Things to Do in Kelowna & Okanagan Valley

Rustaq was once the capital of Oman, and you can still see many traces of its historical legacy. In a city of low buildings, most no taller than the palm trees which abound here, the pre-Islamic-era Rustaq Fort makes a majestic sight. Its thick walls enclose a mosque long known as a center of Islamic learning. Al-Hazm Castle is built in a similarly monumental style, though it dates from more than a millennium later.

The wadis (valleys) of the surrounding area are well worth exploring and are known for their natural springs: Al-Kasfa is the most popular place to enjoy the therapeutic properties of the warm, sulfurous waters. Natural irrigation makes this a fertile fruit-growing region which is also known for its excellent honey.

Almost hidden among the narrow streets surrounding Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar, the Rustem Pasha Mosque is one of several Ottoman era mosques designed by famous imperial architect Mimar Sinan.  Sitting on the site of an old Byzantine church, an inscription indicates that the mosque was built in honor of Suleyman the Magnificent’s son-in-law and grand vizier, Rustem Pasha.  Despite incurring fire and earthquake damage over the years, the mosque has been repaired and still showcases some of the best of Ottoman architecture.

The Rustem Pasha Mosque is unique in that it sits on a high terrace above the hustle and bustle of the bazaar – many visitors don’t even realize it is there. Two staircases lead from the street up to the terrace and a colonnaded porch that stands in front of the diminutive mosque. However, the mosque may be best known for its extensive use of colorful Iznik tiles set in a variety of floral and geometric designs.  Indeed, it could be considered one of the most lavish mosques in Istanbul, with tiles covering the outer façade, interior walls and four large pillars.  

The name Sacramento doesn’t just refer to California’s capital, but it’s also the name of the largest river in all of California. In total, the Sacramento River flows for 445 miles from the high country outside of Mount Shasta to the waters of San Francisco Bay. Camping, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are popular pastimes on the wilderness sections outside of Redding and Red Bluff, although most visitors to the Sacramento River are those who stroll along its banks in Old Town Sacramento. Step aboard the Delta King Riverboat that’s now permanently docked on the river, and dine in one of the multiple restaurants in this historic, floating hotel. In summer, the calm waters of the Sacramento River are covered in colorful clusters of tubers and floating cooler flotillas—and while the tubers eventually leave the river and continue to wander the Old Town, the water keeps following its route towards the sea to create an inland series of wetlands home to thousands of resident birds. Finally, as the river approaches San Francisco Bay and forms a deep water delta, wakeboarding, boating, sailing, and kitesurfing keep East Bay residents entertained where the river meets with the sea. 

Runaway Bay is located along the scenic northern coast of Jamaica in Saint Ann Parish, west of Ocho Rios and east of Discovery Bay. A quiet resort destination, Runaway Bay attracts visitors looking to escape the crowds in the busier port cities of Ocho Rios, Falmouth and Montego Bay. One of the best ways to experience the natural beauty and tranquility at Runaway Bay is to spend a few days at one of the resorts. If you’re pressed for time, shore excursions are a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time and often visit Runaway Bay en route to other island attractions.

Runaway Bay is home to excellent beaches and it’s one of the top snorkeling destinations on the island of Jamaica, due in large part to the coral reef that’s located just offshore. Visitors to Runaway Bay can enjoy a variety of watersports including windsurfing, waterskiing, snorkeling and scuba diving in the warm, clear Caribbean waters. Glass bottom boat rides, horseback riding on the beach and golf at the nearby resorts are also popular activities. Paradise Beach and Cardiff Hall Public Beach are two of the nicest beaches in Runaway Bay. Clothing is optional along select stretches of beachfront, so you’ll want to check first before taking the kids.

In addition to the beaches, there are several interesting attractions and things to do in and around the village of Runaway Bay in Jamaica. Visit the Columbus Park Museum, a large open-air park and museum space situated along the coast; the Seville Great House; and the nearby village of Nine Mile, once home to the legendary Reggae singer and Jamaican native Bob Marley. Other area attractions include the Pear Tree River and the Rio Bueno River for kayaking, rafting and tubing adventures along the rapids. Finally you’ll also want to check out the Green Grotto Caves, the largest and most accessible caves on the island of Jamaica and home to stalagmites, stalactites and a small underground lake.

Founded in 1862, the Russian State Library features more than 43 million items in more than 240 languages, including 17.5 million books. The collection includes maps, sheet music, newspapers and audio recordings, as well as at least one copy of every book published in the country between 1922 and 1991. With more than 170 miles of shelves, it is the largest library in Russia and the fourth largest in the world. The main collection includes more than 200 private book collections belonging to popular Russian figures in science, culture and education, and a collection of rare books has more than 300,000 volumes. The State Library also holds regular educational and cultural events and has more than 30 reading rooms available for visitors to reserve.

Lording over the heart of the city, the immense Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption—abbreviated to Catedral da Sé in reference to its status as the seat of the local Roman Catholic archbishop—almost seems out of place with its mid-century Modernist neighbors. In fact, the current neo-Gothic structure is the third incarnation of the cathedral, the first church having been established in 1589. Designed by German architect Maximilian Hehl in 1912, construction on the current church began the following year, only coming to full completion in 1967, a full 50 years after Hehl himself died and 13 years after the cathedral was inaugurated for São Paulo’s 400th anniversary in 1954.

One of the largest neo-Gothic structures in the world and certainly the largest in Brazil, the cathedral’s massive dimensions include a length of 364 feet, a 98-foot dome, and a height of 301 feet from ground level to the tip of the twin spires. The 12,000-pipe organ is among the largest in South America and the church houses a vast number of religious artworks, including colorful mosaics and stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes. With capacity for 8,000 parishioners, there is plenty of room for the devout and the curious.

One of the many formal gardens encircling Madrid’s magnificent Royal Oriente Palace, the Sabatini Gardens, or Les Jardines de Sabatini, lie on the northern border of the palace grounds. Named in honor of the renowned 18th-century Italian architect, Francesco Sabatini, who designed the former royal stables that once stood on the plot, the gardens were opened to the public in 1978 by King Juan Carlos I and drew wide acclaim for their innovative Neoclassic style. Set around a monumental pond and fountain, the Sabatini Gardens feature a maze of sculpted hedges fashioned into elaborate geometrical patterns that look even more impressive from overhead.

The idyllic gardens are a popular spot for locals and tourists to relax, with plenty of shaded picnic spots tucked beneath the many pine and cypress trees. One of the most notable features are the fantastic views of the palace, accessed by a grand stone staircase at the foot of the garden. From across the central pond, the rear of palace is a picture of perfect symmetry, dramatically framed by trees and casting shimmering reflections on the water.

One of the most atmospheric times to visit is during the summer Los Veranos de la Villa festival, when the Sabatini Gardens and the Casa de Campo park host a series of open-air music concerts, theater, cinema showings and Flamenco performances.

The residential, commercial and leisure area known as Saadiyat Island sits just off the coast of Abu Dhabi. While the project is still under development and set to be completed in 2020, visitors can get a glimpse of what the island will eventually be like by visiting the Manarat Al Saadiyat, a visitor center with an exhibit on the Saadiyat Island development, as well as space for several temporary exhibitions.

The UAE Pavilion from the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai has been relocated to the island as well, now serving as a major events venue for the city. Visitors can also play a round of golf at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, designed by Gary Player, or enjoy the beach at the two resorts already opened for business.

Over the next several years, architects from around the globe including Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid, will be working on Abu Dhabi installations of the Louvre and Guggenheim museums, as well as a performing arts center, maritime museum, marina and promenade.

The Rumeli Fortress sits on a hill on the European side of Istanbul, overlooking the Bosphorus at its narrowest point. Built by Sultan Mehmed II prior to the conquest of Constantinople, the fortress was intended to help him control traffic along the Bosphorus and prevent aid from reaching the city from the Black Sea during the Siege of Constantinople in 1453. With the help of thousands of workers, the fortress was completed in just over four months.

In addition to three main towers, the fortress had one small tower and thirteen watchtowers, as well as three main gates next to the three main towers. It also had wooden houses for soldiers, a small mosque and a large cistern that distributed water to the fortress through three wall fountains. The shaft of the mosque’s minaret and one of the water fountains remain in the fortress today.

After the conquest of Constantinople, the fortress served as a customs checkpoint before later becoming a prison for foreign prisoners-of-war. It was completely abandoned by the 19th century, allowing a residential neighborhood to pop up inside. In 1953, Turkish president Celal Bayar ordered the residents to be relocated so the fortress could be renovated. It reopened as a museum and open-air theater in 1960 and as functioned as such ever since.

With its teeming markets and non-stop activity, Nadi can be a fascinating city for experiencing Fijian culture. Every now and then, however, you simply need to escape the city and drive out into the country. Go to a place with wide open spaces where the pace of life is slow.  For travelers who need a break from the city but are still wanting a bit of adventure, the Sabeto Valley offers a nearby escape that is one the most popular day trips from Nadi.

Set 15 minutes north of the city, this lush valley at the foot of the highlands is a journey to rural Fiji. The Sabeto River winds its way down from the densely-forested interior, and along its route it has carved a valley which is peppered with traditional villages.  One of the most popular sights in the Sabeto Valley is the Sabeto Valley mud bath. The locals believe that the mud in this pool has natural healing properties, and you immerse yourself in a pool of mud and let it cake your body. Somewhat of a natural spa experience in a rural Fijian pasture, it’s best to visit later in the day when the air is refreshing and cool.

Prior to visiting the Sabeto Valley mud bath, you can also make a stop at The Garden of the Sleeping Giant which is tucked in the depths of the valley. This 50-acre sanctuary features the largest orchid collection in Fiji, and over 2,000 species of the delicate flowers provide color to the valley of green.

While not exactly in Sabeto itself, many travelers combine Sabeto Valley with a visit to the Vuda Lookout. This lofty promontory offers a 360-degree panorama that is one of the best views on the west coast of the island. Looking east, you have the rugged topography of the forested Nausori Highlands. Looking north, you gaze on the buildings of Viseisei village which is the site of the first Fijian landing. To the south, Nadi airport and the outskirts of the city are a reminder of how much Fiji has grown. Finally, to the west, the Yasawa Islands float on the horizon like verdant pinnacles from the sea.

While it might not be located very far outside of Nadi, there are enough things to do in the Sabeto Valley to warrant a day of exploration.