Victoria Express

Eh oui, Friday March 5, 2010, will begin the 13th Annual Victoria French Fest, which runs through Sunday, March 7. This is a great excuse to travel to Victoria BC. The event will celebrate music, food and art from francophone countries around the globe. Here is your chance to feast on brie and baguettes, enjoy a panoply of food kiosks, and savor magnificent culinary creations by Chef Guy Le Monnier. It is always about the food whenever the French are involved.

Expect to taste Moroccan couscous, chicken Yassa from Senegal, and "les cornouillers", or sugar pies, from Quebec. From Haiti we'll enjoy delectable "accras de morue", or savory fish fritters. France brings us chocolate profiteroles, and the Antilles will supply plates laden with exotic fruits. Each kiosk will also have vegetarian options on hand.

Musicians will include The Georgia Basin Beat Collective, African percussionist Jordan Hanson of Hand Drum Rhythm, Christian Tatonetti and the trio Fetacompli. The energetic are welcome to participate in African dance and break dancing workshops with Yamoussa and Karim Bangoura from the circus Kalabantes.

There will be much to do. The "Salon des artisans" at the Da Vinci Centre on Saturday and Sunday afternoons will showcase an eclectic collection of sculpture, tiles, textiles and luxurious skin care products. There will be French films and popcorn, for adults and children alike. Indeed, children are encouraged to attend the festival, and there will be many games and events just for them.

Perhaps the highlight of the weekend will take place Sunday March 7 at 7 pm at the McPherson Theatre, when the West African Circus troupe KALABANTE will present KO RYASS.

The Victoria French Fest has two main venues: the Da Vinci Centre at 195 Bay Street and Centennial Square. Throughout the weekend, a free shuttle service will run between the two sites.

Victoria Express will take care of your Victoria travel, from transportation to lodging. Call 360-452-8088 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Please note that travel between the United States and Canada requires a passport or enhanced driver's license. See our ID Requirements for more details.

The Canadian Pacific Ballet is staging a bit of mischievous romantic fun for the Valentine's Day / President's Day long weekend with Konservatoriet, A Marriage by Advertisement. The opportunity to attend this ballet is as good a reason as any to travel to Victoria.

Be prepared for practical joking dancers and a lovesick man - already it sounds fun. Of course, there is also true love. You'll be transported back to the 19th century and the world of lovely classical dance.

Konservatoriet was originally the work of Danish Ballet Master and Choreographer August Bournonville, who worked in the mid 1800s. He created Le Conservatoire, or A Marriage by Advertisement in 1849. Typical of Bournonville's style, this ballet showcases many different styles of dance. There is also a vaudevillian feel to much of the work that keeps it lighthearted and fun.

The Canadian Pacific Ballet commissioned Bournonville Master Kennet Oberly to restage this lost masterpiece. His expertise ensures that Konservatoriet, A Marriage by Advertisement is infused with both beauty and comedy.

Konservatoriet plays at the McPherson Playhouse in downtown Victoria on February 13 at 8pm and February 14 at 2pm and 7pm.

So bring your Valentine to Victoria for this delightful ballet. Victoria Express offers many exciting travel packages to Victoria BC. Treat your sweetie to a romantic night at the Hotel Grand Pacific or Hotel Fairmont Empress. Or perhaps the Hotel Chateau Victoria or Hotel Harbour Towers is more your style.

The staff at Victoria Express is looking forward to crafting a unique Victoria vacation for you. Call 360.452.8088 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please see our ID Requirements to learn what is necessary for travel between the United States and Canada.

Be sure to make visiting Victoria BC your one of your New Year’s resolutions.  There is no time like the present to plan your next Victoria BC vacation. The only problem will be deciding when to go.

The Splendor of Victoria BC.

Fascinating cultural events, incredible performing artists, and world-class museum exhibits draw visitors from around the world to Victoria, BC. The gorgeous Pacific Northwest setting helps, too.

Below are several upcoming events in Victoria that are worth planning for right now:

World Drums at the McPherson Playhouse on January 23.

The Victoria Film Festival will be bringing a wide variety of films to several venues around the city, January 29 to February 7, 2010.

GottaCon 2010, a gaming convention that is sure to be interesting to gamers, takes place February 5 – 7.

The Alix Goolden Halls presents the best of early music: The Toronto Consort will perform the Da Vinci Codex on January 23, and Tanya Tomkins and Adam LaMotte will perform the Splendor of San Marco on February 20, 2010.

An evening of Chinese Dancing, Singing and Pagentry to celebrate the Chinese New Year, February 20 at the McPherson Playhouse.

The list could go on and on. Suffice to say that you should start planning your travel to Victoria today.

Let Victoria Express make all of the arrangements for you, from getting you to Victoria to your lodging once there. We offer a variety of exciting travel packages throughout the year. All you need to do is decide when you want to leave and call 360 452-8088 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Travel between the United States and Canada requires a passport or enhanced driver’s license.