Six Incredible (and Edible!) Reasons to Make a Road Trip to Kelowna, BC in Summer 2014

Surrounded by magnificent mountains and sparkling lakes, Kelowna is a popular tourist destination in the summer; it's the perfect place for any family, couple, or group of friends to visit as it has something to offer for everyone when it comes to activities, relaxation, and romance. Here are six fantastic reasons to pin Kelowna, BC on your road trip map this summer.

It's a Resort Town

With an impressive 82-mile long lake, the Okanagan boasts some of the most beautiful lakefront resorts in BC. Whether you're laying poolside, enjoying a day at an upscale spa, playing a round of golf, having a meal at a dockside restaurant, or spending the day at the beach, you don't have to go far for a five star experience at any of the resorts in the area. Check out the area's newest resort, The Manteo Resort Hotel & Villas, for a modern upscale experience, or head to the Lake Okanagan Resort for the classic Kelowna resort vacation.

Wine Tasting at Mission Hill

Home to one of the most famous wineries in the world ñ The Mission Hill Family Estate Winery ñ the Okanagan is Canada's equivalent to Napa Valley. Among the impressive wineries, tours, and flavours to enjoy all day long in Kelowna, Mission Hill takes the cake as the most flavourful and most impressive. The Tasting room and the famous Terrace Restaurant are located on top of Mission Hill itself, overlooking rows of grapes growing beneath. Often, people make the trek to Kelowna just to eat at the Terrace Restaurant, as it's been rated as one of the top five culinary winery restaurants in the world.

Long Hiking Trails

Run, hike, bike, or take a leisurely walk on one of the many trails Kelowna has to offer. With over 17 kilometres of trails that vary in levels of difficulty, type of city views, and terrain, there is something for everyone at any activity level. Be sure to map out a trail you're unfamiliar with first, and to always follow advisory signs along the way.

Artisan Country Markets

Make sure to pack a cooler for the trip home, as coming home empty handed from the Okanagan Valley is unlikely. The Kelowna, BC area is home to dozens of artisan markets that hold a range of fresh, organic, local products and produce from the Okanagan's impressive orchards that produce over four million pounds of fruit a year. In addition, local goat farmers produce some of the greatest cheese in the world right here in Kelowna, and there are many other artisans in the area who produce baked goods, homemade pantry delights, and more on a weekly basis.

Downtown Kelowna, Day and Night

Downtown Kelowna offers the perfect blend of shops, cafes, galleries, and eateries that one would hope to find in a beachfront town. Local crafts, specialty, and novelty shops are nestled between bars and restaurants, where you can take in great meals, live music, or a nightcap. Take a leisurely walk downtown both day and night for a full experience of everyday Kelowna.

Tons of Tee Times

The golf clubs in the Okanagan are gorgeous and plentiful. Here, you'll find some of the top-ranked golfing spots in Canada. For the golf enthusiast, many of these greens have been dramatically sculpted with multi-tiered fairways and impressive changes in elevation. After a long day of golfing, relax at one of the bars and bistros with beautiful views of Kelowna, or have a drink by the pool that one of the many golf resorts in Kelowna has to offer.

Only a four to five hour drive from Vancouver, the trip to Kelowna and the greater Okanagan region is one of the most beautiful road trips in BC. This road trip will also act as your launching pad to the perfect 2014 mini summer vacation. Be sure to do your research before you hit the road, however, as some of the more popular destinations in Kelowna may need an early booking or reservation during the busier summer months.