First-Time Island Guide! Victoria & Nanaimo Itinerary 🌊🚗

Day 1: Victoria Highlights 1️⃣ Butchart Gardens (25min drive | 2h visit) 🌸 The island’s must-see floral paradise! 2️⃣ Victoria Chinatown & Downtown (30min drive) 🏮 Fan Tan Alley → 📚 Munro’s Books → ☕ Murchie’s Tea → 🍫 Rogers’ Chocolates 3️⃣ Beacon Hill Park (5min drive) 🦚 Peacocks strutting! Perfect for a stroll. 4️⃣ Christ Church Cathedral (4min drive | quick photo stop) ⛪ 5️⃣ Clover Point (5min drive) 🌅 Scenic coastline—walk/bike to Finlayson Point for sunset! 6️⃣ Craigdarroch Castle (7min drive) 🏰 Drive-by glimpse of this Victorian gem. 7️⃣ BC Parliament Buildings (10min drive) 📸 Iconic photo op! 8️⃣ Fisherman’s Wharf (5min walk) 🌈 Colorful floating houses (cuter than Vancouver’s!) 9️⃣ Red Fish Blue Fish 🍤 Worth the 40min wait! Pro tip: A server here looks like Uma Thurman! 😍 Day 2: Victoria → Nanaimo → Vancouver 1️⃣ Crust Bakery (Breakfast) 🥐 "Bought 6 pastries—devoured instantly!" Flaky, chewy perfection. 2️⃣ Fisgard Lighthouse (20min drive) 🗼 Historic lighthouse + free entry on Canada Day! 3️⃣ Hatley Castle (9min drive) ⚡ X-Men filming location! Even more photogenic than Butchart. 4️⃣ Split Rock Lookout (25min drive) 🌊 Quick stop for epic ocean views. 5️⃣ Duncan Totem Village (28min drive) 🎨 Charming town with Indigenous totems + affordable souvenirs! 6️⃣ Chemainus Mural Town (17min drive) 🖼️ Streets bursting with vibrant murals + cute Waterwheel Park. #LifeIsAnAdventure #VancouverLife #ExploreBC #SeattleToVictoria