This Charming Canadian City Between Two Blue Lakes Has Bike Trails Through Vineyards and Kayaking With Wildlife

Penticton, certainly one of solely two cities on the planet located between two lakes, is perhaps arduous for most individuals to pinpoint on a map. Nonetheless, with award-winning wineries and gorgeous vistas at each flip, this Canadian gem deserves much more recognition.

Penticton, positioned within the South Okanagan Valley, is an hourlong flight west from Vancouver and a five-hour drive from Spokane, Washington. Its distinctive geography, between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake, together with its mountain environment, provides an enviable local weather with scorching summers and delicate winters. Town takes delight in its deep agricultural roots, award-winning wineries and craft breweries, and an outside tradition that pulls athletes and journey seekers of all ranges.

I explored this mid-sized Canadian metropolis over a three-day weekend as any good adventurer ought to: by strolling, biking and paddling. This is how you are able to do the identical.

Day 1

We checked into the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Convention Centre, a sprawling lodging tucked alongside the attractive Okanagan Lake. The resort is dwelling to 273 deluxe visitor rooms and suites and is nice for {couples}, households, and even their pets. The resort provides a variety of onsite facilities, equivalent to a full-size gymnasium, pool, three eating places and (better of all) a personal seaside which transforms right into a skating rink within the winter. 

After settling in, we took a leisurely 15-minute stroll to Salty’s Seashore Home alongside the lakeshore for dinner. This two-floor restaurant is a long-standing neighborhood favourite providing a big and numerous menu to swimsuit all tastes and cravings, from hamburgers to sushi. We dined on the patio to people-watch and admire the sundown over the lake and mountains.

Day 2

We fueled our our bodies to journey the long-lasting Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) path on e-bikes. Initially used for mining, the KVR was decommissioned and transformed right into a leisure path community stretching via components of British Columbia. We pedaled north from town and onto the japanese ridge line of the Naramata Bench, passing numerous native wineries and their lush vineyards. On the Little Tunnel lookout, we took in gorgeous views overlooking the panorama and met different bike fans who shared their adventures on the KVR and in contrast wheels, a couple of have been envious of our e-bikes.

En route again to city, we visited native companies to pattern the area’s contemporary meals, wine and beer choices. That included a cease at Lock & Price wine and the award-winning Abandon Rail Brewery, a family-run farm operation that grows its personal barley and serves legendary apple slushies.

Within the night, we had a scrumptious Turkish-inspired dinner at Elma, Penticton’s solely Turkish restaurant. Inside is a vibrant house owned by locals Michael and Ayse Barluk, the place friends will discover two expansive flooring with an open kitchen and a big stone oven. We sampled their meze flight, mouthwatering cheese pide and grilled octopus, all of which proved this to be a must-dine spot.

Day 3

We began with a guided kayak tour by Hoodoo Adventures on Vaseux Lake. The habitat surrounding the lake is protected, and it’s a well-known cease for migratory birds. Windy circumstances didn’t cease us from paddling via its wavy, aquamarine waters whereas snapping smiling selfies.

Again on shore, we headed to District Wine Village, the primary wine collective in Canada, housing 16 regional artisanal producers of wines and beers. The round format of the village permits for an ideal 360-degree view of the grounds. At its middle is a big, multi-purpose, open air central plaza that transforms from a relaxed seating space to an amphitheater or neighborhood house.

Our final vacation spot was dinner on the famend Naramata Inn. Inbuilt 1908, this historic and unique inn has solely 12 rooms. Its on-site restaurant showcases the most effective regionally sourced substances from the Okanagan. Our group ordered a wide range of savory entrées and—at my insistence—all 4 desserts from the restaurant’s à la carte menu, the proper candy ending to a fascinating journey via picturesque Penticton.