. Enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the city and harbour, which is especially magical at dusk. Cozy up around fire pits and watch the sun set over the water.