Excursion to Victoria on Vancouver Island

Victoria was first known as "Fort Albert" and has always presented itself as a Mecca for agreements and negotiations. In fact, it was renamed "Fort Victoria", a tribute and flattery to the Queen of England, in 1843 in anticipation of the Oregon Treaty of 1846, which aimed to put an end to the conflict between the Americans and the English over the Oregon border. A few years later, the Songhees, the indigenous people who lived on the site of Fort Victoria, erected a new village around the fort. Then, between 1850 and 1854, a series of other treaties were signed on the spot, the Douglas Treaties, in reference to James Douglas, the first governor of British Columbia.

The aim of these treaties was to create links with the natives by allowing them to barter with the colonialists. Most notably, the natives were now able to repossess certain lands in exchange for goods. Of course, these exchanges were highly controversial, as the land was stolen from the natives. Later, at the end of the 19th century, Victoria continued to trade with other peoples, becoming one of the most important opium trading ports in North America. The port traded with Hong Kong and distributed throughout the American continent.

This is the heritage on which Victoria was built, and it is also the heritage that the Royal BC Museum offers visitors to discover in part. Presented as one of Victoria's flagship attractions, the museum focuses on both the discovery of the land of British Columbia and its present and past inhabitants. You can learn about the inhabitants of Canada before the colonials landed, while also learning about the flora and fauna endemic to the region and the world. The museum also hosts international exhibitions on subjects as varied as the Titanic, the Vikings, Genghis Khan and Leonardo da Vinci. The museum also boasts an IMAX cinema showing documentaries of all kinds.

Of course, there's plenty more to discover in Victoria. The easiest way is to book a full-day tour via a tour operator, which includes transport and a flexible mix of guided tour and free time. You can watch the marine life from the ferry to Vancouver Island across the British Columbia coastline, stroll through the flowers in Butchart Gardens and admire Victoria's Victorian architecture.

However, this activity does come at a price, even if it does have the advantage of being conveniently taken care of. Alternatively, the self-guided option is of course much cheaper (estimate €30-50 per person) and follows the same route: from Pacific Central Station by bus to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, then by ferry to Swartz Bay. From there, you'll need to take a bus to Victoria, for a total journey from Vancouver to Victoria of around 4 hours, which is by no means insignificant.

However, it's also possible to stay overnight in one of the city's hotels or bed and breakfasts, so you can spread the journey over two days and take your time to see the sights.

Leaving from downtown Vancouver, you'll need to travel south of the city on a bus, line 620, which drops you off directly at the port. Then it's time to hop aboard a ferry for a 1? hour journey through the Strait of Georgia and the picturesque Gulf Islands. Keep an eye out for killer whales along the way if you go between June and September! If you're lucky, you'll catch a glimpse of coastal wildlife from the bridge, including eagles, sea lions, whales and the iconic orcas.

Once you've arrived at the Swartz Bay terminal, hit the road for the botanical paradise of Butchart Gardens, halfway between the port and Victoria. A must-see in British Columbia's capital: millions of bedding plants in over 900 varieties. It takes two hours to fully explore the 50 hectares of magnificent gardens. Get lost in the heart of several themed gardens and admire the immense Sunken Garden, complete with dancing fountain. The only downside is that, as is often the case in Canada, the entrance fee is once again high: $38 per adult in summer, half that for children.

For those who still want more greenery, Beacon Hill Park is another park to the south of the city. With 80 hectares of greenery, bridges, lakes, ponds and large expanses of lawn, it's a great place for birdwatching, sunbathing, picnics and relaxing. Small concerts are also held here on summer weekends.

The city of Victoria boasts many architectural wonders, including the Houses of Parliament and the Fairmont Empress Hotel, located on the waterfront on the edge of Inner Harbour. The former can be visited, while the Empress has an area open to the public, where you can simply enjoy a cup of tea or a bite to eat. Craigdarroch Castle, on the town's hill, is a superb Victorian manor house and a National Historic Site. It can also be visited for $20. Built during the reign of Queen Victoria, its architecture and decoration perfectly reflect the aesthetics of the period.

Victoria's city centre is an ideal place to end the day, accessed by walking through Canada's oldest Chinatown and the picturesque Victoria Harbour. Once you're in the city centre, you can take the opportunity to stroll around before the fateful hour of the ferry. One of the must-sees in the centre is the Inner Harbor, which boasts one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. It's also an ideal place to discover the thriving arts and culture scene, with shows, festivals and concerts taking place here on a regular basis. And don't miss the famous colourful floating houses at Fisherman's Wharf. After all that, it's unfortunately time to catch the ferry and bus back to Vancouver.