Here's why Victoria is the best place to spend a weekend this summer

Summer is all about travelling, making memories, and taking a bunch of Instagram photos along the way.

And although we adore Vancouver, we can’t deny the urge to explore other cities (and islands) here in BC. This summer, you don’t have to go far to immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere because it’s waiting for you in the charming city of Victoria.

Getting there is easy when you book your trip with BC Ferries Connector. Operated by The Wilson’s Group, the hassle-free service picks you up in Vancouver and takes you right to your drop-off location in Downtown Victoria. Travelling with the BC Ferries Connector saves you money on gas and books your ferry ticket for you, so you’ve got one less thing to worry about.

And since there’s a “guaranteed on-board” policy that lets you skip the line at the ferry terminal, you never have to worry about missing your trip. Before you book your trip to Victoria, here’s a look at some of the things you can do while you’re there.

Taste heavenly pastries

La Roux Patisserie Inc./Facebook

It’s natural to spend time researching the best places to eat while you’re on vacation, but to save you the hassle, we’re giving you the ultimate breakfast tip: La Roux Patisserie. This chandelier-lit French pastry shop has every kind of freshly-baked treat you could possibly want to enjoy with a cup of coffee. It’s simply the nicest place to start off a morning in Victoria before heading out to see the city. Pro tip: Anything with puff pastry and chocolate is always a must!

Join a sightseeing tour

Gray Line Sightseeing Victoria/Facebook

Spending one weekend in Victoria is definitely enough time to see the city’s most iconic sights, especially when you join a hop-on hop-off tour on a double-decker bus. This allows you to explore at your own pace when you purchase either a 24 or 48-hour access pass. Check out the city’s major attractions like the old town, Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, Ogden Point, Beacon Hill Park, Mile 0, Oak Bay Marina, Cook Street Village, the Empress Hotel, Bastion Square, and more.

Empress Hotel/BC Ferries Connector

Chinatown/The Wilson’s Group

Discover the Butchart Gardens

The Butchart Gardens/Facebook

A trip to Victoria wouldn’t be complete without joining a tour to visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens. This National Historic site of Canada covers 55 acres of lush gardens just over 30 minutes north of the downtown core. Of course, you can visit at any time during the year, but summer is the optimum time to see the vast array of colourful florals in bloom. During summer, catch the Night Illuminations display and Firework Saturdays from June 29.

Enjoy dinner and drinks by the waterfront

Canoe Brewpub/Facebook

Victoria is renowned for its scenic inner harbour and there’s no better way to enjoy the views than over dinner. With an idyllic location, Canoe Brewpub lets you take in waterfront vistas on one of the best patios in the city. Order some drinks and bites to eat with your favourite people and watch the world go by.

Travelling from Vancouver to Victoria has never been easier with the BC Ferries Connector’s daily service. It’s a convenient, reliable, and affordable, way to travel and there’s plenty of baggage storage, too (always a bonus!).

Get 35% off all journeys from Vancouver to Victoria and vice versa from June 3 to 13 when you use the promo code JuneSavings2019 at the checkout by June 13. View terms and conditions here.

For more information and to book your trip, visit BC Ferries Connector now.