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In the 34th issue
of the Bed and Breakfast Traveller, we take you to Vernon, BC, a four-season
destination for vacationers and business travellers alike.
 Well
known for its beautiful setting amid valleys, mountains, river and lakes,
the City of Vernon enjoys mild temperatures, a long growing season and
a host of year-round recreation activities. Bordered by Kalamalka, Okanagan
and Swan Lakes, Vernon is a four-season destination for vacationers and
business travellers alike.
Recognized as an attractive area in which to live, the resulting steady
growth creates an excellent environment for investment and innovative
businesses. Located halfway between Vancouver and Calgary, the businesses
are well positioned to access many markets, with plenty of room for new
ventures. Scheduled air service between the Vernon Airport and Vancouver
will be starting summer 2003, visit www.northernhawk.com
for more information.
Webster's definition of adventure - "an exciting or remarkable
experience" says it all. Whether you like it nice and easy
or wild and rough, we've got it! There is no end to the adventure that
awaits you in the North Okanagan.
Our region is very rich in variety of terrain and ecology, with landscapes
that vary from open, semi-arid grasslands to high elevation sub-alpine
meadows, to dark, moist temperate rainforests, often only a few kilometres
apart! This varied range enables the North Okanagan to support a myriad
of plant and animal life. The surrounding area holds enough streams and
lakes to warm the heart of any fisherman.
Some are accessible from paved roads, while more secluded waters are reached
by narrow gravel roads, and some can only be found along hiking
trails. Hikers, backpackers and horsemen will love the North Okanagan,
where opportunities for exploration are endless!
Allan Brooks Nature Centre
Located just 5 minutes from downtown Vernon, the Allan Brooks Nature Centre
with its spectacular views of Vernon and the 3 surrounding lakes, is a
great place for bird enthusiasts. Website: www.abnc.ca
Bird Watchers - bring your binoculars and birding manuals and take
a look at the incredible diversity of bird life in our area. During the
Annual Christmas Bird Count, our area boasts the highest number in the
Interior, often higher than locations in the Lower Mainland, and is well
known for its diversity of bird life, migratory, seasonal and residential.
Many of our best bird
watching sites are within very easy access of major roadways.
Okanagan Opal
Come to the opal miner's workshop just north of Vernon to feast your eyes
on beautiful precious opals that have been mined and cut in the Okanagan.
Purchase a piece of unique jewellery from Okanagan
Opal, or join gem seekers from near and far in a search for precious
opals at Canada's first Opal Mine.
Sun Valley Motor Speedway
Not only will we start and finish with the CASCAR Western Super Series,
we have booked NASCAR North West Tour for June 21 - first time NASCAR
has been in Canada since the early 1980's. Visit Sun
Valley Motor Speedway for more information.
Adventure Okanagan Cooperative
The Adventure Okanagan Cooperative
offers something for everyone - plan an adventure for the soul and discover
the Okanagan!
Winds & Rivers Escapes
Winds
& Rivers Escapes features Canoe and Winery tours. This unique
one-day tour combine open water paddling on Okanagan Lake, historical
insights of the region, followed by an "Alfresco" style lunch,
winery tour and tasting at award-winning Okanagan wineries.
Take Off Paragliding School
Have you ever dreamt of flying? Real flying? Just you with the sky, with
your own wings. www3.bc.sympatico.ca/takeoff
North Okanagan Sailing Association
Learn to sail this summer! The North Okanagan Sailing Association is providing
adult and youth programs to give people of all ages an opportunity to
feel the wind. www.nosa.bc.ca.
Monashee Adventure Tours
Monashee Adventure Tours,
chosen "One of the Best" in the Okanagan. Rediscover the joy
of the outdoors. Monashee offers guided tours, from the beginner to advanced,
throughout the Okanagan. Biking & hiking in summer, and snowshoeing
for backcountry exploring in the winter.
Okanagan Aviation
Offers flight training, rental and more. Visit the Okanagan Aviation website
at www.okanagan-aviation.com
Silver Star Soaring Association
Visit the website of the Silver Star Soaring Association operating out
of the Vernon Municipal Airport. Come fly with us on silent wings. Okanagan
Soaring Assoc: www.junction.net/osa.
Vernon Outdoors Club
The Vernon Outdoors Club schedules hikes, walks and bike trips throughout
the year.
Silver Star Mountain Resort - a four season adventure playground
 Welcome
to summertime at Silver Star Mountain Resort www.skisilverstar.com,
where the snow has melted away and the mountain has blossomed into an
unparalleled array of greenery and wildflowers. Ride the chairlift
and hike through the pine-scented forests to a scenic picnic spot, or
rent a mountain
bike and explore the magnificent
trails colored with alpine flowers. Take part in an abundance of activities
and excursions the whole family will enjoy - 60 km. of mountain biking
trails, scenic chairlift rides, nature tours, horseback riding, hiking,
rollerblading, shopping and disc golf course. Hotels and restaurants are
open daily. For chairlift tickets, trail passes and mountain bike rentals,
visit Ski Dazzle Rental in the village centre.
Silver Star Mountain
Resort has a long history of being a place to play under the summer sun.
Plan to attend the Okanagan
Summer Wine Festival and the Microbrewery Festival.
Golf at one of Vernon's fabulous foursome:
Predator Ridge - hosted the millennium Export "A" Skins
Game, 27 championship holes Website: www.predatorridge.com
Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club - an 18 hole, 6,423 yard par
71 championship course. The course encompasses 62 bunkers, 10 water holes
and the serene Deep Creek and also offers a 2,675 yard, par 35 executive
course. www.spallumcheengolf.com
Vernon Golf & Country Club- Built in 1903 on Vernon Creek,
this Club is the area's longest established home for the sport. Graceful
Lambert poplars and weeping willows line 6,400 yards of gently rolling
fairways that span this 18 hole, par 72 challenge Website: www.vernongolf.com.
Hillview Golf Course is a relaxed, 18 hole, 3.400 yard, par 56
course. No tee times required.
O'Keefe Ranch -
Okanagan's #1 Heritage Site!
Nestled in the scenic and pastoral rolling hills just north of Vernon,
this historic site is one of the Okanagan's hidden treasures. Founded
in 1867, O'Keefe Ranch was once one of the largest cattle ranches in British
Columbia, spanning over 20,000 acres of prime Okanagan land. From their
humble beginnings the O'Keefe family built up a small settlement consisting
of a general store with the first post office in the Okanagan, a blacksmith
shop and St. Anne's Church built in 1889. There's something here for the
whole family - relax in the peaceful park like setting, picnic under the
shade of the maple trees, explore our collection of vintage farm machinery,
enjoy the huge model railway display and our collection of rare breed
farm animals is a delight for all ages. Other features include the restaurant,
gift shop, and many special events throughout the season. Visit at www.okeeferanch.bc.ca
 Visit
Davison Orchards for the full country experience. Kids can get
up close and personal with country critters while Mom and Dad take in
the market, tour the flower gardens, learn some history in the orchard
museum and browse through Auntie May's Gift Shop. Before you leave, just
follow your nose to the bakery and pick up a homemade pie. Better yet,
enjoy a delicious homemade lunch on the deck and take in the magnificent
view of the valley. Check their website at www.davisonorchards.ca
for the many special events held throughout the year.
Art & Culture
Inspired by the relaxing influence of an idyllic and spectacular North
Okanagan landscape, artists in all disciplines find abundant expression
through a thriving cultural community, finding a voice through music,
drama, poetry and visual art. See the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, take
in a play at Powerhouse, see a dance performance or attend a gala art
opening - almost every week we offer a new cultural feature. Website:
www.vernontourism.com/attractions/arts.htm
Vernon Public Art Gallery
The Vernon Public Art Gallery sponsors exhibitions featuring local, national
and international artists. The Gallery offers an extensive art education
program through our local schools, hosts the "Brown Bag Film Series"
on Wednesdays at noon, and also houses an excellent gift shop, filled
with quality, handcrafted, unique art items. Website: www.galleries.bc.ca/vernon
Greater Vernon Museum and Archives
Located on 32nd Ave next to the Library and City Hall, the Greater Vernon
Museum and Archives is the best place for learning more about the history
of our area. Visit the Museum and Archives website at www.vernonmuseum.ca
to find out more and to search their database of 2500 historical photographs!
Eskila Gallery
Located at idyllic Castle on the Mountain B&B; on Silver Star Road,
Eskila Gallery presents works by the owner, Eskil Larsen, as well as originals
and reproductions of contemporary B.C. artists, home decor and B.C. mementos.
Powerhouse Theatre
Powerhouse Theatre, Vernon's award winning theatre company, marks its
36th year in 1999. Powerhouse produces three plays in its season from
September to May, and the theatre hosts touring shows in the summer. www.powerhousetheatre.bc.ca
Sen'Klip Native Theatre Company
Sen'Klip Theatre brings the past to life in a format that attracts both
tourists, educators, and the local Native population. Open July/August
for drop-in traffic, contracted group tours and performance available
May to October.
Super Shopping
 Strolling
the shady streets of downtown Vernon is almost as much fun as exploring
its more than 150 shops. A sense of history pervades the revitalized city
core with its wrought iron lamps, inviting benches and heritage murals.
When your feet give out, relax at a sidewalk café and watch the
world go by. Visit www.downtownvernon.org
for more information. There's more great shopping at the Village Green
Mall which offers 65 stores and services. Check out the ever-expanding
58th Avenue shopping area. Other centres include Fruit Union Plaza, Landing
Plaza, Polson Park Mall and Vernon Square Mall. There's something for
everyone!
History on the Walls - take the mural walk and enjoy over 25 historic
murals that depict the people and events that shaped the community and
do it with a palette of colours and form that celebrate beauty as much
as history. Website: www.downtownvernon.org
Superb Hospitality
Dining: When it comes to culinary diversity, few regions rival
this area. Creative chefs take advantage of abundant local specialities
including orchard fresh fruit, direct from the farm vegetables, local
cheese, honey, fish and meats. Wine lists feature the perfect Okanagan
vintage to compliment your meal. And it's all served up in the most spectacular
settings. Try a lakeside patio, a mountain lodge, a ranch, an inn or a
downtown bistro. You'll run out of vacation long before you run out of
choices.
Accommodations
You'll find the selection of accommodations equally enticing. Among the
plentiful resorts, hotels, inns, lodges and B & B's, you're bound
to find the perfect setting.
Chic or casual - you'll love our hospitality!
Upcoming Events
Farmers Market
- Monday and Thursday mornings at the Multiplex parking lot.
Creative Chaos
Craft Fair June 6 - 8 at Vernon Recreation Centre, is the largest
craft sale in Western Canada, with over 200 artisans and crafters. Call
(250) 545-6963 for more information
Sunshine Festival
- Saturday June 21 in the heart of the City. This is the largest one-day
festival in the North Okanagan featuring superb entertainment, demonstrations
of exciting sport adventure activities and local performing groups. Relax
in one of the numerous street cafes that offer tantalizing food and refreshing
beverages, then take in the biggest and hottest sidewalk sale under the
sun! Contact www.downtownvernon.org
for more information.
19th Annual Funtastic Summer Festival
June 27 - July 1 the biggest summer sports festival in Canada featuring
all your favourite sporting events - slo-pitch, golf, soccer, beach volleyball
and lawn bowling. For more information, visit www.funtastic.org
Okanagan Summer Wine Festival August 7 - 9 on Silver Star Mountain,
at the height of the alpine wildflower season. Traditional seminars, winemakers'
dinners and outdoor activities make this a must-do event. For more information,
contact Okanagan
Summer Wine Festival
Thank you for visiting Vernon - the best kept secret in the Okanagan.
We hope you'll return in person to experience the perfect vacation.
For more detailed information on Vernon contact:
701 Hwy 97S Vernon BC V1T 3W4
Phone: (250) 542-1415 Fax: (250) 545-3114
E-mail: info@vernontourism.com
Website: www.vernontourism.com
 The
Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce Watson House, 701 Hwy. 97 S Vernon
BC V1B 3W4 E-Mail: info@vernonchamber.com
Compiled and submitted for Vernon Tourism by Joyce Stewart, Harbour
Lights B&B
The Western Canada
Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers Association
http://www.bbcanada.com/associations/wcbbia/
British Columbia
B&B Travel Planner Directory
http://www.bbcanada.com/associations/bctravel/
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your region featured in the next Traveller? Click here
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