Road Trips & Rambles. September 2018 to March 2019.

From: Shelley Brown, Parks & Recreation Programmer, City of Victoria

Hello Ramblers,

I’m sending you the trips for the six month period – September 2018 to March 2019.

You can only register for the September to December trips now though. 2019 trips will be available for registration in November.

The registration dates follow: 

• Crystal Pool:  Register for Fall trips on August 15 and for Winter 2019 trips on November 28.
• Esquimalt Rec:  Register for Fall trips now and for Winter 2019 trips on November 1st.
• Please arrive 15 minutes before posted time to allow for check-in and boarding. Also, please refrain from wearing any scented products on the trips due to allergies. 

Glenrosa Farm Restaurant Enjoy local, house-made and seasonal fare at this farm restaurant with beautiful views out over the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Transportation included.Meal extra.

5522 Th. Sept. 6 10:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.                 $25

12190  Esq.    11:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.            

Tugwell Creek Honey Farm & Meadery and lunch at Shirley Delicious Explore the secret life of bees and understand their importance of their world. Learn how Mead (honey wine) the oldest art of fermentation is crafted. Taste award winning Meads and tour the Meadery. Transportation and tour/tasting included. Lunch is extra.

5512    Tu        Sept. 11           9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.              $55                        12192  Esq.  10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

I Chemainus Theatre – Glorious The Comedic True Story of the Worst Singer in the World. Everyone agreed that she couldn’t carry a tune – except Florence Foster Jenkins, as recently depicted in the Hollywood movie by Meryl Streep. No refunds after Aug. 17th. Transportation, gratuities, tickets and buffet lunch included.

5519    W         Sept. 19th         10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.                        $121                        9242    Esq.     10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 

Providence Farm Lunch and Tour Visit the picturesque Providence Farm – a working farm and regional landmark gifted by the Sisters of Saint Ann. They provide a number of innovative programs including horticulture therapy, art, woodworking, gardening and more. Transportation, tour and pre-ordered lunch included.

5516    Tu        Sept. 25  9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.              $55            

12195  Esq. 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

Rocky Point Bird Observatory & Lunch at My Chosen Café Learn about long-term ecological monitoring of migratory birds by attending this banding demonstration and going on a bird walk. Yes you’ll have to get up with the birds! Tour included, lunch extra.

5524    Th  Oct. 4  7:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.    $40        Esq.     8:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. 

Sidney Fine Arts Show & Lunch at Sea Glass Waterfront Grill After lunch overlooking the marina, we are off to see the art show that has become one of the largest and most prestigious juried art shows in BC. It is a diverse selection of painting, sculpture, fibre arts, photography and more. Transportation and entrance included. Lunch is extra.

5521 F  Oct. 12 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  $40 12196   Esq.   10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Britannia Mine Tour, Sea to Sky Gondola, Whistler Spa & the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre Rumble through the dark on an underground train and learn about what was once the biggest copper mine in the British Empire. From underground to top of the world another stop is the new Sea to Sky Gondola for sweeping views of Howe Sound. Learn about the First Nations communities of the Whistler area and relax and rejuvenate at the world famous Scandinave Spa. Transportation, tours, spa and accommodation included. Meals are extra.

5513    T-Th  Oct. 16-18  7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. BC Senior 65+yrs  $617 single or $507 double occup.                       

12197  Esq.     8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Under 65 yrs  $659 single or $549 double occup. 

Wine Tour & Lunch We will start off at Church & State winery for lunch and a tasting and then head over to De Vine  Vineyard for another tasting of spirits or wine. Transportation and tour/tasting included.

Lunch is extra.5515    Th Oct. 25 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.            $45                        12198  Esq.    10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

Chemainus – Outside Mullingar Anthony, a painfully shy Irish farmer, has happily watched 42 years crawl by while his headstrong neighbour, Rosemary, watched him from afar. The two introverted misfits can’t avoid the heartbreaking, funny and deeply moving disruption that brings them closer together. No refund after Sept. 28th. Transportation, gratuities, tickets and buffet lunch included.

5517    W         Oct. 31st           10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.               $121                        9240    Esq.     10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 

Circle Craft Fair in Vancouver This market is a Vancouver tradition with fine BC and Canadian artisans and their work, as well as food vendors, entertainment by local dance groups, craft technique demonstrations, and other crafty activities, round out the experience!

Transportation and entrance fee included. Meals extra.

5523    T  Nov. 8th  7:45 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.      $120 BC Sr 65+/$155 Adult                        12199    Esq.   7:15 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. 

Chemainus – Little Women Louisa May Alcott’s beloved holiday story is a buoyant musical of romantic escapades, sibling rivalries and Christmas wishes. As they dream of their futures, encounter growing pains of youth and rise with courage to face their destiny, the March girls learn the true value of hope and family. No refunds after Oct. 19th .

Transportation, gratuities, tickets and buffet lunch included.

5514    W         Nov. 21st          10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.                        $131                        9241    Esq.     10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 

Lunch & Goldstream Park – Salmon & Eagles You’ll step back in time when we enter Ma Miller’s pub of lunch. Originally the Goldstream Hotel (1864), this pub still has some old world charm while having an up to date menu. Then enjoy a naturalist led tour and learn about the salmon lifecycle as well as the gathering of the eagles in the Goldstream Estuary. This tour takes place rain or shine so please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes– it can be chilly along the river.

Transportation and naturalist tour included. Lunch is extra.

5520    Tu        Nov. 27th          10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.                        $54                        12200    Esq.   11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

Christmas Lights, Museum Tour, Shopping & More Re-capture the feeling of wonder and excitement of the holiday season and be amazed by the hundreds of thousands of lights throughout Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Take a trip back in time when we visit the Titanic Artifact Exhibition – touch an iceberg, go inside the Titanic like never before and learn about personal histories and the Titanic’s maiden voyage. Dine and shop at Aberdeen Centre Mall a unique fusion of East meets West and also home to many first (and only) Japanese, Korean and Asian food, fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands in Canada.

Transportation, ferries, tours and accommodation included. Meals extra.

5518  T-W Dec 4-5th 9:15 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. BC Senior 65+yrs  $365 sgl or $265 dbl                        12201    Esq.   8:45 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.    Under 65 yrs  $405 sgl or $305 dbl 

Christmas Lunch in Sidney Let’s get gussied up and go to Haro’s restaurant at the Sidney Pier Hotel for a wonderful Christmas Buffet (you can order off the menu as well).

Transportation included, meal is extra.

5525    Tu        Dec 18th           11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.                $25                        12202    Esq.   10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Chemainus 2019 tickets will be announced in the Fall. Registration for the following 2019 trips takes place November 28th at the Crystal Pool and November 1st at Esquimalt Rec. 

Registration for the following 2019 trips takes place as follows: 

Victoria:November 28th at the Crystal Pool. Phone 250-361-0732, register in person or register online at www.victoria.ca/recreation.  

Esquimalt: November 1st starting at 10 am at Esquimalt Rec.  Phone 250-412-8500, register in person or online. 

We each have an allotment of spaces on the bus so please don’t worry if one group has an earlier registration than the other. After both centres have finished their registration we can move spaces around to accommodate waitlists if required.

 

Fire Station No. 2 & Lunch at Vista 18

Fire Station No. 2 is the newest of Victoria’s three fire halls but designed to fit into the historical look of the area. This fire hall has a small museum that houses an old steam pumper. After our tour we will go for lunch high atop Victoria at Vista 18. Transportation and tour included, lunch is extra.

5539    Th   Jan 10th  11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m   $25  Esq.     10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Coast Collective Art Gallery, Curry Buffet Lunch & Westshore Shopping

Coast Collective Arts Centre is a dynamic, inspiring centre promoting art and culture, connecting community members of all ages through creative expression and explorations. After touring the gallery, we are off to Tumeric for a buffet lunch (or order off the menu) followed by shopping at Superstore or Westshore Town Centre mall. Transportation included, lunch is extra.

5545    Th        Jan 24th           10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.            $25                                    Esq.     10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Dominion Astrophysical Observatory & Lunch Located on Observatory Hill this observatory was completed in 1918. The observatory has been designated a National Historic Site of Canada as it is a world-renowned facility where many discoveries about the nature of the Milky Way were made and was one of the world’s mainastrophysical research centres until the 1960s. After our tour we will go for lunch at the popular Sassy’s Family Restaurant. Transportation and tour included. Lunch is extra.

5546    Th        Feb 7th             10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.            $40                                    Esq.     10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. 

Dinner at Stage & Belfry Theatre Enjoy tapas style of dining before heading to see the show “Bears” at the Belfry Theatre. Bears is an award-winning multi-disciplinary journey through our wondrous and contested environment. Pursued by the RCMP, Floyd has to get out of town fast. Heading through the Rockies for the Pacific, through the forests and along the rivers, he experiences changes – inside and out. Floyd’s journey is assisted by the wildlife he encounters – especially the bears.

5547    Tu        Feb 19th           4:45 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.            $70                                    Esq.     4:15 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. 

Day in Duncan Enjoy shopping, gallery tours & lunch. Transportation and tours included. Meals are extra.

5548    Th        Mar 7th             9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.             $40                                    Esq.  10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

Brandt Geese Festival – Parksville/Qualicum

See the small goose called the Black Brant as it migrates from California and Mexico to Alaska and stops off in Parksville/Qualicum to rest and feet. Other visitors include pacific herring, sea lions and harbor seals. Transportation included. Meals are extra.

5551    Th        Mar 26 7:45 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.  $140  Esq.     8:15 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Shelley  

Shelley Brown

Parks & Recreation Programmer

Parks, Recreation & Facilities

City of VictoriaMailing Address:  1 Centennial Square, Victoria BC  V8W 1P6

Office Address:  2275 Quadra Street, Victoria BC  V8T 4C4

T 250.361.0705     F 250.361.0723