Tourism Victoria Open House

Last night we attended the Open House at the new office of Tourism Victoria at #200, 737 Yates Street.  Their new office is amazing.  What a wonderful work space.  I am sure that the staff just loves going to work there.  It is bright, spacious and cheerful.  There are lots of windows with amazing views of downtown.  There is great meeting space and good sized work stations.  There was a trio playing music as we entered and sponsors had food and drinks, showing off their businesses.  The treats were amazing.   It was a great time to meet old friends and new people.   Getting the tourism and business industry together is always worthwhile.  Thanks to Tourism Victoria for a great event.  The turnout was great.  For more pictures of this event go to our Facebook Page.

The Centre of the Universe Victoria BC

The Centre of the Universe -Astronomy interpretive centre and The Plaskett Telescope.

Open your eyes to the skies by visiting the Astronomy Interpretive Centre located about 20 minutes from the city centre on the top of Observatory Hill in Victoria, BC. You will also enjoy telescope tours and presentations in our planetarium and multimedia theatre. During the summer, you may join in public observations with the 1.8-m Plaskett Telescope. In operation since May 6th, 1918, the Plaskett is the centre-piece of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory - a national historic site of Canada. The displays in the Interpretive Centre are amazing as is the size of the machinery the permits the Plasket Telescope to focus in on distant galaxies, planets and stars. If the science bug is in you, this is a great place to visit. There are also tremendous views of the Saanich Peninsula from atop Observatory Hill. Check out our pictures to see what the Centre of the Universe is all about. It is one of the great Victoria area attractions, well worth a visit. For more great pictures go to our Facebook Page.  For more great locations to visit, go to our adventures page.

Devonian Regional Park in Metchosin

Devonian Regional Park is west of Victoria in the municipality of Metchosin. The trail to the beach is a short 10-15 minute walk. The beach is a gravel beach with expansive views over Juan de Fuca Strait. Towards the west is a rocky mound to explore and see even more sights. The scenery is spectacular and it is never very busy. This is a great place for a picnic on a warm sunny day. After our afternoon at Devonian Park we drove further down the road to William Head Prison where you can catch great views of Race Rocks Light Station from the prison parking lot. Enjoy Devonian Park. For more information go to the CRD Parks Web Site.  For more pictures go to our Facebook Page.

Tourism Victoria Open House - Don't Miss It!

New Digs for Tourism Victoria, check it out!

Beacon Hill Park - Don't Miss It

Beacon Hill Park is a wonderful place to visit for all ages.  There is an amazing children’s petting zoo and a great playground off Cook Street for the kids.  The beautiful scenery will amaze you.  Be sure to go to the top of Beacon Hill and look out into Juan de Fuca Strait…it is a great view point.  Below the lookout is covered in daffodils in the spring and spring flowers pop up all over the park.  If you are  on Douglas Street be sure to check out the Terry Fox monument and Mile Zero, one of the most photographed places ever!  Also on Douglas Street is the Beacon Drive Inn, a great place to buy a soft ice cream cone during park visits.  It is immediately across the street from the centre of the park. 

Also off Douglas you can get views of Goodacre Lake.  Just to the right of the lake is a heron rookery where almost 100 heron nests can be found.  It is an amazing place to visit in the spring when all the action takes place.  The Park has an amazing rose garden as well.  You can practice you putting on the putting green just across the street from the entrance to the Petting Zoo.  Have a picnic, stroll the pathways, suck up the scenery, laze away your day, enjoy the flowers and gardens in the park, and don’t miss the ice cream.  There is lots more to see and do.  There is a bandshell that has free concerts in the summer months.  Check out the City of Victoria web site for more info about Beacon Hill Park.For more pictures of Beacon Hill Park, please go to our Facebook Page.

International Chalk Art Festival

Victoria: Government Street. Today some of Government Street was closed to traffic to accommodate the International Chalk Art Festival. Sections of the street we cordoned off for the artist to prepare their masterpieces. Inside the Bay Centre at Centre Court the world's #1 interactive 3D chalk art artist, Tracy Lee Stum was preparing an amazing work of art. We watched her work for a while and then went to the second floor to get a better view. It was amazing how much more 3D it was from higher up. The Festival end tomorrow, however Tracy's work will be on display until Sept. 30. Check it out. It is amazing. Enjoy our photos.  For more pictures, please go to our Facebook page.

Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Light Station

Fort Rodd Hill is a National Historic Site and one of the best attraction deals in greater Victoria.  The Fort was built to protect the harbour and Esquimalt Naval Base.  There is a lot of history in this Park and sights of interest to one and all.  The light house built in 1860 is the oldest one on the West Coast and it is well preserved and full of artifacts and the attached house gives visitors a great look at life back a century or more.  They have some great activities for children in the summer and have lots of special events during the summer months.  The views from the property of the Light House, the Olympic Mountains, traffic from the Naval base, and Esquimalt Lagoon are amazing.  On our last visit a submarine cruised into the harbour right past the light station.  There is some great kayaking in this area and easy access from Esquimalt Lagoon.  Enjoy Fort Rodd Hill and the Fisgard Light. Be sure to check it out you will be amazed.  Today we also saw seals frolicking near shore and a full deer skeleton laying on the beach, half buried in the sand.  You just never know what you will find and see when you re near the ocean.  Enjoy our tour. For more pictures of this great attraction, see our Facebook Page.

The Breakfast Bistro - Better try this one

We tried this eatery on the recommendation of a friend. It was so good that we were back the next day with out of town friends Holle and Hans. All enjoyed their meals. If you are looking for a great place for breakfast, brunch or lunch, give it a try. Hours are 7-3 Mon-Fri and 8-2 Sat/Sun. Enjoy. We sure did. Visit their web site at http://cherriesbreakfastbistro.com/
It is located in behind the Coop Gas Station at the corner of Interurban and Wilkingson Road.

For more pictures of the food and restaurant, visit our Facebook Page.

Belmiro's Restaurant and Lounge WOW

Last night we tried one of Victoria’s newest destinations in fine dining, Belmiro’s Restaurant and Lounge, which recently opened in the Executive House Hotel. Located one block from Victoria’s Inner Harbour and right across the street from the Victoria Conference Centre, it is close to everything downtown. Belmiro's has a vibrant menu of fresh local ingredients, coupled with an extensive selection of wine and beverages, served by energetic and knowledgeable staff in a beautifully decorated contemporary environment. Linda’s choice was an appetizer of Steak Tartare and then Paella loaded with chorizo, chicken, clams, mussels, prawns, saffron risotto, and parmigiano. Ron’s ordered a delicious tomato based Seafood Chowder, chock full of fresh seafood, and then Beef Tenderloin Mesquite, grilled and covered with a delicious demi-glace, served with bacon bleu cheese mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. Ron is not a bleu cheese fan and had no problem switching to a buttermilk mash. 

Both meals were superbly presented and thoroughly enjoyed. The chef provided ample time between courses which was appreciated as we were pretty full after our appetizers. We liked everything on the dessert menu but we just could not manage an after dinner sweet. That's a good reason to come back soon and come back we will. We found that the high quality of food matched the beautiful surroundings of the restaurant and the excellent service. Simple details such as real cream in a jug (no creamers) were evident, demonstrating good management and a desire to make the dining experience top notch! We are certain you'll quickly find a few menu favourites when you try Belmiro’s and we sincerely recommend that you do. Whether you're looking for the perfect dining spot for that special occasion, just need a coffee and dessert after a hard day shopping or simply want to slip into the lounge for a cocktail, we are sure your experience will be a memorable one. Belmiro’s is open for breakfast, weekend brunch, dinner and late night. Follow this link to their menu and website for additional details. Enjoy!

For more pictures of the food and restaurant, please go to our Facebook page.

Thetis Lake Park - Don't miss it

Thetis Lake Park is a regional conservation area that was established as Canada's first nature sanctuary in 1958. The park offers numerous outdoor activities in a natural setting. Among the park features are a swamp and lake ecosystem, delicate spring wild flowers, a Garry Oak ecosystem along with a Douglas Fir Forest, freshwater lake swimming, canoeing and kayaking, beaches, picnic areas, fishing (stocked with Rainbow Trout), hiking on moderate to challenging trails and boating (only electric motors allowed).  It is located on Six Mile Road in Langford. 

If you like hiking there is a trail that hugs the shores of Upper and Lower Thetis Lakes.  It takes around an hour to circle the lakes.  If you want more panoramic views of the area, take the more challenging trails up Seymore or Scafe hills.  The beach area is popular for family swims and picnics.  The boat launch seems to be a popular spot for off leash dog walks and swims.  It is where people put their canoes and kayaks in the water.  If you paddle early in the morning you will be almost alone on the lake.  Swimming and picnics do not get underway till near noon.

This beautiful park is one that you should not miss while in Victoria.  Locals know!  For more pictures of Thetis Lake go to our Facebook Page.  For more information about this and other great regional parks, go to the CRD Parks web site.

Blue Moon Over Victoria - You missed it

Please go to our facebook page so you can see all of the photos I took last night under a spectacular sky.  Enjoy.