Missed our Food, Wine and Travel Series or don’t have Facebook?  No worries see below for highlights and check out our final episode on Sunday, August 9 at 8 p.m. as we explore Nova Scotia!  First stop:

Okanagan Valley:

• Where is Okanagan Valley?
• It is located in south-central British Columbia.
• The main city in Okanagan Valley is Kelowna.

• When should you visit?
• Shoulder Season - Spring (March to June) – less crowds, more favourable rates and the opportunity to meet with local winemakers or farmers. 

• Travel Options:
• You can fly or drive from Vancouver to Kelowna.
• I highly recommend you drive to Osoyoos because it is such a scenic drive.  It takes about 4-6 hours, but I suggest you take the day for you will want to stop at the markets and farms in Abbotsford and soak in the mountain vistas.

• Accommodations:
• Range from campsites, rentals, B&Bs to luxury resorts and hotels including Sparkling Hill Resort and Spa.

• Culinary/Experiences:
• Kekuli Café Coffee & Bannock (Westbank, Okanagan) – serves traditional bannock, a First Nations staple food item. Its bread, baked, fried, fired, or cooked over an open fire, wrapped around a stick, or historically thrown into a fire, cooked in ashes, and even pit fire baked. This café has its own secret native receipe and features it in various flavours like our Saskatoon Berry, Maple Glaze, Maple Walnut, Cream Cheese Skor, and many other feature flavours.

• Spotted Lake, Osoyoos – Is known to the First Nations People of the Osoyoos area as the Kiluk, and it is a scared site that has been considered a revered place of healing for centuries.  The belief is that each of the different circles holds its own unique medicinal and healing properties.

• Wine Journey’s Okanagan Valley Recommendations:
• Tinhorn Creek Pinot Gris
• Moon Curser Dead of Night (50% Syrah and 50% Tannat)

Ontario Featuring Grey County and Prince Edward County:

• Where is Grey County?
• It is a large area - spanning from South Bruce Peninsula to Collingwood to Mount Forest to Hanover.

•  When should you visit?
• Shoulder Season – mid-week (Spring or Fall) - less crowds and better rates

•  Accommodations:
• Range from campsites, rentals, B&Bs to luxury resorts including VanderMarck – A boutique hotel in downtown Collingwood – walking distance from shops and restaurant.

•  Culinary/Experiences:

• The Frauxmagerie on Georgian Bay – so worth the stop at their boutique in Meaford.  They produce cheese that is 100% dairy, oil, and gluten free and is certified by VegeCert, The Canadian Celiac Association and a member of the Plant-Based Association.

• Good Family Farms – raise heritage-breed pigs, cattle, and chicken, all of which are Certified Organic.  They also grow organic produce at their Harvest Moon Farm.  You can purchase the meat and produce onsite; they also offer workshops and tours and my favourite part Farm Dinners in partnership with the talented cater Sumac and Salt.

• Apple Pie Trail – self-guided experience to celebrate the history of the apple by exploring local culinary (wine, cider, and beer tours), shopping, and other experiences.
• Paddling along Beaver River or Hiking along the Georgian Trail.

• Wine Journey’s Grey County Recommendation:
• The Roost Terroir Rose

•  Where is Prince Edward County?

• Prince Edward County is an island on the north shore of Lake Ontario.

•  When should you visit?

• Shoulder Season – mid-week (Spring or Fall) - less crowds and better rates.

•  Accommodations:
• Range from campsites, rentals, B&Bs to luxury resorts and hotels including June Motel in Picton - The June is a hip, 16-room boutique motel in Prince Edward County with a curated menu of services designed to make your stay in wine country unforgettable. Features indoor / outdoor Lobby Bar, campfire, yoga and more.

• Culinary/Experiences:
• I want to point out two wineries:
• The Grange – which has a mobile trailer onsite called Old Salt Cocktails serving delicious fancy sausages and Grange wine, spritzers, beer, mocktails and cocktails.
• And Karlo Estates – if you are vegan you will want to stop by and try their vegan wines, which is the world’s first certified vegan winery.

• Little John Farm in Picton – visit the farm, learn about where your food comes from and sustainable farming practices.  Finally, you get to enjoy a healthy and delicious meal.

• Sandbanks National Park – follow on Twitter to know if it reaches capacity.  High times 11-3 p.m.

• Explore the county’s Wine and Art Trails.

• Bike or hike the Millennium Trail, a 49 km trail through Prince Edward County or rent a kayak and head to West Lake, East Lake, the Black River in Milford, or North Beach Provincial Park.   Check out PEC Kayaks.

• Wine Journey’s Prince Edward County Recommendations:
• Stanners Pinot Noir, The Narrow Rows

REMINDER:

• Always check the tourism site for the provinces and county’s you will be visiting to confirm what is open, entry requirements, and safe practices.  

• Make sure you are familiar and comfortable with the accommodations cleaning and safety practices and cancellation and rebooking policies.

• And last, but certainly not least, if you are traveling outside of the province of Ontario be familiar with what your OHIP covers and does not cover outside of the province and if you will need additional insurance coverage.

Need help planning your trip this summer or next?  Drop me a note and I am happy to help!

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