Okanagan – Walking and Wine Tour June 07 - 13, 2012

Novack’s Avid Traveller
Okanagan –Walking and Wine Tour
June 7 – 13, 2012

The warm and sunny Okanagan treats us to an area full of the outdoors life, walking, wine tasting, and golf or just relaxing on the beach. Join us on this one week tour based in the pretty lakeside towns of Kelowna and Penticton, B.C. This unique area of British Columbia is on the northern edge of the Sonoran Desert and is the only area in Canada with a semi desert climate. Our tour will have a leisurely pace with the emphasis placed on a nice combination of hiking along the Kettle Valley Railroad and visits to several local wineries. There will be leisure time for those who wish to explore the valley towns and beaches and golf courses will be nearby for those looking for a challenge on the links.

Meet out Tour Leader

Our Tour Leader, Terry Needham, at Novack’s Avid Traveller has frequently visited the Okanagan and has personally walked the trails, sampled the wines and enjoyed the hills and orchards of Canada’s Okanagan. He has led numerous hiking and sightseeing trips in Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland, France and Italy. As a tour leader Terry combines his love of the outdoors, photography and travel with the joy of seeing others realize their travel dreams. Born and raised in British Columbia, in the Okanagan area, Terry’s personal knowledge of the area has been instrumental in customizing this unique Novack's Avid Travellers' tour. He is looking forward to having previous Avid Traveller guests and new travellers join him on this tailor-made itinerary full of sightseeing spectaculars, outdoor adventures, fine wines and breathtaking beauty. Terry invites you to join him on this memorable Walking and Wine Tour of the Okanagan in 2012.

Our programs are strictly limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to ensure the quality of our tour, this program is limited to a maximum of 20 participants plus escorts.

Itinerary

Day 1, Thursday, June 7th, 2012
Depart London Airport for a morning flight to Kelowna, British Columbia. Upon arrival, we will be met by private transportation to transfer to our hotel in Kelowna, B. C. Enjoy lunch at leisure (on own) prior to our group visit to the Okanagan Heritage, Orchard and Wine Museums with wine tastings. In the evening we’ll have a group dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Day 2, Friday, June 8th, 2012
After breakfast we’ll depart for a full day excursion visiting three wineries of various sizes. Lunch will be included at one of the local wineries. Dinner on own and evening at leisure. After dinner, a stroll along the boardwalk on the beach is highly recommended. (B, L)

Day 3, Saturday, June 9th, 2012
After a leisurely breakfast we will be transferred to Ruth Station on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail for our walk along this historic section of the trail. Here we’ll see the rebuilt trestles that were destroyed in the disastrous fire in 2003. The engineering, history and beauty of this area are stunning. We will have a packed lunch with us to eat along the way. Our walk will take us to Myra Station where we’ll be met by our driver for our private transfer back to Kelowna. Dinner on own and evening at leisure. (B, L)

Day 4, Sunday, June 10, 2012
Relax, go for a walk, or partake in a round of golf as we have a morning at leisure. After lunch (on own) we’ll be transferred to Summerland, B.C. for a ride on the historic Summerland Kettle Valley Railway tour. This will be an exciting adventure and will end with a delicious barbeque dinner. After dinner, transfer to Penticton for check-in and evening at leisure. (B, D)

Day 5, Monday, June 11, 2012
After breakfast we will transfer to the Naramata bench area on the east side of Okanagan Lake. Here we’ll be immersed in the beauty of the vineyards, wineries and spectacular views. We arrive at the Kettle Valley Rail Trail for a morning walk from the Naramata parking lot to the “little tunnel” and back. After our walk, we’ll visit a local winery for a well-deserved lunch and wine tasting. If time allows, we’ll visit another winery before returning to our hotel in Penticton. Dinner on own and evening at leisure. (B, L)

Day 6, Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Today is a full day at leisure to explore Penticton. Options include a game of golf on the nearby links, a leisure stroll to the sandy beach or a short walk to the Sicamous Paddle Wheeler, which now holds Penticton’s Museum, or an optional hike led by our Novack’s Tour Leader Terry Needham. Tonight we’ll gather for our farewell dinner at a local restaurant as we reminisce about the tour over a nice glass of wine. (B, D)
 
Day 7, Wednesday, June 13, 2012
We depart for home, with a private transfer to Kelowna and our flight back to London, Ontario. (B)

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. Novack's reserves the right to change itinerary when deemed necessary, or desirable.
 

Terms & Conditions

As this tour is solely within Canada we have decided to sell it as land only. This will provide our guests with the flexibility to plan pre-tour visits with friends and relatives or post-tour extensions to enhance their western experience. And, for those individuals who may have travel points, it provides an opportunity to be able to redeem then for flights. We will, however, recommend flights and arrival times into and out of Kelowna. Our travel consultant, Bonnie Hinschberger will be able to assist you with recommendations for both flights and post-tour extensions such as cruises, train travel, car rentals and hotels. There will likely be a core group of people travelling from London and surrounding area and it is our intent to co-ordinate the flights so the majority of our guests are travelling together.

Inclusions:

• 3 nights accommodations in Kelowna
• 3 nights accommodation in Penticton
• Breakfast daily
• 3 lunches
• 3 dinners
• Private Transportation as per itinerary
• Walking tour of military, orchard and wine museum including wine tasting
• Winery visits and tasting as per itinerary
• Evening talk about the Kettle Valley Railway history and Rail Trail
• Kettle Valley Rail Trail hikes (Ruth Station to Myra Station and Naramata Bench to Little Tunnel and return)
• Kettle Valley Steam Railway Tour and BBQ
• Free day in Penticton to swim, golf, walk, shop or relax
• Services of Novack’s Avid Traveller Tour Leader – Terry Needham

Not Included:

Flights, items of a personal nature, meals not mentioned in itinerary, local or long distance phone calls, room service charges, entrance feel not mentioned in itinerary, insurance*, gratuities to local guides, drivers.

Cost Per Person:

Land Only: $1,965.00 + HST (232.00)
Single Supplement: $500.00 + HST

Deposit: $500.00
Balance Due: April 9, 2012

Cheques Payable to:
UNIGLOBE Instant Travel
100-235 North Centre Road
London ON N5X 4E7

General Terms

Please note that an average/moderate level of fitness is required to enjoy the various activities of this tour. Although our walking will be mostly on rail trail paths, with exception of downtown sidewalks and wineries, Novack’s strongly recommend that everyone have good sturdy footwear for the walks. The walks are not steep, but once we have started, there are no convenient locations to opt out. We will walk at a moderate pace with plenty of time to take photos.

As a courtesy to fellow travellers all Novack’s Avid Travellers tours are considered non-smoking in that smoking will not be permitted during group activities or on board the bus.

Proof of medical insurance is required to participate on this tour. UNIGLOBE Instant Travel strongly recommends RBC Insurance. Cancellation & Interruption insurance will protect your travel investment if an emergency forces you to cancel your trip, or if you must delay your return or return home early. This coverage protects you against over 40 specified risks that could force you to change your plans. Please contact Bonnie Hinschberger for complete details.

To book, please contact:
Bonnie Hinschberger
UNIGLOBE Instant Travel
100-235 North Centre Road
London, ON N5X 4E7
Phone: (519)-660-6966 ext. 222
Email: bhinschberger@uniglobeinstant.com

Complete Terms and Conditions will be provided at time of deposit.

Accommodations

Kelowna – Royal Anne Hotel

This Kelowna hotel, located in the center of downtown, is a 10-minute walk to City Park. The hotel features a gym with 2 saunas, a wine shop and continental breakfast. Hotel Royal Anne guest rooms are equipped with cable TV, a coffee maker and a work desk. The private bathroom includes a hair dryer and deluxe bathroom amenities. Guests can dine at O’Flannigan’s Irish Pub which serves a wide variety of sandwiches and entrees. The Royal Anne Hotel also offers free Wi-Fi and business services.
The Royal Anne Hotel is just 2 blocks from the Grand Okanagan Conference Centre and Lake City Casino. Prospera Place entertainment venue is a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

Penticton – Ramada Inn & Suites

The Ramada Inn & Suites Penticton offers mountain skyline views in the scenic Okanagan Valley. Featuring an outdoor pool and other amenities and services and ideally located in a charming and elegant setting, the hotel has a fitness center and barbeque facilities for guest use. There’s fireplace seating in the lobby and Wi-Fi is free throughout. The on-site Kettle Valley Station Pub has indoor seating and fireside patio dining. Guests can enjoy a menu based on produce and ingredients from nearby farms, as well excellent as cocktails and an extensive wine list. The Ramada Inn & Suites is adjacent to Penticton Golf & Country Club and Lake Okanagan Beach is 1 km from the hotel.