Parkside Victoria Travel Blog

By Jessica Woollard

Tea is trendy right now. Somehow in the last few years, the stuffy English staple has been wholly made-over into a hip libation, attracting a cult following of connoisseurs who can distinguish rooibos from oolong as quickly as a wine dilettante knows gris from grisio.

No doubt, walking around downtown Victoria, you’ve noticed there are more tea shops here than in most cities. All within a few blocks of each other, you’ll find smaller enterprises like century-old Murchie’s and Victoria’s own Silk Road and Special Teas, as well as one of three Victoria locations of the über trendy David’s Tea.

Having established itself as a centre for tea enthusiasts, Victoria proudly hosts North America’s largest tea exhibition, the Victoria Tea Festival, running this year on February 18 and 19 at Crystal Garden. Now in its sixth year, the tea festival has evolved from a small, one-day exhibition, to a two-day event featuring more than 40 exhibitors and 200 volunteers and attracting more than 3,300 people, some making Victoria a yearly destination holiday because of the Tea Festival.

AquaTerre Spa at Parkside had the pleasure of hosting Shaw TV The Daily personality Sucheta Singh last week.

We gave Sucheta a preview of some of the chocolate treatments we are offering in celebration of Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day Spa Specials are available Feb. 11-18.

Watch the show >>

See Valentine's Day Specials >>

Parkside is proud to partner again with the Victoria Film Festival as a venue. Our HD movie theatre with large, plush seating is all set for February. 

Here's a list of films showing at Parkside Feb. 2-10.

Belcanto

Friday • February 3rd • Parkside • 7:15
Director: Ryszard Maciej Nyczka
Poland • 2010 • 107 min • Digital
Canadian Premiere

When Mariusz Marzeda, a provincial opera and operetta tenor, comes into neighbourly conflict with a local escort of considerable influence he loses his job and becomes a social outcast. His old friend General Ogórcow, a commander of the armed forces, who is totally in love with music, decides to defend him by dropping two atomic bombs on West Berlin.

By Churchill Foundation Vancouver Island

For several years Les Leyne of the Times Colonist and admirers of Sir Winston Churchill have braved the elements and gathered at the hawthorn tree in Mayor's Grove, Beacon Hill Park, to mark the death of SWC, January 24, 1965 and to celebrate his life.

This year, the Churchill Foundation Vancouver Island has added to the celebration with a Chatfest of pithy and fun observations and stories! The Chatfest will precede the tree ceremony running across lunch from 11:30am to 1:30pm on Sunday (Jan. 22) in the beautiful (and warm) atrium of Parkside Victoria Resort & Spa.

By Jessica Woollard

Ah, January... the month of fresh starts and fitness regiments. Like several million people around the world, I’m committed to staying in shape through to the end of 2012—after all, it might be the last chance I’ve got!

I’ve made this promise to myself in past years, along with eating more broccoli and buying fewer flavoured coffees; but while I still cringe at the sight of green flowers on my plate and give in, at least once a month, to the sweet aroma of a Caramel Brûlée Latté, I have found the key to sticking to a fitness plan: signing up for races.

Photo/Tony Austin

Christmas is fast approaching! Need a gift idea they'll love while treating yourself?

Buy a Gift Card, Receive Your Own Gift From Our Christmas Tree!

We've placed gift certificates for various free spa treatments in our Christmas tree: purchase a $200 gift card and choose a gift; purchase a $500 gift card and receive a free spa robe along with a gift from the tree.

Call or visit our spa desk to give the gift of relaxation this season while getting a little something in return!

By Jessica Woollard

Humans have long been fascinated with observing our civilization in microcosm. As far back as ancient Egypt, populations constructed tall structures to climb and look out at the expanse before them, drawn to experiencing the world at a small scale and enjoying the sense of perspective such an experience brings. The tradition has continued in the modern world, with tourists ever drawn to climbing tall structures around the world, whether ascending to the top of the duomo of St. Peter’s Basilica or the top of the planet at Mount Everest’s summit.

Even children through the ages have shown an interest in the world in miniature, playing with dolls and toy soldiers, recreating life on a small scale, a life they can more easily understand.

>> Read full article on the A-Life BC Travel Blog

This year, we're making the crown jewel of Parkside available for your private New Year's Eve party!

Sweeping views of the city, rooftop gardens, chic design... the Penthouse City Club Lounge is the perfect venue for hosting private, festive gatherings in style. Located at the top of the Rockland Tower, the City Club Lounge features luxurious open living spaces and accommodates up to 80 guests.

Reserve the Penthouse City Club Lounge for your New Year's Eve party and receive a free e-reader. Contact events@parksidevictoria.com for details.    

With the launching of our new mobile website at m.parksidevictoria.com, you can now request a reservation, view photos of our guest suites, and explore specials and packages from the palm of your hand!

It's a convenient way to plan your next stay with us while you're on the move.

Check it out >> 

We are often asked about the captivating paintings that adorn Parkside's front and rear lobbies. Well, guests will soon be able to ask the artist in person.

Salt Spring Island painter Wesley Clark is featuring recent works of acrylic on canvas in Parkside's atrium during a free art show on Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 3 and 4) from 10am-6pm.

Selected themes will include landscape, fish and antiquity. Experienced in the local environmental scene, Wesley is well known for depicting wilderness areas around British Columbia.

Guests attending the show can receive special nightly rates at Parkside starting at $119.

About the artist: