 
  |
|
|
To help make your trip easier and more fun, here are some answers to common questions.
Q. How long is the flight to Victoria?
A. The flight to Victoria International Airport from Vancouver or Seattle takes approximately 30 minutes. Flights are quite frequent, more than 50 daily from these two cities.
Your best bet when flying into Victoria International Airport is to take the Akal Airport Shuttle. It is only $15 CD each way and they will cheerfully drop you at the nearby Swan Hotel just a block and a half away. You don’t have to be a hotel guest to use this service. Call 250-386-2525 or go to www.victoriaairportshuttle.com . When you have to leave just call ahead and reserve your pick-up time. They are very reliable. Otherwise taxicabs are usually available.
Q. How long is the ferry ride to Victoria?
A. Sailing from the Vancouver port of Tswassen to Schwartz Bay (30 minutes north of Victoria on Vancouver Island) via BC Ferries takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Buses are available to take you from Schwartz Bay into Victoria. A really easy way to go is to catch the Pacific Coach Lines (www.pacificcoach.com) bus from Downtown Vancouver or from Vancouver Airport. It drives onto the ferry and gets you directly into the Victoria station, taking about 3 hours. From there catch a cab for a very short ride to Mermaid Wharf. This is very reasonably priced and a hassle free way to go.
Sailing from Seattle into downtown Victoria via the Clipper takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. Port Angeles, WA to downtown Victoria via the Coho takes 1 hour and 40 minutes. You will disembark and the Empress Hotel will be just on your right. From where you get off it is either a 20 minute walk, a 10 minute water taxi ride (the water taxi stop is near the Clipper and we have a water taxi stop right in front of the building), or you can take a traditional cab. If you are renting a car, all the rental agencies are behind the Empress Hotel.
Q. What is the weather like in Victoria?
A. Victoria boasts the mildest climate in Canada and is one of its driest areas. With less precipitation than Vancouver or Seattle, summers are pleasantly warm but never too hot and winters are light. Average temperatures range from: 71F/22C in July to 45F/7C in December.
Q. May I make local calls from the condo?
A. Yes, local calls are free. Bring your phone card or buy one here for long distance calls from the unit.
Q. Do I need a car?
A. While private parking is available, renting a car isn't necessary in Victoria. It is a great walking city. You also may use the Harbour Ferry (water taxi) (www.victoriaharbourferry.com) located just outside the front door, take a cab, bus or bicycle! Use one of the methods listed earlier in FAQs to get to your Mermaid Gold Suite. If you want a car for a day or so, all the major car rental companies have offices just behind the Empress Hotel. It is usually easy to rent short term.
Q. Any suggestions for garden enthusiasts?
A. Victoria, The Garden City, is noted for its beautiful gardens. Butchart is the most famous but there are many more. Some are listed below. By the way, if you visit Butchart Gardens they have a fabulous afternoon tea. Half the price of The Empress Hotel and we like it better!
Gardens you might like to visit are: Abkhazi Garden, The Glendale Gardens and Woodland, and Hatley Park Gardens at Royal Roads University.
Q. Are there places to walk or jog?
A. Besides the picturesque streets of Victoria there are paths and trails nearby. You can walk across the blue Johnson Street Bridge (1/2 block away), go to the left and follow a beautiful 5 mile trail right along the shoreline. Lovely landscaping, local waterfowl and benches with scenic views make this a wonderful way to get fresh air. There is, quite conveniently, The Spinnaker restaurant midway that serves delicious food, tea or libation from its own microbrewery. In other parts of town there are also lovely parks and gardens, including the Beacon Hill Park which you can enjoy for hours.
If you want water activities you can rent a kayak(www.oceanriver.com) , canoe or a small powerboat from our on-site marina – which is also where the Harbour Ferry stops frequently. The Harbour Ferry (www.victoriaharbourferry.com) is a quick, inexpensive and fun way to get to Empress Hotel, the mainland ferries, or Fisherman’s Wharf.
A. Banks tend to give the most favorable rates. While some businesses may accept U.S. dollars, it is an inconvenience and much appreciated if you use Canadian money. Typical banking hours in Victoria are: M-F 9:00 am - 6:00 pm and (at TD Canada branches) Sat 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Q. Do you have any favorite restaurants?
A. There are really so many fabulous ones in Victoria it would use up this website printing all the top places. Our personal favorites, within walking distance from Mermaid Gold, include the following:
For a cheap and friendly breakfast you can’t beat the Sour Pickle around the corner on Store Street. The Grindstone, also on Store Street across from Capital Iron, is somewhat more expensive but has a more varied menu and exceptional coffees and soups.
There are scads of places for lunch. Two very nearby are the Canoe Brewpub and Restaurant ( www.canoebrewpub.com ) just across the street and Swans Brewpub and Restaurant, around the corner on Pandora Avenue.
One of our very favorite new places for breakfast, lunch and dinner is Mo:Le Restaurant at 554 Pandora. (www.molerestaurant.ca) Excellent food in every category, including vegetarian! They also serve alcoholic beverages.
For dinner there is a vast selection and they are all wonderful. Next to Swans is the Wild Saffron Bistro and Winebar with a new chef and menu (www.swanshotel.com/bistro.asp). Not far away is Chandlers, voted best seafood for 6 out of the last 7 years. Chandlers is a short walk away at 1250 Wharf Street.
If you want a really special evening try these next restaurants and call ahead for reservations - you'll need them.
Il Terrazzo ( www.Ilterrazzo.com ) the local’s choice for romantic al fresco dining, is hidden from the street and easy to miss, but oh so worth it. Best to get directions when you call.
Pagliacci's, on Broad Street, is a little further away. It's a lively Italian restaurant with top-notch jazz. Mel Gibson said, 'Best lasagna I’ve ever had!' (Actually, they don't take reservations but, if it happens that you have a short wait, it will be with a fun group of people!)
Brasserie L'Ecole is a superb, refined little place on Government Street. Food, service & wines are outstanding. Make reservations well ahead.
In addition to the above, you can dine at almost any restaurant in China Town and walk out happy.
Two notable mentions are: The Irish Times Pub (www.irishtimespub.ca ) on Government Street – Good food, toe-tapping entertainment and 5 star people watching! Also Syn on Yates Street is an exciting place with a fun menu and a martini bar that makes for a memorable evening!
Please, let us know if you make any new discoveries. We love hearing about them!