We had planned on exploring a number of new hidden gems of BC this year.
Our agenda included a road trip to Vancouver and a few discoveries in that area, a bit of exploring around Victoria, a weekend getaway to Lillooet, and a look at some of the attractions we have here in the Okanagan Valley.
Things didn’t go quite as expected. Instead, the COVID-19 pandemic altered our plans.
To slow the spread of the virus, most tourism-related businesses and services closed down temporarily as all non-essential travel was discouraged.
As we have now moved into Phase 3 of BC’s Restart Plan, a number of businesses have reopened with new social distancing and sanitization measures in place. Many tourism and hospitality businesses, coffee shops, breweries, restaurants, parks and trails have reopened.
This is a time to stay close to home, for now. A time to explore local and support our local businesses. A time to discover our own backyard. It’s a time to Explore BC locally.
“During COVID-19, we’ve taken this time as an opportunity to explore our own backyard in beautiful BC.”
Kim
This has been a time for us to discover and rediscover so many wonderful hidden gems we have in our own neighbourhood. Places that we can walk to, ride our bike to, or take a short drive to discover.
We’ve enjoyed hiking trails close to our home in Summerland as well as in our neighbouring communities of Naramata, West Bench and Penticton. We climbed Mount Nkwala for the first time. We walked around the rural roads surrounding orchards and vineyards and soaked up the blossoms. We hopped on our bikes and rode to local wineries.
We’ve discovered and rediscovered so many incredible hidden gems in our area.
“We’re looking forward to a future trip to Revelstoke and Golden, as well as some other upcoming road trips.”
John
This is also a time to rest, relax and make some plans for places we want to see and things we want to do as we start venturing out a little further around BC.
A few of the places on our list include a cabin getaway, maybe even a yurt somewhere in the Interior. We plan on rebooking our trips to Lillooet and the Island. And of course we’ll hit the trails, check out the waterfalls, and stop at some coffee shops, breweries and wineries along the way.
We can hardly wait to start discovering more of British Columbia’s hidden gems in the days, weeks and months ahead.
