VICTORIA AND VANCOUVER ISLAND - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 139

The rest of the island draws scenery buffs, outdoor adventurers, wildlife-watchers, and
students of Pacific Northwest culture. A magnificent chain of rugged snowcapped moun-
tains, sprinkled with lakes and rivers and pierced by deep inlets, effectively divides the is-
land into two distinct sides: dense, rain-drenched forest and remote surf- and wind-battered
shores on the west, and well-populated, sheltered, beach-fringed lowlands on the east.
Much of the lush, green island is covered with dense forests of Douglas fir, western red ce-
dar, and hemlock. The climate, stabilized by the Pacific Ocean and warmed by the Japanese
current, never really gets too hot or too cold, but be prepared for cloudbursts, especially in
winter.
PLANNING YOUR TIME
Many visitors to Victoria spend a few nights in the city as part of a longer vacation that
includes the rest of Vancouver Island. At an absolute minimum, plan on spending two full
days in the capital, preferably overnighting at a character-filled bed-and-breakfast. Regard-
less of how long you'll be in the city, much of your time will be spent in and around the
Inner Harbour, a busy waterway surrounded by the city's top sights and best restaurants. At
the top of the must-see list is the Royal BC Museum, which will impress even the biggest
museo-phobes. Victoria's most visited attraction is Butchart Gardens, an absolutely stun-
ning collection of plants that deserves at least half a day of your time. Goldstream Provin-
cial Park and the scenic waterfront drive between downtown and Oak Bay are two outdoor
destinations you should figure into your schedule.