With lush greenery, gorgeous pops of garden color, gentile British Colonial influences, and eye candy at every turn it's hard to visit Victoria, British Columbia, and not want to send for your things. A Victoria vacation rental is the ideal way to feel like a citizen, even if it's only temporary.

Every travel guide will tell you a visit to Butchart Gardens and tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel are absolute musts, and you'll get no disagreement here. The world-renowned Butchart Gardens is 55-acres of flora heaven, while the Fairmont Empress serves up the nostalgic elegance of the British Empire. The historic hotel is located in the Inner Harbor, one of the most visited neighborhoods on the island of Vancouver. The neo-Baroque architecture of the Parliament Buildings is picture-worthy, as is the Royal British Columbia Museum, which is heralded as one of the finest small museums in the world. Another interesting stop in Victoria is the Victoria Bug Zoo. However, as the name suggests, it's not for the squeamish.

You can fly into Victoria (the airport is about 26 miles from downtown), or you can take the preferred scenic route by ferry from Vancouver. Once in Victoria, the town is easily explored on foot, and you can enjoy the surrounding landscapes on bike. Ferries also connect Victoria with other towns on the island. However, if you want the greatest options, decide to stay at a Victoria vacation rental outside of downtown, and if you prefer to travel on your own schedule, a car is best.

Victoria has one of the mildest climates in Canada. Summer is the most popular time to visit. Temps are pleasant in the low 70s. While winter is a slow time for many vacation destinations, Victoria continues to attract a crowd because of its proximity to Whistler's skiing and moderate temps in the 40s. The best time to visit for deals is the spring and fall, but be aware that late fall and early winter bring on the area's largest chances for precipitation.

Victorians, and those who visit the area, love the outdoors. That's not only evident in the immense number of beautiful gardens and potted plants, but also in its outdoor festivals. From its International JazzFest in June to its Classic Boat Festival in September, there's a festival or outdoor event for everyone's tastes, and they're held nine months out of the year.

As one would expect, since Victoria is on an island, the seafood is delicious and fresh, but there are also a lot of farm-to-table eateries that are springing up. The British influence is also noticeable in a lot of their cuisine. Fifty miles northwest of Victoria in the center of Vancouver Island is the Cowichan Valley, which is home to nearly 20 wineries.