Victoria Travel By Horse Carriage
Tours of Downtown Inner Harbour, Chinatown and Beacon Hill Park
Travel Victoria, BC on a horse-drawn carriage tour before heading to Craigdarroch Castle for a step back in time.
The best way to see Victoria, BC is on a horse drawn carriage tour. The slow pace, klip-klop of the horses hoofs and historical commentary from the driver all add to the majestic experience of yesteryear.
Victorian Carriage Tours
Your best choice is the first company to offer this type of tour, Victorian Carriage Tours, now in their 30th year of operation. They provide service for individuals, couples, groups and special events like weddings, all while riding in a private carriage or trolley.
During the cold months, carriages are covered and heated, making the trips even more romantic. Listen as the uniformed guides tell tales of old Victoria, sprinkled with modern tidbits. The most common packages are the 30-minute downtown or James Bay route, and the Beacon Hill Park area in 45-minutes. Probably the most popular is the 1-hour Royal Tour, which starts at the Empress Hotel, travels through Beacon Hill Park, and ends by going through the oldest Victoria neighbourhood.
Reservations: 1-877-663-2207 or head to the corner of Belleville and Menzies Streets to the green umbrella.
Craigdarroch Castle
Stay in the late 19th century as you make your way to the exquisite Craigdarroch Castle (1050 Joan Crescent, 250-592-5323). Built for coal baron Robert Dunsmuir in the 1890’s, it has been painstakingly restored to its almost-original splendour. The thorough self-guided tour showcases each room in the expansive 4.5 story mansion.
Unique to Western Canada, the interior is rich in detail, from the magnificent wood panelling to the circular radiators and original pieces of art. Make sure to save your best questions for one of the nearly 100 knowledgeable volunteers who warmly point out the smallest of details.
Spring break is a great time to visit, as a few of the passionate volunteers dress in period costumes to really take you back in time. Note that The Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society runs the castle independently and admission prices, donations and gift shop purchases go towards running the organization and the continual restorations that make this mansion so extraordinary.
Where to Stay in Victoria
Magnolia Hotel & Spa: Settle into this boutique hotel in the downtown core of Victoria. Rooms have a deluxe European touch and integrate luxury bathrooms to complement the second floor Spa Magnolia. Complimentary breakfast is served in the adjoining Sanuk restaurant, but make sure to return for lunch or dinner to try the Asian Fusion menu. Reservations: 1-877-MAGNOLIA (624-6654).
The Fairmont Empress: The royal Empress sits atop the inner harbour and has been greeting visitors through its impressive doors for 100 years. The treat of staying here is the building itself, covered with historic vines and turn of the century architecture. Join the throngs of guests for afternoon Royal Tea and dine in both the stately Empress Room and the Bengal Lounge. Reservations: 1-800-257-7544.
Getting to Victoria
There are many options for getting to Victoria. The easiest and most cost efficient is by taking a coach tour from Vancouver. Pacific Coach Lines (reservations: 1-800-661-1725) offers, among many other sightseeing packages, a direct trip from Vancouver’s main bus terminal to downtown Victoria, with a few stops along the way. The roundtrip price of $78 CDN includes the ferry toll, as well as taxes. On top of removing the wait time in your car, not sure if you’ll make the next sailing, just hop on the bus and relax until you arrive in downtown Victoria. The eliminated stress is worth the ticket price, and then some.
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