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HOW DO WE GET TO VANCOUVER ISLAND? |
 Our island paradise is accessible by plane with West
Jet flying into Victoria International Airport with a number
of daily scheduled flights from Hamilton, Ontario; Winnipeg, Manitoba;
Regina, Saskatchewan; Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta; Vancouver,
British Columbia for those from various Canadian destinations.
Air Canada also has daily
connecting flights to Victoria from various national and international
destinations.
If you are arriving from U.S. destinations, Southwest
Airlines has flights from various destinations to Seattle,
Washington and Vancouver, B.C.
 There are also numerous regional air carriers who provides flights to Victoria from Seattle.
If you are traveling by car, you have the opportunity to experience
one of the most beautiful Ferry rides anywhere in the world when
you travel on B.C. Ferries
from Tsawwassen (on the lower mainland, 25 miles from the U.S./Canada
border) to Swartz Bay (15 miles outside of Victoria, on Vancouver
Island) The fleets two Super Ferries seat 2,000 passengers and
carry 470 vehicles. You are advised to purchase a Reserved ticket
as it's not unusual to otherwise experience a 2 to 3 sailing wait
during the very busy tourist season from mid-May to mid- October.
You may do so from B.C.
Ferries Internet site;
Other ferry services to Victoria are provided from the U.S. by
Black Ball Ferries which
has 4 daily sailings during the Summer from Port Angeles, Washington
on the Olympic Peninsula. They transport autos but have limited
space compared to B.C. Ferries.
Clipper
Navigation Ltd. provides daily service with their fleet of
catamarans from Seattle to Victoria which is passenger only; no
autos.
 Washington
State Ferries provide service from Anacortes, Washington (north
of Seattle) through the San Juan Islands to Sidney, B.C. which
is 5 miles from the B.C. Ferries terminal for Victoria.
Should you wish to rent a car, Sojourn has an arrangement for our
clients with Discount Car Rental in both Vancouver and Victoria. They
will pick you up and deliver you free of charge to their lots near
both International Airports.
Pacific Coach Lines
provides bus service from Vancouver International Airport to Victoria
via B.C. Ferries and Gray Line of Seattle provides bus service
from Seattle and Vancouver to Victoria.
See our travel link on Sojourn's
website for more details.
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WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE? |
Because of Victoria's location on Vancouver Island, we experience the most moderate climate in Canada, all
year round, with less rainfall than Toronto on an average annual basis. Flowers start blooming in February as
Victoria is known as the city of gardens. During the Summer months, daily temperatures are very comfortable
with little humidity and cooling ocean breezes.
VICTORIA WEATHER
Welcome to Victoria. Victoria has mild weather throughout the
year. Following is a list of average temperatures throughout the
year. If you would like to know the current weather check one
of the sites below. Short forecasts are available, but predicting
the long range weather in Victoria is not a wise practice. Generally,
we feel the weather here is great!
| Victoria Weather |
| MONTH |
Low Celsius |
High Celsius |
Low Fahrenheit |
High Fahrenheit |
| January |
2 |
6 |
36 |
43 |
| February |
3 |
8 |
37 |
46 |
| March |
4 |
10 |
40 |
50 |
| April |
6 |
13 |
43 |
56 |
| May |
8 |
16 |
49 |
61 |
| June |
10 |
18 |
50 |
65 |
| July |
11 |
20 |
52 |
68 |
| August |
11 |
20 |
52 |
68 |
| September |
10 |
18 |
50 |
65 |
| October |
8 |
14 |
46 |
57 |
| November |
5 |
9 |
41 |
44 |
| December |
3 |
7 |
38 |
45 |
For daily updates, we recommend you check out the following Internet site:
The Weather Network
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IS THE WATER TOO COLD TO SWIM IN THE OCEAN / LAKES? |
The Pacific Ocean temperature is consistently 7 Celsius or 45
degrees all year round which hasn't inhibited Vancouver Island
as being named the number one diving destination in the world
for those with wetsuits and the proper gear.
Kayaking is also a favorite pastime for locals and tourists alike, with sail boarding a passion for the younger generation with a wetsuit
who ride the ocean waves.
For swimmers, Victoria offers a number of local lakes with crystal clear water that is far more conducive for those
who wish to take a refreshing dip on a warm Summer day. A number of the lakes also have registered life guards on
duty such as Beaver Lake, Elk Lake and Thetis Lake to name a few.
For the kids, young and old, there is Waterslide Park just outside of Victoria in Langford.
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WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN VICTORIA? |
 There is something for everyone of every gender, age and taste.
For the sports fisherman, there is some of the best salmon and halibut fishing to be found anywhere. Bookings may be
made through Kingfisher Charters
If you are into whale watching, there are resident pods of Orcas
around the southern tip of Vancouver Island and our reservation
agents can provide details on booking your whale watching expedition.
For golfers, there are a number of championship courses in the Victoria area and also at various locations up island.
Soon to be added to an already impressive list is the Jack Nicklaus designed Bear Mountain, a championship 18 hole
course scheduled to open in July, 2003
For hikers, there are numerous hiking trails, of all classifications with an added bonus. There are virtually no bugs
to be encountered in the woods. For very experienced hikers, The West Coast Trail is always fully booked during the
Summer months as reservations are required.
For cyclists, there are cycling trails that lead from downtown Victoria to the marvelous Galloping Goose Regional
Trail which will take you all the way to the old gold miners abode of Leechtown, the other side of Sooke which is
about 35 miles in all. Along the way, you will see some of the most awe inspiring scenery you have ever laid eyes
on, especially the ride around the Sooke Inner Harbor Basin.
 The number one tourist attraction is the Royal BC Museum and it is not to be missed by young and old. It houses a pioneer
town, sawmill, fish cannery, coal mine, trains station and a walk through tour of forests and ancient animals.
You can also board Captain George Vancouver's ship, The Discovery. The feature presentation is the history
and culture of the First Nations people.
Next door to the museum is the National Geographic Theatre featuring an Imax projector with some
magnificent daily presentations every hour.
If you love gardens, you will love Victoria and not want to miss a visit to the world renowned Butchart
Gardens, just outside of the city. Their Summer fireworks on Saturday nights is breathtaking and a real
crowd pleaser so be sure to get a good seat several hours before the show or you will miss out.
From a historical perspective, there is Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley which was featured in the movie, Bird On
A Wire, with Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn.
Craidarroch Castle is also a favorite as it was built by a coal baron at the turn of the 20th century with
all the opulence one would anticipate.
Visits to Bastion Square, the heart of Victoria's old town, along with Market Square takes
one back in time to a by-gone era.
 If you love antiques, then Victoria's Antique Row houses some
of the best antique stores to be found in North America. Perhaps
you will also spot a celebrity such as Barbara Streisand who has
been known to be a frequent annual visitor in her quest for antique
treasures.
Of course, we must not forget the various B.C. Provincial Parks in and around Victoria and Vancouver
Island. They are a nature lovers paradise with some offering over-night camping and magnificent walks
along the sandy beaches of the Pacific Ocean or through the world renowned forests of B.C.
Last but not least, there is some of best and most versatile dining in the world available in Victoria as
there are more restaurants per capita than any city in North America. Whatever your dining preference,
Victoria is sure to meet your expectations with seafood at the top of the list.
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CAN WE BRING PETS? |
Some of our properties are pet friendly and some are not. Whether
or not a given property accepts pets is at the sole discretion
of the property owner. For specific information as to which properties
accept pets please contact one of our reservations agents.
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WHAT DOCUMENTS DO WE NEED TO ENTER CANADA? |
 The following is taken directly from Canada
Customs website and as such may be updated from time to time.
For complete and up to date information please visit the Canada
Customs website.
4. Has Canada changed its identification requirements for entering the country?
Requirements remain unchanged at present.
There is "increased vigilance" by Canada Customs as you will need to provide photo identification and
proof of citizenship.
5. Can I expect delays in customs processing as a result of heightened security at Canada's international airports?
You should expect incremental delays in the processing of arriving
international travelers at Canada's airports. Customs staff will
be examining travellers more closely to ensure that the safety
and security interests of Canadians are protected.
6. What can I do to avoid delays at the border?
You must ensure that you are carrying with you the necessary documentation and adequate
identification. You can find information on customs requirements and border wait times, 24 hours a day,
at www.ccra.gc.ca. If possible, avoid the
periods of heaviest traffic and the busiest customs offices.
7. What can I do to minimize delays at airports?
To minimize delays, you must ensure that you have your proof of citizenship, your airline ticket, and your completed
declaration card available for the customs inspector.
8. Has additional staff been assigned to process travelers
arriving in Canada?
Plans are in place to provide additional staff if necessary.
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