Guest Author - Janet Collins

Seniors moments in Victoria

One of my favourite getaways is a mid-week trip to Victoria. From Vancouver, it’s only a short ferry ride away (and seniors get a discount on mid-week ferry fares).

Victoria is very seniors-friendly. In fact, 25% of the population is over 60 which gives Victoria the highest per capita number of seniors of any Canadian city (the next is Vancouver at 17%, and Toronto at only 2%). They say Victoria is home to flowerbeds, newlyweds, and nearly deads.

The capital of British Columbia, Victoria is home to many historic buildings and world-class museums (the Royal BC Museum offers seniors discounts – www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca). Its year-round mild weather can be credited for the world-famous gardens found throughout the city. The most famous is the Butchart Gardens (www.butchartgardens.com). One of the most pleasant ways to pass an afternoon in the city that is more British than Britain, is to have high tea. The Butchart Gardens host a lovely tea, but the best known tea is served at the Empress Hotel (www.fairmont.com/empress). Seniors discounts can also be found for Victoria Symphony concerts (www.victoriasymphony.bc.ca).

The city offers a wide range of accommodations, many of which offer up seniors discounts. These include, among others, the luxurious Magnolia boutique hotel (www.magnoliahotel.com - ask about their 10% discount plus complimentary parking for seniors) which also boasts a fabulous spa. The Harbour Towers (www.harbourtowers.com) which boasts rooms with kitchenettes, The Mayfair Motel (650 Speed St., 250-388-7337) and the Embassy Inn (520 Menzies St., 250-382-8161) offer up seniors discounts, too, as does the Evergreen Restaurant (435 Simcoe St., 250-383-1554).

For those wanting to travel up-island to Duncan, Chemainus, Nanaimo, Qualicum Beach and Courtney, nothing beats a ride on the E&N Railiner. The train departs Victoria Monday to Saturday. Be sure to ask about the seniors discount (www.viarail.ca/trains/en_trai_roch_vico.html).

For more information about staying and playing in Victoria, log onto the British Columbia Tourism website at www.hellobc.com