5 Places in Victoria to Make Mom Feel Like a Queen for the Day

Originally published April 7, 2017 | Updated April 19, 2019

With Mother’s Day just around the corner (yes, May 12^th!), it’s time yet again to seek out the perfect gift to give the woman who would do anything for you (and then some!).

A beautiful scarf, a bottle of expensive perfume and tasty brunch are great. But one thing moms usually can never get enough of is a little R&R and quality time with 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!

1. Shower Her with Flowers 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.

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.

Need to give your feet a rest? Swing by the Blue Poppy Restaurant for a delicious Mother’s Day Lunch Buffet. Or head to the Dining Room Restaurant to snack on a specially prepared Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea.

2. Treat Her to the Finest Tea Around at the Fairmont Empress

With an elegant dining room, a selection of 21 exquisite loose leaf teas and a three-tiered platter chock-full of sandwiches and treats, Tea at the Fairmont Empress is quintessentially Victoria. Needless to say, it’s a prime spot to take Mom to treat her like royalty for the day.

Cozy up in the Lobby Lounge sipping a comforting cup of tea from china fit for a king and queen (it was originally created for the royal visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939) while dining on a lineup of scrumptious goodies. As you indulge in a little mother-daughter gossip time, add some flair to your meal with an order of sparkling wine for a special toast.

3. Pamper Her 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.

Charm her socks off by treating Mom to a fabulous brunch (believe us, Victoria knows how to do brunch) at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Feast on a buffet of tantalizing eats and gaze out at the lapping waves of the Salish Sea and the majestic Mt. Baker.

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!

BOOK this hotel as part of a Victoria overnight stay with Clipper.

4. Wine and Dine Her 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.

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.

Complement your vino with a stop at Merridale Cidery for a farm-to-table lunch (and cider!) and bask in the afternoon glow of the sun as you sip on sweet brews. As an added bonus, at one of the stops, Mom will get to sample the other tasty concoctions the region’s known for outstanding balsamics.

5. Spoil Her 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.

Swing by Lore General Store for lavender-infused honey, natural apothecary items and an impressive array of handmade and vintage ceramics. Or duck inside the airy Fan Tan Home and Style, a staple for superb home décor and furniture, stocking everything from exotic fair trade baskets to cozy throws.

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.

Bonus: Give Her Whatever Her Heart Desires

Still struggling to figure out what Mom really wants for Mother’s Day? Take the pressure off yourself and purchase a Clipper Gift Card and give your Mom carte blanche to choose whatever makes her happy. Whether it’s a romantic getaway for some alone time with Dad, a whale watching adventure or a relaxing trip with her girls, the gift of travel opens up a world of exploration.

However you choose to pamper Mom this year, rest easy knowing 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!

Feature Photo: Scott Meis