Here we are in one of my favourite cities experiencing the Christmas spirit.
We arrive on a clear, crisp afternoon aboard Harbour Air Seaplanes. By late afternoon, the capital is aglow with brightly coloured lights – every building, hotel and the Parliament Building along the waterfront, as well as ships and boats, illuminate the sky.
Day 1 we walk to the Inn at Laurel Point where the 8th Annual Gingerbread Showcase benefitting Habitat for Humanity, takes place. This year’s travel theme features everything from the simplest works of amateur fingers to mind blowing works of pastry art by professional bakers, the fairy-tale gingerbread creations are worth checking out.
The restaurants we visit offer cuisine rooted in the city’s strong ethos rooted in sustainable, local, farm-to-table dishes.
After strolling the gingerbread masterpieces, lunch is at the hotel’s waterfront AURA where executive chef Takashi Ito’s seasonal-minded menu draws from his Japanese roots and his West Coast influences. The beet soup and silky smooth butternut squash soup are to die for followed with arctic char on a bed of micro greens and tempura-battered Basa with Wasabi tartar and chips.
Housed in a refurbished 1888 house and decorated in an organic country-style worthy of a heritage home, Nourish Kitchen & Cafe features a small yet interesting carte du jour.
We went for the farm bounty, a medley of French lentils, braised greens and charred carrot and slow roasted duck leg. Proprietor Hayley Rosenberg insists that each dish be healthy but bursting with flavours and her kitchen succeeds on both counts.
Located in Victoria’s inner harbour, the Canoe Brew Pub’s historic timber and brick architecture is only rivalled by its fare.
Built in 1894, the City Lights Building has been lovingly restored. This is one brew pub that serves up food that gastro geeks will love. The spicy Thai broccolini is a good place to start followed by the beet and arugula salad with prawns. Pub fare taken up a notch.
During this festive time of year, you can’t miss signature events such as the century-old tradition of high tea at the Afternoon Christmas Tea at the Fairmont Empress. The Empress has all but invented high tea in its chateau-style foyer. The scones with clotted cream and jam (now made in-house), petit fours and sweet treats – prepared especially for Christmas - are worth every calorie.
Victoria is a fabulous, walkable city, so after guilty pleasures head out for a stroll and some serious shopping.
Check out the 25th Annual Festival of Trees at the Fairmont Empress and The Bay Centre until Jan. 3, 2017.
If you go:
The easiest, fastest (30 minutes from Richmond) and scenic way to get to Victoria is by Harbour Air Seaplanes. Book online at harbour-air.com.
Stay: Built in 1908, Fairmont Empress is one of the city’s architectural jewels.
– For more information about what to see and do in Victoria over the festive holidays, visit tourismvictoria.com/christmas.
