Whether taking tea or taking in the natural wonder of Butchart Gardens, this glimpse of the queen's North American empire will leave you sated and serene. Join us for a weekend of gentilitea
April 25-28, 2014.
Weekend includes 3 nights accommodations, tea at both the Empress Hotel and Butchart Gardens as well as entrance to the gardens and shuttle service there, and Siren School activities. Optional extras listed in pale italics, *indicates additional fee.
Friday
- 8pm - How do you do - After making the acquaintance of our fellow participants, we'll take in the harbor lights as we amble over to Ca Va Bistro Moderne for a light *no-host repast. While there, we'll savor some introductory facts and tidbits about the queen's empire in the 19th century
Saturday
- 8am - *Breakfast at the delightful Blue Fox
- 9:30am - The life Victorian - customs, courtesies, comestibles, couture and more
- 11am - Elevenses snack break
- 11:30am - Speaking the Unspoken - Learn the language of the fan, womanly wiles and the meaning of flowers. Includes a pressed flower fan craft
- 1pm - Tea Luncheon - at the Empress, the most revered tea service in North America.
- 2:30pm - What better place to walk off our exquisite afternoon tea than at a castle, specifically, the nearby Craigdarroch Castle museum home. *$13.75
- 4-6pm - Afternoon Respite - Back at the hotel enjoy some relaxing personal time napping, or with these soothing options:
- Empress Willow Stream spa
- A Dickens of a tale - listen to short story excerpts from the greatest novelist in England's history as you do some needlework or just listen and chuckle along
- *Harbor-side horse-drawn carriage ride
- 7pm - *No-host sunset supper at the hotel's famed Veranda, overlooking the Inner Harbor
- 8:30 - While away the evening's waning hours with Victorian board games in the lobby, or enjoy that new fad 'jazz' in the hotel's lounge
Sunday
- 8am - Continental Breakfast onsite
- 9am - Busy Hands, Nimble Fingers - Engage in your Victorian craft of choice: punch paper embroidery, pomander, petite reticule purse, ribbon & lace pincushion, handkerchief doll or sachet
- 10:30am - Elevenses, a tad early
- 11:00am - We are amused - We'll delve into the world of entertainments and amusements popular at the time, including some background on the chaps who've supplied the weekend's soundtrack, Sirs Gilbert & Sullivan
- 12noon - Garden Tour & Tea at the breathtaking Buthchart Gardens
- 3pm - Croquet at the Happy Lavender Croquet Club
- 4-6pm - Afternoon Respite - Back to the hotel for another relaxing afternoon. If your wanderlust draws you outside again, consider these sightseeing options:
- Take this last chance to take in the town, in this case, the area's bustling Chinatown
- Tour the prestigious Parliament Buildings
- 7pm - *No-host fine dining at the hotel's picturesque Empress Room
- 8:30 - Join in the wholesome fun of Victorian parlour games in the lobby as we revel to the tunes that were all the rage, especially in the Gay 90's
Monday
- 9am - A fine fare thee well. We'll wave our embroidered handkerchiefs as we bid bon voyage to one another over a *no-host breakfast and last visit to the Empress Room
Dainty Details
- Weekend (3 nights) begins at $625 per person
- a deposit of $250 holds your spot with Siren School
- Thereafter, should you need to forego your participation, your deposit is fully refundable up until 01/25/14 or if the event is cancelled; 50% refundable up until 03/11/14; and non-refundable thereafter
- Room costs are based on double occupancy per rates effective 09/01/14. If you choose to room with a non-participating friend or family member, they will be expected to arrange for their own fun & activities during Siren School sessions
- Itinerary may change based on weather and other unforeseeable circumstances
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