The art of living well
From restful mornings in the spa to hands-on workshops and farm-to-table feasts, each experience is designed to provide you with exactly what you need to flourish in the months ahead. This is an invitation to connect through shared meals, creative moments, and uplifting practices. Let curiosity lead you through days filled with comfort, inspiration, and a sense of something very special.
Suggested accommodations | The pursuit of happiness | The serene self | The feel good flow | Move & create | From sea to tree
Suggested accommodations
The Parkside Hotel & Spa
Located in the heart of downtown Victoria on Humboldt Street, The Parkside Hotel & Spa is a visitor favourite escape for those looking to unwind. The property boasts premium furnishings and high-quality linens, offering the perfect night’s sleep, as well as additional amenities that include a wellness centre, private rentable movie theatre, and rooftop patio with fire pits, making Parkside the perfect place to hang out during lazy mornings and early evenings.
Inn at Laurel Point
Welcome to wellness right on the shores of Victoria’s Inner Harbour at the Inn at Laurel Point. Inside the Inn, you’ll find a warm, welcoming experience that blends art, gardens, and sophistication. As BC’s first carbon neutral hotel, it’s also a stay that you can feel good about. Tucked away along the shorelines of the Inner Harbour on Quebec Street in historic James Bay, the Inn at Laurel with it's beautiful collections of art work and unrivaled oceanfront views is certain to leave you feeling inspired and restored.
Jan 8 – The pursuit of happiness
Welcome to Victoria, where the pace softens, the ocean air feels a little fresher, and everyday distractions begin to fade away. Your wellness journey starts the moment you arrive, inviting you to slow down, settle into island time, and begin a weekend dedicated to renewal, connection, and intention.
Arrival/Check-in
There’s something unforgettable about coming to the island. Whether you’re sailing along the coastline or flying in with sweeping views, the journey itself is a chance to let go of stress and settle into a lighter mood. When you arrive in downtown Victoria, you’ll notice how easy it is to stroll around and how naturally friendly the city feels. After you check in and unpack, life takes on a calm, gentle pace that feels far removed from the daily rush. Here, you can welcome the year ahead with genuine purpose, a renewed sense of passion, and a clear intention for what’s to come.
Night: Wind Cries Mary
As we know, happiness is important, so let’s let our hair down and have a bit of a night out. One of Victoria’s favourite late-night eateries also happens to be farm-to-table. Tucked away inside Victoria’s Bastion Square, Wind Cries Mary is serving up an ever-changing menu of cabin food for modern times inspired by the rustic riches of Vancouver Island. Centred around connection, everything is made for sharing, making Wind Cries Mary the perfect place to catch up with friends and family about their wellness journeys so far.
Jan 9 – The serene self
Spend the day embracing a slower, more intentional pace. From quiet moments among towering trees to hands-on learning and meals inspired by the bounty of Vancouver Island, each experience invites you to connect more deeply with nature, community, and yourself.
Morning: Shinrin-Yoku | Forest Bathing
Slow down and reconnect with nature in the lush surroundings of Beacon Hill Park. Guided Shinrin-Yoku | Forest Bathing utilizes mindful sensory awareness practices to invite participants to unplug, move at an unhurried pace, and deepen their connection to the natural world through breath, observation, and reflection. Whether you’re splashing in puddles or watching the dew rise on a sunny winter morning, Forest Bathing offers a restorative opportunity to experience the healing benefits of nature in the green heart of Victoria.
Afternoon: Wychbury Ave Soaps & Gifts
Pop into a soap making workshop at Wychbury Ave Soap & Gifts. Passionate instructors will lead you through your class, providing all the materials, while you create a colourful soap bar that’s personalized with your own scent. These wildly creative workshops are a fun way to get your creative juices flowing for the year that lies ahead and provide you with a delightful keepsake to remember your time in Victoria or share with family and friends back home.
Afternoon: Gluten-free Sourdough Workshop
Souvenir trinkets come and go, so during your visit to Victoria, take something home with you that will really last, some knowledge! Join the folks over at The Art of Slow Food for a Gluten-free Sourdough Workshop, where you’ll get hands-on (and a little flour dusted) while learning the ins and outs of making your own fermented, vegan, gluten-free breads. When your workshop is over, you’ll even get to take home your own gluten-free sourdough starter so you can keep your baking goals alive in the months, and even years, ahead.
Dinner: Ugly Duckling Restaurant
You’re here, away from it all, on the south coast of Vancouver Island. What better way to connect to the moment, and the place, than with an edible celebration of the local flavours. At Ugly Duckling Restaurant, nestled in the heart of Victoria’s Chinatown (the oldest in North America), you’ll find a menu that emphasizes the bounty of our region, and changes with the seasons and the whims of the culinary team. This dining experience is centred around two promises, one being to serve you only things that they’ve made by hand, the other is to make you smile.
Jan 10 – The feel-good flow
Sometimes wellness looks like slowing down enough to savour the moment. Today invites you to embrace self-care in all its forms, from restorative spa treatments and comforting culinary experiences to hands-on learning that nourishes both body and mind. Consider it a gentle reminder that feeling good can be both intentional and enjoyable.
Morning: Pendray Tea house
Today is a day about feeling good, and we feel good when we eat good, so let’s not worry too much about counting calories and focus on a little bit of indulgence. Set inside a beautiful heritage building, the Pendray Tea House serves up one of Victoria’s favourite afternoon tea experiences. We recommend settling in for a West Coast Afternoon Tea, that’s loaded with sweet and savoury baked goods you might expect from a tea service, plus fresh BC seafood including smoked salmon, Dungeness crab, and rockfish. Blend the classical and the contemporary with this uniquely Victorian afternoon tea experience that celebrates the bounty of our waters.
Local tip: Not in the mood for seafood? The Pendray Tea House offers a range of Afternoon Tea experiences for you to choose from, including a vegan service.
Morning: Pendray Tea House
Today’s a day about feeling good, and we feel good when we eat good, so let’s not worry too much about counting calories and focus on a little bit of indulgence. Set inside a beautiful heritage building, the Pendray Tea House serves up one of Victoria’s favourite afternoon tea experiences. We recommend settling in for a West Coast Afternoon Tea, that’s loaded with all the baked sweet and savoury goods you might expect from a tea service, plus fresh BC seafood including smoked salmon, Dungeness crab, and rockfish. Blend the classical and the contemporary with this uniquely Victorian afternoon tea experience that celebrates the bounty of our waters.
Local tip: Not in the mood for seafood? The Pendray Tea House offers a range of Afternoon Tea experiences for you to choose from, including a vegan service.
Afternoon: Emerald Day Spa - Signature Facial
You’ve escaped the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, but now it’s time to get into the right headspace. This restorative treatment begins with a calming foot soak and aromatherapy before moving into a personalized facial featuring a deep cleanse, dual exfoliation, hot towels, and extractions. A relaxing massage for the neck, shoulders, scalp, hands, and arms helps ease tension, while GINGER&ME medical-grade skincare nourishes and revitalizes the skin. Leave feeling balanced, refreshed, and ready to embrace the day ahead.
Evening: Spice up your life – An Ayurvedic Experiential Workshop
It’s time to spice things up a little. This hands-on workshop at the Sapphire Day Spa introduces the 3,000-year-old Indian principles of Ayurvedic body types and the connection between nutrition and wellbeing. Create your own custom spice blend to take home, then learn how to prepare a simple, nourishing kitchari made with rice, lentils, and spices. Leave inspired with new knowledge, practical skills, and a deeper appreciation for mindful eating.
Evening: Aura Waterfront Restaurant + Patio
It’s dinner by the water as you settle in for an evening where the twinkling lights of downtown Victoria’s iconic landmarks dance across the still harbour water. Aura Waterfront Restaurant + Patio, situated inside the Inn at Laurel Point, pairs brilliant views with a locally focused menu that celebrates the very best of our region. Sourcing the freshest seasonal ingredients from across Vancouver Island, you’ll find a memorable meal and a relaxing atmosphere to cap off a day spent around Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
Jan 11 – Move & create
Today is all about finding balance through movement, mindfulness, and restoration. Start by getting your heart pumping, tap into your creativity, and end the day soaking in the healing power of heat, water, and connection on Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
Morning: Let’s get a workout in!
Let’s get the blood flowing this morning! Pop into the Victoria Athletic Club at the Hotel Grand Pacific and reinvigorate with a great workout. Get your reps in at their fully-equipped weight room with Matrix strength training and cardio equipment, grab your racket and play a game of squash, and remember to bring your bathing suit, and cap it all off with saunas, steam room, or hot tub session.
Morning: Nourish Kitchen & Cafe
Located just footsteps from the Inner Harbour, Nourish is a farm-to-table restaurant that works closely with local farmers and producers for a vegetable-forward menu. During brunch, you’ll find a selection of thoughtful comfort foods that will fuel you with what you need to thrive.
Local tip: Be sure to try one of Nourish’s signature drinks! These warm (or iced) beverages are as full of colour and flavour as they are ingredients that are good for you. We recommend a Golden Sunrise, with turmeric, warming spices, maple, and your choice of steamed milk.
Afternoon: Grounded: Acupressure & Art Therapy
Tap into your creative side during this calming workshop that blends art, acupressure, and mindful self-care. Guided by Art + Somatic Therapist Mandy Leinbach and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner Juby Chan, this gentle, sensory experience begins with grounding practices, ear seeding, and acupressure before moving into a meditative art therapy session. As you paint your own tote bag, you'll explore creativity, self-expression, and mindfulness in a relaxed and supportive setting at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort. Leave with a hand-painted keepsake and simple wellness practices you can carry into everyday life.
Evening: Hydrotherapy Circuit
Picture this, you’re lounging in a hot tub, floating on Victoria’s Inner Harbour, watching seaplanes come and go and harbour ferries scuttle across the water. During your Hydrotherapy Circuit at HAVN Saunas, you can expect this, plus sauna, cold plunges, and relaxing spaces to lounge both indoor and outdoor. While you soak in the moment, you can enjoy herbal tea, as well as premium organic HAVN skincare products to help your body feel every bit as rejuvenated as your mind. HAVN is a social space designed to foster connection, what stories will you learn on your wellness journey from other travellers and locals?
Jan 12 – From sea to tree
Let Victoria’s natural beauty and relaxed pace guide your day. From sunrise along the waterfront to restorative moments in the sauna and an evening of French-inspired dining, every experience offers a chance to recharge, reconnect, and savour the journey.
Morning: Run along the Songhees Walkway
Now that you’re practically a local, it’s time to lace up your running shoes and greet the day on the Songhees Walkway. With panoramic views of the Inner Harbour, passing seaplanes, and the morning light dancing across the open water, this 4.8-kilometre scenic waterfront route turns an everyday run into a memorable Victoria experience.
Local tip: Keep an eye out for otters and seals that call the rocky shoreline along the Songhees Walkway home.
Morning/Afternoon: Q at the Empress
It’s a breakfast fit for a queen at Canada’s Castle on the Coast, the Fairmont Empress. Q is the embodiment of Pacific Northwest dining, using fresh ingredients from local Island farmers, with a focus on sustainably sourced meats and seafood. The space at the Q captures the elegance of this historic hotel on the Inner Harbour with a touch of modern refinement, making for a moment in which you’ll feel like royalty.
Evening: Wildwood Saunas at Bilston Creek Farm
Sink into a slower pace at Wildwood Saunas at Bilston Creek Farm. Surrounded by nature, this wood-fired sauna and cold plunge experience invites you to embrace the restorative power of contrast therapy and stillness, all set amongst a picturesque farm-field setting. It's the perfect opportunity to unwind, reflect on your vacation, and emerge feeling renewed in both body and mind.
Evening: Brasserie L’Ecole
Take a culinary tour of France without leaving the comforts of the city at Brasserie L’Ecole. Located in Victoria’s historic Chinatown, Brasserie L’Ecole brings together the freshest local, seasonal ingredients and prepares the in a classic country – French style. While you dine, you can pair your meal with a selection from their curated French wine or Belgian beer lists, for an authentic French Brasserie style experience.
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