Victoria is the largest city on Vancouver Island and one of the oldest European-established cities in the Pacific Northwest. In 1843, it was chosen as a trading post for the Hudson’s Bay Company and named in honour of Queen Victoria herself. Prior to this, the area was inhabited by several First Nations groups, and while the city swiftly became a large European settlement, today many First Nations people from all over Vancouver Island still call this home. Also known as the ‘Garden City,’ it is often cited, perhaps unsurprisingly, as having a certain English feel to it; however, it is also infused with an unmistakable Canadian vibrancy and flair and offers a great range of cultural and scenic attractions.

The city is adorned with a sweeping oceanfront, large parks, and a pretty harbour, from which there are regular departures by boat and seaplane on whale-watching and sightseeing excursions. The downtown area is compact enough to comfortably walk around, with many diverse neighbourhoods, well-tended parks, and a heady selection of boutique and unique stores, welcoming cafés, and impressive museums and art galleries.

Having said all this, you don’t have to dig too deep to glimpse the inner workings of the city, from the sturdy fishing boats that still make their living from the surrounding waters to the province’s political hub of government buildings and the locals’ favourite seafront walking paths — Victoria is a city that makes you feel like a guest rather than just a visitor.