Victoria is a wonderful place to live, work and play. The city and parklands offer so many attractive features that the venerable Conde Nast Traveller Magazine ranks it as one of the World's Best Cities. And the daffodils bloom in February! We hope you will let us know how we can assist you with your relocation needs as you begin to explore a move to the beautiful city of Victoria! Your Victoria relocation specialist can offer you suggestions and additional information on any of the following events and celebrations.

Events to place in your travel or social calendar:

Tourism Victoria: http://www.tourismvictoria.com/Content/EN/693.asp

Festivals & Celebrations for 2008: http://www.victoria.ca/residents/artscl_artfest.shtml

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Restaurants... yummmmmm!

Victoria has an unusually high per capita number of restaurants, many offering authentic international cuisine. I have had wonderful meals at Ethiopian, Thai, Japanese, Indian, Chinese, French, and Mexican restaurants. Catch of the day sea foods are often served ... these local delicacies are lovely. There are especially nice restaurants, like The Blue Crab and The Marina Restaurant that serve island oysters and wild salmon and fresh, local shellfish. Try these websites to learn more about your favourite foods and where they are served in Victoria

In February and March each year, Victoria hosts a city-wide event called "Dine-around town" during which many of the best local restaurants offer three-course meals for a lower-than-usual price. The restaurant list on this web page includes many of our favourite restaurants...
http://www.tourismvictoria.com/Content/En/1430.asp

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January

Spring Prelude at Butchart Gardens
Victoria Film Festival www.victoriafilmfestival.com

February

Stay in and Dine Around Town

March

Art in Bloom at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria http://aggv.bc.ca/public+programs.aspx
Festival of the Book www.victoriaartsconnection.com

April

Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival http://www.gvpaf.org/

May

Organic Islands Festival www.organicislands.ca
Vancouver Island International Children's Festival www.childrensfestival.com
Celtic Festival and Highland Games www.victoriahighlandgames.com

June

Tall Ships Victoria http://tallshipsvictoria.ca/
Vancouver Island's 6th Annual Afro-Carib Carnival www.ahavi.ca
Maritime Mosaic Festival www.mmbc.bc.ca

July & August - Summer in Victoria

Canada Day Celebrations www.victoria.ca/canadaday
Victoria Conservatory Festival of Music www.tourismvictoria.com/Content/EN/436.asp?id=5112
Markets: Moss Street Market, Government Street Market, James Bay Community Market www.tourismvictoria.com/Content/EN/693.asp
Symphony Splash in Victoria's Inner Harbour ww.victoriasymphony.bc.ca/concerts/splash.html
Festival Mexicano www.1415broad.ca
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Moss Street Paint-In www.aggv.bc.ca
Luminara Victoria www.luminaravictoria.com
Victoria Dragon Boat Festival www.victoriadragonboat.com
Victoria Fringe Festival ww.intrepidtheatre.com
Vancouver Island Blues Bash www.vicjazz.bc.ca

September

Victoria Masquerade Ball www.victoriaball.com

October

Hallowe'en Bonfires
Victoria International Improv Festival www.impromaniacs.ca

November

Festival of Trees at the Fairmont Empress
Art Shows & Gallery Tours

December

The Butchart Gardens Magic of Christmas
Horse-drawn Trolley Rides

Any time of year, some of my favourite things to do:

• storm-watching on Dallas Road
• live theatre & concerts
• enjoying coffee at one of the many locally owned coffee shops
• strolling the docks of the Inner Harbour or Fisherman's Wharf
• hiking at Witty's Lagoon
• driving coastal roads to Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park
• visiting the world-renowned Butchart Gardens