DAY 1
10:30 am Tour the Summerland Ornamental Gardens,
this spectacular 15-acre (6 hectare) garden overlooks the natural beauty of Okanagan Lake, Trout Creek Canyon, Giant’s Head Mountain and the Kettle Valley Railway Bridge. The gardens are located on the grounds of our national agricultural research station. You can view the flowing creek that runs along the back of the gardens and see the KVR trestle bridge as well.
12:30 pm Enjoy lunch at Zias Stonehouse Restaurant,
designated as an architectural heritage site, this elegant stone house was built in 1916. Owners Shannon & Claude Ferlizza bought the restaurant in 1997 and did extensive renovations to the original building, added an extension and planted bountiful flower gardens. A mature grape arbour, ironwork and brick patio around the restaurant allow guests to enjoy the gardens and landscape while dining on cuisine with an Okanagan flavour. The Ferlizza’s use their own flowers for table decoration, grow as much of their own fruit and vegetables as they can and rely on local farmers for the rest. This is a wonderful place to stop for a garden lunch
2:00 pm Play a round of mini golf at Loco Landing,
located next to the Penticton Rose Garden. Behold the beautiful gardens, waterfalls and fish ponds while looking for that ‘hole in one’.
OR
Wander through the Penticton Rose Gardens located next to the SS Sicamous along Okanagan Lake. Here visitors and garden lovers alike will enjoy the wide variety and sweet smell of hundreds of roses. With the soft waterfall and the gazebo this is the perfect place to stop and smell the roses.
3:00 pm Driving Tour of Penticton . . .
Take a stroll through the South Okanagan Habitat Garden at the Okanagan University College. This garden shows the natural plant life of the Okanagan. With descriptive signs this self-guided walk allows any visitor to gain a more clear understanding of the natural plant life. A visit to the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden, where visitors can see a sampling of indigenous plant-life. View our outdoor sculptures in three different park locations, and wander through the developing Japanese gardens located on Okanagan Lake just behind the Art Gallery. Penticton parks offer beautiful garden ideas.
7:00 pm Dinner at Theo’s
Here in Penticton, Mary and Theo built their restaurant as if it were their home on the island of Crete. Courtyards of giant flowering plants, secluded balconies and vast skylights inviting the Okanagan sunshine to spill onto stucco walls and stone, tile and wood floors.
Overnight Ramada Inn & Suites
Enjoy a soak in the hot tub, located in the middle of a 2 acre courtyard filled with beautiful gardens and native plants and trees.
DAY 2
9:00 am Breakfast at Magnum’s on The Lake
Enjoy the gorgeous lake view and outdoor patio with its atmosphere of casual elegance. It is here that Executive Chef Ralph Kordass showcases his authentic regional cuisine. Seeking the freshest and unique local produce including herbs from the garden that he tends.
10:00 am Visit the Claybank Lavender Farm in Naramata
and linger in the fields. Fill your senses with the fragrance, sight and texture of fresh lavender before joining in on a workshop or testing the hand-crafted lavender products.
11:30 am Lunch at Joie Gastronomic Guesthouse & Cooking School
Joie is perched above a 50-year-old apple & pear orchard overlooking British Columbia's beautiful Lake Okanagan. Get ready for a hands-on culinary afternoon as you play witness to the bounty of foods and wines that come from the Okanagan Valley.
1:00 pm Depart Penticton and head south along Hwy 97 towards Osoyoos
Spend the afternoon visiting the Desert Centres in Osoyoos and you will discover that without irrigation the South Okanagan would be a natural dessert. This Desert Centre and the Nk’mp Desert Heritage Centre both offer visitors to take a guided tour outlining the natural landscape of the South Okanagan.