The best soaking place of them all at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort: a one person tub built right into the mountain side above the historical bathhouses with a glorious view of the valley and mountains below. (Jane Stevenson/QMI Agency)

Encounters with nonchalant bruins feeding on wild berries can be a terrifying experience for unsuspecting tourists.

Two days in a row, during a weekend getaway in Fairmont Hot Springs, British Columbia, we encountered a couple of bears.

The first one was a cub in search of lunch at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort and the second is a full grown beast wandering about a front yard. But once you've overcome bear attack fears -- following advice from locals, it's the cougars you should worry about -- you'd find this B.C. town an attractive, off-the-beaten-track vacation destination.

Its best feature is the relative seclusion, which lends to a more private enjoyment of nature -- one thing such destinations as Banff, Lake Louise and Whistler have long lost due to their popularity among tourists.

You can spend quality family time here away from the distracting curious tourists who frequent the Rockies, and still get that awesome feel of being close to nature.

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Have you ever kayaked with spawning salmon in the winding Columbia River? B.C. Rockies Adventures can guide you to a leisurely 5-km paddling expedition and the best part is you don't need to be experienced.

The guides will give you the basics on paddling safely and on you'll be launched into an afternoon journey of communing with aquatic creatures and other wildlife such as bald eagle and colourful woodpeckers.

Jocelyn MacGregor, one of the guides, said kayaking is definitely the most popular outdoor activity during the summer and early fall.

They take novice kayakers down the river for a trip between 1 and 3 p.m. daily and sometimes they have groups in the evening.

Although the scheduled kayak tour can be generally booked in for between May and late October, the brave, adventurous ones can go to a winter water trip provided the river isn't solid hard ice.

MacGregor said a kayak tour is almost as close to nature one can possibly be with the majestic view of the Columbia Valley.

"The fact that you can see the whole valley, you usually see lots of wildlife, and in the fall the salmon spawning, kayaking can definitely be the highlight of your weekend getaway," she said.

If you're not into aquatic tours, you can always bring your bike or rent one to explore the area.

The other option is a guided scenic horseback riding. Your guide will take you climbing up and down the hills, across cools water streams, to see stunning views of the valley.

If you prefer to simply hike around the area, one destination you must not miss is the Hoodoos -- geological formations that stand imposingly by Hwy. 93/95.

Winter adventures are a different story and you can have ample opportunities to find one in this four-season destination where ski mountains are friendly to beginners. The uncrowded trails and runs for skiing and snowboarding are perfect for little ones that are beginning to discover the thrill of these winter sports.

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At the end of your exploration of the area, you can always look forward to soaking in Canada's largest natural hot springs, known for healing and rejuvenation qualities.

If you're a registered Fairmont Hot Springs Resort guest, you have unlimited access to all pools both hot and cold, to a sauna and a private outdoor soaking pool.

For those who want to get pampered, the resort's spa awaits you.

If you stay long enough in this quiet little town, chances are you'd meet someone who can show you the way to a hidden, undeveloped waterfall cascading with hot springs rapids.

Resort staff won't tell you where this exotic spot is, although it's within the property.

This hidden paradise is becoming more and more popular among the regulars, who appreciate both the safe environment of the resort's hot pools and the rustic, slightly modified natural soaking tubs where you can get free back massage from the rapidly cascading warm water.

There's only one caveat : Explore the hidden hot spring waterfall at your own risk.

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Whenever I travel away from the comfort of my own home and kitchen, it's always a must to find reasonably priced restaurants.

Asian is my comfort food, but I know Chinese and Indian cuisines can be a rarity in smaller towns.

A mere 10-minute drive from The Residences at Fairmont Ridge, where we stayed, is the Hoodoo Pub and Grill.

Who would have thought I'd find a panko-crusted basa on a bed of rice, blanketed with a spicy, sweet chili sauce, at this local hot spot?

There was no wavering what to order. The only doubt I had was whether the entrée would come with real Jasmine rice.

Some of the culinary trips I've had in the past proved to be a disappointment.

The menu would say the dish comes with Jasmine rice and then what ends up in front of me is the processed, instant variety.

Not at Hoodoo.

The aromatic scent of steamed Jasmine rice was evidently palatable.

It was indeed a comfort to find this treat in a place where what's familiar to my palate isn't always easy to come by.

Surpr isingly, the highlight of the meal was something unfamiliar: A creamy soup made with garlic and dill pickle.

The sour and creamy flavour of this Polish-inspired soup ripped through my mouth like polka dancers.

Just when I thought Hoodoo Bar and Grill is the only place where I'd find my comfort food, the newly renovated Bear's Paw Bar and Grill at the resort proved me wrong because I found and enjoyed a decent butter chicken with rice dish.

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Finding a good restaurant is a must in my trips, but I also enjoy making meals while in an unfamiliar territory.

Although I didn't cook during this trip, The Residences at Fairmont Ridge located just steps from the resort, provided that opportunity with its modern, open designs and state-of-the-art kitchen made for entertaining and gourmet cooking.

The Residences is one of the newest projects in the area and it comes with all the fixings -- fully furnished and stocked, home theatre system, recreation room, Internet, among others.

Vacationers can either rent the place or own a fraction of a unit, depending on how much one is willing to invest in their seasonal getaway spot.

For less than $40,000 you can get a deeded 16th fractional ownership option.

Developer Tim Tourond said timeshare product has remained the competitive choice in the Columbia Valley due to its low cost and flexible exchange programs.

"The new fractional offering at The Residences, owning a second home becomes a smarter choice and significantly easier, and in these times, ease and value mean everything," he said.

Tourond said what's attracting people to the little Rocky paradise is its four seasons during which people can indulge in a variety of recreational activities such as golfing and skiing.

If you want to build your own vacation home, there's also that option as owners of the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort have opened up lots facing the scenic valley, with prices ranging from $114,900 to $269,000.

Richard Haworth, the resort's vice-president for real estate development, said they're seeing a shift in what owners build.

Gone are the days when owners are building massive and grandiose vacation homes, he said.

"They don't need the monstrosity and the opulence, they just need somewhere to go," said Haworth, noting some people are building 1,400 sq. ft. vacation homes as opposed to double or triple to size.

What haven't abated are the day-time chance encounters with wildlife and the impressive celestial display when the ebony night sky showcases stars shining brightly, without the distracting city lights.

renato.gandia@sunmedia.ca