Grand Victoria City with Craigdarroch Castle Tour

Victoria City & Craigdarroch Castle Tour is new for 2015. An exceptional tour taking in all Victoria's downtown core highlights including Craigdarroch Castle - a Canadian National Historic site, plus stops at Mt. Tolmie and Oak Bay Marina. This quality tour offers a number of stops that will allow you to explore before reboarding your Double Decker bus to move on to the next destination. Your driver is available throughout to answer questions or you may explore on your own. This tour offers the destinations of Hop-On / Hop-Off with the convenience of having the bus and driver close by. There is no other tour quite like this in Victoria, more to see all in an open top Double Decker bus. Explore one of Victoria's sightseeing jewels! Craigdarroch Castle is one of Victoria's must see attractions. Craigdarroch was built between 1887-1890 for Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish immigrant who made his fortune from Vancouver Island coal. This legendary Victorian mansion, built on a hill overlooking the City of Victoria announced to the world that Robert Dunsmuir was the richest and most important man in Western Canada. Once you’ve entered the circular room at the main entrance, your self guided tour begins. You will be treated to 39 rooms, most of which are furnished lavishly in the 1890s-1900s period, so enjoy the ambiance as you climb the 87 stairs to the tower. There you’ll see fabulous views of Victoria, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Olympic Mountains. Victoria’s has rich history and is nicknamed the City of Gardens for its unique scenic beauty. Tour our charming Provincial Capital with our iconic legislative buildings and through the stately downtown core. Take in the tourist district along Government Street, as well as Canada's oldest Chinatown. Bastion Square is named for the last remnants of Fort Victoria that can still be found here today. Take out your camera during our stop at Mt. Tolmie Lookout - looking down upon the City center and offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. We will also visit Oak Bay Marina - on Victoria's marine drive, this stop allows photo opportunities with the resident harbour seals, surrounding mountains including Mt. Baker in Washington state and the southern Gulf Islands.