2. Butchart Gardens

Butchart Gardens is spectacular, but make sure that you like gardens - because the entrance fee is steep.

I came here with a friend for high tea, and we have been to several teahouses …, though our favorite has to be our tea at the Dining Room Restaurant. We did have to wait about ten minutes to get in the tearoom (no reservation), but it was well worth the time. The tearoom was gorgeous, complete with light woods, green paints, and an overall fresh look (plus a spectacular view of the Rose Gardens). The food was superb. It begins with a seasonal fruit cup with yogurt citrus dressing, which was quite simple, then a shrimp and gruyere quiche and a homemade sausage roll with imported mustard and green tomato relish. The sausage rolls were to DIE for, absolutely delicious. The tea sandwiches included smoked salmon with maple Dijon cream cheese, egg salad and watercress, mango-curry chicken salad with toasted cashews, smoked ham with sweet grainy mustard and cucumber with fresh ginger cream cheese-all made fresh, all a treat for the palate. The cakes and tarts were good, though a bit rich, and the scones were delicious-piping warm, with strawberry jam (homemade), and whipped Devon-style Cream. I would definitely suggest this teahouse for people who want a quiet way to get away from the hustle and bustle, a perfect way to end a sunny day. The dress is smart-casual, and the full tea menu is 23.75 per person.

The most fantastic gardens ever. I can't figure out how they do it.

Superb gardens despite high entrance price.