Travel

The Okanagan in the summer is pure magic—warm evenings by the lake, wineries that feel like something out of a dream, and fruit so fresh you’ll never look at a grocery store peach the same way again.

Seven Days of Lakeside Luxury, Wine, and Summer Bliss

There’s something undeniably magical about the Okanagan in the summer—long, sun-drenched days spent by the lake, endless orchards bursting with peaches, cherries, and plums, and vineyards that stretch across rolling hills as far as the eye can see. It’s the perfect balance of rustic charm and laid-back luxury, where you can spend the morning antiquing, the afternoon floating down the river, and the evening sipping cold rosé on a patio overlooking the lake.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to spend many summers here, and let me tell you: it never gets old. While Kelowna gets all the attention, the true luxury of the Okanagan is found beyond the city—quaint towns, boutique wineries, quiet beaches, and some of the best farm-to-table dining in the country.This seven-day itinerary is about doing the Okanagan right—eating (a lot), drinking local wines, spending time on the water, and indulging in that effortless, Canadian lake-life glamour.

Where to Stay: The Best Luxury Retreats (Anywhere But Kelowna)

Skip the tourist-heavy Kelowna hotels and stay somewhere with more charm, more privacy, and a better view.

Summerland: Classic Okanagan Elegance

The Naramata Inn – A beautifully restored heritage hotel with world-class dining and wine tastings at your doorstep.
God’s Mountain Estate (Penticton) – A European-style villa with panoramic lake views, private outdoor soaking tubs, and the dreamiest garden patios.

Penticton & The Naramata Bench: Wine Country Perfection

Row Fourteen at Klippers (Cawston) – Stay in a modern, farm-to-table retreat surrounded by organic orchards. Perfect if you love minimalist design and waking up to fresh fruit on your doorstep.

The South Okanagan: Off-the-Grid Seclusion

Spirit Ridge Resort (Osoyoos) – A luxury Indigenous-owned resort in Canada’s only desert. Infinity pools, incredible wine, and a private lake beach.
Walnut Beach Resort (Osoyoos) – If you want something right on the water with private beach access and a fabulous pool, this is it.

A Seven-Day Luxury Itinerary in the Okanagan

Day 1: Arrive in Wine Country & Ease Into Summer Mode

Stop at Granny’s in Summerland for an apple fritter (a rite of passage).
Check into your boutique stay and enjoy a welcome glass of wine.
Afternoon stroll through the Naramata Bench’s vineyards.
Dinner at The Naramata Inn, one of Canada’s top farm-to-table restaurants.

Day 2: Thrifting, Antique Shopping & Lakeside Dining

Breakfast at Bench Bakehouse – the best sourdough and pastries in the valley.
Explore Summerland’s antique and thrift shops.
Afternoon at Skaha Beach – A quieter, more serene alternative to Okanagan Beach.
Dinner at The Vanilla Pod at Poplar Grove Winery – Exceptional wine, gorgeous views, and one of the best cheese boards you’ll ever have.

Day 3: A Day on the Water (Because It’s Not Summer Without a Boat Ride)

Rent a private boat in Penticton and spend the day cruising Okanagan Lake.
Picnic on the water with fresh fruit, charcuterie, and chilled wine.
Dock for a casual waterfront lunch at Hooded Merganser.
Sunset dinner at Burrowing Owl Winery – perfectly cooked steak, impeccable wine, and a Tuscan-style setting.

Day 4: Floating Down the Penticton River & Wine Tasting

Start the morning with a leisurely float down the Penticton Channel. Bring a straw hat, an iced coffee, and absolutely no schedule.
Afternoon wine tasting at some of the best spots on the Naramata Bench:
- Little Engine Wines (small-production, world-class Chardonnay).
- Lake Breeze Vineyards (picture-perfect patio and crisp whites).
- La Frenz Winery (award-winning reds with a view).
Dinner at Elma, the best Turkish restaurant in Penticton.

Day 5: Exploring the Best of Kelowna (Without Staying There)

Morning coffee & breakfast at Bright Jenny Coffee Roasters.
Shopping in the cute boutiques of Pandosy Village.
Lunch at Raudz Regional Table – locally sourced, beautifully executed dishes.
Afternoon at Mission Hill Winery – one of the most breathtaking wineries in Canada.
Dinner at Home Block at CedarCreek Winery – casual yet elegant, with a patio that overlooks the lake.

Day 6: Osoyoos & The Desert Escape

Morning drive to Osoyoos, stopping at fruit stands along the way.
Visit Nk’Mip Cellars, North America’s first Indigenous-owned winery.
Lunch at Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek – incredible wood-fired Mediterranean dishes.
Sunset paddleboarding on Osoyoos Lake.
Dinner at The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry – a stunning Indigenous fine-dining experience.

Day 7: A Slow Goodbye (And One Last Apple Fritter, Obviously)

Breakfast on your private patio with fresh fruit and coffee.
One final stop at Granny’s for another apple fritter (because how could you not?).
Drive back to Vancouver, already planning your next trip.

Where to Eat: The Best Restaurants in the Okanagan

Casual & Charming

Granny’s Bakery & Café (Summerland) – Apple fritters that will ruin you for all others.
Bench Bakehouse (Penticton) – The sourdough of your dreams.
Red Rooster Winery’s Restaurant (Naramata) – Simple, beautiful bistro-style dishes with a vineyard backdrop.

Fine Dining & Winery Restaurants

The Naramata Inn (Naramata) – Perfect, seasonal, French-inspired cuisine.
Mission Hill’s Terrace Restaurant (West Kelowna) – Spectacular views, spectacular food.
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Restaurant (Oliver) – Flawless wine, flawless steak.

Unexpected Gems

Elma (Penticton) – Unexpected but fabulous Turkish cuisine.
The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry (Osoyoos) – Modern Indigenous fine dining with breathtaking lake views.
The Vanilla Pod (Penticton) – Cheese, wine, and more cheese.