Driving into the Okanagan Valley from coastal British Columbia is like entering another country.
The summers are hot and dry, the rolling hills are parched golden brown, the lakes are warm(ish), and the wine flows freely.
The Okanagan Valley is a 4 1/2-hour drive east of Vancouver across the Cascade Mountains. The area used to be a quiet agricultural backwater and popular local tourist destination.
Today, its reputation as an exceptional wine-growing region is bringing in more international visitors.
Okanagan Valley stretches north to south for more than 230km from Shuswap Lake down to the desert town of Osoyoos just above the US border. The region is famed for its chain of large lakes including Shuswap, Okanagan, Skaha and Osoyoos and all of the major towns boast picturesque lakeside settings.
The relaxed pace of life, sandy beaches, wineries, orchards, desert country and diverse recreational opportunities that include hiking, water skiing, golf, fishing and winter sports make the Okanagan Valley a popular summer vacation spot for both British Columbians and Albertans.