Shop, wine and dine in the Okanagan Valley

Long known for its beautiful lake, golf courses and orchards, the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia makes the perfect backdrop for a great girlfriends' getaway. As one of the warmest regions of Canada, the Okanagan offers plenty of sunshine, wine and a cornucopia of foodie delights. And who doesn't love indulging in delectable fare; especially since calories don't count when you're on vacation, right ladies?

Farm, fashion and a foot massage
Take advantage of the great weather and visit the area's famed wineries, but don't forget about the local farms that produce first-class offerings. In and around Kelowna, there are several family farms you and your foodie friends can visit including:

-Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm
-Arlo's Honey Farm and;
-Carmelis Goat Cheese Artisan, where you can say hello to some adorable goats and sample the heavenly goat cheese. If your group is more interested in urban life, hit the shops of Kelowna's downtown and Cultural District. Trendy clothing awaits you at stores such as Blonde or Passport, while locally made décor and jewelry are the finds at Funktional.

Stop for a shot of tea -- yes, a shot -- at Chai Baba Teahouse, home to the first tea-spresso in North America. The custom tea blends will quench your thirst and nurture your spirit.

No girls' getaway is complete without spa time, so head over to the Cove Lakeside Resort in Westbank for side-by-side pedicures. Get your tootsies pampered while catching up with the girls. Pick up a bottle of Mission Hill's signature Oculus wine to sip while you unwind.

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More wine and dine time
The Okanagan is wine country, so hit the wine route on the Naramata Bench and stop for tastings at local favourites Lake Breeze Winery and Elephant Island Winery.

If you really want to impress at your next dinner party, the Naramata Unfiltered Wine Education Retreat is just what you need. Spend the day with wine connoisseur Rhys Pender, who will teach you everything you need to know about pairing wines with food. Pender teaches in a way that's fun, easy and not-at-all pretentious. Unfiltered also offers behind-the-scenes access to blending sessions and cellar tastings with the winemakers at renowned wineries such as Laughing Stock and Joie. To further indulge your taste buds, a dinner at God's Mountain B&B in Penticton with Joy Road Catering is a must. Dine outdoors on local seasonal cuisine, fabulously prepared, while overlooking Skaha Lake and a Riesling vineyard. Plus, Thursday night dinners showcase a different local winemaker each week.

All in all, the Okanagan has all the ingredients you need to concoct a divine girls' getaway. Take a peek at this slideshow about food and fun in B.C.'s Okaganan Valley and get inspired to start planning your trip with the ladies.

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