Whether you're looking for a leisurely walk in the wilderness or a challenging uphill trek, there are many amazing hiking and walking trails around Victoria to suit all levels and abilities.
Autumn is an especially great time to get outside and go for a walk—so grab your Gortex, lace up your walking shoes and check out these beautiful Victoria trails!
On October 10, 2010, over 13,000 people laced up to run the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon (formerly the Royal Victoria Marathon), including a few of us from the Parkside team!
The race route starts in the heart of downtown Victoria, next to the iconic Fairmont Empress, and follows Victoria's scenic city streets through Oak Bay to the Uplands and back, with stunning ocean views to enjoy almost the entire way.
Parkside was excited to welcome runners from all over the world staying at the hotel on marathon weekend, which is just a short 10-minute walk from the starting line.
Victoria's popular Luminara Festival hit the road this September and turned into an enchanting travelling light show around several communities near the downtown core.
Check out local artist Jennifer Witvliet's lantern installation in Parkside's outdoor pond at the corner of Humboldt and Blanshard Streets on September 18, 2010!
Looking for an authentic Italian cafe with delicious food and a front row seat to all the action in Victoria's Inner Harbour?
Then head down to Bastion Square and try Paradiso Di Stelle Cafe. Sip on authentic Italian espresso in the popular cafe or enjoy some gelato as you soak up the sun and people watch on their outdoor patio.
Paradiso is just a short walk from Parkside on Wharf Street.
Parkside provided the celebratory setting for a hero's welcome as about 200 people flooded the resort's atrium to shake hands and pose for photos with local cycling phenom Ryder Hesjedal on Saturday, September 4. See story in the Victoria Times Colonist.
Hesjedal, who placed seventh overall in this summer's epic Tour de France, used the community celebration to help launch the Wheelmen Ride Bicycles program, which supports competitive youth cycling. The 29-year-old Victoria resident talked about the program on camera during the meet and greet at Parkside.
Funds raised through the Wheelmen Ride Bicycles initiative are currently going to the Aviawest Cycling Society, a not-for-profit organization that provides young up-and-coming cyclists in Victoria with the financial support they need to develop their talents and become successful cyclists.
Instead of heading to the grocery store on a busy Saturday morning, consider doing your shopping at the Bastion Square Farmers' Market, located in Bastion Square in downtown Victoria, BC.
Find everything from homemade crafts to fresh fruits and veggies to desserts and preserves.
Not only does fresh, local produce taste better, but also by buying locally you are economically supporting the farmers and saving their agricultural lands from development.
The Bastion Square Farmers' Market operates from mid June until mid September, so head down and stock up on produce before they're gone for the season!
What better way to tour the cycling capital of Canada than by bike?
Victoria BC is a very bicycle-friendly city, with lots of designated bike lanes, bike-storage facilities (there's even one located at Parkside!) and great biking trails available.
Whether you decide to cruise around town and out along Dallas Road to Oak Bay or head down the Galloping Goose trail out towards Sooke, make sure you know the rules of the road and ride prepared.
Check out this list of websites to get the best out of your Victoria cycling experience.See the sights of Victoria they way the early settlers did - from an authentic horse-drawn carriage!
Take a ride through Beacon Hill Park, past the Empress, beside the Parliament Buildings and around the Inner Harbour before returning back to Parkside.
It's a great way to go sight-seeing and take in all the beauty Victoria has to offer!
Parkside Victoria Resort & Spa has been designed, built and furnished with sustainable development in mind.
From the low-VOC fabrics and furnishings to the collection of waste water through strategic landscaping, Parkside is a completely sustainable resort hotel, as well as Canada's first resort hotel targeting LEED® Platinum Certification.
Join us in the lobby at Parkside to take your own free Green Building Tour today!
On Saturday, July 17, 2010, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria hosted the 23rd annual Moss Street Paint-In. This event draws crowds of over 35,000 people each year and is a great way to spend a summer afternoon in Victoria.
For the last two years, event organizers have been committed to holding an event that keeps getting greener each year.
Event partners such as Level Ground Trading and Ali Baba Pizza gave out products that came in compostable containers. Two years ago, the Paint-In only produced 12 bags of garbage; this year, event organizers hoped to cut that number in half.
For more information about the Paint-In, please visit the AGGV website.
