If we decide to just take the shuttle from the ship into town, is there
anything to do there besides have dinner? *We want to get off the ship,
but since we're not there very long I'm kind of stumped. *I've been
reading reviews of the gardens...pro and con...and it is kind of
expensive. *I'd only feel comfortable going that far in the time we have
* with a shore excursion booked through the ship. *This will be on a
Saturday night.

Thanks,
Marcia

Hi, Marcia, haven't we visited about Butchart Gardens in the past? I
can't recall if it was you, but I know I was gushing to someone in the
past few months.

Anyway, I am not a "gotta see the gardens" person when we travel--my
husband is the one who adores gardens, so my appreciation of them has
been acquired over many years of garden visits! (And I do have
whatever is the opposite of a green thumb--no plants in our home.
Pitiful.) Nonetheless, I thought Butchart was amazing--well worth the
money. Like anything, YMMV...I simply have a hard time understanding
how there could be "con" opinions, and I'm a person who could easily
relate to a "con" garden opinion!

On Sat. nights in July/Aug (roughly), there are fireworks at the
gardens...spectacular ones (very different, old-fashioned). Don't know
if that coincides with your trip.

But...if you skipped the gardens, would you suffer and beat yourself
up over missing that "must see?!" Not at all. In fact, for a first
visit, spending all of your port time wandering the town is a
perfectly wonderful plan. "Charming" is probably the adjective you've
read ad nauseum, but it fits. Victoria is quaint, has lots of
character, is situated in an incredibly scenic setting--all in all, a
totally delightful place. What will you do? Stroll, window shop, shop,
eat, stroll some more, sit and look out over the harbour, etc. If you
arrive in time to space it out, you could take tea at The Empress and
then have a late dinner. Fabulous bookstore, Munro's, if you like that
sort of thing. No doubt there'll be live music in a variety of venues
on a Sat. night. Could rent bikes and see a little more. (We did that
once...or was it mopeds? I can't recall, but easy and fun.)

Good luck making your decision! You can't go wrong either way.

Diana Ball
Austin, TX