Going to Victoria, B.C. was a cinch. A few clicks on Clipper Vacations and we were all set with the perfect deal for the weekend. Here are a few suggestions, tips, what have yous:

-Don’t stay at the Traveller’s Inn City Center. Sure, calling this dump our home for 2 nights made our vacay wicked cheap, but it also came with some bumps in the road. Like no air conditioning, a scary shaky elevator, a pool we couldn’t use until the day we left and an attitude from the kitchen about bringing our breakfast to our room.

- Do go to Miniature World. It’s just so ridiculous, because every doll, scene, person, tv, plane, cars, World War II figures were the size of your pinkie. If not smaller. It’s totally cheesy fun and worth breaking up the day for.

-Walk along Government for the touristy brouhaha. If you like ice cream, there are parlors on every block.

-Go to Beacon Hill Park and then pet the cutest damn baby goats at the Children’s Farm. If you love alpacas as much as I do, then you’re in for a real treat.

-If you don’t mind the most laid back, laziest staff ever eat at Santiago’s Cafe and order the Cerviche. It was light, fishy without being too fishy and not a hint of grease in sight.

-Enjoy the music, the Sunday Markets and the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.

-When you board the Clipper to go back to Seattle, and the captain tells you it’s going to be a choppy ride, believe him and immediately take the Dramamine they sell on the boat. You will thank me.

-Come back refreshed and not at all jealous that you missed the crowds at the Solstice Parade in Fremont.