This perfectly paced tour allows you to step onto a horse-drawn trolley and then step back in time to experience Victoria as people did when Queen Victoria reigned over the British Empire. The trolleys, which have become synonymous with Victoria, are drawn by two magnificent draught horses who know the route almost as well as your guide. Your tour begins at the Ogden Point Pier and then winds through the historic neighborhood of James Bay and then into Victoria’s famed Inner Harbour, home to the Royal BC Museum, The Steamship Terminal, and the iconic Fairmont Hotel Empress. If your tour happens to be at night, you’re sure to be dazzled by the thousands of lights that line British Columbia’s stately Legislative Buildings, designed by famed British-born architect, Francis Rattenbury. Your horse-drawn trolley offers blankets to keep you warm in the event of a cool evening breeze and the passenger area is covered to provide protection in the unlikely event of a shower.

Settle in for a panoramic drive through Victoria at night, when the city is brightly illuminated and most atmospheric, and cap off the evening with free time in the Inner Harbour area. Victoria looks captivating any time of the day, but especially at night when the city lights are twinkling. You will begin your exploration near Mile 0 – the western terminus of the nearly 5,000-mile Trans-Canada Highway – continue past leafy Beacon Hill Park and travel on into Old Town, where remnants of Fort Victoria overlook the waterfront. Chinatown is also extraordinarily historic as it is the oldest such neighborhood in Canada. It really comes alive in the evening as shoppers and diners crowd the pedestrian-friendly streets, which are strung with brightly colored lanterns. Not to be outdone, the Parliament Buildings and many of their domes are outlined in thousands of lights. You can further explore this engaging area on foot during free time.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Drive through Victoria’s downtown at night, when the city is most radiant.
• See the best of Old Town and enjoy outstanding views of the oldest Chinatown in Canada.
• Pass the neo-baroque Parliament Buildings, which look spectacular outlined in lights.
• Explore the wonderfully atmospheric and vibrant Inner Harbour area on your own.

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

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.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a private round-trip transfer through Victoria’s charming streets on your way to the iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel. Arrive for a 90-minute Afternoon Tea experience, complete with elegantly presented sandwiches, pastries, and sparkling wine in the hotel’s legendary Tea Room. After savoring this quintessentially Victoria tradition, relax on the scenic return drive to the cruise terminal, taking in city highlights along the way. A refined, indulgent experience that blends local culture, history, and elegance.

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

OVERVIEW

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, 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.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk around Victoria at a leisurely pace that allows you to really take in the sights.
• Make note of neighborhoods and shops that you might like to explore further on your own.
• Listen to the guide elaborate on the city’s founding and significant role in the gold rush.
• Remain in town if you choose and browse iconic landmarks such as the Fairmont Empress hotel.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Experience the thrill of whale watching while enjoying the comfort of a spacious, covered vessel designed for all-weather cruising. This relaxing marine adventure offers the chance to observe magnificent humpback whales, orcas, gray whales, and minke whales in their natural habitat, along with sea lions, seals, porpoises, and a variety of marine birds. Settle into heated indoor cabins or step onto open-air decks for unobstructed panoramic views as certified Marine Naturalists share fascinating stories and insights about the whales and the waters of the Salish Sea. With complimentary hot beverages and a photo package included, this easy-going tour is ideal for families, first-time whale watchers, and guests seeking a comfortable and memorable wildlife experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise aboard a covered vessel featuring heated cabins, onboard restrooms, and open-air viewing decks.
• Watch for humpback whales, orcas, gray whales, and minke whales, along with other marine wildlife
• Learn from certified Marine Naturalists who provide expert narration throughout the tour.
• Enjoy complimentary hot beverages while taking in 360-degree ocean views.
• Receive a complimentary photo package to remember your experience.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in layers or bring a warm jacket, as ocean conditions can be cool.
• Wear comfortable, flat shoes suitable for walking on boat decks.
• Bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, a camera, and a snug-fitting hat is recommended.
• A reusable water bottle is recommended.

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 have 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 will make even the most complex astronomical concepts easier to understand. You will see the original model of the telescope that journeyed to the world’s fair in 1915. You will also see the original 2.2-ton mirror for the telescope, world events at the start of the 20th century made the journey of this mirror quite special.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, also known as the Centre of the Universe.
• Watch an enlightening presentation in the planetarium.
• 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.

OVERVIEW

Sample a selection of craft beers and single-malt whiskies made with locally sourced ingredients at the only combined microbrewery and distillery in Canada. A guide in a Scottish tartan kilt will lead you on an entertaining behind-the-scenes tour of both locales – Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery and Twa Dogs Brewery – and describe the production of the whiskies and beers in detail. You can expect it to be an eye-opening experience as these libations are made exclusively using traditional techniques that guarantee their extraordinary quality. During the tastings, you will be served two distinctly aged whiskies and three beers that may include an aromatic raspberry crème brûlée ale, an IPA made from four different hops and a sour beer flavored with coriander and salt. An enlightening driving tour through Victoria follows, during which you will pass through Canada’s oldest Chinatown and view the iconic Empress Hotel and grand Parliament complex along the Inner Harbor.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an insider’s tour of Canada’s only combined microbrewery and distillery.
• See how the various craft beers and single-malt whiskies are produced using traditional techniques.
• Sample a selection of beers and whiskies made with locally sourced ingredients.
• View many of the landmarks in downtown Victoria on an enlightening driving tour.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Embark on a fun-filled highlights tour that combines sightseeing with the exhilarating sport of axe throwing. This tour will take you through Victoria's most iconic landmarks, starting with Mile O, the Terry Fox Statue, and Beacon Hill Park. Next, you'll explore the Inner Harbour, home to the historical Canadian Pacific Railway building, the BC Legislative Buildings, the Royal BC Museum, and the iconic Empress Hotel. As you pass through Old Town and Chinatown, you'll get a taste of Victoria's rich cultural heritage. The highlight of the tour is a visit to Victoria's premier urban axe throwing facility. Here, you'll experience the quintessential Canadian backyard sport brought indoors. Under the supervision of experienced coaches, people of all ages and abilities can try axe throwing in a safe environment. Experts will ensure that amateur axe throwers use the proper technique to land a bullseye, and once you get the hang of it, you can engage in some friendly competition.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit most iconic landmarks, starting with Mile 0, the Terry Fox Statue and Beacon Hill Park from comfort of your coach seat.
• Enjoy premier urban axe throwing and learn proper technique to land a bullseye.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an immensely scenic and highly entertaining drive through Victoria, the compact capital of British Columbia with a distinctly Canadian flavor. You will hit the highlights, but none so broadly illuminating as a stop atop Mount Tolmie for a sweeping 360 degree view of the city. Major attractions in the heart of Victoria include the grand Parliament complex along the Inner Harbor, the British-influenced Empress Hotel, the University of Victoria and Canada’s oldest Chinatown, which was settled by the 19th-century Chinese immigrants that arrived to build the railways and join the gold rush. Still, few institutions are more well-known in Victoria than Tim Hortons, where you will pause for a cup of its signature coffee. Try some Timbits. By tour’s end, you will know more about Victoria than you ever imagined as you will play trivia along the way and receive a Canadian goodie bag.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain an overall perspective of Victoria on a panoramic drive through the downtown.
• Pass landmarks such as the Parliament complex, Chinatown and the Empress Hotel.
• Enjoy a cup of coffee and 4 small Timbits, at Tim Hortons, a downtown institution.
• Play Canadian trivia for prizes during the drive and receive a Canadian goodie bag.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Enjoy a panoramic bike ride through Victoria in the evening when the city lights are twinkling brightly and the urban landscape is spectacularly radiant. The pedaling will be easier than ever – even on any hills that you encounter – as you will be traveling on an electric-enhanced bicycle. Victoria is made for bicycling, in fact, it is considered the Cycling Capital of Canada because it features so bicycle-friendly areas. The guide will point out and describe the main attractions as you ride along the waterfront of the Inner Harbour, where you will find icons such as the Parliament Buildings and the Fairmont Empress Hotel. The lights reflecting off the water will make the experience all the more magical. For contrast, you will ride through Chinatown, which is particularly vibrant at night. Chinatown has been designated a National Historic Site for being the oldest such neighborhood in Canada.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Ride an e-bike through Victoria’s downtown at night, when the city is beautifully illuminated.
• Enjoy easier pedaling as the bike is electric-enhanced and requires less effort on your part.
• Gain an understanding of why Victoria is considered the Cycling Capital of Canada.
• Pass the neo-baroque Parliament Buildings, which look spectacular outlined in lights.
• Pedal through vibrant Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown in Canada.

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

OVERVIEW

Settle in for an enlightening introductory drive through Victoria with stops to snap photos and to explore a heritage church of great architectural significance. The capital of British Columbia, Victoria has retained plenty of greenspaces within its urban downtown. One of the most popular is leafy Beacon Hill Park, an oasis that marks the western terminus or Mile 0 of the nearly 5,000-mile Trans-Canada Highway. You will pause for photos at Victoria’s sheltered Inner Harbour, a hub of activity near landmarks such as the Parliament Buildings, the Royal BC Museum and the stately Fairmont Empress hotel. You will also pass through Chinatown, the oldest such neighborhood in Canada. Not far away, you will find the Christ Church Cathedral, an imposing stone building built in the late 1920s in the Gothic Revival style. The interior of the Anglican cathedral is equally impressive, especially the 4,000-pipe organ and stained-glass windows.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through the capital of British Columbia and come away with a remarkable overview of the city.
• Pause for photos in the beautiful Inner Harbour.
• Pass landmarks such as the Parliament Buildings and drive through Chinatown.
• Browse the interior of the Christ Church Cathedral, a Gothic Revival-style architectural gem. Closed to the general public.

HELPFUL HINTS

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