Canada - Penticton & Osoyoos

We rounded off last week with a visit to Summerland in South Western British Columbia so we pick up continuing down Route 97 and hit the city of Penticton. It's quite a large city with a buzz in the summer months due to the unusual geographic position of sitting between two lakes. Lake Okanagan lies to the North and Lake Skaha to the South so there's no need to worry about rushing to the beach to grab the best spots as there's two of them!

I spent a couple of nights in Penticton and I have to admit it was my Canadian 'summer holiday' as it almost felt like being on the Spanish coast. I remember on arrival we pulled up to make a short walk across the car park of the ice hockey arena to tourist information and the heat was almost unbearable so I had to enter the ice hockey arena to cool down! If you want sun this is the place to be during the summer months of June to August.

So picture it, a desert like atmosphere, cloudless skies with intense sun and two lakes with beaches packed full of tourists, not to mention the lake front being lined with bars and clubs which keeps the party going after the suns sinks below the lakes. But what differentiates this beauty spot to the Spanish coast is that it's very family orientated and is the perfect place to relax and unwind if your passing through on your travels like myself.

The tapas bars are excellent and of reasonable price not to mention the bars on the lake front which offer quality family entertainment all night. The best bars I found were the ones that are part of resorts, 'The Barking Parrot Bar' just inches off the Okanagan Lake have a great sun soaked atmosphere where you could comfortably spend a night without making a dent in the pocket. Accommodation on the lake front is fairly expensive for obvious reasons so I'd advice to stay inland where it's a lot cheaper.

If you continue down Route 97 you'll reach Osoyoos on the Osoyoos Lake, another place to kick back and enjoy the rays. I only spent half a day there but from what I encountered it was a smaller less lively destination where you can just enjoy the views with a glass of wine. Osoyoos is covered in vineyards and claims to have the 'warmest freshwater lake in Canada', it really is a place for the loved up couples and older generation to take a second to appreciate what’s around them. Travelling just East of the town you'll drive up a steep hillside past the plentiful vineyards to a lookout spot.

What a view.

The sparkling lake amongst the desert surroundings is easy on the eye and in the same view you'll see the Northern hills of another country.. the United States of America which lies just 2 kilometres to the South.

You've lapped up the best Canada can offer when it comes to the perfect summer holiday but now your stuck with a choice, turn left on Route 3 to Vancouver or right following the border back to Alberta which we chose.

Next Week: Grand Forks & Trail.

Canada - Revelstoke, Kelowna & Summerland

As we continue our journey West on Canada's Trans-Canadian Highway Route 1 we pass through a lively small city called Revelstoke. It sits in Southeastern British Columbia on the Columbia River just South of Revelstoke Dam. I only stayed one night but looking back it really should've been two to three as it's a cracking city with a great vibe.

Again tourist information offices found at virtually all town and cities offer you what you want at some great prices. Although the city is fairly bite-size with everything in walking distance, I'd advice staying on the other side of the railway lines where there are large mansion style houses lined up against the outlying mountains. With most of them being used as B&B's you can get a steal of an offer giving you access to most rooms in the homes which include balcony's over looking the city. You name the breakfast you want and the owners will go out and buy it ready to cook fresh in the morning and of course it's a great way to meet plenty of other holidaymakers sharing the same experience.

If it's a chilled out relaxing time your after in Revelstoke then you'll be spoilt for choice with the plenty of parks in the city. You can sit under a willow tree on the banks of the Columbia river and take in the impressive mountain ranges for hours. Not to mention the railway line that crosses the river carrying carriages that can go into the hundreds! After that gentle stroll along the river you could check out the famous Revelstoke Railway Museum which details how the town came to be what it is today due to the rail industry.

However if your in Revelstoke for a more adventurous experience then look no further than Revelstoke Mountain Resort. The resort offers up to 3,121 acres of skiing area not for the faint hearted. The bars and restaurants are lively as well and when the sun sets behind Mount Revelstoke the city begins to buzz. Grab a crisp Kokanee beer with larger than life pub grub at the Grizzly Sports Bar & Grill while catching the Ice Hockey on the big screen late into the night!

If your going to continue West on Route 1 you'll be heading towards Vancouver but if you head South as I did, you'll drop down onto the 97A at Sicamous. Leaving the mountains and forests behind you'll hit Kelowna which sits on the Okanagan River. Now I never stayed in Kelowna as we wanted to head further South but if you've got the time it's definitely worth a day out or even a night!

Kelowna is large and actually has the feel of a 'city' unlike Revelstoke. If it's an urban feel your after in a built up metropolitan area surrounded by extreme environment then the city is worth a visit. On the South bank of the Okanagan river there are beaches which are packed during the summer months when temperatures can sour over 40 degrees Celsius.

As I followed the Okanagan River South I noticed the winter scenery disappear completely being replaced by craggy desert like mountains. The red soil paired with high humidity is worlds apart from Revelstoke but makes this area of Canada popular for sun worshippers. Winding down the 97A you'll pass through Summerland which sits on the edge of the Okanagan River and offers great spots for bathing and sailing. Due to the climate here, fruit is popular and plentiful and with acres of vineyards on the riverbank your living the perfect summer paradise.. hence the name of the town!

Next Week: Penticton and Osoyoos.