With Mother’s Day coming up, it’s time yet again to seek out the perfect gift to give to the one who would do anything for you. This year, why not try starting a new tradition to spoil her like a queen by whisking away on a fun adventure to Victoria, BC! Ready, set, plan!

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1. Enjoy Gardens Galore at The Butchart Gardens

Mom have a green thumb? A day spent tip-toeing through 55-acres of floral splendor inside world-famous The Butchart Gardens is like delivering a standard bouquet…times a million.

Wander the stone paths looping around The Butchart Gardens’ crown jewel, the Sunken Gardens, exploring vibrant beds of perennials in a rainbow of colors. And don’t forget about the Japanese Garden. Dotted with exotic Himalayan blue poppies, azaleas and trickling streams, the moss-covered grounds are stunningly peaceful and serene.

Vibrant flowers fill every nook and cranny of The Butchart Gardens. Photo: The Butchart Gardens
Vibrant flowers fill every nook and cranny of The Butchart Gardens. Credit: The Butchart Gardens

Not only will Mom dig the chance to get her garden fix, but the array of sweetly-scented blooms delivers inspiration for decking out her own backyard. If you’re feeling extra thoughtful, treat her to a packet of seeds of her favorite flower from The Gardens’ gift shop to try out at home.

2. Indulge in the Finest Tea Around at the Pendray Inn and Tea House

Steps away from the FRS Clipper terminal, treat mom to an afternoon of indulgence with a quintessential tea experience at the Pendray Inn and Tea House. A stunning 1890 heritage property (formerly the Gatsby Mansion) brimming with charm, cozy up as you sample through the three-tiered west coast tea for seafood-focused treats or opt for an exquisite traditional afternoon tea.

Add some bubbly to celebrate as you savor an array of delicious treats. Credit: Pendray Inn & Tea House
Add some bubbly to celebrate as you savor an array of delicious treats. Credit: Pendray Inn & Tea House

From freshly baked Lavender and white chocolate scones to smoked salmon pinwheels and a lengthy list of gourmet TWG teas to pair, sip some of the finest teas in the world, and enjoy the experience of a rich Victorian tradition.

3. Pamper at Oak Bay Beach Hotel & Spa

Mom juggles the family social calendar, keeps Fido and Fluffy fed, works 9-5 and manages to ensure the house is in sparkling condition. Let’s face it, she’s superwoman. While you might not be able to tell Mom you appreciate everything she does on a daily basis, now is the perfect time to reward her with an ultimate day of relaxation at Oak Bay Beach Hotel and Spa.

With stunning views of the sea, the Oak Bay Beach Hotel is a tranquil oasis just outside downtown Victoria. Credit: Oak Bay Beach Resort
With stunning views of the sea, the Oak Bay Beach Hotel is a tranquil oasis just outside downtown Victoria. Credit: Oak Bay Beach Resort

Later, pop down to the hotel’s luxurious Boathouse Spa & Bath for some lavish pampering. If a full slate of rejuvenating massages, facials, manicures and pedicures paired with a soothing soak in the steaming hot seaside mineral pool doesn’t leave Mom blissed out, we don’t know what will!

4. Wine and Dine on a Cowichan Wine Country Tour

Give Mom a different take on rosés and bouquets by exploring Vancouver Island’s flourishing wine scene on a Cowichan Valley Wine Country Tour. After all, there’s nothing like the pink blush of a fine rosé or the fragrant bouquet of a white wine. Mom can sit back, relax and enjoy a wonderful day of sampling liquid perfection while someone else does all the planning AND the driving.

Taste some of Vancouver Island’s finest wines at sprawling vineyards. Credit: Island Time Tours
Taste some of Vancouver Island’s finest wines at sprawling vineyards. Credit: Island Time Tours

Soak in Vancouver Island’s stunning countryside as you cruise up the forested Malahat Drive. Look down on the glistening Saanich Inlet below before descending into the lush, open Cowichan Valley. Spend a glorious afternoon with a local wine expert and visit three boutique wineries, where you’ll have the opportunity to pick up insider knowledge from the winemakers themselves.

5. Spoil and Splurge at Victoria’s Unique Boutiques

Sure, there is nothing Mom loves more than spending some much-need quality time with you, but let’s be honest, shopping takes the experience to a whole other level. Show her all those hours spent with your friends at the mall were a pre-requisite for becoming a savvy shopper. Expand her horizons with a shopping spree to Victoria’s growing collection of stylish shops, brimming with quality locally-sourced products.

Find a wide variety of locally-sourced goods at Public Mercantile. Photo: Public Mercantile

From incense to artwork, bitters to botanics and so much more, you’ll have a blast checking out the variety of local goods curated at Public Mercantile. Have a bibliophile on your hands? The world-renowned Munro’s Books is guaranteed to feed Mom’s inner bookworm. Cap the day at Bon Macaron Patisserie and nosh on melt-in-your-mouth macarons that taste as though they came straight from France.

 

However you choose to pamper Mom this year, rest easy knowing FRS Clipper’s travel experts are at the ready to help guide you to the best possible options to create an escape she’ll never forget. Sit back and enjoy the satisfaction of finding a gift that is sure to make Mom proud – you can thank us later!

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Feature Photo: Scott Meis