If you are coming to Victoria in December, here is an event that you surely will enjoy. Every Friday and Saturday from November 21st to December 19th, at 7 pm, the Victoria Harbour Ferries will dance to Christmas music in the Inner Harbour. This is like no ballet you’ve seen before. Enjoy the festive atmosphere of the harbour as world-famous skippers take their iconic green boats through a precision choreographed water ballet. It’s quite the sight and the whole family will love it.

For more information on Victoria, click here. If you are looking for a place to stay in Victoria, try Hemingway's By the Sea.

Tourism Victoria - 2010 Marketing Showcase

A very special event occurred on Tuesday evening, November 10th. Tourism Victoria wants tourist just like you to visit Victoria, so they are trying hard to convince you to come here. The plan was outlined to board members, members of tourism Victoria and the media. There are some great places in the world to visit, but Tourism Victoria believes that Victoria is one of the best and they are doing a great job of letting the world know just that. Speakers at the "Showcase" included Randy Wright, Board Chair, Helen Welch, Vice-president, Marketing, and Robert Gialloreto, President and CEO, all with Tourism Victoria. Special guest speakers included Greg Klassen, Senior Vice President, Marketing Strategy and Communications, Canadian Tourism Commission and Brian Price (pictured above) a 2008 Olympic Champion at Beijing China in the Men's Eight Rowing event. The staff did a great job outlining the 2010 strategy and how it relates to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Brian Price shared his personal story of his trip from childhood Leukemia to Olympic Gold and it was truly inspirational. His goal was to illustrate that everyone is capable of reaching the potential that is deep inside. Check out the Tourism Victoria web site and also to learn more about Brian Price visit http://www.podiumfirst.ca/. The Empress Hotel and a number of sponsors treated the crowd to some local cuisine and spirits, an excellent closure to a fine event. During the mixer and food, I had the opportunity to hold Brian's gold medal. That was a real treat for me as I have never even seen one before. I could feel the energy that was put into getting the gold. Too cool!

Looking for a place to stay while in victoria...try Hemingways By the Sea

Each season at Butchart Gardens offers a new look at these beautiful gardens. Which season is your favourite? Christmas is just around the corner. If you are in town for Christmas, you will find a wonderous Christmas spirit at the gardens with many of the flower beds filled with Christmas lights. You can skate outdoors or listen to live Christmas music while sipping on hot chocolate. No mater what the season, Butchart always has something to offer. Check out the seasons on their web site. Pick you favourite and plan a visit.

For more information on Victoria Attractions, Click Here.

Stay at Hemingway's by the Sea while in Victoria.

Victoria Carriage Tours Fall Special

If you are looking for something really neat to do while in Victoria this Fall, check out Victoria Carriage Tours.

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Stay at Hemingways By the Sea

The Sidney Opera House Sidney BC and the Pier Bistro

Sidney by the Sea is just 20 minutes north of Victoria. Yesterday, the sun was shining and it was one of the most beautiful November 1st days ever. There were dozens of sailboats out in waters just off Sidney. I thought I would give you a glimpse of Sidney's Opera House! Well, actually it is there band stand, but heh, looks a bit like the opera house in that other Sidney! Behind it is the fish market and then the Pier Bistro. Try the Pier Bistro, you will be delighted. It is right at the end of the dock, hanging over the water! Most of the sailboats had their spinakers up as they approached shore. What a gorgeous sight!

For a great place to stay in Victoria and just a short hop to Sidney, try Hemmngways BB.

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Vancouver Island Hummingbirds

It seems that each fall we see a lot of hummingbirds at our feeders. We know for sure that certain varieties stay over our mild winters. They are such cool birds that I thought I should do a small blog on them. See some of the ones we have seen on the island in the collage above.

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For a great place to stay on Vancouver Island, choose Hemmingways.

Art Showing by Inge

On Sunday November 22, from 1-4 pm, travel to the magnificent Fairholme Manor at 638 Rockland Place (off Rockland between Pemberton & St. Charles) in Victoria where you can check out the unique art work from local artist Inge Ranzinger.


Inge says, “In painting, my aim is to capture some of my feelings, surroundings and inspirations into a free flowing form on canvas. I work mostly with acrylics, but use other mediums to create texture and dimension.
Throughout my life, I’ve used my creativity at my place of work from museum display, ad writing to lay­out. At present, I work as an independent interior designer and painter.”

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