SEATTLE (November 10, 2022) –  With the holiday travel season back in full swing, FRS Clipper is once again offering its popular Victoria overnight getaway package to visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens for the attraction’s annual holiday lights display.

Between December 1 and January 1, Seattleites have the opportunity to hop aboard the Victoria Clipper fast ferry for a quick trip through the Salish Sea, arriving in the heart of downtown Victoria in less than three hours. Once there, guests will enjoy a stay at one of FRS Clipper’s 19 Victoria partner hotels along with a visit via motorcoach to experience more than 300,000 twinkling holiday lights while wandering through The Butchart Gardens.

Throughout The Gardens, a spectacular winter wonderland display will feature a variety of scenes depicting The Twelve Days of Christmas. A brass band and traditional carolers will also perform each night between 5pm – 9pm and The Gardens’ beautiful Dining Room Restaurant will be open for a special menu served between 5pm – 8pm (reservations strongly recommended).

Between December 2 – 22, FRS Clipper offers the Butchart Gardens Holiday Lights tour Friday through Sunday with motorcoach departures from The Fairmont Empress at 4pm or 6pm. Between December 23 – January 1, departures are daily at 4pm and 6pm. Return times from the The Gardens are at 7pm or 9pm all of December with a drop off back in front of The Fairmont Empress hotel in downtown Victoria. The Butchart Gardens are closed on Christmas Day.

As of October 1, Transport Canada dropped all prior COVID-19 Canadian border entry requirements including proof of vaccination and use of ArriveCAN for all travelers entering Canada. The applauded move has once again created a seamless international border travel experience akin to pre-pandemic times for Seattleites seeking a quick and easy getaway to Victoria.

“After a long two-year hiatus, we are very excited to once again offer our most popular December tour package for guests to enjoy one of the most festive holiday light experiences in our region,” said Matthias Pahnke, CEO of FRS Clipper. “This is finally the year for us all to reconnect with friends and loved ones to re-establish family traditions and we look forward to helping our guests create memorable travel experiences this season.”