Things to Do in Kelowna & Okanagan Valley

San Blas is the artisan precinct of Peru’s most famous handicrafts town, Cusco.

This area of workshops and studios, galleries and shops is the home of Cusco’s weavers, sculptors and potters. The artists’ enclave is ideal for a stroll, its cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed adobe houses decorated with contrasting blue doors and window frames.

You’ll also see remnants of Inca walls in this hilly enclave, where some narrow streets are so steep they are stepped.

San Blas is a perfect late-afternoon destination, with bars and restaurants, galleries and studios for relaxed visits into the evening.

Samana Bay is the heart of the Samana region in the far northeast of the Dominica Republic. Along its shores, you’ll find the famed Los Haitises National Park, protected tropical forest where you can explore caverns adorned with native Taino petroglyphs, spectacular tree covered islets, and idyllic mangrove lagoons. The bay itself is also a popular attraction for divers and snorkelers, and during the winter months it becomes a gathering point for migrating humpback whales, which come here from cooler climes to mate and birth their calves. During this time, whale watching tours practically guarantee sightings of these massive marine mammals as the jump and play at the water’s surface.

For those who don’t want to book their tour dates six months in advance for the Inca Trail (especially during high season from June through August, when permits sell out quickly), the Salkantay Trail is a great alternative. Not only is it easier to plan because you don’t need to book in advance, it’s more affordable, less touristy and is often said to have a more authentic feel than the classic Inca Trail. Salkantay is a remote and scenic trek located in the same region as the Inca Trail, and immerses you in a world of glaciers, villages, lakes, tropical valleys, mountains, jungle and more, with postcard-worthy views every step of the way.

Keep a lookout for the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain, an impressive peak at 20,570 feet (6,270 meters). On the fourth day of the trek you come to the cloud forest-covered town of Aguas Calientes, named for its hot thermal baths which you can rest your tired muscles in.

Typically hikers spend the night in a hotel before taking an early morning train to Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the highlight of the journey. After hiking the challenging Salkantay Trek for four days, you’ll really feel like you earned the right to be there. Keep in mind you’ll be trekking at high altitudes, so make sure to arrive in Cusco a few days early to acclimatize.

Located in the historic Intramuros Manila's Walled City, the Church of San Agustin was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its Baroque architecture specific to the Philippines. A Roman Catholic church, it was constructed by the Spanish in the 16th century but was not consecrated until 1607. While its beautiful architecture is reason enough to visit, the church also houses the San Agustin Museum, as well as tombs of several historical figures, including conquistadors, statesmen, and artists.

The Rose Garden is a worthwhile day trip from the capital. Not a botanical garden as the name suggests (although there are roses in a well-maintained and beautiful garden), it's a cultural center that provides a one-stop shop for learning and experiencing all things Thai.

If you visit the center on a tour, your visit will be timed to take in the daily show at 2:45pm in the Thai Cultural Village. You'll see Thai folk dancing, Thai boxing, sword fighting and an elephant show.

If the show doesn't sound like your thing, there are plenty of hands-on art and craft activities to engage in throughout the Rose Garden. If you've ever wanted to plant rice or make a lantern out of palm leaves then this is the place to do just that.

San Anton Gardens are the most beautiful of the few public parks in Malta. They surround an ornate palazzo built by Grand Master of the Knights of St John, Antoine de Paule, as his summer residence in 1636 – it’s now the official residence of the Maltese President – and were bequeathed to the public in 1882.

A sweet-smelling citrus orchard lies at the heart of the walled gardens, a tranquil haven in the middle of busy Attard. They are landscaped in a formal Italianate fashion, dotted with elaborate follies, sculptures and fountains, dissected by shady paved walkways giving shelter from the mid-summer sun. Some of the trees here are more than 300 years old and the twisted trunks of ancient jacarandas, cypresses and Norfolk pines line the paths, palm trees soar upwards and flowerbeds blaze with color all year around.

A small aviary and a petting farm enchant children, while bubbling ponds are full of flashing koi and turtles; ducks, geese and peacocks wander the grounds at will and lizards dart through the undergrowth. The gardens are a summer venue for open-air theater, including a Shakespeare season every July, and host Malta’s biggest horticultural show in May.

Massive Indian Laurel trees line the winding roads that lead to this picturesque town at the foothills of Monte Alban. Known for its famous painted wooden animals called alebrijes, some 80 families craft these popular souvenirs by hand using local copal, Sierra Sur and Mixteca trees. Travelers can explore the markets, museum and galleries of San Antonio Arrazola, where these one-of-a-kind pieces are on display and learn more about the age-old tradition passed down through generations. Those in the know say it’s best to have artisans pack up figures to keep them safe to travel and that once visitors arrive home the alebrijes should be popped in the freezer temporarily to kill off any termites.

Perhaps the most popular of Bangkok’s street markets, Sampeng Market—known by locals at Yaowarat—is an energetic and eclectic space in the city’s Chinatown neighborhood that’s jam packed with food, fabric, jewelry and other random items. Locals flock to crowded stalls in search of wholesale items, while tourists can be found sampling spicy dishes and combing through collections of t-shirts, handbags, jewelry and artwork. Travelers are encouraged to barter for lower prices, although most items are tough to find cheaper. Those who prefer a more typical shopping experience can head to nearby Terminal 21, a well-known shopping mall with fewer crowds and standard international offerings.

With its narrow cobblestone streets and pastel-painted buildings, overlooked by the ruins of the 13th century Stari Grad fortress, Samobor is one of Croatia’s most picturesque medieval towns and famous for its riotous annual carnival celebrations.

Located 25km west of Zagreb, Samobor makes a popular day trip from the capital and a scenic base for exploring the woodland trails of the surrounding Samobor Hills, as well as the caves and gorges of the Zumberak I Samobor Gorje Prirodni Nature Park. In the town itself, the majority of sights are clustered around the central Kralja Tomislava square, including the Gothic St Michael's Church, the Church of St Anastasia and the Town Museum (Gradski Muzej) - all striking examples of Samobor’s historic architecture.

Samobor is also renowned as a center of Croatian gastronomy and has a wealth of fine restaurants and local specialties to impress even the most seasoned foodies. Samobor's famous aperitif, Bermet is traditionally sipped before a meal, but most indulgent are the desserts, including traditional dishes like Rudorska Greblica, a rich cheesecake, or Samoborska Kremšnita, a delicious vanilla custard pastry.