Frommer's Top Travel Destination
Don’t take our word for it; take Frommer's. Named as one of the world’s most "surprising, thriving, or emerging travel destinations," BC's Okanagan Valley, dubbed by some as Napa North, and others as the Tuscany of Canada, is "an ideal place for wine tasting" according to Frommer’s.
MSN Travel has selected the Okanagan Valley as #6 of the top 10 places to go in 2008!
"Move over, Napa and Sonoma: Oenophiles looking for a taste of the next best thing are taking their palates north, to British Columbia's Okanagan Valley..."
Things are heating up in the kitchen
From urban dining to an outdoor Mediterranean feast, the flavours here are as distinct as the destination. Amante Bistro opened its doors in the spring of 2007 under the deft hand of Chef Abul Adame. Joy Road Catering chefs Cameron Smith and Dana Ewart brought new meaning to cuisine du terrior. Menus from an Orchard TAble by chef and wine-maker Heidi Noble was released, and brother Craig Noble's documentary, Tableland premiered in Naramata (followed by showings in New York, Montreal and Vancouver). An encore showing at The Cannery Stage is scheduled for July. Poplar Grove Cheese unveiled Harvest Moon. This complex cheese is made only at the time of the monthly full moon.
The Spirit of 2008
Maple Leaf Spirits of Penticton has won 5 awards at the Destillata, a major international competition in Austria. The Pinot Noir Grappa took top honours in its category as 'Spirit of the Year'. Other distilleries poised to open in 2008 are Spirit Bear in Penticton and Similkameen Spirits in Keremeos. The access to fruit makes this eco-friendly development a natural. The focus will be eau de vies, liqueurs, fruit port wines and a French Normandy style spirit called 'Pomme eau'.
The Last Trestle
After 13 historic trestle bridges were destroyed in the infamous fires of 2003, this chapter of one of the Okanagan's most destructive natural disasters finally comes to a close with the re-opening of the last reconstructed trestle bridge at Myra Canyon in June 2008. Trails BC is marking the event with the Rail Trail Challenge in July and expects around 700 participants to hike, horseback ride, run and cycle the 80 kilometers from the canyon back to Penticton.
River Channel Float Named a Top Insider Spot by Travelocity.ca!
The votes are in! Floating Down the River Channel connecting Okanagan and Skaha Lakes has been recognized as one of only 68 top local favourites in Canada in Travelocity.ca’s 2005 "Local Secrets, Big Finds" poll. More than 30,000 nominations poured in from Travelocity.ca members around North America, challenging Travelocity.ca's editorial team to search for the best of the best local finds in each province.
Opening Nights
Orchard House Theatre opened its doors in 2007 with the Okanagan Stage Professional Theatre Company and has now added the Bare Bones Amateur Theatre Company to its repertoire for 2008. The new Many Hats Theatre Company has taken over the space vacated by Bare Bones, now called The Cannery Stage. Well known actor/director/playwright, Glen Cairns opened the Theatre Arts Studio showcasing professional productions and a school for theatrical training. The historic Empress Theatre was restored and renovated to house the new Lloyd Gallery after its original location burned to the ground in 2007.
This land is your land
Over 60 newly proposed and created Protected Areas
Eco-tourists and nature lovers are in for a treat! Some of the most endangered ecosystems, flora and fauna including California Bighorn Sheep habitat, and portions of Canada’s only desert have been designated as Provincial Parks and specially managed Protected Areas.
Skaha Bluffs, a popular rock climbing outcrop overlooking Penticton, has been purchased and secured for recreational use, conservation management and the proposed Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park.
Homegrown Talent
Summerland’s Kristi Richards focuses on Olympics
Representing Canada on the slopes is World Cup Mogul Team member Kristi Richards. A hometown favourite, Kristi won Gold in the dual moguls competition at the 2006 World Cup, placed 7th at the 2006 Olympics, and now has her sights set on the 2010 Olympics.
Discover Great Estates of the Okanagan
Five exceptional wineries in the Okanagan Valley have teamed up to offer visitors a unique touring opportunity. Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards, Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards and Nk'Mip Cellars have designed a special route through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Okanagan; a route off the beaten path and not marked on the standard wine maps. Visit all five wineries to become eligible for a draw to win a trip for two to Okanagan Wine Country.
NASCAR to Nashville
The Wine Country Music Festival will take place the August long weekend at Penticton Speedway. Country Music Televisions (CMT) Casey Clark will be on location filming an episode of the Chevy Cross Canada Countdown. Juno nominee Johnny Reid and Jessie Farell and others are expected to perform. The Kanata Sportsman Racing Series is a NASCAR style event and is the fastest and largest race car event in Western Canada.