Victoria is the capital city of the province of British Columbia, but mostly it’s known for its picturesque inner harbor with the Empress Hotel at its head.

The hotel is called Empress as in Queen Victoria for whom the city is named.  The cozy Inner Harbor gives the city an intimate setting… it seems friendly and inviting… and very “doable”.

The grand old ivy-covered Empress Hotel is the city’s most photographed attraction.  It graces almost every tourist brochure you will see.  You really must stop for a proper English afternoon tea.  The Empress does this tradition up right serving fancy cakes and sandwiches and, of course, scones and cream.

Reservations are required.  You might be able to make them when you arrive, but make them ahead if you don’t want to be disappointed.  Check for dress requirements…. this is a “proper” tea after all.

Along the edges of the inner harbor are some of the grandest heritage buildings in the city.  Off to the left as you face the Empress Hotel, you can see the Legislative Building of British Columbia.  Take some time to visit and see its murals and stained glass.  Tours are available.

The lawns and gardens in front are part of what make the Inner Harbor so pretty… and the effect continues into the night when the building is illuminated by over three thousand lights.

These buildings around the Inner Harbor seem imposing, but few buildings in the city are skyscrapers… few are even over seven stories tall.  I guess that’s part of the charm of the city.  The scale seems so manageable.

The Inner Harbor is the lively center of the city.  It bustles with seaplanes, ferries, yachts… even kayaks and rowing boats.  During the summer, hanging flower baskets spruce up the lamp posts, and you’re sure to see “outdoor entertainers” trying to catch your eye.

Explore the city streets that branch off from the head of the Inner Harbor.  The city is easy to explore on foot.  There is great shopping in lots of unique shops.  See Old Towne, Chinatown, and Fisherman’s Wharf.

There are double-decker buses reminiscent of London to help you get around.  Take a horse drawn carriage ride around the harbor, through Beacon Hill Park and past historic homes and landmark buildings.

Explore the First Nations culture.  The city has lots of galleries with art made by members of the First Nation whose art and traditions are alive and well.

Make time for a visit to the famous Butchart Gardens.  Victoria has the mildest climate in Canada, so gardens bloom year-round.

If you feel like getting out of the city, and getting a little exercise you can go bicycling, or try a kayak or canoe on the inner harbor or beyond.  There are great golf courses, and that mild climate that keeps gardens blooming let’s you golf year around too.  Tour companies can take you out fishing or whale watching.

Explore Victoria, but remember, there is the whole Vancouver Island to explore.

Vancouver Island is, interestingly enough, not where you find the city of Vancouver.  That city is on the mainland.  The city most people head for on Vancouver Island is Victoria.

Did you know that Victoria is the capital of British Columbia?  Victoria is a popular tourist destination, but the whole island is worth visiting.  In Victoria, you’ll have fun prowling the city.  The rest of the island is great for outdoor types.

Much of the island is protected, unspoiled wilderness.  You can hike in parks through old growth rain forests that will make you feel like you have entered a magical land.  If you are a birder, you can check hundreds of species off of your birdwatching list.

There are plenty of places where you can catch a whale watching tour.  Boat operators say that you can regularly sight Orcas (killer whales), and you might get lucky and see humpback whales, migrating grey whales or the uncommon minke whale.

Anglers love Vancouver Island for either freshwater or saltwater fishing.  The Cowichan River is dubbed the “Fly Fishing Capital of Canada”, and the Campbell River is known as the “Salmon Capital of the World”.

You can learn about the original inhabitants of the Vancouver Island.  There are museums and cultural centers about the First Nations people in several areas around the island.  The city of Duncan has the Quw’utsun’ Cultural Center and is dubbed “the city of totems” because it has more than 80 of these carvings by the First Nations people located throughout the town — 40 in downtown area.  Visit another cultural center in Alert Bay and a nice museum in Campbell River.

You can also do a little wine tasting here!  There are more than 20 wineries and vineyards located on the island.  Most are in the Cowichan Valley and the Saanich Peninsula.  The Cowichan Valley has the most wineries.  In addition to “cold weather” grapes, they also grow varietals like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Merlot.  Most of the wineries are small and family owned.  Many welcome visitors and offer tours and tastings, but check with each winery for details.

Years ago, we went to see the World War II era Martin Mars flying boats at Port Alberni.  They are still based there after all these years, and now there is a visitors center open to the public daily from 10 to 3 during July and August.  There is a gift shop for memorabilia, and as of this writing, the Philippine Mars is stationed on land and available for tours.  The Hawaii Mars is contracted to fight fires.  Just getting to Port Alberni is a pretty drive, even if you’re not an airplane buff.

You can fly in to the Victoria airport, stop in on a cruise, or take a ferry from Vancouver.  It’s about a 90 minute ferry ride from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal which is about 20 minutes south of Vancouver to the Schwartz Bay terminal on Vancouver Island.  From there you can explore the island, or head straight to Victoria which is about a 20-30 minute drive.

A rental car is a great way to explore the parks and cultural heritage.  Rent one there or take your own or a rental car over on a ferry from Vancouver.  Car ferries from Seattle go only to Sidney BC about 16 miles to town (26 km).  There is a passenger only ferry from Seattle to Victoria,  but no car ferry anymore.

Whether you choose to take a tour or do it yourself, Vancouver Island is a great vacation destination.

The sunshine state of Florida may be world-famous for its mega-theme parks, amusement centers and enticing warm beaches, but it is also home to a diverse ecosystem of natural habitat, verdant forests, gorgeous lakes and beautiful gardens.

Polk County in Central Florida is a great base not only for exciting outdoor activities but for charming golf courses and heritage sites as well.

Outdoor enthusiasts should not miss Lake Kissimee State Park for a full day of nature tripping. Its scenic lake is the perfect place for fishing or canoeing. A relaxing picnic in the park will treat you to occasional sightings of white-tailed deer, bald eagles and bobcats. The Park also features a living history demonstration of the lives of early cow-hunters in an authentic cow camp dating back to 1876.

For a closer study of nature, the park’s 13 mile trail will lead hikers to a more opulent setting of rich and impressive flora and fauna. Horseback riding is also available for the first six miles of the trail. Another great hike is available at the Caloosa Nature Trail of Babson Park Nature Center.

It features a desert-like ecosystem exhibiting unique species of plants and animals peculiar to this environment. If you are passionate about bird watching, then you want to visit the Great Florida Birding Trail and the Circle B-Bar Reserve.

A visit to the beautiful and romantic gardens of Polk County should be in your must-do list. First stop is Lake Mirror Park where the lovely Hollis Garden is located. It showcases more than 10,000 species of stunning flowers and ornamental shrubs with shade trees scattered about. Then proceed to the wonderful Bok Tower Gardens where a 205 foot tower is the centerpiece of many smaller gardens showing a vivid display of colorful flowers.

It also features acres of towering trees of oaks and pines among ferns and palms dotting around the park. Schedule your visits at 1 and 3 o’clock in the afternoon to witness the daily recital of romantic carillon. You also want to visit the picturesque Cypress Gardens located within the water park complex of Splash Island to alternate your tranquil garden walks with the exciting slides and pools of the water park.

If you have an appetite for heritage and fine dining, head to downtown Lake Wales where you will find dozens of charming restaurants considered to be Florida’s finest. Cuisine choices are plenty. You can have whatever strikes your fancy with the abundance of Italian, Cuban, Mexican, Chinese, Thai and American restaurants to choose from.

The striking architecture of its many buildings and little specialty shops are also a feast for the eyes. If you happen to visit on a Friday, don’t miss on the weekly Farmers Market where you can shop for fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs as well as pretty flowers and ornamental plants on lovely little pots.

To know more about this quaint historical town, visit the Depot Museum and Cultural Center. You can also participate in local cultural events held at the Lake Wales’ Arts Center and Little Theatre.