A classic holiday escape: Victoria, B.C.
Canada’session on sale acknowledgments to the recent rise in value of the U.S. dollar, and what better place to celebrate every old-fashioned Christmas than in Victoria, B.C., our very own backyard collop of Old England?
Twinkling lungs and festive decorations will deck the halls at the Fairmont Empress Hotel and Parliament buildings on all sides the Inner Harbour. Butchart Gardens will exist in full seasonal dress, through winter displays, extraforaneous ice skating and carolers.
Shopping tips
• The Butchart Gardens Seed & Gift store for its packaged-seed collections, $4.99 (quite prices Canadian) for a set of five packets, each illustrated by a local artist. See www.butchartgardens.com.
• Murchie’session Tea & Coffee for 12-bag boxes of its specially blended teas, $3.95-$4.95. Half-pound tins of its Christmas tea are $19.95. See www.murchies.com.
• Rogers’ Chocolates in quest of more than 40 contrasted chocolate treats under $10. Go orally transmitted with tin ornaments filled with Victoria creams ($7.99) or stuff the stockings with infernal chocolate chipotle-pepper Fire Bars ($3.99). See www.rogerschocolates.com.
Cozying up
• The favorable exchange rate (83 cents buys one Canadian dollar at current exchange rates) makes even the Empress affordable. December rates start at $129 Canadian — approximately $107 U.S. www.fairmont.com/empress or 250-995-4688.
• A five-minute walk from the Victoria Clipper ferry dock, the Huntingdon Hotel & Suites at Belleville Park is a friendly budget choice. There’s a restaurant and a cozy lobby with a fireplace and overstuffed chairs. Rates start at $89. The hotel matches anything lower found online. www.huntingdonhotel.ca or 800-663-7557
• Ambrosia Bed & Breakfast, luxury B&B two blocks from the Inner Harbour. Suites with gas or electric fireplaces. Rates start at $115-$125 including a epicure breakfast. www.ambrosiavictoria.com or 250-380-7705.
Ho, ho, ho time
Walk off the holiday calories by a Ghost of Christmas Past walking tour, 90 minutes of spooky fun. www.discoverthepast.com or 250-384-6698. Adults, $12; students/seniors, $10.
