All lit up for Christmas

Each year, as Christmas approaches, we try to get away and see another city dressed in all its finery for the holiday season. Coming from Europe, there's no shortage of colourful destinations within reach - London, Paris, Lille, Bruges - all just a few hours away if you can make the effort. 

I suppose it's natural to compare new cities to those we know best. London at Christmas is a mix of colour, glitter and tradition - with many of the best known landmarks floodlit in natural light as a backdrop to the seasonal illuminations.

Some of our favourite Christmas lights are in Paris - where the Champs Elysees is bordered by lines of trees bedecked in brilliant white fairylights - indeed the whole area is illuminated in white, without a trace of colour to detract from the serenity of the city's floodlit landmarks.

Europe also boasts a series of month-long pre-Christmas markets, turning some of the lesser known cities into a mass of colour and activity to incite visitors from around the world. Among those we have visited, Bruges  remains one of our favourites.

This year, we spent a couple of days in BC's capital, Victoria - having carefully selected a hotel offering probably the most impressive views of the city and harbour, we were treated to a wonderful vista with many impressive landmarks reflected in the still waters of the inner harbour.  Our room at the Delta hotel offered a panoramic view of the whole harbour, stretching across to the Legislature building and the Fairmont Empress hotel, and buzzing with activity from boats and floatplanes alike.

As night fell, the city lit up - and from our window the reflections in the water were simply fantastic.

The Legislature building - very impressive in daylight - looked as though it had received the Disney treatment.
Personally, I think it would have looked much more impressive if it had been floodlit - less gaudy, and more in character with the building.

Down in the harbour, the little ferries were decorated for their evening ballet performance

- and one or two enterprising boat owners had joined in the same spirit

The Empress looked as grand as ever - pity someone abandoned that old bus outside!

It was still there the following day when afternoon tea was served.... very tastefully I may add.

Victoria is often likened to London. Take away the tourist buses, and it reveals a character all of its own. Look beyond the brightly lit facades and there are some of the finest historic buildings in Canada. But for me, Victoria's inner harbour is the jewel in the crown. The combination of floatplanes, yachts, ferries (large and small) and inquisitive seals makes it quite unique. Perhaps next year, the BC Legislature will go for a more serene appearance!