Victoria is the capital of the province of BC and as a result is surprisingly sophisticated for its size. It is said to have more restaurants per capita than anywhere in Canada. It is also a musical city, with a symphony orchestra, numerous choirs and music of all types. Even a jazz club. There's a lively theatre scene and an annual film festival.

Speaking of winter, Victoria has a "modified Mediterranean" climate, with hot dry summers and mild winters. Although it can be cloudy and rainy in the winter months, the flowers start blooming in January and the grass is green all winter. Annual rainfall is 58 mm (23 inches), compared with London at 69/27 and Vancouver at 146/47! The peak rainfall is in November.

Downtown Victoria has public and private galleries and museums and a beautiful Inner Harbour with Fisherman's Wharf, the Bateman Centre (wildlife artist Robert Bateman), historic homes open to visitors, historic cemeteries, and fabulous gardens. Butchart Gardens is a big draw, but Abkhazi Garden is my favourite.

The natural setting is, frankly, gorgeous. And it's a wonderful place for birds, especially in the winter. Victoria has access to astoundingly beautiful wilderness on Vancouver Island but there are wonderful walks and hikes close by too. Off Island, there is passenger and car ferry access to the Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia, Vancouver BC and Port Angeles (Washington State) and passenger service to Seattle. There is also harbour plane and helijet service available.