Vic-Vic-Victoria!

I've never been much of a Fourth of July fan (I truly am Euro at heart!), so Corey and I are taking advantage of the three-day weekend and heading out of the country for a much-anticipated trip to Victoria, B.C.

I am so excited, and the vacation planning freak in me has already started plotting where we will stay, eat, play. Here are a few of the contenders:

Butchart Gardens

(image courtesy of travel.webshots.com)

Needless to say, it's beautiful. But a perk for us: "June through September, musical entertainment is provided free Monday through Saturday evenings. You can even watch fireworks displays on Saturdays in July and August." Guess we won't miss the 4th of July festivities after all!

Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress

(image courtesy of fairmont.com)

If you go to Victoria, you can't miss it.. It's one of the city's grandest traditions! I plan on devouring pastries made by award-winning pastry chef D'Oyen Christie. Yummmm...

A Bike Ride Along the Galloping Goose Regional Trail

(image courtesy of worldreviewer.com)

We can take in the scenery in slow-motion. This trail is 40-miles-long. You can see everything from dark, hidden lakes to majestic canyons and even some rainforest.

Picnic at Beacon Hill Park

(image courtesy of victoriasbesthomes.com)

Considered the jewel of Victoria's parks, Beacon Hill Park is the perfect place to lay a blanket down and enjoy both the natural and landscaped beauty. There's a water park on the grounds and even a petting zoo for the kids (and me).

Hope we find the time to see these attractions and many more!