Nostalgic Charm: Discovering Victoria BC

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting Victoria, a picturesque city located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. My stay at The Magnolia Hotel and Spa, a small boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown Victoria, was nothing short of luxurious. The hotel’s prime location made it the perfect place to stay for first-time visitors to the city, as it is close to many bars and restaurants, and just a stone’s throw away from the beautiful Fairmont Empress and Fisherman’s Wharf.

As a Brit, I couldn’t help but admire the city’s charm, with its brick buildings, cobbled streets, and quaint boutiques. It was the perfect dose of nostalgia for me. One of the highlights of my trip was spending a day meandering around old bookstores and stopping at boutique shops with a good cup of coffee in hand. We rented bikes from Cycle BC Rentals and Tours, and weaved our way around the island, stopping at places we had saved along the way.

One of our stops was Mo:le, a popular brunch spot with a creative menu featuring Mexican-inspired dishes. We put our name down on the list and grabbed a coffee at Habitat, a nearby cafe. We later found out that the staff from Mo:le actually come into Habitat to call out names, so there was no need to wait outside! And depending on how long the wait is, you might want to try their apple pie cupcake – it’s delicious!

In addition to exploring the city’s quaint streets, we also took a sustainable approach to our travel activities. We rented bikes instead of driving a car, which allowed us to see more of the city and reduce our carbon footprint. It was a fantastic way to enjoy the scenery and get some exercise at the same time.

Overall, my trip to Victoria was a charming getaway filled with nostalgia, delicious food, and sustainable travel options. I highly recommend The Magnolia Hotel and Spa for a luxurious stay in the heart of downtown, and renting bikes from Cycle BC Rentals and Tours to explore the island in a sustainable way.