Victoria Euphoria

We head to B.C.s capital to scope the new market, test a new bike tour,
and eat our way through the weekend.

sleep

Architecture buffs alert: Arthur Erickson designed a hotel wing in
Victoria (in 1989)who knew? Book into the bright, white Erickson Wing
(designed to look like a cruise ship), throw open the shades to the
Japanese garden and harbour view, and launch your voyage to relaxation.
And did we mention the hotel is carbon neutral? Now you can really sleep
easy. The Inn at Laurel Point, 680 Montreal St., Victoria, 250-386-8721, www.laurelpoint.com

snack

If Happy Hour is your idea of Tea Time, we suggest you take to AURAs
seawall-side patio, with park-like views of weeping sequoias. We
loved the raw platter, especially the thinly shaved King Clam (the
erstwhile goeduck, rebranded by the Japanese-born chef). Do order the
Korean sesame doughnuts topped with pulled pork and pair with pinot
blanc from Blue
Grouse Winery in the nearby Cowichan Valley. AURA Patio at the Inn
Laurel Point, 680 Montreal St., Victoria, 250-386-8721, www.aurarestaurant.ca

market

The new Victoria
Public Market is set to open this summer in the beautiful Hudson
building (a former Bay department store). We scouted the locationa 15
minute walk from the harboras well as the rumours (will Vijs really have
an outpost here?) and predict a resounding success. Industrial-chic
coffee shops and a hot yoga studio are already in place, and Wednesday
Farmers Market occupies the greenway. www.victoriapublicmarket.com

eat

It wouldnt be a trip to Victoria without a meal at Zambris.
Peter Zambris approach is vegetable-forwardlike the baby courgettes
bathed in fresh tomato sauce and baked with burrata cheese: summer on a
plate. Which is not to say we didnt also devour the crispy ducks leg
served on a simple salad. Some great Italian wine discoveries will be
among your take-aways, as well as the memory of what might just be your
best meal of the summer. Zambris, 820 Yates St., 250-360-1171, www.zambris.ca

do

Brand new bike tour company The
Pedaler introduced us to tons of hidden neighbourhood gems such as
100-mile Big Wheel
Burger in the trending Cook Street Village, the well-named Tre
Fantastico coffee and Bon
Macaron, a new macaron shop run by a trio of young Frenchmen (try
the bacon and cream cheese one). The Pedalers Norco cruiser bikes are
lightweight and stylish, while the tours are lighthearted and fun.
Sounds like our kind of exercise. Rentals also available. The Pedaler,
719 Douglas St., Victoria, 778-265-7433, www.thepedaler.ca

fly

We cant recommend arriving by seaplane highly enough (excuse the pun).
Harbour Airs new downtown terminal makes check-in a breeze (and even
offers complimentary 49th Parallel Americanos to-go). Its like a BC
Moments Imax movie and a whale watching tour all in one. Thirty-five
minutes later you glide into Victoria Harbour just in time for lunch at RedFish
BlueFish, the shipping-container fish shack beside arrivals. Bon
voyage. www.harbour-air.com

Sarah Bancroft