Enjoy the highlights of Victoria and visit the spectacular Butchart Gardens. Departing Ogden Point your guide will point out the highlights including the majestic legislative buildings, Empress Hotel, Royal British Columbia Museum, and Beacon Hill Park.

At Butchart Gardens, see how the Butchart family transformed a barren rock quarry into what is now one of the world’s best-known horticultural attractions, covering more than 55 acres. The gardens are a lush paradise of flowers, rare trees and winding paths, that were created more than 100 years ago. Enjoy the cascading fountains and footbridges connecting you to the many themed gardens, including the beautiful Sunken Garden, the Japanese Garden and the Rose Garden. Multi-language maps will assist you on your self-guided tour.

The gardens are illuminated by thousands of hidden lights in the evening.

This tour provides you an in-depth look into some of the best sights that Victoria has to offer, plus visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Your tour sets out through James Bay through the city's beautiful Beacon Hill Park, home of the world's tallest freestanding totem pole, then a fully narrated tour to the world famous Butchart Gardens. A National Historic Site and spread over 55 acres, there are walking trails that connect lavish floral gardens, cascading fountains, ponds and rock gardens. Here, amidst an enchanting floral aroma, you can enjoy a 2- hour self-guided tour through many themed gardens, including The Rose Garden, The Japanese Garden, The Italian Garden and Butchart’s famous Sunken Garden.

After taking in this impressive attraction, continue to Victoria’s Inner Harbor to view the iconic Empress Hotel and BC Legislative Buildings, passing through the “Gates of Harmonious Interest” to see historic Chinatown, the second oldest in North America. You’ll travel past Old Town making your way back to the cruise terminal, or use the optional drop downtown to make your own way back to the ship, if time in port permits.

A visit to Victoria would not be complete without a trip to Butchart Gardens and you’ve not seen anything like the Victoria Butterfly Garden’s lush tropical world. Enjoy the city sights as you make your way out to the rural home of both these beautiful gardens. The Butchart Gardens is a National Historic Site with a 55- acre wonderland of flowers, rare trees, winding paths and cascading fountains. Explore the many themed gardens; the Italian Garden, Sunken Garden, the Rose Garden and the Japanese Garden.

The other main attraction on this tour is Victoria Butterfly Gardens. This beautiful warm tropical garden has thousands of exotic, free flying butterflies, as well as an impressive insectarium, flamingos, dozens of other tropical birds and reptiles, and Koi swimming in the stream and pond. A 12,000 sq. ft. enclosure, the Gardens features 200 species of orchids and thousands of tropical plants including Foods of the World and Carnivorous Plant displays. Reboard your coach to see the highlights of Victoria, including North America's second oldest Chinatown, historic Old Town, and the Inner Harbor, home to the iconic BC Legislative Buildings and the Empress Hotel.

Experience Victoria's highlights and the two most popular attractions, a 19th century Victorian castle and the world famous Butchart Gardens. Your tour will start by motor coach through the city's Beacon Hill park before arriving to Craigdarroch Castle. Now a National Historic Site, the castle gives visitors a rare glimpse of what privileged life was like during the reign of Queen Victoria. Your informative self-guided tour will take you through many of the castle’s 39 lavish rooms and up the stairway to Craigdarroch’ s signature tower. Continue the Highlights of Victoria to your next must see stop, the Butchart Gardens, spread over 55 beautiful acres. Here, amidst an enchanting floral aroma, you can take a self-guided tour through many themed gardens, including The Rose Garden, The Japanese Garden, and the picturesque Sunken Garden.

We then travel through Chinatown to the downtown Inner Harbour, Victoria’s centerpiece and home to The Royal BC Museum, the BC Legislative Buildings, and the iconic Empress Hotel. Take advantage of the optional drop off downtown to further explore on your own (if time in port permits) or enjoy the highlights back to the ship.

View picturesque Victoria on this entertaining 2 hour and 15 minute tour with a distinctly Canadian flavor.

Take in the city's iconic landmarks along the way.

See the oldest Chinatown in Canada, and the stately Empress Hotel and Legislature building in Victoria's beautiful Inner Harbour.

Heading up Mount Tolmie, you'll encounter a wonderful panoramic city view, followed by a drive through the University of Victoria, where the original campus design has an interesting American connection.

What's the big deal about Tim Horton's? You're about to find out as you stop for coffee and a small snack at this Canadian institution -- a fast-food chain that is virtually synonymous with Canadian citizenship.

A Canadian trivia quiz will entertain you along the way -- with prizes, of course -- ensuring that you learn a little about our northern neighbor and adding some variety to your outing. You'll pass through downtown en route back to the pier. Guests have the option to stay downtown and make there own way back to the pier if they would like.

A Canadian goodie bag is yours to enjoy, with chips, a chocolate bar and maple candy at the end of the tour.

Enjoy a panoramic drive through Victoria’s inner harbor in the evening, when the city lights are twinkling brightly, and the urban landscape is spectacularly radiant. You will first pause at the Canadian institution Tim Hortons for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and a few tasty Timbits, the franchise’s bite-size donuts. Then just settle in and admire the sights, perhaps the most famous being the grand Fairmont Empress, a château-style hotel built in 1908 that overlooks the waterfront. The domed Legislative Assembly of British Columbia dominates the skyline because it is outlined in brilliant white lights. Other landmarks that look more dramatic at night include the Maritime Museum and Royal BC Museum. Throughout the trip, the tranquil waters of the inner harbor will reflect the city lights, making the setting all the more memorable. As a parting gift, you will receive a classic Canadian goodie bag.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Drive through Victoria’s inner harbor at night, when it is beautifully illuminated.
• Pass landmarks such as the Parliament complex and the Fairmont Empress hotel.
• Enjoy coffee and donut morsels from Tim Hortons, a Canadian institution.
• Play Canadian trivia for prizes during the drive and receive a goodie bag.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Take an insider’s tour of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, a national historic site that is more commonly known as the Centre of the Universe. The observatory perches on Little Saanich Mountain high above Victoria and has been instrumental in studying the night sky since opening more than a century ago. Its two telescopes has contributed significantly to our understanding of the Milky Way, magnetic stars and distant quasars and galaxies. But you don’t have to be an astronomer to appreciate the observatory’s research and findings. An enlightening planetarium show and a look at the Plaskett telescope will make even the most complex astronomical concepts easier to understand. That telescope has been upgraded over the years and is nearly 10,000 more sensitive than when it was built in 1918. It is still used every clear night and provides crucial data, often in determining the orbits of comets and asteroids.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Tour the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, also known as the Centre of the Universe.
• Watch an enlightening presentation in the planetarium and see the Plaskett telescope.
• Gain an understanding of the discoveries made at the observatory over the past century.
• Travel through Victoria’s beautiful downtown on the way to and from the observatory.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Victoria is one of the most picturesque cities in North America – it exudes old world charm and has a distinctively British flair. You’ll discover the heart and soul of the “City of Gardens” on this tour and appreciate why so many visitors from around the world come each year to visit. Starting at Ogden Point you’ll head into the residential neighborhoods, complete with manicured lawns, abundant flowers of all shapes and sizes, and million dollar views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountain range.

Your tour will continue through the city's impressive Beacon Hill Park, complete with free flying peacocks and the world's tallest freestanding totem pole. After enjoying the sites of old town and Chinatown, you’ll enter Victoria's Inner Harbor. This lively area is home to the Royal British Columbia Museum, numerous street performers, craft vendors, food stalls, legislative buildings and the world famous Fairmont Empress Hotel.

There are fewer cities more spectacularly suited for a walking tour than Victoria. This delightful two-hour excursion will commence at the cruise terminal and start out along the seawall that is lined with the well-manicured lawns and gardens of those lucky enough to live with a view of the Strait of Juan De Fuca and the Olympic Mountain Range.

Stepping away from the bustle of the cruise terminal, you will travel up towards Beacon Hill Park, which offers views of the famous Inner Harbor. From this point, you'll walk down into the heart of town which is full of shopping, restaurants, nightclubs and much more. The Inner Harbor of Victoria is a bustling and vibrant area with regular seaplane departures to the surrounding islands, street performers, local crafts and food vendors. This is also the location of the Royal BC Museum, the British Columbia Parliament Buildings and the world-famous Fairmont Empress Hotel with its façade of century-old ivy- covered walls. As you make your way through the city, your experienced local guide will share with you the inside stories and history of the area and a true insider's knowledge of all things unique to the City of Victoria.

Your guided tour concludes on the lawns of the Empress Hotel and you are encouraged to further explore Downtown on your own before heading back to the ship at your leisure. For those who don't wish to walk back, a shuttle will be available.

The city of Victoria is steeped in old world charm. With its manicured lawns and impressive displays of gardens and hanging baskets adorning the streets, you’ll see why Victoria is nicknamed the “City of Gardens”. At the cruise terminal you’ll board your trolley, powered by two magnificent draught horses.

Your journey will take you past the gorgeous historical homes, located between the cruise terminal and the downtown inner harbor. Enjoy the lively narration of your guide as they “giddy up” and “whoa boy” this tour through town! You’ll see the largest park in Victoria, as well as the famous Empress Hotel, and the British Columbia legislative buildings. Sit back and relax as you’re carried by real horsepower back to the ship.

Tucked behind a stately hedge in a quiet suburb lies on of Victoria’s best kept secrets- the magical Abkhazi Garden with its exquisite design and rich history. Wander with your guide through this beautiful garden of dramatic glaciated rocky slopes, magnificent Garry oaks and gorgeous vistas. Then, filled with the garden’s sights and scents, retreat to the charming teahouse to enjoy a three-tier Royal tea. Seated in the teahouse-Prince and Princess Abkhazi’s original residence- allow yourself to be transported back in time, as your guide recounts the couple’s captivating story of privilege and tragedy, separation and romance. It’s a story that spans three continents and a world war, and which gave life to this exquisite garden. Finally, relaxed by the tranquillity of this garden oasis and replete after a royal tea, reboard your coach for a reflective city tour before heading back to the pier. ** Garden is closed to the general public**

Savor a sampling of characteristic Vancouver Island wines and ciders at three estates known for their inventive production techniques and unusual combination of flavors.

After departing from the pier, you experience a narrated and magnificent scenic highlights drive up island with a stop for vista views of southern Vancouver Island. Your destination is the Cowichan Valley wine region with similar growing conditions as northern Germany and France. The warm summers, mild winters and gravelly soils are ideal for growing grapes and apples that are used to produce unique wines and ciders.

You will have the opportunity to sample some of these ciders at Merridale Cidery & Distillery, which is a family-owned, community-minded orchard and cider house. They grow crisp cider apples and strive to produce award-winning cider. A small farm with a big heart and aim to deliver an exceptional experience.

Continuing on through the Cowichan Valley, to Unsworth with their handcrafted wines of distinction. Here taste and hospitality meet in a magnificent setting as you enjoy various samplings and stroll the estate. Your third stop is Blue Grouse where you can enjoy award winning classic wines from well-established vines. All set in a modern West Coast inspired structure overlooking the rolling vineyards. Upon your return, enjoy the highlights of Victoria through downtown with Chinatown, Old Town, and the Inner Harbor, home to the iconic BC Legislative Buildings and Empress Hotel.