Parkside Victoria Travel Blog

Thanks to our mild, West Coast weather and fantastic trails and walkways, the people of Victoria are pretty darn fit and healthy—it's not an uncommon sight to see joggers and walkers out pounding the pavement year-round.

To help you truly experience Victoria the way the locals do (and to help you keep up your healthy habits while on holiday), we've created a selection of walking and running route maps, varying from 3 - 15 km in distance and all starting and ending at Parkside.

When asked what activities visitors would most like to do in Victoria, many will list "tea at the Empress" near the top—so it makes since to hold North America's largest public tea festival in Victoria, the "tea capital of Canada!"

The 5th Annual Victoria Tea Festival takes place on February 12 and 13, 2011 at Crystal Garden, 710 Douglas Street—just a short walk from Parkside!

The festival features "tea tastings, delectable tea-food selections, complimentary presentations on a variety of topics, opportunities to purchase hundreds of teas, tea-related products, and exquisite tea wares."

Caffe Fantastico's fourth and newest establishment, Tre Fantastico, is aptly named...

Already a master in the art of coffee roasting, Tre Fantastico is satisfying all palates by adding beer and wine to its palette.

Better yet, Tre Fantastico is offering special introductory deals and extending its hours to welcome all to come and explore the fine wines, craft brews and delicious local foods available.

Parkside Victoria Resort & Spa was recently featured in the January/February issue of Spa Canada Magazine! 

The article, "Building it Green From the Ground Up!", highlights Parkside's green initiatives and achievements. 

You can find the article on Spa Canada Magazine's website.

Shaw TV Lifestyles Specialist Karen Elgersma revisits Canada's greenest resort to explore the latest updates, which include a complimentary iPad Bar for guests and owners, as well scenes from the first ever film premiere hosted in Parkside's HD movie theatre.

What temperature is it where you are at right now? Are you dreaming of a West Coast Island escape?

Victoria, Canada's mildest climate is calling: Flowers in February, Year-Round Golf and an Island of possibilities await.

Enter to win our "Escape the Snow: Enter to WIN a West Coast Island Escape" contest and you could see what it's like to fly west for the winter!

Caffe Fantastico's newest location,Tre Fantastico at Parkside, is now accepting Visa, Mastercard and Debit!

Tre Fantastico is also now serving local beer on tap ($3.75), as well as a selection of red and white wines (prices range from $5 - $7).

Tre Fantastico is open from 8 am - 5 pm daily, with extended hours and a grand opening coming soon!

And the lucky winners of the raffle held during the Victoria film premiere of Life Cycles on Saturday (Jan. 8) are:

With the sweet surround sound of birds chirping, rain falling, and two wheels ripping across beautiful landscapes, Parkside's HD movie theatre delighted more than 100 people during Victoria's first official screening of Life Cycles on Saturday (Jan. 8).

Times Colonist film writer Michael D. Reid writes about the Victoria premiere of Life Cycles, which will be held at Parkside's HD Theatre this Saturday (Jan. 8).

Check out the article here. 

Tickets are still available for 12:45, 2, 3:15 and 4:30pm showings. There will be bike gear and complimentary free stays at Parkside up for grabs as draw prizes.

All ticket sales and draw proceeds go to Team Aviawest's Junior Development team and the South Island Mountain Bike Society (SIMBS).

The film is sure to impress mountain bikers and non-riders alike!