Victoria - Butchart Gardens

For a visit to one of the area's premier attractions follow Highway 17A north for 22 km / 14 mi to the magical Butchart Gardens at Brentwood Bay on the Saanich Peninsula. Here in 1904 Jenny Butchart, wife of a wealthy quarry owner, started to lay out a fragrant garden in abandoned limestone workings. Flourishing, not least because of the mild climate, the gardens have since been developed into a 20 ha (50-acre) horticultural tour de force without rival in Canada.

The Italian garden, rose garden, Japanese garden and sunken garden are among the loveliest. Open spaces among the pools, fountains and the many exotic plants are used for artistic and musical performances.

Fireworks every Saturday evening in high summer.