Bed and Breakfast Victoria - Ashcroft House

Dine Around Victoria BC

Ashcroft House - Bed and Breakfast — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 03:39:00 +0000

Dine around and stay in town, one of Victoria BC's best kept winter secrets. Have you heard?

This really is the most wonderful time of the year; that is, if your palate desires the incredible diversity and flavours that our world class chefs have prepared for your enjoyment. Victoria BC is home to an amazing array of outstanding and innovative taste treats. With more restaurants per capita than any other city in British Columbia; you know the competion is on. As with all competitive environments, the Victoria BC culinary environment creates a high bar of excellence and an oasis of dining pleasure for our diversified tastes. As they say, the cream really does rise to the top.

Dine Around Victoria 2008 is eagerly anticipated by locals and guests alike. We all look forward to the opportunity of having Victoria's top chefs creating a 3- course menu that showcases their culinary talents.

We at Ashcroft House bed and breakfast would like to extend an innvitation. Come and "Dine Around Victoria" and we will host you with our true Victoria BC hospitality. Unsurpassed comfort and a breakfast that will carry you through to your evening dinner reservation, enjoy a 10% discount on all reservations of 2 or more nights between Feb 21st and March 9th/08. Our treat to you, so that you may treat your palates, we are looking forward to hosting you. Just mention our dine around discount when you make your reservation!

All of our fabulous restaurateurs participating in 2008's Dine Around offer you incredible choices for your dining experence. These choices are all part of three course offerings set at either a $15 menu, $25 menu, or $35 menu. To contimplate their menu offerings before reserving check; http://www.tourismvictoria.com/Content/En/1430.asp

One other quick note to help the reservation process, read the secret diner reviews from 2007; http://tourismvictoria.com/Content/En/1465.asp

Looking forward to spoiling you during your 2008 fine around Victoria tour!

Experience the Seasonal Celebrations and Christmas displays of Victoria BC

Ashcroft House - Bed and Breakfast — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:59:00 +0000

Victoria British Columbia celebrates the Christmas season like no other. If you have had the opportunity to absorb the sights and sounds of the holidays then we know you are a returning guest anticipating the energy of all the Christmas festivities. Welcome back and we at Ashcroft House Bed and Breakfast are looking forward making your winter adventure the most memorable yet.

If you are a new guest to our Christmas celebrations, we can't wait to entertain you in true Victorian style. There is no mistaking our community spirit when it comes to the holidays. This is where Victoria BC maintains its small town feel and big town heart. Come and enjoy the festive activities, the parades, amazing light displays, seasonal food, and creative arts are a feast for the senses that cannot be missed.

We at Ashcroft House Bed and Breakfast Victoria BC have put together the following list of festive celebrations & attractions to make planning your holiday adventure to southern Vancouver Island truly enjoyable. This list includes the most popular Victoria festivities. Please feel free to email or call our toll free line if you require any further information on winter events in Victoria BC. We want to make your 2007 Victoria winter trip is more than you imagined!

Santa Clause Parade

November 17 / 07 (5:30pm start)
Join over 40,000 in the streets of downtown Victoria BC, celebrating the start of the winter holidays. Bands, floats, Santa himself parade through the streets of Victoria. The parade begins at the Legislative Buildings heading up Government Street raising food donations and awareness for the Mustard Seed Food Bank.

Butchart Gardens, Magic of Christmas

November 30^th (5pm ish)

Enjoy the light-up ceremony. Carollers and Festive Brass will entertain you with tens of thousands of lights and decorations making you believe in the Twelve Days of Christmas all over again.

November 30th through January 6th

World renowned Butchart Gardens is a must on your calendar of holiday festivities. While enjoying the lights and seasonal displays there are nightly Christmas carollers 5 / 6 / 7 / 8pm and Festive Brass 5:30 / 6:30 / 7:30 / 8:30pm to entertain you.

Festive of Trees at Empress

Mid November through the first week of January

The Festival of Trees transforms The Empress Hotel. 70 plus trees raise funds for BC Children's Hospital. Local businesses, organizations and individuals sponsor and decorate their own tree in the hope each visitor's vote entered will put them in 1^st place for the People's Choice Citizen Award Prize. A community favourite, everyone enjoys this traditional Victoria BC winter festival, don't miss the stroll!

Nutcracker Ballet at the Royal Theatre

November 30 - December 2
A holiday favourite presented in two 7:30 showings and two 2 pm matinees at the Royal Theatre. Fun for the entire family, the Nutcracker is always a popular show, so book your tickets today! Forty-five minutes before each show, in the theatre lobby, professional story-teller recounts the Nutcracker while watching the 50-plus student dancers prior to the performances.

Tuba Christmas, Market Square

December 1^st /07 1-3pm

Enjoy the incredible sound of over 50 tuba players from BC and the Pacific Northwest performing seasonal favourites in a big way. The tubas are the annual favourite but much more holiday entertainment is scheduled throughout the month of December. Please check for the current entertainment schedule.

www.marketsquare.ca.

Ghosts of Christmas Walking Tours

The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas in Old Victoria and Chinatown Walks have become seasonal favourites in Victoria. Local historian John Adams and his expert guides will entertain you with specifically designed walks focusing on ghost stories and the supernatural at Christmas in Victoria.

The Ghosts of Christmas Past tours start at the Visitor Info Centre. No reservations are needed. Purchase tickets from the guide before the tour. Adults $12; students/seniors $10.
Saturdays December 1, 8, 15, 22 at 7:30 pm.
Plus December 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 at 7:30 pm.

Chinatown Walks begin at the "Bright Pearl" sculpture, corner of Government and Fisgard streets, across the street from the Gate of Harmonious Interest.
December 2007 schedule:
Scheduled tours on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. December 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29

Truck Light Parade

Saturday December 1^st /07 5:45pm start

The Island Equipment Owners' offer the 9^th annual Truck light parade. Unless you attended a previous year you have never seen anything like this, you do not want to miss this light parade. 80 decorated trucks travel along the 35 kilometre route and have raised approximately 80 tons of food and $20,000 for the beneficiaries. The parade route begins at Ogden Point and continues to Oak Bay, returning to Victoria and out to the West Shore communities. Schedule and arrival times are listed on the link.

http://www.ieoa.ca/

Free Christmas Trolley Rides
Saturday & Sunday Downtown Victoria December 1 - 23, 2007
Cost: Free Saturdays 11:00am - 2:00 p.m. and Sundays 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

The Downtown Victoria Business Association sponsors free horse-drawn trolley rides in the downtown area. This year there will be two trolleys in operation with four pick-up and drop-off points.

A. Store Street at Chatham Street, in front of Ocean River Sports

B. Johnson Street near Wharf Street, in front of Willie's Bakery

C. Langley Street at Bastion Square, across from Re-Bar

D. Government Street at Fisgard Street, in front of CRD Plaza

Carolers and musicians will also entertain in December on Fridays from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. and weekends from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

We hope that the events listed have given you inspiration for your upcoming Victoria BC adventure.

Happy Holidays and the very best wishes for the New Year!

For daily Christmas events that the Inner Harbour, Victoria BC is offering, please check with the downtown business associations event calendar; http://www.downtownvictoria.ca/calendar07.php

Victoria BC Winter Christmas Craft Show Season

Ashcroft House - Bed and Breakfast — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:10:00 +0000

Though all seasons in Victoria are renowned for our truly genuine warmth and hospitality, the best are showcased in our winter holiday spirit. Christmas in Victoria BC is a spectacular display of lights, sounds, and smells, all for you to partake and enjoy the magic. The best adventure is the artistic creations at our Christmas craft fairs. If you are like me, it will be difficult not shop for yourself.

Our local British Columbia artisans bring together their inspiring works while enchanting you with the true spirit of the holidays. Whether looking for unique pottery, one of a kind jewellery, or local organic gourmet fair, I invite you to enjoy the Christmas Craft show season on southern Vancouver Island. It is my wish the following craft show schedule will aid in planning your Victoria pre-Christmas getaway.

We at Ashcroft House bed and breakfast are looking forward to hosting your Victoria Craft Show adventure. We have highlighted below some of the southern Vancouver Island Christmas Craft Shows.

November 16th – 18th /07
Gifts for Myself and Others / DaVinci Centre 195 Bay St.
$4 ($3 with food bank donation)
Elusive and unique gifts for yourself and others. Juried original works from over 30 local studios, and the Gulf Islands.

November 16th – 18th /07
All Sooke Arts & Crafts Christmas Fair / Sooke Community Hall – 2037 Shields Rd
Free admission
34th year offering works from over 50 vendors. The best of Sooke artisans.

November 23rd – 25th / 07
Stinking Fish Studio Tour
21 talented artists representing over 15 disciplines offer the best of fine art and crafts. Take the self guided tour through Metchosin and East Sooke.
www.stinkingfishstudiotour.com

November 22rd – 26th /07
Out of Hand / Victoria Convention Centre
$7 ($8 for a fair pass)
A national reputation for featuring quality and original works of Western Canadian artists. This year’s features are the edible craft of fine artisan foods and contemporary woodwork and furniture by BC woodworkers.
www.outofhand.ca

November 24th & 25th /07
Chalet Winery Fine Wine and Art Show / 1119 Chalet Rd.
Free Admission
12 professional artisans with unique pieces in clay, stone, glass, gold, photography, fabric art not to mention the wine tastings.
www.chaletestatevineyard.ca

November 25th /07
Christmas antique, retro, and collectible show and sale / Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney BC
Admission $3
Over 100 tables of 50 antique and collectible enthusiasts.

November 30th, December 1st & 2nd /07
Panorama Recreation Centre / 1885 Forest Park Drive
$4 for a 3 day pass
Over 230 Saltspring, BC, & Alberta artisans. The largest attended arts and crafts show for unique and thoughtful gifts.

December 7th, 8th & 9th /07
“Last Chance” Christmas Craft Show / Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney BC
$3 for a 3 day weekend pass
A collaboration of talented artists from Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and Vancouver BC. The whimsy to the elegant and foods to tempt any palate.

We hope you have found this sampling of Victoria’s Christmas arts & crafts shows informative. Having listed the larger and more established shows, we know you may like information on the neighbourhood and community fairs as well. Please email Ashcroft House B&B paulanne@ashcrofthousebandb.com and we will do our best to inform you about the Christmas Craft Fairs in progress during the weekend of your visit.