Becoming captivated by the Okanagan Valley’s repertoire of attractions is both easy and irresistible. On my first trip there, I was immediately seduced by the region’s natural charm and, as the excursion unfolded, every day produced a new reason to love the place. With sun-drenched hills and mountains, together with a mild Mediterranean-like climate, this stunning valley in the province’s south-central interior is sometimes referred to as the “Tuscany of Canada.” Its assets, however, are greatly expanded beyond its pleasant continental temperatures. The region’s enviable reputation has been largely built on its rare blend of world-class wineries, top-notch golf courses, year-round outdoor recreation, charming towns and a plethora of lakeside beaches. The showstopper – and arguably the area’s main attraction – is the 84-mile-long Lake Okanagan. In fact, the valley’s geography is primarily shaped by this scenic lake that divides the valley from north to south. Consequently, it serves as the central spine of the region in addition to providing a wealth of sandy beaches and water sports opportunities. Overall, it’s impossible to be unimpressed by the valley’s vast trove of attractions, both natural and man-made – a claim easily supported by the sheer abundance of what the area has to offer. Missionaries who built the valley’s first settlement in the mid-1800s – together with the indigenous people who were already there – could never have envisioned the Okanagan Valley of the future. Today’s bonanza of things to see and do would have been merely the stuff of wild dreams. Over time, and by every measure, the wild dreams became real. What follows are some of the features which make this remarkable region one of the country’s prime travel destinations – one which causes me to berate myself for not having visited sooner. Lovin’ The Okanagan One of British Columbia’s most popular playgrounds By Donna Carter 16 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
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