Things to Do in Kelowna & Okanagan Valley

In 1856 this iconic Costa Rican river transported weapons, soldiers and food during the war against the filibusters. Today, Sarapiqui River has been named a national monument and is one of the country’s top destinations. Adventurous travelers can navigate the raging rapids of level III and IV white waters, while laid back visitors and families searching for fun can opt for a relaxing day tour or rive safari. 

The surrounding mountains, as well as the La Selva Biological Reserve are home to scenic landscapes and plenty of wildlife. During a river safari, keep eyes peeled for turtles, sloths, monkeys and iguanas, as well as colorful tropical birds found only here! And travelers who prefer to keep their feet on land can still catch their share of rugged beauty on hikes on the reserve’s epic trails.

With more than 40 major beaches lining St Thomas’ shores, how do you decide which to visit?

One of the most popular is Sapphire Beach, located on the east end of the island. This area of St Thomas is known for its laid-back atmosphere and is home to some of the best views of neighboring St John. With a mix of red-tiled roof homes and commerical buildings, the area is anchored by Red Hook, a popular spot for boating enthusiasts and where the historic center of Charlotte Amalie is located.

Sapphire Beach, an ideal stop for cruise ship passengers exploring St Thomas for a day, features about 35 acres of fine white sand beaches and is also a great choice for families. The waters are calm and good for snorkeling, while the sea grape trees on the right end of the beach provide some shade for beach goers. The left side, however, is ideal for sunbathing. Keep your eyes open for ducks and iguanas wandering the shores.

At the nearby Sapphire Beach Resort, visitors can rent lounge chairs and snorkeling equipment, or opt for other water activities, such as windsurfing, kayaking, jet skiing and sailing.

Sanxia is a small traditional town situated just outside the suburban area of Taipei, close to the town of Yingge. The town attracts visitors who come to see Sanxia Old Street, as well as a wide selection of galleries and temples in and around the area.

Sanxia (meaning “three gorges”) was once an important distribution hub. As it developed as a base for production, the streets became lined with shops selling dyes, tea, and manufacturing materials. Although the town is no longer the economic powerhouse it once was, remnants of its past remain, particularly along Sanxia Old Street, which retains its unique colonial Japanese architecture from the early 20th century. This street is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful old streets it Taiwan. The restaurants here offer a place for visitors to refuel and soak up the atmosphere, while the shops sell everything from ceramics to souvenirs.

Sanxia is also home to some significant temples, of which the Zushi Temple stands out for its sheer aesthetic beauty. Built in 1767 by immigrants from the Fujian province in China, all the temple’s walls and columns are sculpted from stone, with both ancient and modern styles evident in the building’s detail.

The Sarajevo Tunnel is an underground tunnel turned war museum, and the best way to learn about the Siege of Sarajevo in Bosnia. Dug out by hand with shovels and picks, the 2,625-foot (800-meter) tunnel served as a lifeline for the city in 1993, connecting the Dobrinja and Butmir neighborhoods to the free Bosnian territory just beyond the Sarajevo Airport. After the Bosnian War ended, the house whose cellar served as an entrance to the tunnel was turned into a museum.

Visitors can watch an 18-minute movie about the war, the blockade and the tunnel experience, and view photographs, maps, military equipment and uniforms, as well as a variety of tools and documents. Visitors can also enter about 20 meters of the tunnel. The museum is a stop on nearly all war-themed tours of Sarajevo and guides can offer valuable insight and perspective.

Sarnath is a small town in Uttar Pradesh, situated 13 kilometers from the holy city of Varanasi. As the place where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and also where the original Sangha was formed, Sarnath is one of the four major Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in India.

It is said that the Buddha went from Bodh Gaya to the now famous deer park in Sarnath around five weeks after his enlightenment to give his first sermon to his five disciples, Kaundinya, Bashpa, Bhadrika, Mahanama, and Ashvajit.

Within the deer park complex is the large Dhamek Stupa, constructed by the Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC to commemorate his pilgrimage there. It is said that this stupa marks the exact spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. There are also several other ancient Buddhist structures in the park, along with a museum – the Sarnath Archaeological Museum – which houses a small collection of artefacts exhumed from across the site.

The Santos Dumont House Museum celebrates the life and accomplishments of a pioneer of aviation, Alberto Santos Dumont. His summer home in Petrópolis has been transformed into a small museum that gives visitors a peak into the famed-inventor’s life, who many don’t realize is disputed as the inventor of the airplane.

Built climbing up the hillside, this charming chalet is filled with peculiarities, reflective of Santos Dumont’s creativity and intellect. The house has three neatly compact floors, connected by a staircase made of racquets, which forces visitors to begin their ascent with the right foot. A highlight is the shower that Santos Dumont built himself while living there in the early 1900s, made out of a perforated bucket with a homemade alcohol water heater. In the living room are various artifacts and knick-knacks like Santos Dumont’s old notebooks, letters and clothing, an antique telephone, original blueprints, and old photographs. The top floor is home to the bedroom and a viewpoint that the inventor used as an astronomical observatory. Informational panels in multiple languages are on display throughout the museum, and there’s also a short film about Santos Dumont’s life, inventions and accomplishments. 

 

Toledo’s relatively humble Santo Tomé Church happens to be home to one of the world’s most famous paintings: The Burial of Count Orgaz, by El Greco. The star piece was commissioned for the church’s chapel, where the count is buried, and features the burial along with St. Augustine and St. Stephen. El Greco in fact appears in his creation as well, even though the event took place over a century prior to the painting.

The church dates back to the 12th century (when it was built atop a previous mosque) but was later reconstructed in the 14th century with the funds of the aforementioned Count Orgaz, who was a generous benefactor. The building’s tower is distinguished as being one of the finest examples of Mudejar architecture in Toledo — take note of its typically Moorish horseshoe-shaped bell tower windows. Though Santo Tomé itself may not be among Toledo’s most impressive sights, it’s the famous painting and history behind it that continue to lure the masses to the church’s doors.

What is known as Sapanca Gölü and Sapanca Lake in English is a rather large, 45-square-kilometer fresh water lake in Northwestern Turkey. Wedged between the Gulf of Izmit and the Adapazari Meadow, the lake is surrounded by forest-covered mountains on its northern side; because of its outstanding natural beauty, the area has become one of the top weekend getaways destinations for Istanbulites and even international visitors. There are several hotels and holiday villas on the lakeshore. A popular way to explore the Sapanca Lake and region is by bike; many tour operators in the area offer pre-made itineraries and bike rentals for day-trippers. There are several buildings of interest in the region as well, including wonders of the Ottoman and Byzantine eras. Due to the proximity of the Black Sea, the Sapanca area benefits from an oceanic climate with warm summers and cool winters. Part of what makes Sapanca so special is the fact that it gets covered in snow in the wintertime, making it an ideal ski resort close to Istanbul.

Another 16 kings also built their tombs at Saqqara, and the area was used as a burial site until well into Roman times. In 1979, UNESCO named the area a World Heritage site.

The Santo Amaro Docks (Docas de Santo Amaro), located beneath the 25 de Abril Bridge along the waterfront between Baixa and Belem, is both a lively marina with moorages for hundreds of boats, as well as one of Lisbon’s nightlife hot spots. 

Locally known simply as “Docas,” this waterfront area features restaurants, bars and clubs housed in old warehouses. It’s a lively place for an afternoon drink, and the waterfront is landscaped all the way to Belem, making for a pleasant 30-minute stroll. Things really start heating up come nightfall when Lisbon’s youth turn out to party late into the night.

Medellin has been declared one of the most innovative cities in the world, and a project that demonstrates that innovation is the Santo Domingo Savio Library.

North of town, up in the hills, a neighborhood called Santo Domingo Savio experienced an amazing change from one of the most economically depressed areas of the city to a prospering one, all because of a project to build a library. 

More commonly known as the Spain Library (Biblioteca España), because it was built with a grant from the king of Spain, it is composed of three modern, black cubist buildings. Inside, the library not only has books but also computer rooms with free Internet and library assistants to provide help. This has given the local residents a space for social gatherings and access to information that was formerly unavailable.

This library, now an icon of cultural revival, has changed the reality for area residents. The access to information and education has meant more development, more locally owned businesses and more opportunities. The library is fully supported by the community and is kept in spotless condition. And one of the great things about this library is that you get there by Metrocable, the cable car that is the extension of the public transportation metro system, designed to join the poorer sections of Medellin to the rest of the city. 

Sanur Beach offers travelers the chance to step back in time. Sure, this famed destination may not lead visitors into ancient history like nearby temples and archeological ruins, but these sandy shores still offer up a bit of old school flavor. That’s because Sanur Beach is one of Bali’s first beach resorts, and while some things have changed, its original laid-back vibe and surf-ready waves remain constant.

Middle-age travelers and the family set find this to be one of Bali’s best beaches, thanks to a slightly more-mature energy that’s perfect for relaxing. It avoids the wild shot-slinging feel of some of Bali’s other more party-hearty beaches and offers up the perfect setting for soaking up sun and absorbing local traditions. Cultural activities like the International Kite Festival and the Le Mayeur Museum, as well as historical sites like the Pura Blanjong temple mean there’s plenty for visitors to do away from the sand, too.

Officially called the Basilica of St. Stephen in the Round, Santo Stefano Rotondo gets its more commonly-known nickname from its shape – it's one of the world's oldest and largest circular churches.

The church was built in the 5th century, and although it was altered in the 6th and 7th centuries and then quite drastically in the 15th century, the central part of the church remains the original 5th century design.

In addition to the church's shape, the other main attraction are the gruesome frescoes that line the outer wall. There are 34 scenes of martyrdom depicted, painted in the 16th century, each with a brief explanation of who was martyred and who gave the order.

Saona Island (Isla Saona) is the Dominican Republic's largest coastal island, clocking in at 15 miles (25 kilometers) long and three miles (5 kilometers) wide, with a population of little more than 300. Part of the National Park of the East, the island features plenty of photo-worthy white sands, swaying palm trees, and turquoise waters.

Set sail across the Caribbean Sea on a speedboat or catamaran cruise to Saona Island to spend a day swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing at the island's beaches and lagoons. Full-day Saona Island tours run from Punta Cana, La Romana, Bayahibe Beach, and Santo Domingo, and often include visits to mainland sights such as Altos de Chavon. Alternatively, arrive in style on a private helicopter to enjoy spectacular views along the island's southern coast. 

Saona Island is located at the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic, and is only reachable by boat. The closest mainland town is Bayahibe. From there, Saona Island is 40 minutes away by speedboat, or two hours away on a leisurely catamaran cruise.

The most popular time to visit Saona Island is during the dry summer months from December through February, and resorts can fill up quickly during the this time. Thanks to the mild Caribbean climate, it's possible to visit year-round, but while off-season visitors can benefit from reduced prices, boat tours can be canceled due to rough weather during hurricane season from August through November.

After visiting the village of Mano Juan, exploring Cotubanamá Cave, and strolling the pristine Canto de la Playa beach, take a dip at a natural pool filled with giant starfish or swim and snorkel at Palmilla Beach. The island has plenty of offshore wonders too—look out for bottlenose dolphins, turtles, manatees, and whales as you cruise around the coast.

This tiny village just north of Pokhara is known for its stunning sunrises over the Annapurna Mountains. Travelers get incredible views and a taste of local village life during an overnight stay at this popular destination. 

Visit the Shiva temple tucked away on the mountaintop, soak up stunning views of Phewa Lake and look for indigenous birds, leopards and tigers roaming through the natural landscapes. Adrenaline junkies can also paraglide from Sarangot, or fly down the world’s fastest zipline, which starts at the top of this famous mountain. 

Sarojini Nagar Market is one of Delhi’s most popular markets, predominantly specializing in export brand names at extremely low prices. Located to the southwest of the city center, this bustling spot is popular with locals and tourists looking for bargains they can’t get elsewhere.

The market has a vibrant energy about it, and the sheer variety of merchandise on offer means you could easily spend half a day rummaging around its numerous shops and stalls. Discount western-style clothes aren’t the only thing on offer either, with home furnishings, bags, cosmetics, footwear, jewelry, and other accessories all a part of the market’s mix too.

Sarojini Nagar Market is the ideal place for keen shoppers, and can be enjoyed as part of a guided tour of Delhi's markets. As well as having an expert's opinion as you shop and haggle for bargains, this offers the added benefit of being privately transported to several of the city’s other popular markets.

Insider’s Tip: Sarojini Nagar Market is one of the best places in the city to try out your bargaining skills. Haggling for a better price is expected, with savings of up to 50 percent off the asking price to be had, so don’t always accept the first price you’re offered. The first rule of haggling is to keep the exchange positive – a friendly smile can go a long way.