Best 3 Day Itinerary

First time visitors here on a short stay may very well benefit from these suggestions.

DAY 1 - early AM start
Make this the day to explore downtown Victoria. Take in the Causeway with all the sights, sounds and color and have lunch at any of the nearby patio-restaurants. Stroll down Government street and peek into the shops for souvenirs to take home. If you have time take tea at the Empress in the late afternoon.
Finally, take a harbor gondola for an early evening harbor cruise getting off at Fisherman's wharf just in time for Barb's fish 'n chips.
Head to your vacation condo or hotel room and rest up. If you get a second wind go out to one of the local pubs for some great Canadian beer (lots brewed locally)
DAY 2
Sleep in - you have a long day. Meet your bus in front of the Empress for your tour of Butchart Gardens. It takes about 45 minutes to get there and several hours to see it all. If you do go early then stay for lunch or if you are on the later time schedule stay for dinner.
Visitors out there on Saturday nights in the summer can stay until mid-night and enjoy the fireworks show.
DAY 3
If the weather is cold or rainy this is the perfect time to visit the Royal BC Museum. You will need several hours to see most of the highlights and you can enjoy a light snack or lunch there or nearby restaurants.
If the weather is fine take advantage of Whale watching or other sea excursion. It will be loads of fun, educational, good excercise and a great way to see the area. If you are good at time management you may be able to do both the same day.
For those with really good time management skills take in Beacon Hill Park, Goodacre Lake, the free putting green, the summit lookout, behind the zoo and in the spring, the heron nests on the west edge of Goodacre lake
BREATHE
After all is said and done just breathe. Some people cram a lot in a short time while others prefer to savour. Whatever your style enjoy and don't forget to come back again.