Wine Country

In just a short time, Vancouver Island's wines and ciders have gained an international reputation for quality. The warm, dry Cowichan Valley, an hour from Victoria, is the Island's largest wine-growing region. A short 20-minute drive from downtown Victoria will bring you to a number of estate wineries, hosting daily tours, wine tastings and seasonally inspired fare.

365 Days of Golf

There are almost a dozen courses within a half-hour drive, from championship and traditional links courses to economical pitch-and-putts. Try Olympic View, with its two picturesque waterfalls and 12 lakes. Or lovely Cordova Bay, whose multiple tees accommodate all levels of play. Royal Colwood is set amongst 450-year old Douglas firs and majestic Garry Oaks, while the Victoria Golf Club, a seaside links course, is acknowledged as one of Canada's finest private clubs. And the new Bear Mountain, a Jack Nicklaus course, offers a special mountain high golf experience.

Award-Winning Gardens

Our moderate climate makes Victoria a gardening paradise. Everywhere you look, gardens are being tilled and flowers are in bloom. And so many different types! - from the Japanese gardens at Royal Roads University to the English style estate garden on the Government House grounds. A real life Prince and Princess created the Abkhazi Garden in the 1940s. And the civic garden at Beacon Hill Park, dating from the 1880s, is just five minutes away from the Victoria Conference Centre.

Local and Provincial Parks

From wilderness to family recreation areas and many beaches, Victoria has an abundance of parks. The popular Beacon Hill Park, just minutes away from the Victoria Conference Centre, has been a centre of family activity for more than a century. Our regional parks are linked by 100 kilometres of trails, in a green ribbon that stretches from the major ferry terminal at Sidney into downtown Victoria and on to the Western Communities.

The Arts

This is a city that hops - from live music, to theatre, art exhibits, festivals and film. The world renowned Royal British Columbia Museum is just steps away from the VCC, while one of Canada's finest professional ensembles, the Victoria Symphony, entertains year round. The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria maintains a permanent collection of 15,000 objets d'art in a historic 19th century mansion. And the Pacific Opera Victoria is a nationally recognized symbol of excellence and artistic achievement. Victoria is also making its mark as a moviemaker's delight as the city offers locations from historic architecture to secluded forests to beautiful beaches all within a 20-minute drive.

Shopping

Victoria's shopping scene starts just outside the VCC doors. All around us are a mixture of major fashion retailers and downtown malls, along with independently owned art and antique shops, chocolatiers, bookstores and unique gift stores. And within minutes is the oldest Chinatown in Canada.

Throughout the year, festivals of music, theatre, independent film, literature, wine and food bring the world to Victoria.