Things to Do in Kelowna & Okanagan Valley

Located just over 6 miles (10 kilometers) from Sapa, the emerald green Muong Hoa Valley features some of the most breathtakingly picturesque landscapes in Vietnam. Home to Ban Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van, Hau Thao, Ta Phin and Su Pa ethnic minority populations, the valley is one of the biggest rice-growing areas in the region. The rolling emerald hills, epic views and fascinating traditional villages are just part of what greets travelers who opt to trek here.

Journeys ranging from two to six hours wind through low-lying grasslands, rice paddies and quiet villages where local women share fascinating stories about life in the countryside of Vietnam. Visitors can get an up-close look at the Hmong people’s way of life while peeking into homes, exploring farms and tasting traditional dishes. A voyage into Muong Hoa Valley is a multi-sensory experience that is not to be missed.

Looming above the Bay of Naples, Mt. Vesuvius erupted in AD 79 and covered Pompeii in ash, preserving parts of the ancient city that can still be seen today. The volcano itself is still active—the only active one in continental Europe—and, though dormant, is considered to be one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes. Despite this, many visitors hike the mountain to see its infamous crater and are rewarded with stunning views of Pompeii, the Bay of Naples, and the surrounding Italian countryside.

Mt. Vesuvius is easily seen from below, but a trip to the volcano itself provides the best understanding of the area and its impact on the region’s history. A hike up the mountain begins in Mount Vesuvius National Park, which has nine nature trails and allows for summit access. The crater’s lunar landscape is otherworldly, and the views are tough to beat. Many visitors combine a visit to the area with a stop in the scenic seaside town of Sorrento.

Mount Vesuvius National Park is easily accessible from Naples via the Circumvesuviana train. The nearest stop is Ercolano, and from there the Busvia del Vesuvio takes you up the mountain. There’s also a local bus that runs from Pompeii. Alternatively, you can book a private or guided tour, which provides transportation, crater access, and insight into the history and details of ancient life in the area.

Though Mt. Vesuvius is visitable open year-round, the best time to go is in the off-season, October to April. Crowds and temperatures both rise during summer. Spring and early fall provide the best times to avoid the area’s potential fog.

It’s impossible to understand the impact that Mt. Vesuvius had on Italy—and the world—without a visit to the nearby archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Though many people tragically died in the volcanic eruption, their homes and ways of life remain largely intact in one of the world’s best-preserved ancient sites.

Reaching 10,626 feet (3,239 meters) above sea level, Mt. Titlis is Central Switzerland’s highest peak and probably its finest vantage point. The mountain has a cutting-edge transportation system—including, most famously a revolving cable car that turns 360 degrees during the ride to the top station at 9,908 feet (3,020 meters). Those lucky enough to be inside the car are graced with stunning panoramic views of Alpine peaks, sheer rock faces, and an icy crevasse-cracked glacier.

 

There are several options when it comes to ascending Mt. Titlis. You can purchase a cable car ticket and make your own way to Engelberg, then set off on a journey to the summit independently. Alternatively, organized tours depart from Zurich and Lucerne, and include transportation to and from Engelberg. During winter, many guided tours incorporate visits to nearby well-known sights such as the Lion Monument and offer the option to add on a supervised snow sports experience, like tubing or skiing on beginner-friendly slopes. In the warmer months, guided hiking tours are available.

 

 

The journey to the top of Mt. Titlis begins at Engelberg, which is connected to Lucerne by train. From Engelberg train station, it’s a 10-minute walk to the Titlis Valley station, where the Titlis Xpress cable car connects first to Trubsee and then on to Stand. From Stand, the revolving Rotair cable car carries passengers to the top. Many visitors opt for hassle-free tours from Lucerne or Zurich, which include round-trip transportation.

 

Mt. Titlis is breathtaking year-round. Go between December and March if you plan on skiing. Early mornings are quietest, and the best views are during clear weather—though when that will be is anyone’s guess. Note that the Titlis Rotair cableway closes for maintenance work for a couple of weeks around November.

 

There is no shortage of fun to be had at the Mt. Titlis summit station. You’ll find several restaurants to choose from, a glacier cave with carved ice structures inside, and the nerve-testing Cliff Walk, one of Europe’s highest suspension bridges. Next to the Cliff Walk is the Ice Flyer chairlift, which carries passengers over the frozen crevasses of the glacier to Glacier Park, where you can go tubing—racing down the slopes on a rubber tire. 

Towering 4,757 feet (1,450 meters) above Luzon, the Mt. Pinatubo stratovolcano blew its top quite spectacularly in 1991. Today, the crater lake that’s left behind and the surreal mudflow landscapes around it make one of the Philippines’ most fun adventures—and one that’s well worth the early start. The volcano is carefully monitored for safety.

In order to visit the volcano, you must be with a guide in a 4x4. Mt. Pinatubo tours typically set out from the small town of Santa Juliana, around 80 miles (129 kilometers) north of Manila. If you want to explore from Santa Juliana independently, arrive the day before and spend the night. Most travelers choose to visit Mt. Pinatubo as a day trip from Manila; these tours generally set out around 4am and start the 4WD adventure not long after 6am. It’s also possible to visit from the city of Angeles, around 30 miles (48 kilometers) from Santa Juliana. 

A typical Mt. Pinatubo tour includes a 4WD adventure on the dusty mud plains that cover the volcano slopes followed by a fairly easy guided hike to Lake Pinatubo, the crater lake. Tours generally include lunch at a nearby town, and some operators might add activities like hot springs and white-water rafting.

Around 80 miles (129 kilometers) north of Manila, not far from the city of Angeles, is Santa Juliana, the jump-off point for Pinatubo tours. Reaching it independently involves an exciting array of jeepneys, tricycles, and more followed by a night in town. Since the volcano can only be visited with a guide and 4WD, most travelers opt to join a tour from Manila (or occasionally Angeles), which includes door-to-door transfers to mitigate the early start.

Philippines regulations state that trips to the Mt. Pinatubo crater must start between 6am and 8am. That means most tours from Manila leave as early as 4am and even those from Angeles start long before 6am. The mountain can be closed for reasons as varied as heavy rain (Pinatubo is prone to both landslides and flash floods), volcanic activity, and military exercises. Visit during the week to beat the weekend crowds.

Achieving a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 6 and causing more than 700 deaths, Mt. Pinatubo saw the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century and the largest in a populated area. The eruption reduced the summit of the mountain from 5,725 feet (1,745 meters) to 4,872 feet (1,485 meters) and produced ash clouds that caused temperatures to drop around the world.

Seoraksan National Park, one of the most scenic parks on the Korean peninsula and a UNESCO Biosphere Protected site, is home to Mt. Seorak, South Korea’s third tallest mountain at 5,604 feet (1,708 meters). Since it became a national monument in 1965, Mt. Seorak (Snowy Peak Mountain) has been a popular destination for weekend hikers from Seoul.

In springtime, the mountain gets blanketed with the colorful blossoms of dogwoods, azaleas and forsythia, while autumn’s show of yellows, oranges and reds is no less spectacular, and arguably more popular with locals. Of the three sections of the park, Outer Seorak is the most accessible, and therefore the most crowded. Visitors hoping to escape the crowds should heat to Inner Seorak, the least developed section on the western edge of the park. Southern Seorak is famous for its mineral springs.

One of the most outstanding examples of art nouveau architecture in the world, Prague’s Municipal House is a popular destination for visitors interested in art and architecture. From the grand concert hall to the restrooms, every light fitting, chair, and tile was specially designed for the building by the leading artists of the day.

 

Designed in the early 20th century as a multifunctional building where Prague’s citizens could come to watch a musical performance, attend an exhibition, or meet friends for a cup of coffee, Municipal House is Prague’s finest example of art nouveau architecture, designed by Antonin Balsanek and Osvald Polivka. The concert venue, Smetana Hall, is the crown jewel of the building, with a large glass dome over the auditorium.

 

The interiors of the building feature decorations by Czech artists, including Alphonse Mucha and Max Svabinsky. The twisting metalwork in the building was inspired by natural motifs. Outside, the half-moon mosaic of Apotheosis of Prague, by Karel Spilar, is the centerpiece. The building lived up to its goal as the epicenter of public life—the independent Czechoslovak state was declared here in 1918. Walking and biking sightseeing tours of Prague frequently make a point of stopping of at this magnificent building.

 

 

Municipal Hall is located at 5 Republiky Square on the edge of Old Town (Stare Mesto). It is accessible on foot from most places in central Prague, or as part of a guided walking or Segway tour of the city. The Namesti Republiky Metro stop (Line B) is close by. Trams #3, #5, #6, #9, #14, and #24 stop close by on Jindrisska Street.

 

Municipal House is open daily. The public spaces are open from 7:30am to 11pm, and the box office is open from 10am- to 8pm. The restaurants and cafes have different opening hours throughout the morning, but all are open daily and close at 11pm.

 

Municipal House stands on the edge of Prague’s Old Town and is a great starting point for exploring the neighborhood. Walking through the archway of the 14th-century Powder Tower—one of the 13 original city gates—and find your way to Old Town Square, the heart of Old Town, home to the astronomical clock and Church of Our Lady Before Tyn.

One of Bogota’s top family attractions, Salitre Magico is an adventure theme park with around 40 attractions suitable for a variety of age groups. Rides include classics such as roller coasters, bumper cars, flying swings, a carousel, and a mini­wheel, along with high octane rides such as the Tornado, the Double Loop, and the Screw.

In addition to rides, there are also various shows, activities, and places to eat and drink within the park. Those looking for an action packed family-friendly day out can visit Salitre Magico as part of a half or full ­day tour that includes the Children’s Museum of Bogota, the Maloka Museum, and the Mundo Aventura Theme Park.

Mt. Parnassus is one of the many places in Greece that occupies very real space on the landscape, and is also central to such a number of Greek myths that you might be surprised to learn that the mountain is not a myth of its own. The mountain is in central Greece, just north of Delphi. It is associated with several prominent figures in Greek mythology. Mt. Parnassus was said to be the home of the Muses, sacred to the god Dionysus, sacred also to the god Apollo, home to the winged horse Pegasus, and closely tied with poetry, learning, and music.

Today, Mt. Parnassus is a draw for visitors year-round. In the winter, there are two ski resorts on its slopes. In warmer weather, the mountain is an excellent location for hiking - views from the summit are spectacular.

When walking around Lima’s Plaza de Armas (which is also called the Plaza Mayor), you’re walking where Pizarro established the city in 1535. Though many of the buildings would ultimately succumb to earthquakes, fire, and wear, there are those like the opulent Municipal Palace that were fantastically rebuilt and restored. Built in a neo-classical style with a French Renaissance influence, the current Municipal Palace building dates back to 1944. Its pale yellow exterior with white trim is a staple of the Plaza de Armas, and the symmetrical marble staircases inside offer a setting that’s fit for kings. When wandering around the Plaza de Armas, step inside for a free peek at Lima’s regal history, and in addition to the exquisitely vintage architecture, the palace also houses an impressive library with 15,000 titles—notable of which is a copy of Peru’s Declaration of Independence. 

One of Mumbai’s most ancient temples, Mumbadevi Temple also happens to be in based in one of the city’s liveliest spots. Surrounded by the bustling bazaars, flower shops, and cloth markets of South Mumbai’s Bhuleshwar district, Mumbadevi Temple remains serene. Worshipped by Mumbai’s native Koli fishermen for many centuries, Mumbadevi is the eight-armed Hindu goddess this temple was built for, and she is also the deity that Mumbai gets its name from. 

Thought to have been built in 1675, travelers are welcome at Mumbadevi Temple. Mornings and evenings are an especially beautiful times to visit the famous temple, as this is when devotees come to attend religious aartis, when candles are offered to the goddess. But the highlight of a visit to Mumbadevi must be seeing the great deity on her altar, replete with a silver crown, golden necklace, and garland made of brilliant marigolds. Look out for the stone idol of Annapurna seated on a peacock, and a particularly fearsome-looking sculpture of a wild tiger too. 

Right outside the temple is Zaveri Bazaar. Its liveliness can be quite a shock after enjoying the peacefulness of Mumbadevi Temple, but on this narrow street you can buy all kinds of Hindu religious objects including incense, saffron, and paintings of the gods. 

A multi-peaked massif, Mt. Pilatus towers over Lucerne and Central Switzerland. Though Queen Victoria enlisted a mule to help her ascend the mountain in 1868, visitors now venture up by cable car or cogwheel train, which—with a gradient of up to 48 percent—is said to be one of the world’s steepest. Crisscrossed by hiking trails and sled runs, Mt. Pilatus features a kid-friendly adventure park and a suspension rope park. From the top, you can see as far as Italy on a clear day. 

 

Visitors to Lucerne cannot miss Mt. Pilatus looming over the city. If you want to ascend the majestic mountain and soak up the stunning panorama of the Swiss Alps, several options are available. The Golden Round Trip package involves traveling by boat, cogwheel railway, panoramic gondola, and aerial cableway. There are self-guided, partly guided, and fully guided tours from both Lucerne and Zurich, all of which include round-trip transportation. Some organized day trips incorporate guided city tours of Lucerne and, in summer, cruises on Lake Lucerne. You can also take a 2-day tour that includes a night’s stay in a hotel high on the slopes.

 

To access the Mt. Pilatus cable car, ride the trolleybus route 1 from Lucerne’s railway station to Kriens, where you can travel to the summit station at 5,560 feet (1,695 meters) via panoramic gondola and aerial cableway. Alternatively, travel by train or ferry from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, where you can board the cogwheel railway. The Golden Round Trip can be done only during summer.

 

If you want to ride the cogwheel railway or do the boat ride from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, plan your trip for the summer. Both boats and the railway generally operate between May and October (depending on weather conditions). The earlier you set off, the fewer crowds you are likely to encounter. Note that the gondola and aerial cableway close for maintenance for a couple of weeks in late October and November.

Mt. Pilatus is associated with many myths. In medieval times, rumors abounded that dragons lived in its crevices. According to local legend, the mountain is named after Pontius Pilate, the Roman emperor who ordered the death of Jesus Christ, and whose lifeless body the devil supposedly dumped in a lake on Mt. Pilatus. It’s more likely, however, that the mountain’s name is connected to the Latin word pileatus (“capped”), which may refer to the clouds that often shroud its peaks.

Dedicated to the delicate Art Nouveau talents of Czech artist Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939), the Mucha Museum is located in the Kaunický Palace, itself built in Baroque style in the early 18th century. A must for all fans of Art Nouveau, the museum hosts the world’s best exhibition of Mucha’s intricate posters, decorative panels, lithographs and sketches, typically of blue-eyed, flowing-haired Slavic beauties.

Many of the posters on display were completed while Mucha lived in Paris between 1895 and 1904, and several advertised productions starring the famous actress Sarah Bernhardt. Photos taken during these years at his notorious Paris studio reveal gatherings of the great and good of the Belle Epoque, including one of Expressionist artist Paul Gauguin minus his trousers. Visits to the museum round off with a fascinating and in-depth 30-minute documentary on Mucha’s life.

Guided tours of the Mucha Museum are available in several languages and should be booked seven days in advance. Fans of Mucha can also see his work in the stained-glass windows of St Vitus Cathedral and at Prague’s landmark Art Nouveau Municipal House.

When volcanic and seismic activity permits, 12,224-foot (3,726-meter) Mt. Rinjani is one of Indonesia’s great volcano climbs—even if you stop, as many climbers do, at the crater rim. The towering peak, complete with crater lake, dominates north Lombok, so even when the mountain is closed to visitors, hikes on the lower slopes appeal.

Climbing Mt. Rinjani is a serious hike that involves at least one night camping on the mountain. Any organized trek should include guides, porters, tents, food, water, and sleeping bags, and prices will vary according to the trek length and other extras. It’s possible to arrange Rinjani hikes on the spot in Senaru or Sembalun Lawang, but many travelers prefer to book ahead online.

When the mountain is closed, the crater and summit are inaccessible. Scenic waterfall hikes out of Senaru may provide some consolation.

The hillside village of Senaru is the most popular base both for climbing Mt. Rinjani and for exploring its scenic lower slopes. Despite its status as a trekking center, there is no public transport. Many travelers prefer the convenience of a tour that includes transport from Lombok port or airport.

Mt. Rinjani is regularly closed to visitors during the worst of the rainy season (roughly from December until late March) and occasionally closed because of geological activity. Climbing can be at its most colorful on full moon nights, when local Sasaks make pilgrimages—the mountain is sacred both to them and Balinese Hindus.

Most Mt. Rinjani climbs start from Senaru or Sembalun Lawang and involve at least one night camping on the mountain. The shortest route to the summit is a 2-day hike from Sembalun Lawang; the shortest trek takes you from Senaru to the crater rim in two days. It’s possible to spend up to four days and three nights exploring, but most opt for a 3-day, 2-night trek that includes the crater lake.

Located in Luxor, to the north of Luxor Temple and overlooking the River Nile, the Mummification Museum is a small yet interesting museum dedicated to explaining the ancient art of mummification. It can easily be explored and appreciated in less than an hour.

At the museum’s entrance is an ornate statue of Anubis, the god of embalming. The Ancient Egyptians applied their embalming techniques to many species, and the museum displays a number of mummified animals, including cats, fish, and crocodiles. There’s also a particularly well-preserved mummy of the high priest Maserharti of Amun from the 21st dynasty. 

The tools used for the mummification process are also on display, including macabre items such as spoons and spatulas that were used for scraping the brain out of the skull. Several artefacts that were believed to aid the mummy’s journey into the afterlife are also exhibited, along with some intricately painted coffins.

This family-friendly amusement park was once the third most-visited entertainment center in the USSR, and while the soviet era may be over, Mtatsminda Park remains a popular destination for travelers and locals looking for a day of fun and leisure. 

Situated atop Mtatsminda Plateau, this park is the perfect place to spend an afternoon enjoying wild rides and water park fun. Outdoor cafes offer up local cuisine at a fair price and the 80-meter Ferris wheel showcases some of the most incredible views of Tbilisi around. Travelers with small children will find plenty to keep them entertained and even those without may still want to enjoy Mtatsminda Park after taking a trip on the iconic funicular railway from the city down below.

This massive park in the countryside of Uganda is home to the famed Rabonga Forest, the Nile River and plenty of wildlife. Travelers will find hippos, chimps and plenty of crocodiles on a visit to this stunning natural wonderland. 

Travelers can take a boat cruise along the Nile and get up close to bathing elephants, water buffalo and massive hippos. Game drives through the vast savannah showcase the best of this country’s wildlife, including giraffes, warthogs, baboons, honey badgers and even an occasional lion! Some tour outfits offer birding adventures for those who want to check winged creatures off their Life List and chimp walks through the landscapes give visitors once-in-a-lifetime access to these incredible primates. Travelers can purchase handmade items and unique souvenirs at nearby Boomu Women’s Group and support this unique female-run collective. 

Often regarded as one of the greatest engineering feats of World War Two, the Mulberry Harbour was a portable and temporary structure developed by the British to facilitate speedy discharging of cargo onto the beaches on D-Day. It was, in fact, two different artificial harbors, which were towed across the English Channel and assembled just off the coast of Normandy on that infamous morning. Once fully operational, Mulberry Harbour was capable of moving 7,000 tons of vehicles and goods each day.  The harbors provided the Allies with landing ramps, necessary for the invasion of an otherwise unprotected coast. Violent storms shook the English Channel between June 19 and 22, 1944, effectively wrecking the better part of both harbors. Remains are, however, still visible a few hundred yards from Arromanches’ shoreline, continuing to remind visitors of the sheer engineering genius that emanated from the D-Day landings. The remains are best visible during low tide. The D-Day Museum nearby provides invaluable knowledge on the historical background and technical challenges that the harbors presented. 

Nicknamed the Lighthouse of the Pacific, Vanuatu’s Mt. Yasur has been continuously erupting for what's believed to be 800 years. Legend has it that the light from lava at the summit was noticed by Captain Cook, who then decided to explore the islands while mapping the South Pacific.

The 1,184‐foot (360-meter) high crater, perched above the plains of Tanna Island, is one of Vanuatu’s most popular attractions because it offers one of the world’s best opportunities to observe an active volcano. Standing atop the summit rim or the visitor viewing area, you can feel the earth quake and rumble beneath your feet, watch smoke and ash swirl up into the sky, and follow the path of magma-covered rocks as they spew from below.

Mt. Yasur’s remote location means that it is only accessible by 4-wheel-drive vehicle as part of a guided tour. There are three ways to view the volcano: fly overhead on a scenic flight, hike up to the crater rim (a steep 30-minute hike), or visit the lower viewing area (reached via steps from the parking lot).

Mt. Yasur is located in the southeast part of Tanna Island, 1.5 to 2 hours’ drive from White Grass Airport. Reaching Mt. Yasur is an adventure in itself: After driving for up to two hours on rugged, off‐road terrain, you’ll either hike for 30 minutes to the crater rim or climb a flight of stairs to reach the viewing area.

Mt. Yasur is most active during the wet season from February to April, but it will be closed to visitors if the volcano becomes too volatile. The most dazzling views are at sunrise and sunset, and most tours come at these times, either arriving or leaving in the dark.

At around 100,000 years old, Mt. Yasur is considered a young volcano and it lies on the fault line of the Australian and Pacific plates. It’s also a strombolian volcano, meaning that it erupts almost constantly, ejecting lava bombs or lapilli up into the air every five minutes or so.

The Munttoren, which means “Mint” or “Coin” tower in Dutch, is located on busy Muntplein Square in Amsterdam, precisely where the Amstel River and the Singel Canal meet and formed Regulierspoort. Built in 1487 as part as one of the main gates in Amsterdam's medieval city wall, Munttoren was mainly used to mint coins until it burned down in 1618.

It was later on rebuilt in the Amsterdam Renaissance style, with an octagonal-shaped top half and an open spire designed by celebrated Dutch architect Hendrick de Keyser. But visitors looking for a tower fitting this description will be disappointed; indeed the original guardhouse, which had survived the fire, was entirely replaced with a new building in the late 19th century except for the original carillon. It was made in 1668 and consists of 38 bells that chime every 15 minutes, even to this day – a carillonneur employed by the city of Amsterdam gives a live concert every Saturday between 2 and 3 p.m. Fun fact: scale models of the tower are exhibited at Madurodam in The Hague and at Mini-Europe in Brussels.