We almost missed the ferry from Seattle to Vancouver Island. Jet lag and dilly-dallying left us scrambling up the boat ramp like the fictional Ping the duck to avoid getting swatted for being the last to board. The ship's horn blared a final warning just as we cleared the deck. My husband and I sunk into our seats and our two sons set off to explore. At last, we were on our way.

This was our family trip to see the white-gloved charm of Victoria, up Highway 1 through various seaside towns, beaches, and attractions farther up the coast, making a left turn halfway up the island at Parksville to head over to the wild west coast. We had four days for our island road adventure.

After a short two-and-a-half hour ride, our boat docked in Victoria. The oh-so-British atmosphere flourishes in Victoria. Cherry red telephone booths, double-decker buses, tea shops and lovely gardens abound as in merry old England. First stop: the obligatory stroll through the Empress Hotel lobby to check out times and prices for afternoon tea (US$60 per person in high season). Since we nearly had to drag the boys through the hotel, we decided to find more active pursuits during teatime, which was hours away. The Empress Hotel saw recent renovation in preparation for its centennial celebration, and is well-worth the tour – even an overnight stay and tea, if you've not got hooligans in tow.

We burned right through the hotel and on up Government Street, with its assortment of shops filled with English goods. Everyone loved Murchie's Tea & Coffee Inc., a huge store on Government Street. Adults can sit and sip a favorite brew, and perhaps select gifts for friends at home. The kids had a hard time choosing from the goodies in the pastry case. Appetites sated, we ventured back into the bustling street.

Other shops along the street offer linens (what home is complete without tea towels?), antiques, other foodstuffs, and more. We decided to stop at the venerable Rogers' Chocolates Ltd. Since 1885, Rogers' has been serving tasty chocolate creams, caramels, and other treats from the wood panel-lined shop. Chocolates are available in fancy gift tins, or standard boxes. We swooned at the taste of the Empress Squares, caramel covered in almonds and dipped in chocolate (1 lb./CN$28.99).

After a long stroll, we headed to Thunderbird Park, behind the Royal British Columbia Museum. The museum itself offers a great history of the island, but the boys didn't want to explore inside and wanted to check out the totem pole carvers crafting awesome creatures into the wood. Reproductions of totem poles are also on display.