Cruise Talk: Butchart Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » Butchart Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia

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Topic: Butchart Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia

cobra
First Class Passenger
Member # 1605

posted 03-28-2001 07:28 PM

Has anyone been to Butchart Gardens? If so, do you remember the cost? Was it worth it? Would you recommend the ship's excursion or should we arrange the trip on our own? Did it take a long time to stroll thru the gardens? Thanks for any help.

Posts: 21 | From: north palm beach, fl. u.s | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 03-28-2001 08:10 PM

Butchart Gardens is well worth a visit.
Have never done it with a group from the ship or otherwise. I was visiting friends and I think we just drove up and paid our money - no idea how much.
As for how long it takes, depends on what you want to see/photograph etc.

Why not try a search with your favourite engine - Get Victoria, BC up and then search for the Gardens. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 03-28-2001 08:19 PM

Gi again Cobra -

Here's the site you want http://www.butchartgardens.com

Enjoy!!

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

CTrail
First Class Passenger
Member # 64

posted 03-28-2001 08:41 PM

Cobra, we lived up island in Nanaimo and had visited Buchart Gardens a couple of times. It is beautiful. Well worth the trip. Take lots of film. As far as cost goes, all I know is that it was reasonable.

Enjoynatureinallitssplendor.

Peter

Posts: 332 | From: Kitchener, ON Canada | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 03-28-2001 09:36 PM

If the ship has an excursion, take that. You have to drive to the ferry dock, board the ferry - about 1 hour trip over I think, and then drive to the gardens. Unless you know your way, you could get lost. Then there is the ferry trip back.
We were staying with friends in Vancouver some years ago and they drove us over.
The gardens are lovely - we also had lunch there - very good.
I would say you could spend at least a couple of hours just touring the gardens. Probably a 4-5 hour trip.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

bubbles
First Class Passenger
Member # 1415

posted 03-29-2001 02:44 PM

A visit to Butchart was the finale of our Canadian Rockies pre Alaska cruise tour last summer, the final night of our tour was spent in Victoria, as others said the ferry goes from Vancouver to Victoria. When I told my husband we were going to see gardens he was not too impressed until we got there, they were absolutely beautiful and different depending on the time of year you go. We had a snack in the restaurant which was set in the Italian garden. The gardens were one of the highspots of the tour. Some of our best photos are from Butchart. Even with crowds in some areas they thin out in others and do not spoil the experience.

Nearly forgot your specific questions, our trip was around 3 hours we could have spent longer but we had seen everything and enjoyed the gardens by that time. Although we were with an excursion we were only dropped off and collected and it was part of our inclusive tour. I think most tours operated in the same way giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy the gardens at their own pace. The route was well marked and even if you deviated all roads led back to the main route. Not sure of separate entry charges but am sure the website will give all that info.

[This message has been edited by bubbles (edited 03-29-2001).]

Posts: 133 | From: England | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 03-29-2001 05:03 PM

quote:
Originally posted by cobra:
Has anyone been to Butchart Gardens?

I'm not really a Garden fan, but it was EXCELLENT! Well worth the visit. Ship trip was fine. Cost was reasonable. The same trip also stopped at a Butterfly Garden, but Butchart was the highlight.

Try to find the time to walk in Victoria, it is wonderful.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Blizzard54
First Class Passenger
Member # 1824

posted 03-30-2001 07:44 PM

The gardens are the "must see" thing in Victoria. It is some distance from where the ship docks. I am not sure if you can get better transportation cost by cab it could be if you have 4 people. The entry cost varies by time of year. If you have time walking around the harbour area (downtown is very pleasant. The ships dock outside the inner harbor area. It is about a 15min walk if you are inclined to walking.

Posts: 118 | From: Seattle,WA | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

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