Port Description

Where You're Docked

Cruise ships berth at Ogden Point, a short taxi ride or 15-minute walk from downtown. Most cruise ships offer shuttles or taxi service. Small passenger ships may dock or anchor in the city's Inner Harbour.

Getting Around

Tie up your shoe laces; this is a walking city. At the same time, taxis are numerous. Rental car outlets include Avis, Budget, and Hertz. Victoria is also happily endowed with cycle rickshaws that will whisk you around the inner city.

What to See and Do

Inner Victoria is endlessly picturesque--you only have to amble and enjoy. Highlights include the Parliament Buildings, Fairmont Empress Hotel, the Royal B.C. Museum, Bastion Square and the Maritime Museum of B.C. (Wharf and Fort Streets), and Beacon Hill Park, which overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the mountains of the Olympic peninsula in Washington state.

Antique lovers can peruse the stores of Fort Street.

Garden aficionados will want to taxi 13 miles to the world-famous 50-acre Butchart Gardens. It recently celebrated its 100th year.

Chinatown is a must: Begin at the entrance gate at Fisgard and Government streets, and don't overlook the oh-so-narrow Fan Tan Alley and its eccentric shops.

Numerous ships offer evening calls--inquire from Tourism Victoria about a night-time lantern walking tour. A variety of city walking tours, including ghostly walks, can be booked at www.discoverthepast.com.

Of course, a visit to Victoria isn't complete without having tea at one of the city's numerous tea salons. Good bets include, of course, the Empress. But be warned, the cost of tea--the full spread--in one of the hotel's several delightful rooms can run as high as $50 (Canadian). A less expensive option is tea in the garden of Point Ellice House, a historic Victorian manse just outside the downtown (2616 Pleasant Street, 250-380-6506). Another is the White Heather Tea Room in Oak Bay (1885 Oak Bay Rd., 250-595-8020).

Another don't-miss experience is a libation in the Empress's evocative Bengal Lounge.

Visit the watery ocean hangout of resident orca whales, roughly 80 in all.

For more sedate ocean travel--and perhaps whale sighting from a distance--venture for the day to the Southern Gulf Island by public ferry.

Where to Eat and Drink

Casual joints include Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub (308 Catherine St., just over the short Johnston Street Bridge). Another favorite is Canoe Brewpub and Restaurant (450 Swift St, close to the bridge) on the city side.

Pagliacchi's (1011 Broad St., 250-386-1662) is recommended for Italian fare, as is Il Terrazzo (555 Johnson St.).

Other good bets include the Sauce Bar and Restaurant (1245 Wharf St.), the Tapa Bar (620 Trounce Alley, 250-383-0013), and Ferris' Oyster Bar and Grill (536 Yates St.).

The Re-Bar Modern Food (50 Bastion Square, 250-361-9223), is a funky vegetarian option, and a big success, with two locations, is The Noodle Box and Takeaway (626 Fisgard St. in Chinatown, and on Douglas Street, close to the Empress).

Of course, you can dine at the Empress--perhaps in the Bengal Lounge, or, for a buffet lunch or dinner, at Kipling's.

Staying in Touch

The Stain Internet Cafe (609 Yates St.), Victoria Cyber Cafe (1414 Douglas St.) and Cyber station (1113 Blanshard St.) should keep you connected.