Victoria's Butchart Gardens, Where Beauty Abounds
Our second port of call in British Columbia, Canada, was the harbor city of Victoria—we toured Butchart Gardens and had a snack at Tim Hortons, then enjoyed the provincial museum and lunch with beer.
We arrived in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, around 8 AM and didn’t have to wait long before disembarking the ship. We had booked a 9 AM tour, the BUTCHART GARDEN AND TIM HORTONS EXPERIENCE, which was a 4-hour, Regent-included excursion.
HIGHLIGHTS included:
Enjoy a hot beverage and donut morsels from Tim Hortons, a Canadian institution.
Meander through Butchart Gardens, a designated National Historic Site of Canada. Stop and smell the roses – literally, as there is a garden devoted to these aromatic flowers.
Drive past landmarks such as the Fairmont Empress hotel and the Parliament building.
Stop for a snack at Tim Hortons, a Canadian institution named for the legendary hockey player that co-founded it. A hot beverage and a few tasty Timbits – the franchise’s bite-size donuts – will begin the morning.
We stopped at a small, local Tim Hortons. Each guest hopped off the bus, walked up to the counter using a separate “bus tour” aisle, and received a sack of 4 Timbits along with our pre-ordered hot drink. (Choices were coffee, tea, or a bottle of water.) Our guide told us, “the faster you get back on the bus, the more time you’ll have at the gardens,” so most people were speedy. The coffee was fine, and the donut holes were tasty. It was a pleasant way to begin the morning, just as promised.
Once you reach Butchart Gardens, you can wander about as you please. Once a barren rocky quarry, the site has been transformed into a botanical wonderland, beginning in 1912 when Jennie Butchart started depositing top soil by horse and cart. Over the past century or so, gardens have been added and others expanded to allow for the plants to be grouped by the areas in the world where they are indigenous. Upon arrival, our driver will provide you with a pass and maps. You'll have 2 hours to stroll through the magnificent displays of flowers, pathways, and landscapes.
Once again, the description was accurate. Our guide gave us basic information about the gardens, handed us a map, and told us what time we needed to return to the bus. We arrived around 10:30 AM on a Sunday morning and were happily surprised to see minimal crowds. (We were last here in July of 2018 and the crowds were massive on a Saturday evening fireworks extravaganza!)
Since we had been here, we knew which gardens we wanted to visit most. First, we walked to the entrance of the Japanese Gardens and then spent about 45 minutes exploring each path and lookout.
We then exited the Japanese garden near the Formal Gardens and walked past the fountains and flowers. The gardens are meticulously planned and maintained, and it was a joy to walk amid so many blooming plants.
We saved the Sunken Gardens for last. It’s always a surprise to walk through the tall trees, navigate a narrow passageway, and then emerge into this open space overlooking the former quarry, now a garden wonder.
We had just enough time left to take a quick wander through the Rose Garden. It was early for the roses, and only a few of the bushes were in full bloom. In another two weeks, this area will be a riot of color.
Just a sample of colorful roses, including a purple variety for my niece M., who has been a faithful reader of “Bo and Sherpa Travel the World” as I’ve chronicled our adventures, and loves all things purple!
The return drive will pass through neighborhood landmarks such as Chinatown and the Parliament building before returning to the Pier. Optional drop off near the Empress Hotel is available.
Our guide provided an entertaining narration on our return route into the city and back to the pier. As promised, he offered to drop off all interested passengers in town, and Sherpa and I took him up on the offer. It was 1 PM, and we were on the lookout for lunch along with a destination beer. (Next post.)
Overall, this excursion was a fantastic way to visit the Butchart Gardens, located about 12 miles from the city center. We were extremely satisfied with the tour, the duration spent at the gardens, and the choice to stay in town. The Tim Hortons coffee and donut bites were a pleasant bonus!
Added a new place to my Bucket List! Those gardens are stunning!!! I was mesmerized by the pictures. Looks like you had stunning weather too.
Also, thank you for the purple. 💜💜💜 I don’t know what I’m going to do when you are finished globetrotting! Reading along with your adventures (even when I have to sit and catch up on a few posts) has been SO wonderful!
Thank you for sharing your journey with us!