Belltown Messenger

Tucked away on the island of Vancouver, B.C. is the quaint city of Victoria. With the mildest climate in Canada and much less rainfall than Seattle, Victoria is the Pacific Northwest's version of an island retreat.

The Victoria Clipper departs daily from Belltown's Pier 69. The high-speed catamaran service provides day trips ($70+) or weekend getaways with hotel provided ($159+). While this may sound expensive, you might want to price such a venture to London and compare the difference.

While the Garden City is a destination for travelers from around the world, departure from Seattle is a mere three hours filled with heavenly views and upon arrival you will be a short walk to the inner harbour's downtown district. Strolling around the majestic Government buildings, the legendary Empress Hotel, and the multitude of non-corporate shops feels like traveling to an ancient time where people still smiled as they walked the streets. As any amateur gardener will tell you, Victoria has one of the best gardens on the planet. The Butchart Gardens can be reached by taking a double-decker bus. Many believe this 55 acres of gardening artistry is one of the loveliest places in existence. The colorful flowers, shrubs and lawns are woven upon a former rock quarry with such skill that one gets the impression that all of the elves who have retired from Santa's work shop picked up gardening and moved to Victoria.

If you care for a spot 'o tea, the Empress Hotel serves high tea in a most elegant sort of way. The cost is a bit high, but it is one of those must do traditions. In Seattle it is, "Did you go to the Space Needle?" In Victoria it is, "Did you see the gardens, and did you do tea at the Empress?"

There are various ways to plan your travels on-line, but unless you want to spend hours to save nickels and dimes, the Victoria Clipper Vacations reservation staff can handle everything for you. The company prides itself on its friendly and knowledgeable customer service. So give them a call, surf their website or just stop by their kiosk at pier 69 to meet a staff with American efficiency and a friendly Canadian attitude. It will be one trip you will want to take again with your kids and grandkids.

2600 Alaskan Way, Pier 69
www.victoriaclipper.com
1-800-888-2535