A classic holiday escape: Victoria, B.C.

Canada's on sale thanks to the recent rise in value of the U.S. dollar, and what better place to celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas than in Victoria, B.C., our very own backyard slice of Old England?

Twinkling lights and festive decorations will deck the halls at the Fairmont Empress Hotel and Parliament buildings around the Inner Harbour. Butchart Gardens will be in full seasonal dress, with winter displays, outdoor ice skating and carolers.

Shopping tips

• The Butchart Gardens Seed & Gift store for its packaged-seed collections, $4.99 (all prices Canadian) for a set of five packets, each illustrated by a local artist. See www.butchartgardens.com.

• Murchie's Tea & Coffee for 12-bag boxes of its specially blended teas, $3.95-$4.95. Half-pound tins of its Christmas tea are $19.95. See www.murchies.com.

• Rogers' Chocolates for more than 40 different chocolate treats under $10. Go traditional with tin ornaments filled with Victoria creams ($7.99) or stuff the stockings with dark chocolate chipotle-pepper Fire Bars ($3.99). See www.rogerschocolates.com.

Cozying up

• The favorable exchange rate (83 cents buys one Canadian dollar at current exchange rates) makes even the Empress affordable. December rates start at $129 Canadian — about $107 U.S. www.fairmont.com/empress or 250-995-4688.

• A five-minute walk from the Victoria Clipper ferry dock, the Huntingdon Hotel & Suites at Belleville Park is a friendly budget choice. There's a restaurant and a cozy lobby with a fireplace and overstuffed chairs. Rates start at $89. The hotel matches anything lower found online. www.huntingdonhotel.ca or 800-663-7557

• Ambrosia Bed & Breakfast, luxury B&B two blocks from the Inner Harbour. Suites with gas or electric fireplaces. Rates start at $115-$125 including a gourmet breakfast. www.ambrosiavictoria.com or 250-380-7705.

Ho, ho, ho time

Walk off the holiday calories with a Ghost of Christmas Past walking tour, 90 minutes of spooky fun. www.discoverthepast.com or 250-384-6698. Adults, $12; students/seniors, $10.

Budget bliss

• Take advantage of special winter fares on the Victoria Clipper. The walk-on ferry leaves from Seattle's Pier 69 daily at 8 a.m., arriving in Victoria at 10:30 a.m. Return is 5 p.m., arriving back at 7:45 p.m. The adult round-trip Internet fare in December is $87, including taxes, $82 for AAA members. www.clippervacations.com,or 800-888-2535.

• If high tea at $44-$54 per person at the Empress isn't in the budget, learn about the hotel's history on a 90-minute tour Saturdays in December, just $10. www.walkabouts.ca or 250-592-9255. More than 50 decorated trees will be on display. A stroll through the halls is free. See www.fairmont.com/empress.

More info: www.tourismvictoria.com or 800-663-3883. Bring a passport or proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency (birth certificate or Green Card and government-issued picture ID).

— Carol Pucci