As the world slowly re-opens post-pandemic, the desire to discover new lands and experiences is at an all-time high. Our travel series seeks to inspire you with unique travel options and itineraries worldwide, spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and beyond. Join us as we enjoy an intimate stay at Abbeymoore Bed & Breakfast in Victoria, British Columbia.

Bed & breakfasts accommodations offer many more perks than simply the tasty homemade morning breakfast.

Take my recent stay at Abbeymoore Manor Bed & Breakfast for example. Nestled amongst castles, gardens and tree-lined residential streets of Victoria, it’s an ideal getaway from the city. In the morning you wake up to the dewy, cool scent of the trees and rose garden just across the street after a night’s rain. Freshly brewed coffee is served at 7:30 AM and a full breakfast is served at 8:30 AM. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to the scent of bacon on the grill?

The host, Jeff, sets a plate of pancakes topped with mixed berries in front of us and stays to banter — sharing intriguing stories of his past travels around the world. Over the course of 2 days, we’ve covered stories of his time in Hai Gou, Shanghai, Hawaii, Japan, and more.

It’s the experience of meeting and chatting with your hosts and other guests staying at the bed & breakfast that makes bed and breakfasts more personable than other types of accommodations.

The fact that Abbeymoore Manor was built in 1912 with over a century of history adds to its charm. The first floor houses a spacious living room with inviting armchairs and sofas. My niece and I spent one of our evenings here drawing in notebooks and counting passing cars.

Down the corridor past a set of double glass doors is the dining room. With natural light streaming in from the windows, it’s a refreshing space to start one’s day with a warm plate of eggs and sausages (or whatever pleasant surprise the chef has prepared).

The first morning I woke up I pulled back the blinds to see a deer grazing in the front yard of the house across the street. Nature never ceases to surprise me.

I stayed in the Rose Room on the second floor and a claw-tooth bathtub stands at the corner of the bedroom with an antique screen shielding it from windows. A four-poster bed with a thick, comfortable mattress promises a restful night’s sleep, with heavy curtains that can be drawn across the windows to block out the light.

A door leads to a cozy terrace where you could sit and enjoy your coffee. Low hedges connect the balcony to the Master Suite next door so you have another opportunity to meet your neighbours. If the weather isn’t in your favour, staying inside the room is just as relaxing, as I spent more than a few hours enjoying books I picked up from the local bookstore, Munro’s Books, in the comfortable armchairs within the room. After dinner, the family would gather in the Master Suite and watch a movie together on the bed. While some trips will stay take me to cosmopolitan city centres and international business hubs, I find that I now gravitate towards quiet, cozy stays like this.

Whether you are travelling with family or looking to get away on a solo trip, Abbeymoore Manor is where you can enjoy peace and quiet away from the bustling city and unplug from your work demands. To find out more or to book your stay, visit their website.