Curator’s statement
After living in British Columbia for more than three years, I finally visited in early September 2025 for a mother-daughter getaway and loved how easy it was to explore downtown on foot. We stayed at the Fairmont Empress, enjoyed on-property dining, and mixed in a few can’t-miss experiences like the self-guided Parliament tour and an unforgettable ghostly walking tour. Rather than trying to see all of the highlights of Victoria in one trip, we were able to relax and unwind during this trip.
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Day 1: Arrive, settle in & savor the harbor
View of Victoria from the Harbour Air seaplane
Goal for today: Arrive and relax to recharge for a full day tomorrow.
Arriving in Victoria: Arrive in the mid-afternoon in time for 4 pm check-in at The Empress. After checking in to your guest room or suite, settle in, explore the property’s gardens, and prepare for dinner.
Dinner: The Q at the Empress is a relaxed, celebratory first meal. If booked with a Fora advisor, you can use your $100 property credit here. There are also plenty of restaurants within a brief walking distance of the Empress to choose from.
Evening stroll: Walk along the Inner Harbour promenade to watch floatplanes take off and land, and capture sunset shots of the BC Parliament Buildings and The Empress.
Day 2: Icons & stories of Victoria
Canada's castle on the coast—The Fairmont Empress
Goal for today: Explore Victoria’s icons and stories at an easy, unhurried pace.
Breakfast: Ease into the morning at Q. When booking with a Fora advisor, you’ll enjoy complimentary breakfast for two, a value of approximately $40 per person.
Self-guided BC Parliament Buildings tour: Admire the architecture and learn about provincial history (allow around one hour). Continue to Confederation’s Garden Court and the Spanish Civil War Memorial, which honors British Columbians who served abroad.
Lunch: Flying Otter Grill on the harbor offers casual fare and prime floatplane spotting.
Afternoon options:
Take a harbor ferry tour to see Victoria from the water. It’s a fun, low-stress way to get your take in the sites and hear local insights while floatplanes take off and land all around you.
Or opt for classic afternoon tea at the Empress for a quintessential Victoria experience.
Evening:
Dine at a restaurant of your choice in Downtown Victoria.
Or order room service to your guest room at the Empress before going on a ghostly walking tour. This tour is a standout experience for those who appreciate local history and incredible storytelling. Ask your travel advisor to book this experience through Viator.
Day 3: Slow morning & departure
Victoria Harbour Airport & The Flying Otter's outdoor patio
Goal for today: Ease out with a slow morning and depart feeling refreshed, with ideas for a future return.
Last stroll: Spend a final hour on the promenade, then transfer to the seaplane terminal, ferry, or YYJ for departure.
Breakfast before departure: Enjoy another relaxed breakfast at Q or the Bengal Restaurant beginning in 2026.
Need to know
Victoria blends historic charm, waterfront beauty, and a relaxed Pacific Northwest vibe. This plan is intentionally unhurried, perfect for travelers who don’t want to rush, don’t need to “see it all,” and expect to come back for more. It’s exactly what my mom and I did on our first visit, and it left us excited to return to explore more of Victoria and the wider Vancouver Island.
Getting to & from Victoria
Seaplane: Harbour Air offers direct service from Coastal BC, Vancouver, and Seattle with scenic flights.
Air: Victoria International Airport (YYJ) serves domestic and select US routes.
By water: Private yachts and cruise ships are frequent harbor sights—cruise guests can adapt portions of this itinerary for shore time. The Victoria Clipper from Seattle and the Coho from Port Angeles are efficient options for those coming from Washington. BC Ferries is ideal if you’re bringing a car or plan to explore beyond Victoria.
Practical tips
Relaxed by design: This itinerary is for travelers who want to truly get to know a destination at a gentle pace. It’s perfect if you’re using this trip to see whether Victoria is a place you’d like to return to.
Walkability: Downtown is compact. Plan to explore on foot and use harbor ferries as a fun hop-on option.
Seasonality: Spring and fall are fantastic for a weekend getaway. During Alaska cruise season, expect more crowds and pre-book popular experiences like the ghost tour, Afternoon Tea, and harbor cruises.
Pet perspective: Many downtown activities aren’t pet-friendly. On a future trip, I’d bring my dog to explore beyond the core and around Vancouver Island where outdoor time is easier to plan.
Ready to plan your Victoria escape?
As your Fora Advisor, I can replicate or customize this itinerary to match your pace and interests or design one that includes your pet. Working with me means you can be completely hands-off on reservations for Harbour Air, the Ghostly Walking Tour, and more. You’ll also enjoy VIP perks at the Fairmont Empress, including a $100 property credit and complimentary daily breakfast for two.
Share your dates, pace, and priorities, and I’ll take care of the details so you can simply arrive and enjoy your Victoria getaway.
Travel Advisor
Aliza Bodzin
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