The Okanagan: A Perfect Vacation For The Whole Family

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 96
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The Okanagan region (also known as the Okanagan Valley) is perfect for a summer vacation. It''s the warmest region in Canada with a dry climate and very little rainfall. Add to this the long days that summer brings to this area and it''s easy to see why the region is such a popular vacationing spot.

The Okanagan region comprises the major centers of Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon, and Osoyoos.

Kelowna is the largest city in the BC Interior with 111,000 inhabitants. It''s located near the heart of the Okanagan Valley, on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake. In addition to its temperate climate, people flock to Kelowna for the city''s pristine sandy beaches ? and to spot the Ogopogo, the legendary sea monster which it''s claimed lives in Okanagan Lake.

Penticton is situated south of Kelowna, sandwiched between Okanagan and Skaha Lakes. As in Kelowna during the summer, there are lots of activities centered on the lakes, including jet skiing, paddle boating, and parasailing. If you''re not into water sports, then there are over a dozen golf courses to choose from, as well as at least 80 fishing lakes within a two-hour ...
... drive of the city. During the summer you will find fruit stands dotted all over the Okanagan region, and Penticton holds an annual Peach Festival to celebrate the peach harvest.

Vernon is at the northern end of the Okanagan Valley, close to Okanagan, Kalamalka, and Swan Lakes. It''s surrounded by orchards, golf courses, and mountains, whose tops are covered in snow during the winter. It''s a relatively old city, incorporated in 1892, and its residential streets are lined with graceful heritage homes and leafy mature trees. Being close to three lakes, there are lots of water-based activities during the summer. Davison Orchards can be found in Vernon and is a great place to tour and attend events such as the Family Pumpkin Festival and the Apple Fest, an annual exhibition celebrating the humble apple, with lots of apple-related games, contests and food.

Osoyoos, situated at the Okanagan region''s southern tip, is in the middle of Canada''s only true desert. Given the number of wineries in the Okanagan, and particularly in this area, many visitors schedule their trip to Osoyoos to coincide with the spring and fall wine festivals. As with the other cities in the Okanagan Valley, the climate makes Osoyoos a population vacation destination. It''s also where retires come wishing to escape the harsh winters of some other cities in Western Canada.

But if the sun, beaches, activities and first-class wineries leave you wanting to connect with nature and take in the odd hike, then you won''t have any trouble finding one that suits you. For example, there''s a 9.9-mile section of BC''s historic Kettle Valley Railway track which can be hiked from west of Penticton: A great antidote to lazing on the beach and one way to work off the calories from those endless glasses of wine! Bonny Kominek wrote this article while on a holiday booked with Dialaflight who provide flight to Canada and other desinations.