Not long ago, my family took a getaway vacation at Stonehame Lodge and Chalets, a favourite hilltop escape of ours in Scotsburn, NS. We built a roaring fire atop Fitzpatrick Mountain, wrapped blankets around our shoulders and told ghost stories into the crisp night air. The next morning, I awoke before anyone else and slipped onto the deck, mug of hot chocolate in hand, to watch the sun rise over the mountain. Not another soul stirred, and in that moment of stillness, at peace with nature, I gave thanks for escapes that feed the soul.
Ah, rejuvenation! I needed it.
Whether watching morning break over the pristine countryside or staring into the hypnotic pull of the roaring ocean, much of the Atlantic region provides a perfect backdrop for a wellness getaway.
"We consider the entire (province) to be a wellness vacation," says Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism spokesperson, Gillian Marx. The province even promotes the idea of spiritual rejuvenation. The voiceover on a promotion for Newfoundland and Labrador intones: "Throughout this land, for thousands of years, it's been said that everything has a spirit. Not surprisingly, it's where you might find your own."
Inspired landscapes notwithstanding, Atlantic Canada is replete with quality wellness vacation options.
Take, for instance, the old convent in the village of Kinkora, PEI-population 326-which has recently received a new lease on life. Chez Shea Kinkora Country Inn is part B&B, part spa, part body-detoxification program, part revelation. The detox programs claim to boost health by cleansing toxins from the body and promoting balance and healing.
Set on three tranquil acres only 10 minutes from the Confederation Bridge in central PEI, it offers everything from oxygen therapies to a Vichy Shower, infrared sauna, and electrotherapy programs.
Owner and consultant Anne Marie Shea dove into the world of detox after a family history of illness prompted her "to do everything possible" to look after herself and her children. She says the accommodations are designed to create an environment conducive to rest, clarity and inner peace. Guests are encouraged to use the time and space as a retreat, to focus on self-care and to leave work and worries at home.
A typical day could include a seaweed wrap, a sauna, electrotherapy, Reiki, "raindrop therapy," and a guided walk on the Confederation Trail. There are also lectures and educational presentations.
"It is important, in a world where we give and give, to take time to do something just for us," says Kelly Tarso, manager of the hotel spa at Casino New Brunswick in Moncton, which opened last summer.
A particular hit has been the "Moosehead MAN'icure" (a twist on the classic mani/pedi), which introduces spa wellness to guys who may be a bit wary of the spa concept. With the help of partners at local soap masters Olivier, the spa has crafted a beer-inspired scrub that includes malt and barley ingredients to exfoliate and renew the skin. A Moosehead beer is included with the pedicure and, says Tarso, "our male clientele are often pleasantly surprised at the outcome of this unique spa experience."
Other must-haves? The spa's "Ocean Indulgence Detox Wrap" is a blend of green tea, nutritious Atlantic seaweed and citrus, designed to cleanse the body, help eliminate toxins and leave the skin refreshed and renewed. Also popular is the couple's "Spa Date" package. It includes a 60-minute couple's massage, his-and-her pedicures, a champagne mimosa for her and a Moosehead beer for him. "It is amazing to see couples leave with that sparkle in their eyes, holding hands-appreciative of the special time they spent together," Tarso says.
The spa at Keltic Lodge in Ingonish Beach, NS, offers visitors a relaxing view of Cape Smokey Mountain and the shores of Ingonish Beach as they indulge in a steam shower, sauna, yoga class, or aesthetics session. The Lodge even offers weekend "Relax and Rejuvenate" packages that include a night's accomodation, dinner and breakfast, along with a credit for the spa. Bliss!
