Tag: Kelowna

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Cottage Life

Wine country meets lakeside living at these Kelowna cottage rentals

Photo by Sheri/VRBO

Nestled in the breathtaking Okanagan Valley, Kelowna’s unparalleled natural beauty paired with its connection to some of Canada’s oldest and most-awarded vineyards, make it the ultimate cottage country destination in Western Canada.

The city itself has plenty to offer—Kelowna is home to a vibrant downtown, plenty of farm-to-table restaurants, and some of Canada’s freshest markets. You can even take on Kelowna’s wine trail to sort out for yourself what’s truly the best of the best when it comes to Canadian wine. 

Just steps from the downtown core you’ll find Okanagan Lake. Is there a better way to finish off a hot summer hike than relaxing by the lake with a cool glass of white wine from the valley? With access to over 40 wineries and stunning views of Okanagan Lake, these five cottage rentals offer the best of Kelowna living.

Book your next vacation rental today on our rental hub powered by VRBO.

Lakeside cottage exterior

Photo by Sheri/VRBO

Lakefront Cottage

The Okanagan Lake

Photo by Sheri/VRBO

Lakefront Cottage

Deck with canoe and lounge chairs

Photo by Sheri/VRBO

Lakefront Cottage

Deck with a barbeque and mini-fridge

Photo by Sheri/VRBO

Lakefront Cottage

Cottage interior

Photo by Sheri/VRBO

Lakefront Cottage

Cottage interior

Photo by Sheri/VRBO

Lakefront Cottage

Tucked into the west side of the valley, this Kelowna cottage is a 25-minute drive to the city’s downtown—far enough to get away from it all, but close enough to take full advantage of the city’s many amenities. You can explore the lake by rowboat or kayak and sate your hunger later with some evening grilling on one of the cottage’s two decks.

Location: West Kelowna, B.C.

Price: Averages $390/night

Sleeps: 6 (Max 5 Adults)

Bedrooms: 3 

Notes:

  • Rowboat and kayaks for use
  • Balcony and patio
  • Barbecue
  • Internet
  • Laundry on-site

Click here to book on VRBO

 

Cottage exterior from an aerial view

Photo by Greg and Karla/VRBO

Okanagan Lake Cottage

Cottage balcony overlooking the lake

Photo by Greg and Karla/VRBO

Okanagan Lake Cottage

View of the lake

Photo by Greg and Karla/VRBO

Okanagan Lake Cottage

Cottage kitchen

Photo by Greg and Karla/VRBO

Okanagan Lake Cottage

Cottage kitchen

Photo by Greg and Karla/VRBO

Okanagan Lake Cottage

Cottage bedroom

Photo by Greg and Karla/VRBO

Okanagan Lake Cottage

This chic Kelowna cottage also sits on the west side of the Okanagan Valley. It has three different decks, so you can take in the sunrise from different vantage points. Best of all, it’s only a five-minute drive from the Lake Okanagan Resort where you can go to enjoy a round of golf or a drink at their beach bar.

Location: Nahun, B.C.

Price: Averages $530/night

Sleeps: 8

Bedrooms: 3

Notes:

  • Internet
  • Paddleboards and a dinghy for use
  • Laundry on site
  • Patios and balcony
  • Gated parking

Click here to book on VRBO 

 

Cottage Exterior

Photo by Tom & Aaren Motz/VRBO

Panoramic Lake Views

Cottage kitchen

Photo by Tom & Aaren Motz/VRBO

Panoramic Lake Views

Cottage bedroom

Photo by Tom & Aaren Motz/VRBO

Panoramic Lake Views

Cottage interior looking out to the lake

Photo by Tom & Aaren Motz/VRBO

Panoramic Lake Views

View of the Okanagan Lake

Photo by Tom & Aaren Motz/VRBO

Panoramic Lake Views

Cottage patio

Photo by Tom & Aaren Motz/VRBO

Panoramic Lake Views

Live the life of luxury in this Cape Cod-inspired lakefront cottage. Part of a gated resort, this cottage has much to offer beyond its hot tubs and swimming pools. You won’t have to go far to hit the trails from your desired mode of transport: on foot, bike, or horseback. Do it all while knowing you have a spa-like cottage to come back to.

Location: Fintry, B.C.

Price: Averages $425/night

Sleeps: 7

Bedrooms: 3

Wine Pairing: A nice cold rose, to keep you as cool as this slick cabin

Notes:

  • Hot tub for use
  • Swimming pool for use
  • Kayaks, paddleboards and golf carts for rent 
  • Tennis courts
  • Mini golf
  • Internet
  • Laundry

Click here to book on VRBO

 

Cottage Exterior

Photo courtesy of Herb Bosnjak/VRBO

Lakeside Cabin

Cottage deck

Photo courtesy of Herb Bosnjak/VRBO

Lakeside Cabin

Cottage front beach

Photo courtesy of Herb Bosnjak/VRBO

Lakeside Cabin

Living room and kitchen

Photo courtesy of Herb Bosnjak/VRBO

Lakeside Cabin

Living room with fireplace

Photo courtesy of Herb Bosnjak/VRBO

Lakeside Cabin

Cottage bedroom

Photo courtesy of Herb Bosnjak/VRBO

Lakeside Cabin

There’s no better way to take in the Okanagan Valley than from your own private pebble beach. This cottage is located just a few kilometres away from one of B.C.’s most beautiful protected areas, Fintry Provincial Park.

Location: Nahun, B.C.

Price: Averages $519/night

Sleeps: 9

Bedrooms: 3

Notes:

  • Indoor fireplace
  • Internet
  • Laundry on site
  • Pet friendly
  • Private beach

Click here to book on VRBO

 

Cottage exterior from an aerial view

Photo by Dean and Sherry/VRBO

Cozy Bear Cabin

Cottage living room

Photo by Dean and Sherry/VRBO

Cozy Bear Cabin

Cottage dining room and kitchen

Photo by Dean and Sherry/VRBO

Cozy Bear Cabin

Cottage bedroom

Photo by Dean and Sherry/VRBO

Cozy Bear Cabin

Cottage exterior porch

Photo by Dean and Sherry/VRBO

Cozy Bear Cabin

Cottage exterior from an aerial view

Photo by Dean and Sherry/VRBO

Cozy Bear Cabin

If a wilderness retreat is more your style, this remote cottage sits 50 feet above Okanagan Lake. The log-cabin-like design will have you feeling off-the-grid. Not too far away is the charming community of Peachland, and you can access a vast supply of wineries.

Location: Peachland, B.C.

Price: Averages $300/night

Sleeps: 6

Bedrooms: 2

Notes:

  • Aluminum fishing boat for use
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • Internet for use
  • $25 pet fee
  • Woodstove

Click here to book on VRBO 

 

Categories
Cottage Life

How BC cows are helping fight wildfires

Photo by Cameron Watson/ Shutterstock

They look like regular cattle munching grass. But for a few weeks in late May and early June, 30 cows and their calves are doubling as wildfire control specialists. They’re grazing 45 hectares of public land near the edge of Kelowna—and protecting the BC city, one bite at a time.

The herd is “feeding on the spring grass, and ideally knocking down the fine fuel hazard at the same time,” says the city’s urban forestry supervisor, Andrew Hunsberger. The goal is to shield a southeastern neighbourhood from wildfires like the one that killed two people and burned 151 homes and businesses last summer near Lytton, BC.

“It’s similar to when you keep mowing your lawn. The grass stays green instead of maturing and going dormant,” says Amanda Miller, a BC range ecologist studying the province’s “targeted grazing” program. During three or four few weeks of grazing cows remove about 30 per cent of the grassy fuel in these grassland and open forest areas—making fires far less intense if they ignite.

The province launched the “targeted grazing” pilot project in 2019 with a $500,000 contribution to the project’s organizer, the BC Cattlemen’s Association. Since then ranchers have grazed areas near Cranbrook, Peachland, and Summerland, and the program expanded to Kelowna this year. To concentrate cows in key areas, the association has installed fencing, water troughs, and self-closing spring-loaded gates so that people can enter the zone to use trails.

Because cows cover rough terrain and work for food, Hunsberger says grazing makes a good fit with other fire control measures, including forest thinning, prescribed fire, and landscaping around homes and cottages. “If this goes well, we’re hoping we can expand the program,“ he adds. “After the big fire season last year, the idea of finding innovative ways to reduce the fire threat seems to appeal to people.”

How to keep your cottage safe from wildfires 

New Canadian app detects and tracks forest fires in real time

 

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Mobile Syrup

Rogers expands Pro On-the-Go to Kelowna, B.C.

Toronto-based national carrier Rogers announced an expansion of its Pro On-the-Go service to Kelowna, B.C.

Pro On-the-Go, for those unfamiliar with the service, offers personalized one-on-one support and phone delivery to Rogers customers at no extra cost. Rogers’ ‘Pros’ will hand-deliver a new device and help guide customers through the set-up process. In a blog post, Rogers describes Pro On-the-Go as the “Rogers retail experience right at home.”

Rogers says that Pro On-the-Go is now available to over 16 million Canadians and the service is now in key markets across B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. The carrier plans to expand to more locations later this year.

Moreover, Rogers said that its Pro On-the-Go team has adapted a “safety-first” approach amid the ongoing pandemic, noting that Pros “closely adhere to all public health guidelines.”

Speaking of the pandemic, Rogers previously said Pro On-the-Go usage tripled in May 2020 during COVID.

Those interested can learn more about Pro On-the-Go and the expansion to Kelowna here.