Victoria
Port of Call – Victoria
Located on the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is sometimes called the most British city in Canada. Victoria is a popular port on Alaskan cruises, welcoming more than 400,000 passengers and nearly 200 cruise ships each year.
Tourists are drawn to Victoria’s manicured gardens and Mediterranean climate, but this large city has many attractions for the whole family, ranging from cinemas and zoos to wineries and hiking trails.
Cruise ships dock at the Ogden Point Cruise Terminal in the Outer Harbour area of the city, located about a mile from the Inner Harbour and downtown. The Inner Harbour area is a delight for cruise passengers and tourists with time constraints, as it offers a vibrant atmosphere with shops and markets, museums and attractions within easy distance of the docks.
Shopping in Victoria
There are some decent souvenir shops in the Inner Harbour area, and a craft market in the summertime. For a pleasant shopping experience, visitors can wander up Government Street toward Chinatown, which has a number of shops geared to tourists and cruise passengers, and even features live music in places like Market Square.
Best Buy:
Nanaimo Bars – a chocolate dessert bar that is British Columbia’s best known confection
Dining in Victoria
Pizzeria Prima Strada – fresh wood-fired pizzas made to order
Blue Fox Cafe – small and stylish restaurant with eclectic breakfast and lunch menus
Red Fish Blue Fish – fresh seafood in a picnic-style wharf-side setting
Best Dish:
Fanny Bay oysters
Travel to Canada
Overview
Canada has an abundance of things to see and do within its vast borders, as few countries are blessed with such a rich endowment of natural beauty and astounding physical attractions. Complementing these are world-class cities such as the west coast gem of Vancouver, the vibrant metropolis of Toronto, and elegant Montreal.
This is certainly a year-round destination, where the warm summer months (June to August) are perfect for sightseeing and overland travel, and the admittedly icy winters (December to February) provide for some incredible skiing and beautiful snow-covered vistas. Visitors to Canada generally choose to focus on one particular region, as there are major distances to travel if the desire is to see everything.
Climate in Canada
Canada is a large country and the climate varies substantially depending on which area travellers visit. The whole country has very distinct seasons, though, and the warmest months are June, July, and August. Winter (December, January, and February) is very cold, with heavy snowfalls in most provinces; autumn is a beautiful season, with crisp air and brilliant fall foliage. In some areas spring brings the emergence of carpets of wild flowers.
Health Notes when travelling to Canada
Travellers should be up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before traveling to Canada, and should consider taking routine vaccines as a standard precaution. Medical care is excellent but expensive, so medical insurance is advised.
Safety Notes when travelling to Canada
While most visits to Canada are trouble-free, the country does share the common international risk of terrorism. The crime rate is low but travellers are advised to take sensible precautions to safeguard their belongings, as they would anywhere. Parts of Canada are prone to tornadoes between May and September.
Customs in Canada
Rowdiness and loud speech are inappropriate except under special circumstances or in places such as bars, as Canadians tend to be soft spoken, patient and almost apologetic in their public behaviour. They are generally tolerant of the complex network of cultural differences in public behaviour, particularly in cities where such diversity is more common place. Recreational cannabis is legally available throughout Canada, though local laws can vary depending on the province or territory travellers are visiting.
Duty Free in Canada
Travellers to Canada are allowed to enter the country with the following items without incurring custom duties: gifts to the value of C$60 per recipient (excluding advertising material, tobacco and alcoholic beverages); 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or cigarillos and 200g of tobacco or 200 tobacco sticks; 1.14 litres of liquor or wine or 24 x 355ml bottles or cans of beer or ale. There are strict regulations governing the import of the following: explosives, endangered animal and plant species, items of heritage, fresh foodstuffs and weapons.
Doing Business in Canada
Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal are the main business centres, and English is the language of business except in French-speaking Quebec, where all written material and business cards should be in French. Business cards are not traditionally exchanged during an initial meeting, but at some appropriate time thereafter; it is best to wait for the host to offer theirs first.
A firm handshake is used by way of greeting and punctuality should be taken seriously for meetings. Canadians dress conservatively and smartly for business and suits are the norm. Gifts can be given in conclusion to celebrate a deal, but should be understated; taking someone out for a meal is a popular way to conclude business dealings.
Canadians are reserved and frown on emotional outbursts. Business is based on facts and figures rather than relationships, so it is best to be as prepared as possible for meetings. Hours of business are usually 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Communication in Canada
The international access code for Canada is +1. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code. The outgoing code is not necessary for calls to the US and the Caribbean. Hotels, cafes and restaurants offering free WiFi are widely available. As international roaming costs can be high, purchasing a local prepaid SIM card can be a cheaper option.
Tipping in Canada
A tip of around 15 percent is standard in restaurants, and hairdressers and taxi drivers are usually tipped at the same rate. Bellhops, doormen, porters, and similar service providers at hotels, airports, and stations are generally paid at the customer’s discretion.
Passport/Visa Note
All visitors must hold a valid passport, and it’s recommended that passports always be valid for six months after the intended period of travel. Visitors are required to hold onward or return tickets, all documents needed for the next destination and sufficient funds to cover the period of intended stay.
Travellers from most visa-exempt countries arriving in Canada by air need to fill in an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) form online prior to visiting Canada. This requirement is applicable to all but U.S citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and Canadian permanent residents cannot apply for an eTA. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers travelling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel documents to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA a valid passport will be required by immigration authorities.
Entry Requirements
- Entry requirements for Americans:
US travellers should have a valid passport if departing from the USA. Other proof of citizenship is accepted in the form of a birth certificate, a US certificate of citizenship, a US certificate of naturalisation, or a NEXUS card. A visa is not required for a stay of up to six months.
- Entry requirements for UK nationals:
UK nationals must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay. A visa is not required for a stay of up to six months, though UK travellers must have Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).
- Entry requirements for Australians:
Australians must hold passports valid for period of intended stay. Nationals of Australia with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) are visa exempt for a maximum stay of 6 months.
- Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish nationals must hold a passport valid for the period of intended stay. A visa is not required for stays of up to six months. However, the individual must have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).
- Entry requirements for New Zealanders:
New Zealanders require a passport valid for the period of the intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 6 months. However, the traveller requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).
- Entry requirements for South Africans:
South African nationals must be in possession of a passport valid for the period of intended stay. A visa is required. South African temporary passports are not recognised. Passports, identity or travel documents of Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Transkei and Venda are not accepted.
Tourist Offices
Canadian Tourism Commission, Vancouver: +1 604 638 8300 or http://www.travelcanada.ca
Canada Embassies
- In the United States:
Canadian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 682 1740.
- In the United Kingdom:
Canadian High Commission, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7258 6600.
- In Australia:
Canadian High Commission, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6270-4000.
- In Ireland:
Canadian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 234 4000.
- In New Zealand:
Canadian High Commission, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 9577.
- In South Africa:
Canadian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 422 3000.
Foreign Embassies in Canada
- American Embassy
United States Embassy, Ottawa: +1 613 688 5335.
- British Embassy
British High Commission, Ottawa: +1 613 237 1530.
- Australian Embassy
Australian High Commission, Ottawa: +1 613 236 0841.
- Irish Embassy
Irish Embassy, Ottawa: +1 613 233 6281.
- New Zealand Embassy
New Zealand High Commission, Ottawa: +1 613 238 5991.
- South African Embassy
South African High Commission, Ottawa: +1 613 744 0330.
Public Holidays Around the World
Planning your year? Knowing public holidays in different countries can help you plan trips, schedule events, or understand global schedules. Below, find a comprehensive list of public holidays sorted by country.
