First Getaway of 2024: Summerland, BC

For Christmas, my father gave my mother a midweek getaway to shake up their daily routine. Ever since retiring and moving from Ontario to the Okanagan region of British Columbia more than twenty-five years ago, my parents made it a habit to regularly get out and explore the region, staying at a variety of different places, at different times of the year. Sometimes they stayed somewhere new. Other times, they returned to a place they had been before.

Even though Mum and Dad are now in their late 80's, they still, amazingly enough, like to get out and about. They simply choose, nowadays, places closer to home. For their January 2024 getaway, Summerland was the destination of choice and I tagged along to be chauffeur, holiday planner and general overseer of logistics. 

Where We Stayed:

Beautifully located on the shores of Lake Okanagan, just down the hill from the actual townsite, Summerland Resort Hotel offers not only great comfort in its suites but extraordinary views of the surrounding interior landscape. I have to admit I slept on the pullout couch in my suite, rather than in the actual bed, so to wake up to the fantastic view!

The beauty of visiting in January, the resort was lovely and quiet. It seemed only the locals and their dogs walked back and forth along the lakeside pathway and boardwalk. Mother Nature, however, made sure there were plenty of ducks and Canadian geese to watch from our windows. I was even lucky enough to spot five Trumpeter Swans feeding in the shallows just off the point. 
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Where We Ate:

On our way to Summerland from Kelowna, we stopped midway along the highway for lunch. Bliss Bakery, in Peachland, has both a great menu (for breakfast and lunch) and stupendous views of Lake Okanagan. Their chai latté was a hit for me as it actually tasted like chai! 

Later that evening, after checking in and relaxing at the resort, we wandered just a few steps across the way to yet another lakeside establishment. For a Tuesday evening, in early January, Shaughnessy's Cove Restaurant had just the right amount of buzz. Maybe because it was Two-For-One Pasta night! I have to say that a glass of Ramification's Pinot Noir paired perfectly with my Pomodoro-sauced pasta. 

The next day, for lunch, I took my parents to their favourite Summerland restaurant, Zia's, where charm and history oozed from the century-old stone walls. 
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What Else I Discovered:

Escorting elderly parents on their mini-holiday meant giving them time on their own to chill out, sit back and maybe have a nap or two. This gave me time to explore independently, on my own. And all I needed to do was head out the door and start strolling along the lakeside pathway, breathing in the open vistas of Lake Okanagan and the mountains across the watery expanse. For several kilometres, I put one foot in front of the other before turning around. Even at night, after darkness descended, strings of wintery white lights illuminated different sections of the pathway. There really was no excuse to not saunter outside, at any time of the day or night, to get some fresh air.

On the spur of the moment, during another napping session, I decided to get my hair cut. Thank goodness for Google and its amazing ability to rapidly solve the mystery of where to find something in an unfamiliar town or city. Right before closing, thanks to a last minute cancellation at the Beauty Box Studio, I walked out of the salon sporting a stylishly new haircut. I was absolutely delighted! The Christmas lights still decorating the main street (and the new candle purchased at the Frilly Lilly) only added to my happy mood. 
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All In All:

Our 48-hour getaway to Summerland was a hit. 10 our of 10, for sure. I think we proved, for certain, that Summerland can definitely be enjoyed at any time of the year!
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All images by Deborah L. Wade