Victoria is a modern city of about 350,000 people and is the capital of the province of British Columbia. It has many of the arts and on any day one can see an opera, theatre, movies, live music, etc. As well, being on the ocean, all sorts of whale watching and fishing charters are available. There is hiking and shopping and all manner of restaurants. In short, Victoria is very close to the outdoors for that sort of activity and also is a modern, cosmopolitan center.