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Patty updated on 10/28/09 9:48:43
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Butchart Gardens, Summer 2010
I'm interested in learning if there are MiPLers (or others) who would want to do a road trip up to Victoria B.C. to see Butchart Gardens, the Empress Hotel for high tea (not cheap), and just visit the pubs downtown. I'm thinking: leave Friday a.m., return Sunday late afternoon, share hotel room(s), split gas expenses/cost of ferry for the car.
If you've never been Butchart Gardens is a gorgeous former quarry that was developed by a family in to a fabulous garden. In summer months, they often have concerts on the grounds. No matter what time of year you visit, it's always beautiful. If you love flowers and strolling about on wonderful grounds, there's no place better IMHO.
Please post here if this is something you might be up for. I am thinking along the lines of July or August for this.
Thanks!
Patty
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Reply by Suzanne at 11/03/09 12:10:54 --
Love to
I would love to go. I will be done (completely done) with school after beginning of June and open to a road trip! Right now I basically work and go to school with no time for any fun =(
I went to BC last year and didn't have much time to see anything, so would love to go up again and see the gardens and have a great time!
Please keep me updated!
Suzanne
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Reply by Patty at 11/03/09 11:17:48 --
you betcha
I'll bring you back coffee when we go.
Maybe it WAS the museum I visited that held the Parliament stuff in it? Is this a big bldg. sitting back from the road with a nice garden area surrounding it as well? Heck I just remember all the old flags and some beautiful gowns there... Guess I should visit it again, eh?
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Reply by Jackie at 11/03/09 9:40:47 --
Butchart Gardens
There is ferry going on to Victoria from Seattle.
I was just at Butchart this June with my daughter. It's one of the top outdoor gardens. I too recommend the Museum. Can anyone bring me back a large can of tim horton's coffee? (I'll reimburse you of course).
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Reply by Patty at 11/02/09 9:34:53 --
possibly
Hi Rhonda,
maybe there could be two groups: one that goes for 3 days and one that stays on for 4 or more? (I suggested the 3 days for personal reasons: if I get a new job, I'll not have vaca or that which I want to use to revisit a place I've seen) but others may be wanting a longer trip.
More thoughts?
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Reply by Rhonda_Rho at 11/02/09 9:23:33 --
Travel for a little longer?
I would love to return to Victoria (and Vancouver Island); however, I'm afraid that leaving on Fri a.m. with plan to return Sun p.m. wouldn't give me the breath of experience I'd prefer when drive and ferry time is considered - If the event were extended an additional day or two, then count me in.
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Reply by Patty at 10/30/09 6:38:29 --
Susan, I agree
Last time I was up there, it was for a conference and we had a "behind the scenes" tour of Butchart where we had tea and that's where I had chocolate sushi (turns out, the only kind of sushi I can tolerate!). It was really lovely.
We could always make high tea at the Empress optional. I have just heard it's really an event, even if expensive.
I am glad there's some interest in this and will begin looking at dates after August 1st. Cool!
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Reply by Renee at 10/30/09 1:01:29 --
Sounds wonderful!
I would be interested in the trip. However, I have my kids from July 1 til mid August. I am limited as to prior or after. I do hope I can make this.
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Reply by heather at 10/29/09 6:35:34 --
Dessert Buffet
My friend and I wanted to have tea at the Empress but it was unnecessarily expensive. Instead we had the dessert buffet that the Empress offered and had tea somewhere else. The buffet had a very large selection of different desserts, served with coffee or tea, and we were still able to have an experience at the hotel. I love Victoria and it has been a years since my last visit. I might be interested in going up with a group.
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Reply by Susan at 10/29/09 2:45:44 --
I Love Victoria!
I hate gardening and I fell in love with the Butchart Gardens in 8th grade! I've been there since as an adult and it is still wonderful.
Tea at the Empress (granted, in the off season in October several years ago) was disappointing and tea at Butchart was WONDERFUL! Well worth it!!
The museum in Victoria is also fantastic -- again, in 8th grade, I wandered around and loved it. They have a floor with rooms or settings. The train station feels and sounds like a train is rumbling through.
The Victorian kitchen smells like cinnamon and the curtains billowing at the "window" allow the sound of horse drawn carriages to be heard.
I highly suggest going to the museum.
Susan
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Reply by Patty at 10/29/09 11:34:44 --
Parliament
We wanted to do the Parliament bldg. and it was closed. At another visit, I did get a chance to stroll through it. And of course, the ferries were on a holiday schedule which we hadn't thought of.
The Empress Hotel employees were on strike twice when I was visiting. This is definitely not the same as a holiday of course; nothing you can do about it.
It's been several years since I've gone but I'm sure the gardens are just as spectacular and for me as a gardener, that's the number one reason I want to go.
We all need to have passports now.
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Reply by Chris at 10/29/09 11:28:53 --
canada closed
Patty, im surprised to hear things were closed in canada during a national holiday! Very weird. Last few times i have gone up to BC during those times and the experience was amazing.... anytime is a good time to go to BC though, except winter!
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Reply by Anita at 10/28/09 10:21:53 --
Very cool!
I went a few years back on 4th of July. It was a lot of fun! 4th of July isn't a holiday for canadiens so everything is open. The gardens were gorgeous and they still had fireworks I think for the whole weekend. I also recommend the bug zoo!
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Reply by Patty at 10/28/09 8:19:48 --
thanks 4 ideas, keep 'em coming
Thanks for the ideas and input.
Actually, I do not want to go to Canada again on a Canadian holiday as I've done that (by accident) once and many things we wanted to see were closed. Butchart usually has fireworks (smaller scale) on Fridays I think it is.
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Reply by Bronwyn at 10/28/09 2:08:02 --
Great Trip!
I and actually one of my other Meetin Friends were up there right around the last Fourth of July. It's really beautiful. If you have time, driving around the Island is pretty wonderful too. Would like to perhaps go up next year, but it depends on my vacation time and job status next year. Could be anywhere....will keep it open as an idea. I have pictures from this July - if you'd like to see them just ask.
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Reply by Vonnie at 10/28/09 12:59:12 --
Butchart Gardens
I did this trip once upon a time -- long long ago and would love to repeat it. Please keep me posted!
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Reply by Chris at 10/28/09 11:49:41 --
butchart gardens
try and go around july 1st, that is the canadian time for independance day, lots of great fireworks there.
Recommend you stay at the royal scott hotel, it is very close to all ammenities in the harbour and near the empress, and is very reasonable.
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