Who doesn't love a ghost story? Best known for high tea and its landmark position in Victoria's Inner Harbour, it seems the Grand Lady herself, the Fairmont Empress Hotel, has a resident ghost or two.
Well, I for one love a good phantom tale even at Christmas. So, when I was taking part in local historian John Adams' Discover Christmas tour I asked if he could tell me about the untimely death of the hotel's chambermaid Lizzie McGrath.
Adams says that indeed Lizzie fell to her death in 1909 after stepping out of her sixth-storey room to stand on the fire escape that she didn't realize had been removed for construction. The history buff went on to add that many an employee of the hotel says Lizzie likes to roam the sixth floor.
It's not all ghosts and goblins though. Adams' 90-minute stroll through Old Town weaves through the festive streets to hear true stories about the season, including reminiscences of Emily Carr's Christmases as a little girl.
The provincial capital is aglow with brightly coloured lights - every building, hotel and the Parliament Building along the waterfront sparkles. I can't think of a better place to get into the holiday mood.
Skating at the Empress: There is something magical about skating on the lawn of the Empress facing the iconic harbour.
Although I'm not the steadiest on skates, I lace up to experience its new skating rink. As music wafts, I attempt to make my way around the ice without falling. After a few rounds, I leave and watch as children and parents effortlessly glide across the surface.
The magic continues at Butchard Gardens: The magic of Christmas is everywhere in this horticultural wonderland. As soon as you enter the gates, the thousands of lights and decorations in the Edwardian-style 55-acre gardens are enough to make Scrooge himself smile. Christmas really brings out the kid on the Rose Carousel. As a menagerie of 30 animals goes round and round to the melody of the Nutcracker Suite, the giggles don't only come from the children.
Entering the Dining Room Restaurant for dinner, you are instantly warmed by a roaring fire in the heritage home's lobby.
Decorated in its Christmas finest, you are seated in the stately Tango Room. A culinary journey starts with sea scallops, followed by an entrée of wild B.C. salmon fillet with winter kale, corn and red potato hash.
A stroll through gingerbread masterpieces: The Inn at Laurel Point is hosting its sixth annual Great Gingerbread Showcase, benefiting Habitat for Humanity Victoria. This year's theme is interpretations of Where Things Live.
From the simplest works made by amateur fingers to mind-blowing works of pastry art by professional bakers, the fairytale gingerbread creations are worth checking out. You can't help but marvel at the intricacies of the fairy tale characters, aliens and pirates in the imagination of a little boy; the picturesque Mexican village; or the replica of the Ewoks Wookies Forest Moon of Endor.
If you go: The easiest, fastest and most scenic way to get to Victoria is by Harbour Air. Seaplanes depart from Richmond and Vancouver. Book online at harbour-air.com.
The Fairmont Empress Hotel, 721 Government Street Victoria, BC V8W 1W5 Phone: 250-384-8111 or Website: fairmont.com/empress. Check out the 23rd Annual Festival of Trees, which spreads cheer to everyone who comes by for a visit. The beautifully festooned trees raise funds for BC Children's Hospital
Foundation. There is no admission cost, but a minimum $2.00 donation to vote for your favourite tree would be appreciated. The Skating Rink is open now until mid-January 2015.
- Discover The Past, 634 Battery St.Victoria, BC V8V 1E5. Phone: 250-384-6698. Website: discoverthepast.com. Blessed with a radio voice, John Adams, Historian and Guide, is a walking encyclopedia about some of the most interesting Christmas stories of the past and present.
- The Inn at Laurel Point, 680 Montreal St., Victoria V8V 1Z8. Toll free: 1-800-663-7667 Website: laurelpoint.com. The Sixth annual Canada National Gingerbread Showcase is open now to Jan. 1, 2015 in the lobby of the hotel. Entry is by donation to its charity. - Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Ave. in Brentwood Bay. Its 20-km south of the Swartz Bay ferry terminal. Phone: 250-652-7751 or online at butchartgardens.com. The Magic of Christmas at The Butchart Gardens runs from now to Jan. 6, 2015. - The Royal BC Museum's Old Town exhibit is an ode to Christmas past. Step through the doors of the province's oldest house to get an idea of what Christmas would have been like on the streets of Victoria more than a century ago. Royal BC Museum is located at 675 Belleville Street, Phone: 250-356-7226 or website: royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
For more information about what to see and do in Victoria over the festive holidays, visit tourismvictoria.com/christmas.
