January Adventure - New Year's

It's our first time to go on a holiday for New Year's. Since I wanted the kids to experience the lights display at Butchart Gardens and for my brother to experience the ferry ride to the islands, I chose Victoria as our vacation destination.

Look Ma! No lines for the 9AM Victoria sailing!

We had hot breakfast on board the "Spirit of Vancouver Island" ferry and after the hour-and-a half sailing time, drove straight to Butchart Gardens to spend the rest of our day.

The key is coming in EARLY. Again, no long lines at the entrance to Butchart Gardens - and the parking lot was almost empty!

Butchart Gardens is open year-round but they showcase different garden displays per season. For the Christmas holidays, they featured, "The 12 Days of Christmas."

This was where we started our tour of the gardens looking out for the 12 days of Christmas display in the whole garden.

There was so much to do here. A whole day could easily be spent walking through the gardens, lounging on a bench, riding the carousel, ice skating, browsing the gift shop, taking lots of pictures (which we did!), enjoying hot chocolate at the Coffee Shop or sitting down for an enjoyable dinner at The Dining Room Restaurant. I am sure the place is more spectacular at night, with the beautiful lights and live caroling - unfortunately, we had to leave at 4PM to check in at our hotel in downtown Victoria.

We booked two adjoining rooms at Inn at Laurel Point

We ordered pizza for the kiddos while me and hubby went downstairs to Aura for a dinner date ;)

Reservation for two

Appetizer: Baked Oyster

Hubby's Main: Olive Oil-Poached Salmon

My choice: Bouillabaise

Dessert: Creme Brulee

After dinner, the kids and hubby went swimming at the hotel's indoor pool, watched TV and had some late night snacks before going to bed to retire for the night. I'd say, it was one very fruitful New Year's Day!