If you are in Victoria,tea at the Empress is a must. It is a bit expensive,but when will you get the chance again? Three of my friends and myself spent 10 days in Victoria. This hotel was marvelous. Walk into the Bengal Lounge and look around. It’s like being back in the 1800’s. A person could get used to living like this quite easily. Don’t go in jeans…this is a dress-up place. There is a lot to do in Victoria. The inner harbor reminded me of Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco. There were a bunch of street performers, all doing something different. Plaster Man was the best. A one man band, someone juggling, a balancing act, too many to describe. We went to Craigdarroch Castle. It had been turned into a girls school many years back, but had the good fortune to round up most of the antiques that had been removed. Take your time, there is a lot to see there. Oneof the days we took the train to Nanaimo. About a 2-2 1/2 hour trip. Great scenery. also took the ferry to Vancouver. While there we went on a street car tour of the high points of the city. Buchart Gardens was fantastic. There was something to do every minute.The House of Miniatures and the Butterfly Garden are right behind the Empress Hotel.