"The" city on Vancouver Island, Victoria is always dressed for tourists. It has it's own life too, with non-tourist businesses and the usual city-type activities. At least in early September, flowers are everywhere. They dominate the look of Victoria. Accessible only by boat and air, BC Ferries runs frequently-scheduled car-ferries on a scenic 1.5 hour route from Swarz's Bay to Tsawwassen (just south of Vancouver city)on the mainland.