Things to Do in Kelowna & Okanagan Valley

The ancient city of Olympos lies in ruins in a picturesque valley southwest of Antalya.

Founded in Hellenistic times and becoming part of the Roman empire in 78 BC, the city is believed to have taken its name from nearby Mount Olympos, one of many mountains across Turkey and Greece named after the heavenly abode of the Gods.

The city ruins lie scattered near the village of Olimpos, in an area known for its rich plant life – wild grapevines, oleander, bay trees, wild figs and pines – and are a short walk from pretty Olimpos beach.

Visitors making the trip to the ruins of Olympos also include a visit to the nearby Chimaera (Yanartas). Sitting on a rocky mountainside above the village of Cirali, these seemingly eternal flames (fuelled by natural methane leaking from the earth) have been burning non-stop for thousands of years.

Often classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, Moustiers Ste-Marie lies at the western entrance of the majestic Verdon Gorge National Park, and is built on 300-foot (100-meter) platform terraces up the side of limestone cliffs.

Msida town was originally a little fishing village but now straggles into smart Ta’xbiex, the wealthy enclave that is home to the majority of Malta’s diplomats and embassies. Msida’s biggest claims to fame today are a prestigious university and the mammoth yacht marina stretching along the north side of Marsamxett Harbour right up Msida Creek. It is Malta’s biggest and most sheltered harbor and the place to head to see the sleek super-yachts of the super-wealthy Euro-glitterarti.

The marina has berths for 720 boats and can accommodate vessels up to 72 ft (22 m) in length along pontoon and breakwater moorings. A cluster of restaurants and stores have appeared around the marina, which following a period of updating is now open for business once more. A sprinkling of traditional fishing luzzus provide a splash of cheery color among the smooth lines of the contemporary sailing craft moored up in the marina.

Established as a reserve in 1944, the over 100,000-acre Mountain Pine Ridge is easily the most breathtaking scenery in all of the Cayo District, if not Belize. The Chiquibul Road will lead you through pine forests, waterfalls, cascading water pools over granite boulders and the Maya Mountains in the distance – it’s a sight to be seen. Touring the area can be done from San Ignacio by car, as there is no public transportation out this way. The road can get fairly difficult in the wet summer season and requires strong knowledge of the area as well as a good dose of patience. There are opportunities for stops showing the varied landscapes of the reserve, including at the Rio on Pools for a fresh water swim or exploring the limestone Rio Frio Cave.

Tours can be either relaxing, with swims and picnics, or bordering on extreme adventure – such as hiking to Thousand Foot Falls, Central America’s largest waterfall. Visits to the Belize’s highest Mayan structure, at the Caracol Archeological Reserve, also require passing through the Mountain Pine Ridge. There are also opportunities to spot the rich wildlife in this area, including tapirs and toucans, though jaguars only come out at night.

The 3,792 foot summit of Mt Liamuiga is the highest point in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis and the entire British Leeward Islands. Naturally, this makes it an unparalleled vantage point for taking in the stunning expanses of the Eastern Caribbean. Formerly possessed of the discouraging moniker Mount Misery, Liamuiga comes from the Kalinago name for the island itself, which means “fertile land.” And the mountainsides surrounding this peak are certainly fertile.

Nearly half way up the mountain, the land is a patchwork of farmland and small villages, beyond which tropical rainforest covers the slopes before giving way to cloud forest. Guided tours to the summit are readily available starting from Belmont Estate in St. Pauls. The whole of the island is easily visible from the top, as well as the nearby islands of Saba, Statia, St. Barths, St. Martin, Antigua, and Nevis.

A jagged pinnacle towering over paradise, Mount Otemanu demands attention from visitors to Bora Bora. Although French Polynesia island is known more for its overwater bungalows than its towering vertical cliffs, the view of this ancient volcano above the turquoise lagoon casts a siren call to the adventurous. Unlike that of its neighbor Mount Pahia, the summit of Mount Otemanu is insurmountable due to its precarious rocks (picture a real-life drip castle); however, a smattering of seductive options for exploring the peak from both above and below make up for the limited hiking opportunities.