British Columbia’s charming capitol, Victoria, is the perfect place to spend Mother’s Day and offers plenty of decadent things to do to celebrate the occasion. From a picnicking in peacock friendly Beacon Hill Park to enjoying a pint in an English pub, theres something for everyone. But the thing that really makes Victoria shine for Mothers Day is the citys ability to make a grown woman feel the enthusiasm and wonder of a young girl at a tea party.
The Empress Hotel
The Empress Hotel, built in 1908,is quintessential Victoria, andthe place to be if you want to feel like a queen. Afternoon tea in the Empress Tea Room will transport you back in time with lavish surroundings, live piano music, and an attentive server that will treat you like royalty. A beautiful presentation of homemade scones, savory treats and sweets inspire a giddy indulgence.
Extend the luxury of teatime to an overnight or weekend stay at the hotel to prolong the pleasure. The Empress is a Fairmont hotel, and offers the Fairmont Gold experience, meaningyou get spoiled. Enjoy picturesque views of the inner harbor and delicious light meals, delicacies, and drinks in the exclusive Gold Lounge while dedicated concierges see to your every need. For an arts and culture fix, visit the Royal BC Museum, Robert Bateman Centre, or Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, all within walking distance from the hotel.
Horse-drawn carriage ride
Get a different perspective of Victoria and an entertaining history lesson amid the soothing clippity-clop rhythm of a horse drawn carriage ride with Victoria Carriage Tours. Drivers wearing top hats will tell you stories of pirates, scandal, and Victorian spirit. It’s a special treat for the occasion and keeps you in that old world mood. You’ll find carriages parked along the Parliament buildings.
The Butchart Gardens
Butchart Gardensis an idyllic place to spend Mother’s Day. It’s one of Canada’s national historic sites with a background as a former limestone quarry for cement manufacturing. Jennie Butchart, wife of Portland Cement Company’s Robert Butchart, transformed an ugly exhausted quarry pit into a beautiful sunken garden. She completed her project in 1921, calling it Benvenuto, Italian for “welcome,” and nearly a century later, people from all over the world still flock to her magical gardens. After a stroll through the lush colorful property, enjoy a delicious high teain a crisp greenhouse-like dining room, which is part of the historic Butchart family home.
Oak Bay Beach Hotel
Newly renovated and meticulously exquisite, theOak Bay Beach Hotelis a luxury hotel worthy of a celebration weekend. They’re offering a Mother’s Day brunch that includes their fabulous salmon eggs Benedict and fluffy buttermilk pancakes. This hotel, like much of Victoria, is big on locally sourced quality food.
There’s plenty to do in the area and the hotel has a seaside spa for extra pampering. After enjoying a luxuriousspa treatment, languish in hot mineral pools while taking in spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, Olympic Mountain Range, and Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Picnic with fresh Italian goodies
Bicycles are available on site as well as a Mercedes that will take you right into charming Oak Bay Village for some shopping, a pint of craft brew at The Penny Farthing, or goodies atOttavioBakery and Deli. Ottavio, an Italian shop with over 200 varieties of artisan cheese, fresh bread, olives, and gourmet treats, is a great place to pick up supplies for a Mother’s Day picnic.
