The Okanagan, British Columbia

Location: A
Amenities: B+
Food: A
Service: A
Fun Factor: A



Best For: Couples, Girlfriend Getaway, Families.
Date of Stay: September 2009

The Lowdown: The Okanagan in British Columbia has got to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. The drive from Kelowna to Osoyoos was simply breathtaking. In fact, the views everywhere we went were just spectacular. With flights directly into Kelowna travel is straightforward and your vacation can be spent enjoying the view while sipping many of the wonderful wines from some of Canada’s top wineries.

With one of the warmest climates in the country, the Okanagan is a year-round destination boasting water recreation in the summer, fabulous restaurants, wine tours, and nearby ski resorts during the winter months. The accommodations we visited included the Spirit Ridge Resort, part of the Nk’Mip winery in Osoyoos, and the retro boutique Hotel Eldorado right in Kelowna which both offered spectacular views and unique experiences.

Much likely a mini-Sonoma Valley, the Okanagan has many options for wine tours and the experience varies greatly from winery to winery so we never got bored. Plus, at the Lakeside Dining Room at the Hotel Eldorado, I had the most amazing steak I have ever had in my life. The Black and Blue Fillet is a filet stuffed with Danish blue cheese, cajun spiced and a bernard callebaut chocolate demi. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Top 5 Things You Should Know About The Okanagan, B.C.:

1. The Scenery:
   As I mentioned, The Okanagan is one of the most spectacularly beautiful places on earth. The arid, sunny weather, rocky cliffs, expansive wineries, and the winding Okanagan Lake make for spectacular views no matter whether you are driving from one stop to the next or peering from one of the many hilltop wineries.
2. Activities:
   There is tons to do in the Okanagan. There are great per-arranged wine tours that explore some of the fabulous wineries in the area. Although our trip was focused on wine tasting this area is chalk full of fun. Not only can you find plenty of ways to spend your time outdoors year-round but this area is rich with Native culture. In fact, at one of the wineries we visited where the land is owned by the Osoyoos Indian Band, Nk’Mip Cellars (pronounced Inkameep which is the Native name for the Osoyoos Indian band), there was a culture centre full of learning opportunities. In many places there were interactive and educational activities for the whole family to learn about the local Native culture.
3. The Convenience Factor:
   Thanks to direct flights to Kelowna International Airport, the Okanagan is a cinch to get to. It is also very easily accessible by car from parts of Alberta and British Columbia and minutes away from the US bordering on Washington. Plus, thanks to the four major centres, Kelowna (the biggest), Penticton, Oliver, and Osoyoos there are plenty of creature comforts (including many Starbucks on route).
4. The Wineries: Ok, ok. I know. But I can’t say enough about the Okanagan wine experience. Of course, I loved the wine tours. And I loved the wine tastings. But even more amazing were the views from these beautiful spots. What could be more relaxing than sipping wine atop a hill with a spectacular view of the Okanagan Lake and Valley? Not much. Here’s a list of the places we had to privilege of visiting: Quails Gate in Kelowna, Nk’Mip Cellars in Osoyoos, Burrowing Owl Estate in Oliver (beautiful Guest House accommodations), the newly opened tasting centre at Hester Creek in Oliver, and the well known Mission Hill Winery in Kelowna. All were worth stopping by.
5. The Restaurants: This was definitely an indulgent trip and besides the wine my #1 indulgence was in the food. The great thing about these wineries is that most of them have fabulous restaurants as well. I already mentioned my perfect steak but we also enjoyed a celery and apple soup at the Quails Gate’s Old Vine Restaurant and the Summer Vegetable Pasta Bowl at the Sonora Room Restaurant at the Burrowing Owl Estate Winery. With delicious food, spectacular wine, and unparalleled views the Okanagan was a wonderful and unexpected treat.