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Adventure Travel 2007:
Canada: British Columbia
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British Columbia: Multisport in Napa North
National Geographic Adventure picks the 25 best new outfitted trips.
Text by Bonnie Tsui Photograph by Don Weixl/Thompson-Okanagan Tourism
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Mountain bikers climb through vineyards above Okanagan Lake |
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WHAT'S NEW: A heady mix of snowcapped mountains, deep cobalt lakes, and fertile wine country, Canada's Okanagan Valley—five hours north of Spokane, Washington—has yet to be discovered by most Americans. But as area vineyards' crisp, fruity whites and big reds begin to rate high marks at global competitions, an influx of south-of-the-border wine buffs is sure to follow. Austin-Lehman Adventures will add a trip to the Okanagan in 2007, offering guests a chance to preview the wines of the region and sample the endless biking and hiking trails that crisscross its semiarid landscape—before the word gets out.
ON THE GROUND: You'll cycle routes that trace the shore of 218-square-mile (565-square-kilometer) Okanagan Lake, ascend through high-altitude pine forests and granite tunnels, and end in vine-covered foothills dotted with wineries. Austin-Lehman's flexible schedule can be amped up to include 25-mile (40-kilometer) rides on the Trans-Canada Trail or long days of canoeing across the lake. But if you'd rather spend your hours relaxing, you can take an afternoon to taste the Pinot Noir at NK'Mip Cellars, North America's first aboriginal-owned-and-operated winery, or sip the award-winning pyramid-aged wines at Summerhill, Canada's largest certified organic vineyard.
Vitals
Outfitter: Austin-Lehman Adventures (www.austinlehman.com)
Length: Seven days
Price: $2,900
Difficulty: Easy
Departs: June through September
Our November 2006 issue features the best new adventure travel trips; an exclusive look inside Iran; a Greenland global warming report; backcountry spas; digital cameras; travel Web sites; weekend getaways; and more.
Subscribe now and save!
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