Most people think that Canada is the land of snow and ice. Guess what? It is! Except Victoria. Winters in Victoria are mild and it tends to rain quite a bit, but nowhere near as much as Vancouver and other NW coastal areas like Seattle. The temperature is often between 8 - 10 Celsius (45-50 degrees F), but sometimes it gets even warmer.

Right now, at the end of November, the sun has been shining and some of the trees are already budding. The Japanese plum trees often start flowering in December and January and the grass stays green all year long. Tourists mainly come to Victoria during the spring, summer and fall. In the winter, visits tend to drop right off.

So, if you like to travel during the off season and enjoy the benefits of the quiet tourist season, not to mention some good deals on accommodations, give Victoria a try!

So what can you do at Christmas time in Victoria? Well, you just might be surprised.

This time of year, The Butchart Gardens are transformed into spectacular displays of Christmas lights. As you wander through the glorious paths, the imaginative light shows illuminating the colourful flowerbeds will dazzle you.

The 12 days of Christmas are displayed with special scenes as you move through each Garden to the jolly sound of carollers singing traditional Christmas songs. If you are lucky, it might even snow, which makes the event even more spectacular. Snow is really rare in Victoria, but it can happen. In Victoria, you generally do not shovel snow, you simply wait for it to melt.

Around the city, musical performances abound. The Victorian Christmas Orchestra Series takes place throughout Victoria from December 2nd to the 11th at various locations. Also check out the 2nd annual Victoria Carolfest. For information about these events, go to www.victorianchristmas.ca or call 250-475-6635.

Many of the hotels have special Christmas packages. For example, try the Queen Victoria Hotel & Suites at www.qvhotel.com or call 1-800-663-7007.

Pearkes Arena and the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre are organizing Family Skates. It rarely gets cold enough in Victoria for outdoor skating, but good times can be had at the indoor rinks.

A unique event takes place at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. From November 18th to January 3rd -- check out the "Festival of Trees". Groups and organizations throughout Victoria have decorated Christmas trees with themes that represent their business, organization or group. Visitors vote for the trees and the money raised goes to charity. There is no charge. Donations are asked for when you make your vote.

For another exceptional Christmas experience, take a walk with John Adams. John's 80 minute Heritage Walking Tours through "Olde Town" offer fascinating glimpses of Victoria history. Twelve fascinating true accounts about Christmas in old Victoria are included, all told within the warmth of shops close to where the stories took place. Go to the Tourism Victoria Visitor Info Centre on Wharf Street at the Inner Harbour if you are interested.

Ron Kirstein is the owner of a Canadian Travel & Tourism Web site (since 1995). Ron has traveled the length and breadth of Vancouver Island BC Canada in search of adventures; see http://tourismmall.victoria.bc.ca/travelmagazine