Kelowna-British Columbia-Canada

Featured Location-Kelowna-British Columbia-Canada
photo courtesy etravelphotos.com

Kelowna is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada.
Kelowna is the largest city in the Okanagan Valley and boasts the amenities of a major city--fine dining, unique shops, and a vibrant cultural life. Yet orchards and vineyards thrive within a 10-minute drive of downtown. Kelowna produces wines that have a worldwide reputation. Vineyards are common around and south of the city where the climate is ideal for the many wineries. Notable ones include the Mission Hill Estate Winery, specifically for its unique architectual design. Spectacular vistas await those ready to explore. A delightful day can be spent sampling the award-winning wares of the numerous, internationally acclaimed wineries. You may also wish to visit one of several championship golf courses in the area. Go boating, swimming, and fishing on the lake, or hike or ski one of the three local mountains. In summer, boating is popular and in winter, Alpine skiing at the nearby Big White Ski Resort.

Artifacts suggest that hunters lived in the Kelowna area as far back as 2,000 years ago. However, the first European settlement took place in 1859 by three Oblate missionaries. Father Pandosy, Father Richard and Brother Surel set up a mission for the area’s natives, traders and new settlers. Three of the original buildings remain at the Father Pandosy Mission Provincial Heritage Site.