Monday, October 5, 2009

Indian Summer at the Villa



Indian Summer at the Villa

Monday, October 5, 2009

Here it is a week into October, and the skies are blue, the sun shines on the reflecting pool, and the leaves have not even begun to be jostled from the trees. Our lovely guests from Seattle are astonished at Victoria's inviting weather, as they hear from friends that the weekend in Seattle has been dreary and wet. On a sunny Victoria day, it is quite astonishing to speak with friends in Vancouver or Seattle, and hear their descriptions of rain and/or overcast skies.

This Saturday is the Royal Victoria Marathon, a qualifying race for Boston's Marathon. Runner's World calls it "one of the top ten destination marathons in North America." The run follows a seaside course, passing by scenic features including the BC Legislative Buildings, Ogden Point, the Olympic Mountain Range and Straits of Juan de Fuca, the statue of Terry Fox at Mile ‘O’, Fishermen's Wharf. Beacon Hill Park, Royal Victoria Golf Course, and Oak Bay Village.

Pacific Opera of Victoria opened its season with Verdi's romanticLa Traviata on October 1st. The Villa offers an opera package that includes not only opera tickets, but a fabulous dual massage and a delicious pre-curtain dinner in addition to opera tickets. Stravinsky's Rake's Progress will be performed in November, Strauss' Capriccio in March, and Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutti in April.

Marathons and operas - starting the fall season with a run and a song - actually many runs and songs!

Sunday, October 4, 2009



Duchess of Devonshire

Sunday, October 4, 2009

At the Seattle screening of The Duchess, starring Keira Knightley, Rob and Kate won a gift certificate for two nights at the Villa Marco Polo Inn, with the assurance "to be treated like the Duchess herself."

Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire, born in 1757, was a celebrated beauty who was active in literary as well as political circles. It is rumoured that during her political campaigning, she would trade a kiss for a vote! The Duchess had a full and glamourous (and scandalous) life.

We couldn't offer Rob and Kate quite the world that the Duchess rocked, but we did pamper them amid the elegance of the Villa!

Saturday, October 3, 2009



A Sand Mandala is Created at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Sand Mandala: Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and the Canada Tibet Committee are proud to be hosting the third visit of monks from the Gaden Jangtse Monastery in India as part of their tour to North America. For 23 days they will be sharing their knowledge of Buddhist traditions and teachings, performing ritual ceremonies and monastic dances and, most importantly, demonstrating their mystical art of creating sand Mandalas. A sand Mandala, which is considered a magical and sacred realm, is a visual prayer...

Price:$12.00 (Senior/Student $10.00; Children 6-17 years $2.00; Free admission for children under 5 years.)
Dates: Oct 03, 2009 - Dec 06, 2009