Denniston Park in Esquimalt

This is a small but delightful park in Esquimalt. You get to it by travelling west on Esquimalt Road to Grafton. Turn left and drive to the end of the street. There is parking for about 6 cars. There are great views of Juan de Fuca Strait and out towards Race Rocks Light Station. Shore views are of Saxe Point Park, the Esquimalt Naval Base and more. Great place for a picnic on a warm summer day. Enjoy. For more pics go to Facebook

Abkhazi Gardens Victoria BC

Tucked in the southeastern corner of Victoria is an exquisite garden property with a heritage house turned into a tea room. Prince and Princess Abkhazi began creating their garden in 1946 the year they married and settled in Victoria. Both lived a life of privilege and tragedy. Their garden was a labour of love and they developed it over many years. The garden is comprised of dramatic glaciated rocky slopes, magnificent native Garry oaks and an amazing vista. The garden flows around the rocks, with conifers, Japanese maples and rhododendrons found in the deeper pockets of soil. The rhododendrons are immense and mature, many over 50 years old. Carpets of naturalized bulbs, choice alpines and woodland companions provide interest throughout the year. This is truly a unique garden that has been well designed. Don't miss it. For more pics see facebook.

Shellfish Lovers - Win a trip to Comox-Stay at Crown Isle

Win one of two weekend getaways to the BC Shellfish Festival

Comox, BC – Shellfish lovers have the chance at winning one of two getaway contests to the BC Shellfish Festival this June in the seaside town of Comox to enjoy all the sights, sounds and flavours at the largest shellfish festival on the West Coast.

Contest#1 – Not open to residents of Vancouver Island Two return tickets on Harbour Air from downtown Vancouver direct to Comox on June 17, 2011, returning June 19, 2011 (45 min flight) Two night’s accommodation in a one-bedroom suite with jacuzzi at the Crown Isle Golf & Resort Community, June 17-18, 2011 Two tickets to the Chefs’ Dinner on June 17, 2011 featuring chefs Robert Clark of C Restaurant in Vancouver; Andrew Springett of Black Rock Oceanside Resort in Ucluelet; Andrew Stigant of Crown Isle Golf & Resort Community; Garrett Schack of Vista 18 in Victoria; Richard Verhagen of Market Street Grill on Salt Spring Island and Belinda Jones of Gatehouse Bistro in Cumberland Two tickets to the BCSF Festival Day event at Comox Marina Park, Saturday, June 18, 2011 featuring cooking demos, live bands, the BC Oyster Shucking Championship, local food and more
Deadline to enter is May 1, 2011 Entry details

Contest#2 – Open to all Two night’s accommodation at the Crown Isle Golf & Resort Community, June 17-18, 2011 Two tickets to the Chefs’ Dinner on June 17, 2011 Two tickets to the BCSF Festival Day event at Comox Marina Park, Saturday, June 18, 2011 featuring cooking demos, live bands, the BC Oyster Shucking Championship, local food and more Deadline to enter is May 16, 2011
Entry details

More information about the festival and all the events taking place can be found on our website at www.bcshellfishfestival.ca and our FB Page at www.facebook.com/BCShellfishFestival.

Spriong officially is Sunday at 4 but Victoria is ahead

Yesterday I visited Beacon Hill Park to get my dose of Spring Fever....One shot was not enough. Seemed like everywhere I turned the color just got better and better. Passing back through the city I could not help but notice a good number of cars from frozen Alberta. Smart people! Enjoy.... For more pics, visit our facbook site at:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=34103&l=16599c13d8&id=152079471515355

Vancouver Island Travel Magazine

Coming for a visit to Vancouver Island? If you are looking for ideas, check our web site travel magazine at http://tourismmall.victoria.bc.ca/travelmagazine/ Over the years we have visited many great spots around Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands and reported on these visits in the Travel Magazine. You should get much deeper insights into places to visit by reading some of these articles. How about a grizzly bear tour from Vancouver Island, or a luxury eco/wildlife charter from Ucluelet. It is worth a look. We were close enough to spit at this bear and he never once looked towards our boat. It was amazing. Ollie the Otter was even closer. See our magazine.

Best Kept Secrets of Victoria - the real secrets of Victoria

Coming to southern Vancouver Island? We have published an "Insiders Guide" which we sell on our web site. It is called the Secrets of Victoria? We used to get orders for female underware, people wanting to open a franchise store and girls applying to be models. Sorry, not those secrets just a huge amount of tips about cool things to do when in the Victoria area. You can find details at http://tourismmall.victoria.bc.ca/secret.htm Check it out. Lots of tips, photos, links to more information, and 36 videos. Whoa, what a book! Above, Sooke Potholes - a favourite swimming hole for the hot summer days.