advertising feature • b.c.’s thompson you can have it...

You CAN have it allFrom food and wine to skiing, sailing and sunshine, B.C.’s Thompson-Okanagan region is hard to resist

IT CAN BE A TOUGH CHOICE.When planning the timing of your next vacation, do you pick the season where you can prac-tice your swing on some of Canada’s most scenic golf courses, or carve your way through the champagne powder of alpine slopes?

In the Thompson-Okanagan region, you don’t have to choose. Thanks to its early, long-run-ning spring season, you can do both on the same day.

You can also sip award-winning wines from more than 100 vineyards and wineries offering tastings and tours year-round. During the dry, hot summers, sun worshippers can enjoy thou-sands of kilometres of sandy beaches, rent a houseboat on a lake that stretches to the horizon, or dive into Canada’s most inviting waters.

ADVERTISING FEATURE • B.C.’S THOMPSONOKANAGAN | A SLICE OF THE GOOD LIFEBl

ue M

ount

ain

Vine

yard

s – T

OTA

/Don

Wei

xl

Thompson Okanagan Mar 2013 up.indd 1 2/5/13 10:44 AM

Resort incorporates 3.5 million crystals into its design, and features the first cold sauna on the continent. (the resort’s “cryotherapy” treatments — up to three minutes in a dry environment at a frigid -110ºC — are said to offer a range of health benefits.)

The international gateway to all of this is the scenic destination of Kelowna, the region’s largest city and a mecca for sun- and fun-seekers worldwide.

“With more daily non-stop flights to Kelowna International Airport, it is easier than ever to experience the best the Okanagan has to offer,” says Kelowna International Airport representative Jenelle Hynes. “From almost any major city in the world, you can arrive at Kelowna International Airport with non-stop service or with just one connection.”

Kelowna International (YLW) is the 10th-busiest airport in Canada, with more than 1.4 million passengers annually. It’s a

convenient jumping-off point to five major ski resorts and more than 50 golf courses, along with glorious beaches, wineries, fruit orchards … and a combination of idyllic natural beauty, great weather, rich cultural heritage and vibrant urban life that you’ll only find in the Thompson-Okanagan region.

Visit thompsonokanagan.com for more information.

In the south, Osoyoos reaches some of the hottest summertime temperatures in the country. It’s also where you’ll find the north-ernmost extension of the Sonoran Desert, home to many endangered species.

At Osoyoos’s stunning Watermark Beach Resort, suites or villa accommodations can be rented by the day, week or even the month, and experiences can be customized suit to your interests.

Farther up the valley in Penticton, located between Okanagan and Skaha Lakes, you’ll find no fewer than 88 wineries within an hour’s drive. Penticton’s many attractions include the historic Kettle Valley Railway road-bed, which has been converted into a pictur-esque trail for hikers and mountain bikers.

Vernon, the valley’s oldest community, features a one-of-a-kind European wellness centre owned by the Swarovski family of crystal fame. The award-winning Sparkling Hill

Osoyoos reaches some of the hottest summertime temperatures in the country.

Golf

cour

se, F

irst N

atio

ns a

nd p

oolsi

de –

TOTA

/Don

Wei

xl p

hoto

s

Oso

yoos

– Th

inks

tock

phot

o.ca

ADVERTISING FEATURE • B.C.’S THOMPSONOKANAGAN | A SLICE OF THE GOOD LIFE


Vernon and Kelowna are classic lakeside destinations with so much to offer

It was the change in lifestyle that struck Cath-erine Frechette the most when she moved to Kelowna from Ottawa 11 years ago.

It was as simple as being able to stop in a winery on her way home from work to pick up a bottle for dinner, instead of heading to a liquor store. It was being able to play golf at championship courses one day and go skiing the next, thanks to a mild, dry climate allowing one of the longest golf seasons in the country.

And most of all, it was having a personal connection to other people in the community.

“The lifestyle here in the Okanagan is abso-lutely second to none,” says Frechette, com-munications manager for Tourism Kelowna.

“My awareness of food, and my connection to the people who grow it, really changed things for me. The chefs here will go through seed catalogues with farmers and say, ‘I need these types of tomatoes or this kind of aspar-agus,’ and the farmers will plant according to what the chefs are needing.”

Kelowna’s wineries are among the most established in the province; this, combined with a healthy roster of celebrity chefs and the area’s spectacular scenery and climate, made it an easy decision for the prestigious

RELAXED OKANAGAN LIVING

YLW WestJet Up! Ad Jan 2013Size: 2.25” (w) x 9.75” (h)

REV1 • Jan 29/13

is your linkto the

Okanagan

WestJet offers 12 daily flights to YLW from Vancouver,

Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria and Toronto in addition to

seasonal service fromLos Angeles, Las Vegas,

Phoenix, Cancun, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta

ylw.kelowna.ca

From sunshine, vineyards, golf, food and wine to cultural history, waterborne fun and just plain relaxation, the Thompson-Okanagan region o!ers plenty of ways to let go of your stresses and have a good time.

Golf

cour

se, F

irst N

atio

ns a

nd p

oolsi

de –

TOTA

/Don

Wei

xl p

hoto

s

Tour

ism B

C/D

on W

eixl

Tour

ism K

elow

na


Canadian Culinary Championships to hold its finals here for five years running.

Along with agricultural abundance, a Kelow-na hallmark is its location on the shores of the beautiful, 135-kilometre-long Okanagan Lake. A magnet for beach-goers, boaters, water-ski-ers and swimmers, the lake is also reportedly home to the legendary Ogopogo — a myste-rious creature seldom seen but much talked about for well over a century.

In addition to the accessibility, affordability and range of different outdoor activities of-fered by the lakes and mountains, there is an extremely vibrant cultural community.

With a metropolitan population of about 180,000, Kelowna has its own symphony, nu-merous local theatre companies and a ballet group known across the country.

“People associate those cultural amenities with cities a lot larger than Kelowna, but it has this wonderful, thriving arts community that’s a major asset when you’re travelling and want to visit a gallery or see a show,” Frechette says.

Kelowna’s cultural district is a six-block area

on the north side of downtown where you’ll find theatres, galleries, artists’ studios, outdoor cafes and independent boutiques.

“In the summers, you have free live con-certs where people bring their picnic blankets, and festivals every weekend,” Frechette says.

About 55 kilometres north of Kelowna lies Vernon, a city of about 60,000 bordering on Kalamalka and Okanagan lakes. Vernon resident Ed Nowek moved to the city in 2003, bringing with him his beekeeping business — which is now a top tourist attraction.

“Vernon has a nice little agri-tourism district out here; lots of vineyards and wineries open-ing in the area, and right behind me is the family-owned Davison Orchards,” says Nowek, owner of Planet Bee.

“I love living here. You can stand in the front yard and look out onto the valley. But I also love sharing what I do with people — it intrigues the heck out of them.”

At Planet Bee, a glass observatory bee-hive showcases the most advanced form of communication ever seen among insects: the

figure-eight dance bees use to tell each other how far to go in which direction for food, in relation to the sun.

There’s also an extensive honey-tasting bar and guided tours of mead-making facilities on site, which produce wine made by fermenting the sugars from B.C. honey.

“There’s lots of stuff to do here,” Nowek says. And from Oliver, Osoyoos and Penticton in the south to Vernon and Armstrong in the north, that’s true for all of the Okanagan.

In the Vernon and Kelowna area, visitors can get out on the water, savour fresh fruit from local growers’ markets, visit a honey and mead producer, experience "ne art at the Kelowna Art Gallery and play a scenic golf course — all in the same day.

A Kelowna hallmark is its location on the shores of the beautiful, 135-kilometre-long Okanagan Lake.

Kaya

kers

on

Oka

naga

n La

ke a

nd D

aviso

n O

rcha

rds m

arke

t – To

urism

BC/

Don

Wei

xl p

hoto

s;

Tem

pera

ture

-con

trolle

d ta

nk –

Pla

net B

ee H

oney

Farm

& M

eade

ry;

Kelo

wna

Art

Gal

lery

– To

urism

Kel

owna

; Pre

dato

r Rid

ge g

olf c

ours

e – T

OTA



Can you see yourself here? We can!Vernon, in the North Okanagan Valley, BC.It’s all here, all year.

1.855.642.6421 tourismvernon.com

!Is Is !E "Fe! Hangin’ out with friends and family beside a crackling !re on the beach and listening to your favourite tunes under the stars! Float, cruise, play, relax, soak up the rays and spend time with the ones you love! There’s no better time to book than now! Call us to get your summer vacation plans started. !" y# $o%!

TWINANCHORS.COM 1.800.663.4026

follow us on

Kaya

kers

on

Oka

naga

n La

ke a

nd D

aviso

n O

rcha

rds m

arke

t – To

urism

BC/

Don

Wei

xl p

hoto

s;

Tem

pera

ture

-con

trolle

d ta

nk –

Pla

net B

ee H

oney

Farm

& M

eade

ry;

Kelo

wna

Art

Gal

lery

– To

urism

Kel

owna

; Pre

dato

r Rid

ge g

olf c

ours

e – T

OTA


Register now for the

WINEACCESS 2013 INTERNATIONAL VALUE WINE AWARDS

Deadline for entries: May 17, 2013wineaccess.ca/IVWA

The premier competition for value wine found in Canada.

Enter your wines today!

The Shuswap region is a sunny haven for relaxation and adventureIf you’re looking for a place of natural beauty and lakeside recreation far from the hustle and bustle of urban life, the Shuswap region is hard to beat.

Located in south-central British Columbia, the area known by frequent visitors as simply “the Shuswap” features more than 1,000 kilometres of gorgeous shoreline around the Shuswap Lake system.

Opportunities for waterborne fun are nu-merous, from houseboating, windsurfing and fishing to wakeboarding, kayaking, whitewa-ter rafting and much more.

On land, hundreds of kilometres of trails are yours for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

The region’s many small communities offer services, amenities and attractions.

You’ll find the longest wooden wharf in North America in the community of Salmon Arm, and the largest sockeye salmon run in western Canada on the Adams River.

The Shuswap is known for its pristine scenery and gorgeous provincial parks; it’s

a haven for nature-lovers, campers and out-door sports enthusiasts. But it also attracts food-lovers, families and aficionados of aboriginal culture.

Within the Shuswap region’s seven primary areas, you’ll find Canada’s house-boating cap-ital, the first certified farmhouse microbrew-ery and one of the country’s oldest rodeo festivals, the Falkland Stampede.

Bring the kids to savour old-fashioned ice cream and interact with the calves and other farm animals; sample libations from award-winning wineries and local organic breweries; watch cheese-makers at work.

And how about a round of golf on one of the area’s many spectacular courses?

Aboriginal culture is a highlight at the Quaaout Lodge and Talking Rock Golf Resort, owned by the Little Shuswap Indian Band. The lodge features a championship golf course, a kekuli (traditional First Nations underground home), a sweat lodge and a spa.

“We offer a real marriage of comfort and education,” says Pamela Windover, director of sales and marketing. “As far as accommodation goes, we’re one of a kind in the region.”

WATER WORLD

Hous

eboa

t – Tw

in A

ncho

rs H

ouse

boat

s; Ho

rseb

ack

trail r

ide

– TO

TA/D

on W

eixl

; Kay

akin

g –T

ouris

m K

amlo

ops/

Kelly

Funk

The

Dun

es a

t Kam

loop

s gol

f cou

rse

– Si

egfri

ed N

oets

talle


Mission Shores,Kelowna’s Most Luxurious

Waterfront Resort Accommodations

Wood Lake Villas,Beautiful Waterfront Homes on Wood Lake

[email protected]

1-866-448-STAY(7829)

Luxury Beachfront Rentals

Golf Packages Available


250-712-1112www.ospakelowna.com

Kelowna’s Premiere Luxury Day Spa

We believe in offering the whole wellness experience!

With 7 treatment rooms, 6 Throne Pedicure Chairs,

Sanctuary Lounge, Men’s & Ladies’ locker rooms.

Our expert professionals invite you to be pleasantly

transformed using products, technologies,

therapies & treatments from around the globe,

including med/spa services.

Our commitment to service, solutions, details

and a welcoming environment have helped us win

numerous awards in a decade of serving guests

from around the world.

Central Location/Free Parking/Gift Cards

More than a gateway, this vibrant B.C. city is a destination itselfWith a stunning natural setting, a vibrant arts, culture and nightlife scene, 13 golf courses, 82 parks and more than 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, Kamloops, B.C., is hard not to like.

British Columbia’s fifth-largest city, with a population approaching 100,000, Kamloops is set against a dramatic backdrop of rolling mountains at the junction of the North and South Thompson rivers. In fact, the city’s name comes from the indigenous Secwepemc Na-tion word “T’kemlups,” meaning “the meeting of the rivers.”

Kamloops is much more than a gateway to the Okanagan. Rich in natural beauty, it’s an ideal setting for adventures, from hang-gliding and mountain biking to scuba-diving freshwa-ter reefs. One of the city’s golf courses, Tobiano, was named among the top 10 in Canada last year by SCOREGolf Magazine.

A top year-round attraction is Sun Peaks Resort and its many dining, nightlife and lei-sure options. In summer, mountain bikers and hikers can take the lifts to access the alpine country, while the 18-hole golf course is also a top draw.

Those who prefer to sit back and observe the action will have their pick of 115 world-class tournaments that take place in the city each year — its title as Canada’s Tournament Capital is well deserved.

Kamloops is also home to a bustling live music and art scene, a flourishing agri-tour-ism industry and a rich cultural and First Nations history.

Here you can enjoy free outdoor musical performances by the riverside on warm sum-mer evenings, take a self-guided tour of brew-eries showcasing local beers, or rejuvenate at Sunmore Ginseng Spa, the first of its kind in North America, where ginseng is grown on site and shipped worldwide.

Once you’ve experienced Kamloops, you’ll probably want to come back again. Soon. Q

5011 Bella Vista Road, Vernon, BC (follow sign directions from Hwy 97)

www.PlanetBee.com

+21(<�)$50��0($'(5<�INTERPRETIVE CENTRE

OPEN YEAR ROUND 250.542.8088 1.877.233.9675

IT’S ALWAYS PLAYTIME IN KAMLOOPS

Houseboating is a favourite getaway in the Thompson-Okana-gan, with Shuswap Lake as its hub. Trails for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking also abound in the Shuswap area. In and around scenic Kamloops, paddling on Trapp Lake and golf at The Dunes are among the many attractions.

The

Dun

es a

t Kam

loop

s gol

f cou

rse

– Si

egfri

ed N

oets

talle


greatestatesokanagan.com

PLEASE ENJOY RESPONSIBLY.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE COLLECTION ™

Offering guests experiences that highlight our award winning wines and so much more. From the art of food and wine pairing to intimate

tutored tastings with unrivaled vineyard views.

To book your exploration call 1 877 433 0451

Welcoming you home with quality crafted wines

for over 30 years.

Get off the beaten path and “off leash” in the heart

of the vineyard.

Canada’s most awarded winery.

Explore the fascinating world of icewine from the

vineyard right to your glass.

Experience the legacy of the land and the first

nations culture.

sumacridge.com sylranch.com jacksontriggswinery.com inniskillin.com nkmipcellars.com

Fall in love with the Caribbean’s best beaches.Tombez amoureux des meilleures plages des Caraïbes.

More than just all-inclusive, Sandals® and Beaches® Resorts offers a Luxury Included® Vacation experience. Sandals delights two people in love with quality inclusions, supremely luxurious accommodations among romantic tropical settings, world-class dining experiences, thrilling land and water sports, and the most gorgeous beaches in Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Antigua and the Bahamas. Beaches offers fun, adventure and relaxation, with inclusions and nightly entertainment for the whole family. Resorts in Jamaica

® offrent une expérience vacances Luxury Included® (Luxe inclus). Sandals entoure les couples amoureux de petits soins inclus, de chambres luxueuses dans un environnement tropical romantique, de cuisine

plages en Jamaïque, à Sainte-Lucie, à Antigua et aux Bahamas.

en soirée pour toute la famille.

Hôtels en Jamaïque

Book your vacation today at westjetvacations.com or call your travel agent.

vacanceswestjet.com ou contactez votre agent de voyages.

5853-01-13 VL March Sandals.indd 1 1/22/13 3:21 PM


advertising feature • b.c.’s thompson you can have it...

Documents