Here it is a week into October, and the skies are blue, the sun shines on the reflecting pool, and the leaves have not even begun to be jostled from the trees. Our lovely guests from Seattle are astonished at Victoria’s inviting weather, as they hear from friends that the weekend in Seattle has been dreary and wet. On a sunny Victoria day, it is quite astonishing to speak with friends in Vancouver or Seattle, and hear their descriptions of rain and/or overcast skies.

This Saturday is the Royal Victoria Marathon, a qualifying race for Boston’s Marathon.  Runner’s World calls it “one of the top ten destination marathons in North America.” The run follows a seaside course, passing by scenic features including the BC Legislative Buildings, Ogden Point, the Olympic Mountain Range and Straits of Juan de Fuca, the statue of Terry Fox at Mile O’, Fishermen’s Wharf. Beacon Hill Park, Royal Victoria Golf Course, and Oak Bay Village.

Pacific Opera of Victoria opened its season with Verdi’s romantic La Traviata on October 1st. The Villa offers an opera package that includes not only opera tickets, but a fabulous dual massage and a delicious pre-curtain dinner in addition to opera tickets. Stravinsky’s Rake’s Progress will be performed in November, Strauss’ Capriccio in March, and Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutti in April.

Marathons and operas – starting the fall season with a run and a song – actually many runs and songs!

At the Seattle screening of The Duchess, starring Keira Knightley, Rob and Kate won a gift certificate for two nights at the Villa Marco Polo Inn, with the assurance “to be treated like the Duchess herself.”

Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire, born in 1757, was a celebrated beauty who was active in literary as well as political circles. It is rumoured that during her political campaigning, she would trade a kiss for a vote! The Duchess had a full and glamourous (and scandalous) life.

We couldn’t offer Rob and Kate quite the world that the Duchess rocked, but we did pamper them amid the elegance of the Villa!