The Butchart Gardens are perhaps the one reason to leave Salt Spring for a day while you are staying here. These world-renowned gardens are a must visit while you are so close.
Thousands of flowers are displayed in season each year in the Sunken, Rose, Japanese and Italian theme gardens. In the summer evenings, the Gardens turn into a jeweled fairyland with beautifully designed lighting. Special displays complement particularly important holidays, such as Christmas.
(from their site)
"Welcome to the Butchart Gardens, fifty-five acres of wonderful floral display, offering spectacular views as you stroll along meandering paths and expansive lawns. In 1904, Jennie Butchart began to beautify a worked-out quarry site left behind from her husband's pioneering efforts in the manufacture of Portland cement at Tod Inlet, Vancouver Island, Canada.
Her venture has become a family commitment to horticulture and hospitality spanning almost 100 years, and delighting visitors from all over the world.
From the exquisite Sunken Garden to the charming Rose Garden, this show garden still maintains the gracious traditions of the past, in one of the loveliest corners in the world."
You can make this trip by car and ferry, or you can fly with Salt Spring Air.
BUTCHART GARDENS TOUR WITH SALTSPRING AIR
Saltspring by air is only a stone's throw from the world renown Butchart Gardens. With Saltspring Island Air you can avoid the all day ferry trip and the hassles of parking. Depart Ganges and fly over the rural farmlands of the Fulford Valley and Saanich Peninsula.
Soar over the ferry terminal and traffic before arriving in style at the exclusive seaplane dock that the Butchart Family reserves for their guests. The pilot will escort you to the top of the seaplane ramp, where you will start your 1.5 hour walk through Canada's most famous gardens. This is the ideal way to travel to this landmark of horticultural splendour.
$370 for two - $420 for three
If you are looking to make a day of it, why not visit the Butchart Gardens by seaplane in the morning and then spend the afternoon in British Columbia's beautiful historic capital. The return trip to Saltspring is only a matter of minutes, and it is not uncommon to see whales en route!
$710 for two - $825 for three
(You can phone Salt Spring Air at 250-537-9880, or check their web site.)
VICTORIA
Just a 20-minute drive from the Gardens is the charming small city of Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.
Condé Naste Traveler Magazine readers' poll rated Victoria one of the top ten cities to visit in the world! Known for it's great restaurants, quaint specialty shops and numerous fine art galleries, Victoria is a relaxing place to spend an afternoon shopping and sightseeing.
Afternoon Tea at the Empress Hotel is a popular ritual. You’ll see red double-decker buses pass by. And flowers abound. In Victoria you’ll find shopping of every type. As well as the basics, you’ll find many unique shops with special products and services.
Especially notable, and well worth a visit while you are there, are the Legislative Buildings, The Royal British Columbia Museum, the Maritime Museum of British Columbia and the stately Empress Hotel.
