In a word, 'wine' is what propelled the South Okanagan to the No. 1 spot on the list of the 20 Best Places to Travel in Canada for 2021.
The list, generated by travel website Vacay.ca, takes into account that this year Canadians are clamouring to experience exciting, new and beautiful places in their own country as international travel continues to be off the table because of COVID.
The South Okanagan, that glorious stretch from Summerland to the Canada-US border in Osoyoos, is chock-a-block full of 70 wineries from $100-million showpiece Phantom Creek to small family-owned operations.
In addition, the South Okanagan is lake and beach strewn (Okanagan, Skaha, Vaseux and Osoyoos), has hiking and biking on the renowned Kettle Valley Railway Trail, has golf galore and is also becoming a culinary destination.
The South Okanagan has also embraced the Thompson Okanagan's and British Columbia's tourism resiliency programs to respect the land and region's heritage as a basis of attracting, entertaining and educating visitors.
The BC capital of Victoria secured 5th spot along with the nearby Cowichan Valley for dual urban and rural charm.
Downtown Victoria is a gem on the Inner Harbour with the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel standing sentinel.
The Cowichan Valley is an artsy and recreational destination with wineries and a slow-food movement.
Revelstoke and Golden share No. 11 for their small town vibes in massive mountain settings.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort has the longest vertical descent of any ski resort in North America.
There's also epic skiing out of Golden at Kicking Horse Resort, the powder snow capital of Canada, where Canada's highest restaurant, Eagle's Eye, is perched at 7,700 feet.
The region's prowess isn't confined to winter.
There's also lots of hiking, biking, canoeing, birdwatching and golfing.
Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park are isolated on the very west coast of Vancouver Island.
But that only adds to its allure and helps put it at No. 17 on Vacay.ca's list.
Sandy beaches and pounding Pacific waves make it a sunseekers dream in the summer, a surfer's dream year round and a storm watcher's dream in the winter.
We thought the Okanagan's largest city would have ranked higher than Vacay.ca's No. 19.
After all, Kelowna has topped many other lists over the years.
Regardless, Kelowna is known for its urban sophistication and Okanagan Lake, valley and mountains setting, which means there's also lots of outdoor recreation from beaches, watersports, hiking and biking to golf and skiing.
And, oh yes, Kelowna has wineries and wine, the same attributes that help put the South Okanagan atop the list this year.
Vacay.ca's 20 Best Places to Travel in Canada for 2021
1. South Okanagan
2. Cape Breton Island
3. Banff and Lake Louise
4. Dawson City, Yukon
5. Victoria and Cowichan Valley
6. Prince Edward Country in Ontario
7. Gaspereau and Annapolis in Nova Scotia
8. Quebec City to Tadoussac
9. St. John's and Irish Loop, Newfoundland
10. Charlottetown
11. Revelstoke and Golden
12. Niagara
13. Georgian Bay, Ontario
14. Gaspesie, Quebec
15. South Shore, Nova Scotia
16. Shediac to Saint John, New Brunswick
17. Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park
18. Saskatoon
19. Kelowna
20. Pukaskwa National Park in Ontario
