Victoria
Location: on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, separated from Vancouver by the Strait of Georgia to the east.
Attractions: Royal British Columbia Museum, Maritime Museum of BC, Butchart Gardens, Craigdarroch Castle, National Geographic Theatre.
Eating out: plenty of aspiring delis and Asian restaurants with set meals from around £10. For pub-style food, try the Sticky Wicket, or Spinnakers Brewpub for some unusual ales and house-smoked salmon and meats. From about £15 for a good meal. Curry buffet lunch in The Empress’ Bengal Lounge is not to be missed at less than £8.
Nightlife: some pubs have live bands, and nightclubs include Legends at the Strathcona Hotel and Millennium.
Getting there: by Harbour Air Shuttle floatplane from Vancouver harbour for about £40 single. Special £50 return on certain flights. Journey takes about 35mins. Kenmore Air service from Seattle in about 45mins costs from $100 round trip. There is also regular ferry service from both points. Canadian Regional Airlines operates a shuttle between Vancouver and Victoria airports, taking just 15mins.
TABLE: Heritage sites: attractions include Victoria’s parliament