OUR MISSION
Curating unforgettable experiences that blend culture,
history, and culinary exploration to showcase the essence of downtown Victoria alongside its hidden gems.
OUR HISTORY
From our very quick beginning in 2019 followed quickly by a
2 year hiatus, Hidden Victoria Tours is growing rapidly every year and expanding our tours to showcase more of this beautiful city. Our passionate guides are the key to making these experiences unforgettable.
A message from Emily:
Our journey began with a leap of faith—a chance to create a walking food tour for the cruise ship industry in the city. With little more than a belief in my potential, I threw myself into the challenge. For three sleepless weeks, I worked tirelessly to figure out how to guide large groups through the busiest Friday and Saturday nights, finding the best places for them to grab a bite when the ships docked.
I hired Karen, my first guide, without any vendors, a script, or a route. All I asked of her was patience and belief in our shared success. Two weeks later, we pulled off two practice tours with any friends I could convince to join. And from there, history was made.
In that first year, I expanded to four guides and led every single tour I could, learning as much as I could about the diverse people I was hosting.
Fast forward to 2022, and our now well-established Bites & Sights tour was thriving. Cruise ship guests flocked to the tours, and I scaled up to 12 guides. Thanks to the challenges of the previous year, I was prepared for any situation my team might face. We worked side by side, guiding up to 10 tours a week for six months straight. I even introduced red vests to represent our brand, creating a visible presence of “red vests” exploring the city.
Along the way, I built incredible partnerships with local businesses. In 2023 alone, we brought a quarter of a million dollars into the city’s economy through our partners’ establishments.
Now, heading into 2024, those relationships have only deepened. We’ve expanded our offerings beyond cruise ship guests to locals and other travelers. This year, we’re thrilled to partner with Victoria Harbour Ferries to revive the beloved Pickle Pub Crawl, bringing this longstanding tour back with a fresh twist. We grew to 24 guides this year.
My passion for this city is undeniable, and my energy perfectly matches the fast-paced, entertaining world of tourism. I can’t wait to see where the next steps in this incredible journey take us.