We arrived on the ninth day of our vacation, after traveling by bus for a while we finally arrived in Victoria, a beautiful city, capital of 'island, which lies in the south-east of the island and enjoys a wonderful mild climate full of sunny days and warm.
This is one of the most British of Canadian cities, and is an excellent place for all those who love adventure, they will cross the 'Inner Harbour in a kayak, dive into these beautiful waters or walk the West Coast Trail.
Just to give you a 'general idea about the history of the city, must first be said that it was originally inhabited by native Salish, but in 1843, was settled when James Douglas, acting on the' Hudson's Bay Company founded Fort Victoria as a station for trade in hides; in 1849 became officially part of the Brtitish Crown.
After having admired the harbor, we headed to our first hostel, the Hi of Victoria(http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-HI---Victoria-011078.en.htm) the prices are good, it is in a nice building at 516 Yates Street, number phone is (403) 670-7580, and very close you can find various supermarkets.
However the next day we had to go in another hostel, backpackers of
Victoria, "Ocean Island", located at 791 Pandora Avenue in a building on the corner.
Prices vary,
1) if it is a dorm bed in 19 to 28 USD,
2) if you want a private room from $ 28 to $ 84
3) If you want a suite you can reach from $ 95 up to $ 139 (at night).
When you enter you immediately feel a 'looked very happy and fun but, also this time, the next day we would have to leave becouse of the reservation just for one night.
Very useful, if not decisive, was the VIC, Visitors Information Center (phone 250-953-2033; www.tourismvictoria.com, 812 Wharf St., opening hours 8.30-18) found the Inner Harbour.
If you need information about BC Ferries, please contact the office located in Fort St., open from 7 to 22 (Tel 250-386-3431).
You must to walk through the city filled with wonderful boutiques, but also shopping centers.
For book lovers for their trips, new or old, there are various libraries to see, in Johnson St, between Douglas and Wharf: Lamplight Books, Munro's Books.
The Bay Centre (tel. 250-382-7141) is really nice, big and modern where you can find shops of all kinds, not least, beautifully delivered surf shop.
Do not miss the shops to do jewellery, and those who love sport or 'sportswear Mountain Equipment (http://www.mec.ca/Main/home.jsp; this site may be useful as a reference for you idea).
This charming area is located in 'northern end of town and is the oldest Chinatown in Canada. You can find many bars, restaurants and markets that animate all the cheap Chinatown.
The eleventh day we finally went to see the whales. It is a great spectacle that offers this particular area, from April to October, the waters south of the island are home to about ninety orcas and there are many organized outings to admire in both raft and boat. A dozen agencies are offering this service and each one can occupy a given stretch of water does it take so well informed before choosing. One of these is the Five Star Whale Watching (phone 250-388-7223, www.5starwhales.com, 706 Douglas St, adults \ children $ 90-60, hours from 10 to 14 and 17.30)
So at the end of this wonderful adventure we headed to our hostel, we packed up and we informed the VIC if there was the possibility of finding another, and here is a fantastic discovery, the campus in summer rent rooms and offer many services including half board at bargain prices!
What you see below is a view of part of the campus.
UVC is the University of Victoria, located in the woods in a nice neighborhood with a bus station, a clothing store and much more, not to mention numerous dining options within the same universities that offer many type of food. After all this is a beautiful table that will offer breakfast at a great bargain lunches and dinners really good, so that you will not want to leave!
The rooms are very nice and very clean as are the bathrooms floor.
A really interesting feature in this university is the presence of rabbits.
This is a great number who live peacefully in contact with the man without giving any trouble.
Indeed many are really sweet and sociable too. You see in these pictures are one of the last litters, the smallest I've seen and when we approached too quickly all ten, about, hiding in the den but being too much the smallest generally remained the last and protruded out ears' tips.
In just 10 minutes walk then you can get in a little square where you will find various shops as well as a Starbucks and a Subway.
A bit of history may have been born to better understand how these beautiful gardens.
In 1888, Robert Pim Butchart began its production of Portland cement, quickly became a huge success and attracted the west coast and its calcium deposits built a factory on Vancouver Island and in 1904 they settled there with his family.
Over time Mr. Butchart exhausted the limestone, but his wife Jennie decided to organize a restructuring plan and taking several tons of soil from fields near the quarry started popping the Sunken Garden and then around other gardens.
In 1908, taking as starting their journeys created Japanese gardens, Italian and many others.
The fame of this' work quickly spread, thousands of them went to visit and the first word that they read (and still says) was "Benvenuto" the Italian word to say "welcome." Today the residence contains the dining room and offices.
To achieve these wonderful gardens there are many shuttles.
Having finished before evening visit to Butchart Gardens, we decided to head once again on the city, towards the Inner Harbour, the heart of Victoria, where there are two magnificent and impressive buildings, the Fairmont Empress Hotel and Parliament Buildings.
The Parliament Buildings, stone and copper, are located near the harbor, were designed by Francis Rettenbury (who also designed the Fairmont Empress Hotel) and completed in 1898. Are characterized by a main dome on which there is a statue of Captain George Vencouver, the first white man to circumnavigate the island.
Once inside, during the visit, you can see marble floors, brass fixtures and paintings illustrating the history of Canada.
General Information: Phone 250-387-1400;
501 Belleville St,
Free admission, free tours, hourly from 8.30 to 17.00
Visits from June to September.
You surely would not miss the wonderful Bacon Hill Park!
You can reach it by walking along Douglas Street, south of center.
It is 61 acres, including lakes, gardens, sports fields, and small zoo organized to put children in contact with nature.
You can also admire the totem second highest in the world, a reserve for wild birds and a cricket ground built about a century ago.
The south side takes you straight on 'ocean, and Dallas St there are gardens that lead you on the beach.
You will see beautiful landscapes.
Interesting is the area of Fisherman's Wharf is located just west of the 'Inner Harbour, rich in vessels and boats over. Here you can buy excellent fish and you will find a wonderful fish and chips: the Barb's Place (the main course between 7 and $ 9, lunch and dinner), the most good, they say, in the area. It lies between the many boats and next to what I would call a village within the city, this is all old boats or houseboats made into homes, where many families live, and deny that there also would love to me.
If you are lucky, they will appear while you dine, seals attempting to seek something to eat and if you do not want to give part of your lunch, there's a restaurant right next to stalls selling fish which are tasty.
For me it was an incredible experience.
Another place where you can eat really well and are really comfortable and the John's Place (tel. 250-389-0799; 723 Pandora Ave.)
Main courses cost between 7 and $ 11 and dealing with breakfast lunch and dinner.
This is a fun, noisy, pleasant and inviting room with highly generous portions. Breakfast at least once you have it there, is well known in Victoria, where you found the queue and wait until you are confident because it really is worthwhile.
The last day on Vancouver Island we have dedicated some baggage, but also to visit the beaches frequented by the university, judge for yourself their beauty.
In three days we stopped in Vancouver, still around for a store, then off to Toronto and back to Rome.
What left me this way?
Certainly the desire to return and I think that fulfill more than any other word.
For any information left in the comments or send me an email.