This week I went to Victoria, BC. This is partially why I have been MIA for almost a week.
I saw a lot of gorgeous architecture.
Parliament
The Empress Hotel
Random building in tourist town
I ate a LOT of good food. I wanted to ensure that I experienced Victoria for their food, and didn’t want to eat anything I could eat in my hometown. I found a flyer for a vegan restaurant and asked two locals how to get there. 20 minutes later I was eating some amazing vegan food.
That cake was so good
I stumbled upon the most amazing Mexican cafe after deviating from the tourist area.
This burrito was almost $10, but it was so incredibly heavy and stuffed with so much amazingness, I had to save 1/4 for later. SO.GOOD.
I needed something sweet to wash it down, so I found another cafe that sold vegan brownies.
Unfortunately, this brownie lacked in flavor and “kapow!”
I also stumbled upon the tea store I see all over the Candian bloggers pages. There are only like 4 of these in the states, but the closest to me is California. It was more fun to see it in Canada anyway.
I sampled that sleigh ride tea, SO GOOD!
Canadian friends I need your help..what is this?
It was some kind of squishy looking fruit. It almost looked like lychee.
The main part of this getaway was to “relax.” I spent WAYY too much money on a hot stone massage, but I tried it once and now I know.
I came home with a small bottle of Canadian maple syrup, and I can’t wait to give it a test drive on some pancakes or waffles. Or maybe I can just drink it straight from the bottle.
I loved this town. It was calm, quiet, simple, and the location was gorgeous. The cafe’s and food were perfect and I never struggled to find good food. What better way to experience a new area than by tasting it? See ya soon Canada!
Q: How do you like to experience a new area? Walking the streets, and tasting the eats!
Blissfulbritt 
53 thoughts on “Adventures in Canadaland”
Alisha
Ummm that burrito looks to die for! Tasting the food that the area has to offer is the best part of traveling, in my opinion 🙂
itsthecookiemonster
yay you got a true canadian experience? was everyone freakishly nice as the stereotype describes us? ahaha
Michelle @ Run Eat Travel
I’m from Vancouver and went to UVic (University of Victoria) for my undergrad and lived there for 4 years. This post brings back some great memories of that city. I miss it!
Alexandra
OH MAN what a blast!!!!!! I’m so jealous of this glorious adventure!! 😀
Eeeeven though I gotta say, I’m super bummed that brownie didn’t taste yummy and lacked wow factor– it sure looks decadent and delicious haha 😉
TorontoRunner
I LOVE walking around in new areas! Just randomly find things.
I haven’t been to Victoria(I’ve been to Vancouver though). The places you’ve went looks so nice!
I hope you liked David’s Tea!
oatsgirl
I like to get lost in a new place, it’s the best way to find random things that are usually better than the stuff for tourists.
I’m also super jealous of your Canadian maple syrup…I haven’t been to Canada in far too long!
Glad you had fun!
Emily
You just reminded me to renew my passport! Looks like you had so much fun 🙂
Laura
You were in my city! Glad you had a good week. Next time make sure to check out Cafe Bliss, its my fav. 🙂
Brittany
OH my gosh I went into Cafe Bliss..I was going to get something there, but then I decided to save it for the next time I come. It smelled like heavenly hippies in there..I loved it!! I can’t wait to try it!
Life After Swimming
Sounds like an amazing getaway! 🙂 And I’m sad to hear about that brownie — it looks so yummy!
goodstorysarah
What a disappointment for a brownie to look that good and leave you hanging! It’s always fun to visit Canada!
caloricandcrazy
One of the perks of living in Washington must be the chance to take a trip to Canada once in a while! All the food you had looks amazing—especially the burrito. Did it have steamed broccoli florets in it?!
Brittany
YES! It had beans, rice, lettuce, avocado, BROCCOLI, cauliflower, and carrots..YUM!
Alex @ therunwithin
Man what a blast! I would have loved to explore that place.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
You got to go to Victoria?! That’s seriously probably one of the most beautiful cities in Canada and it’s been way too long since I’ve been… jealous! I love, love, LOVE just walking around a new city and stopping by any place that catches my eye. Oh, and definitely try drinking the syrup straight from the bottle 😉
soulofspice
OOH! i just returned from a trip to Victoria & can say with confidence its all that you say and much much more.. Love your pix.. I hope to blog sooon about my trip on the seaplane, helicopter…
Brittany
YES please blog about it!! I loved watching those seaplanes! So jealous you went on one!
The Savvy Sister
My sister lives down the street from the Empress! If you get a chance, go to China town. In Fantail Alley (the narrowest street in the world) there is a funky shop where I got the cutest clothes!
Have fun!!
The Savvy Sister
It might be Fantan Alley…
Brittany
Ohh we did go to China Town!! My friend bought a scarf there..it was awesome!!
Lou (@fridgescrapings)
That brownie LOOKS incredible, bummer it didn’t taste as good 😦 Looks like a fab few days of exploring a new place – jealous!
Luv What You Do
What a fun recap!
I love exploring a town by foot (or bike) trying new foods and taking TONS of pictures. That massage soudns great. It is so important to take care of yourself. I had a 90 minute massage last Monday and I am still enjoying how i feel : )
cleaneatingveggiegirl
I love traveling, especially to larger cities, because the abundance of vegetarian and vegan food options are so much greater! It is fun to actually see vegan and vegetarian restaurants as opposed to one or two vegetarian options on a restaurant’s menu. It looks like you found some good vegan eats, too! 🙂
Choc Chip Uru
Seems like you had one fun and SERIOUSLY delish trip 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Hannah @ Dispatches from the Gypsy Roller
I grew up in Victoria! In high school (this is going back over 15 years now, yikes!) my friends and I would eat at Rebar almost every weekend. I used to eat at Green Cuisine regularly, too. It’s good to hear that both places are still going strong. Rebar has its own cookbook – I highly recommend it 🙂
Erica Wollman
yay! I love Victoria:) I went there when I was a camp counselor in the San Juan Islands. I had my first legal beer there when I was 20. I haven’t been there as a vegan though and those restaurants look great! I’ll have to go back especially since I now live in B’ham.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
CHECK YOU OUT IN A SEXY ROBE!!!! And also, check out your new sexy blog background and header! Yep, I notice these things!!
Oh and I didn’t know that maple syrup drove pancakes and waffles… How interesting. LOL. I wonder if pancakes like are lamborginis in the food world and waffles are like… hummers or something. Okay, seriously, I don’t even know what I am talking about right now, although I kinda do at the same time, AH HA HA HA AH!
Looks like you enjoyed Canada… Never been, not sure if I ever will, WHO KNOWS!!
Brittany
I know you are not the biggest fan of sugar, but YES maple syrup is NEEDED for pancakes and waffles!! Ok so maybe I have had them without the syrup, but I am so excited for this syrup I almost can’t speak. I will bring Canada to you some day..in the form of syrup. I will pour it all over your feet and wash them with my hair.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
Sounds like the kinkiest spa I will ever go to!! Bring it on! 😉
Khushboo Thadani
I love Canada! I’ve only ever been to Montreal but it was such a fantastic trip….I want to explore more of Canada! LIke you, food is a big part of the experience….what better way to immerse yourself into a new culture than getting a taste of it (literally)!!
jessielovestorun
I was wondering where you were all week, girl! Looks like you a had a marvelous get away though. I’m glad you decided to treat yourself to a lovely massage! You deserve it =)
onehealthymunchkin
I’ve actually never been to the West coast… I feel like such a bad Canadian! But I’m dying to go to BC one day. I’ll have to remember all these awesome restaurants when I do. Your whole meal from Green Cuisine looks so good!
HollieisFueledByLOLZ
Glad you had such a wonderful time. You deserved it. Everything about that looks like a ton of fun from the gorgeous building to the brownie.
moderngirlnutrition
That burrito is gigantic-And looks amazing! As does that brownie:)
Sophie Juliette
Sounds like a fantastic break, the architecture is beautiful! Was the hot stone massage good, I’ve always wondered about having one? That burrito looks incredible, as does the first chocolate cake 🙂
Patty
Ah what a fun adventure!! I need my bf to get is passport updated, I really want to go to Montreal and Toronto!
Tanya
What a fun trip. My favorite way to explore new areas is by running. I took a class in Italy and England for a few weeks on summer in college and suggested {forcefully coerced everyone else I could} we run every morning in our new cities before class. It was the best way to learn the area and see lots of sweet historic “stuff”.
di @ life of di.
What a great little trip 🙂 It looks like the food was incredible and the architecture is AMAZING! I need to get up to Canada. I’ve heard many rave reviews – including this one 🙂
Rach @ This Italian Family
Looks like you had a great time and saw lots of cool things! 🙂
Mary
Victoria is one of my favorite cities here in Canada. I spent some time there last summer and really enjoyed it. My favorite way to enjoy a new city is to go for a run – you cover more territory and can see more on foot. Enjoy your maple syrup!
Melissa @ Mouthwatering Morsel
eep I love canada. so chill. I’m jealous. Can I have your life??
Angela
Just out of curiousity, why Victoria as vacation choice? I’m a Torontonian and I definitely want to visit Vancouver too!
Brittany
Victoria is the closest to where I live, so it was the easiest. It was worth the trip, you should go for sure!
Healthnut Nutrition
Great post! I’m Canadian myself but I’m currently travelling Australia, so its nice to see blogposts from my home country! I didn’t know California had davidstea aswell! Looks like you had a great visit:)
Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile
So jealous you were in Canada!!! It looks beautiful 😀
katalysthealth
What an awesome time!! We were gunna go to Canada this winter, but it was only going to be for a day so we nixed it, but your pictures are gorgeous! Those buildings are totally beautiful
Megan
Looks like you had a blast!! I’m kind of jealous, I was busy feeling dirty in a crowded city and you go to gallivant in BC!! I need to get up there eventually!
Britta
OMG I loveeeeee that you went to the city I am moving to in less than a month!!!!!!!! Ahh, and what a bummer that the rebar brownie wasn’t up to snuff this time around, usually they are da bomb!!!! Crazy stuff!! And I have absolutely NOOO idea what that squishy looking fruit thiny is.. ?! nutso.
YAY for loving Victoria!!!!
Mama's Gotta Bake
Love your photos!
Alex @ Brain, Body, Because
This looks like such a fun trip! Western Canada has been on my To See list for a long time!
thoughtsappear
Oooo…I haven’t been to Canada in forever. Looks like fun!
missymiller
Gasp! That is my #1 dream destination. I want to go in the summer and when I am healthy to hike and bike and walk the streets with all the hippie people and festivals and farmers markets…
themellowleaf
AH! I haven’t been following up on blog posts in a while or posting for that matter…you were in my city!!! Crazyness…I’m glad you enjoyed it here, I love it 🙂