May 19, 2010

For a woman who never travelled outside of Europe (well, they were pre-aviation days) Queen Victoria’s influence around the world was great. Today, there are many, many places in the world named after the queen.

Whatever you call Victoria Day (May Long Weekend or May Two-four), it spells the start of summer for many Canadians. To mark the day, the team at Cheapflights.ca has rounded up its favourite places with “Victoria” in the title.

The United Kingdom

Roads, streets, docks, museums, gardens, train stations, hospitals, schools – there is no shortage of places named after Victoria. Perhaps the most famous of all is the Victoria Memorial that stands in front of Buckingham Palace in London.

Victoria, Vancouver Island, B.C.

The heritage buildings, tea rooms, horse-drawn carriages and flower gardens give this former colonial outpost its old-world charm. The grandest lady in town now is the Fairmont Empress at the Inner Harbour and taking Afternoon Tea there is one of Victoria’s greatest traditions.

Regina, Saskatchewan

Pile of Bones was the early name for the area, but naming it Regina was a family affair. Princess Louise, wife of the Governor General, named it after her mother in 1882.

For the full list, visit cheapflights.ca