Victoria Guest Services Network Tourism Showcase

Today I attend this annual event where tourism staff in greater Victoria can meet the tourism vendors that make experiences outstanding.  They are a great bunch of people.  Check out the event by visiting this link.

Tour of the Muse Winery in North Saanich

Tonight we had the opportunity to attend a industry tour at Muse Winery, 11195 Chalet Road in North Saanich, about 25 minutes drive from downtown Victoria. We have been there multiple times before, but we wanted to see what was new and what vintages were now available. Doug greeted members arriving via LA Limousines with glasses of chilled Ortega wine. They came in style with driver David at the wheel. Inside the main winery building we found the gift shop and tasting room, and we were then ushered to the Bistro Patio for some delightful appies and more wine tasting. The food manager for Muse Winery is Douglas Stewart, owner of Stonestreet Café and Catering. Meals are prepared on site at the winery and it was all delicious - various cheeses, crackers, bread, fruit, Dungeness Crab on Belgian Endive, Three Cheese Crostini, and some wonderful chocolate truffles. Each of the wines is distinctive and made from grapes grown at the winery itself, at other sites on Vancouver Island and in the Okanagan. Linda and Ron enjoyed the Merlot the best and took home a bottle to enjoy. We were toured through the winery by Doug and owner Jane Ellman, who described the events planned for spring and summer. Muse is a destination winery catering to weddings, special events, cocktail parties and other occasions. It was truly an enjoyable evening in a spectacular setting overlooking the grape vines and an eagle's nest in a nearby tree. Sitting on the patio in the warm sun, we thought for a minute we might be in Tuscany. However, we know there are no Bald Eagles in Tuscany. They are having a Mother’s Day Buffet, but word is, if you haven’t booked yet it may be too late. You can contact Muse Winery at 250-656-2552. Enjoy the photos!  For more photos go to our Facebook Page.

Craigdarroch Castle

Tonight we were invited to an industry open house at Craigdarroch Castle. At the time (circa 1890) mansions in Victoria were going for about $15,000. Craigdarroch Castle cost coal baron Robert Dunsmuir many millions. When you tour this fabulous four story (plus tower), you will see the exquisite stained glass, the intricate woodwork and the expensive furnishings that filled the castle. This palatial home has 25,572 sq. ft. of space. It took 5 rail cars to bring the 2128 oak panels from Chicago. There are 17 fireplaces and seven long chimney stacks. The castle had gas lighting, electric lighting, hot and cold running water for indoor plumbing, central heating, telephones, and even a burglar alarm. It is easy to see why this restored castle is designated as a National Historic Site. It was completed in 1890. Robert Dunsmuir died before its completion, so only his wife Joan, three of their daughters and two orphaned grandchildren lived on the 28 acre estate. The castle is owned by a not-for-profit charity (The Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society) and the conservation of this national treasure is funded almost exclusively from revenue contributions from the 100,000 annual visitors. 

If you missed today’s tour, tough luck! This is an amazing place. There is information throughout the castle that teaches you about the furnishings, the people of the time, what they wore, and much more. There are volunteers throughout the building that would be thrilled to share their knowledge about the castle with you. It is such a great attraction, one that visitors should not miss. There are seasonal events at the castle that make it even more interesting. If you have not been there yet, it is time you went there. There was a lady we met there today who has lived In Victoria for 20 years and this was her first visit. Don’t wait 20 years and when you do visit, be a generous visitor and leave a healthy donation. It takes a lot of money to keep up with the renovations and upgrades. For more photos, please visit our Facebook Page.

Reason # 363

These pictures are yet another reason why we chose to live in Victoria. Today we golfed under clear blue sky and sun.  There was a cool breeze blowing until we hit the 9th hole and then it got down right warm.  If you go to our facebook page you will see how we handled the hardship of the blossom blast (pink snow, as we call it) and other spring hardships (like getting the blossom blower to start).  Go to our Facebook page for more pictures.

Check out how we spend a spring day in Victoria

The day started out sunny and spectacular but the afternoon turned into a soaker. We did not let that interfere with our day, so we went out and took some pictures. We started downtown on Belleville street at Quadra Park. This is a great spot to stop for a rest when cruising down town. Right next to Quadra Park is the Swiftsure Restaurant in the Days Inn on the Harbour. This restaurant has a great summer time patio and a restaurant with some of the best views of the Inner Harbour. Check it out. From there we drove into Oak Bay to complete some family tasks. Here we discover some amazing double-flowering Plum Trees (The Rose Tree of Chine). The Whitcomb Cherry trees are the first to come out, ususally in March (however, some start blossoming in Mid December or early January). These are indeed beautiful, but my favourite part of spring is when the double-flowering plum trees blossom. It is like looking into a pink cloud. You cannot look into the heart of one of these trees and not remember it forever. My second favourite time in spring is when the apple trees blossom with thick white blossoms. Enjoy our spring experience. This day started out sunny and ended in an unexpected downpour.  For more pictures go to our Facebook page.

 

 

Cowichan Valley Artisans Studio Tour April 26, 27, 28

Experience the passion and creativity of Cowichan Valley Artisans in the unique spaces where they create and perfect their craft. Located on southern Vancouver Island, our studio tour is a wonderful way to explore the rich culture and stunning landscape of the Cowichan Valley. Visit our Artisans year round, and enter their private worlds where they create honest, authentic and original works. You will discover the special places where our Artisans transform raw materials into original personal creations using the specialized tools and traditional practices of their craft. Date: 2013 Launch April 26th, 27th & 28th and on gong throughout the rest of 2013 Location: Individual artisan's studios and galleries Hours: All studios will be open from 10 am to 5 pm for the Launch weekend. Hours as posted in the brochure for the remainder of 2013 The Cowichan Valley Artisans have introduced the CVA Passport to encourage residents and visitors to get out and explore the Cowichan Valley arts scene and participate in their year round studio tour. The Cowichan Valley Artisan Studio Tour features 15 participating studios and artisans between Mill Bay and Ladysmith, and include painters, potters, glass artists, wood workers, fabric artists, a winery, barbershop and biodynamic Farm and Organic Cafe. “Our studio tour is open all year long,”.  For more information, please see our FaceBook Page.