Great news! The full activity schedule for March Break is ready, and it’s better than ever. We’ve got a full range of activities, every day, for kids of all ages. (Plus some fun for parents!)
We’re making it easy to make March Break memories!
Take a look at the schedule below, and if you have any questions, or want to make a reservation, call us at (800) 565-075!
It’s probably safe to say that the holiday season has now really kicked off. There’s only five weeks until Christmas and festivities all over the South Shore are in full swing!
Aside from there being tons of cute shops and art galleries in our neighbouring communities of Lunenburg and Mahone Bay, our area offers picturesque scenery and a beautiful setting to enjoy holiday parades and other events. Make a quick weekend or one-night getaway to our neck of the woods, do a little shopping, and take in a holiday event with the family.
A great example of a unique holiday festival to take in on the South Shore is the Father Christmas Festival in Mahone Bay. The festival kicks off with the annual tree lighting on November 25th and runs until December 4th. Right after the tree lighting, there’s a Lantern Parade, and a Cocoa, Cookies & Carols event that everyone is free to join.
For the remainder of the festival, there are tons of events and children’s activities happening. One of my favourites is the Yule Tide Gourmet Market, being held both Saturdays and Sundays during the market inside the Suttles & Seawinds barn. Also, there is horse-drawn carriage transport available for the duration of the festival! Check out the website above for an entire listing.
The Town of Lunenburg is proud to be launching A Lunenburg Heritage Christmas in the last week of November. The event starts with the town’s third annual Christmas tree lighting on Saturday, November 27th. Following the tree lighting, Santa will be touring the historic town in the parade!
Drive around the town to take in the Decorate a Snowman contest. The contest is open to all Lunenburg residents, and the winner is announced on December 18th.
Both communities will be offering the Nova Scotia Power-sponsored trade-in of traditional glass lights for new energy efficient LED lights!
So be sure to drop by the South Shore to experience a unique holiday event in a historic Nova Scotian setting! It’s sure to put everyone in the festive spirit. And check out the live entertainment happening in our lounge during the November and December via our Facebook Page!
Happy Holidays,
Laura
With Remembrance Day coming up next week, I thought it might be a good idea to look at how we remember on the South Shore. There’s a deep military history in our area, and many people are affected by the holiday in different ways.
First, I did a little bit of research on the military history in our area. Turns out there’s a lot to talk about! Here are some highlights from an article I found in on the website South Shore Now, by Robert Hirtle:
• The first foreign protestants came to Lunenburg around 1753.
• During the early years those settlers were under protection of British regular troops.
• Soon they formed their own militia unit to protect the town and surrounding area.
• In 1808 that team became called the 23rd Battalion, Nova Scotia Militia.
• In 1807 there was a reorganization and renaming of the unit to the 75th Lunenburg Battalion of Infantry.
• This name lasted until 1923 when the name was changed again to simply the Lunenburg Regiment.
• This regiment served with the 16th Battalion of the Canadian army during the First World War.
• They earned battle honours at Arras, Hill 70, Ypres, Amiens, the Hindenburg Line and the Pursuit to Mons.
• The regiment joined the Annapolis unit to create the West Nova Scotia Regiment in 1936 and served during the Second World War.
• The West Nova Scotia Regiment serves and protects Canadians from the headquarters in Aldershot, to this day.
Looks like Lunenburg and other towns on the South Shore have been involved in the military for many, many years. There are families in our area have ancestors who served hundreds of years ago, as well as families whose members who are currently serving in the Canadian Forces. The number of Remembrance Day ceremonies on the South Shore I think reflect the importance of this day to our residents.
One of the largest ceremonies near us is in Bridgewater at the cenotaph, as well events both in Lunenburg and Mahone Bay.
For some great coverage on Remembrance Day services on the South Shore, check out part of South Shore Now‘s website dedicated to documenting this day. There are stories told by veterans, wartime recipes, videos, and artwork.
There are also some great stories as well as information on the Government website for Veteran’s week.
Click on Photo for Source
We love living on the water’s edge. One of the things that makes our property so special, and so beautiful, is its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. That being said, I wanted to write a post about day-to-day things that you can do to help protect our ocean.
The only problem is: I’m not an expert. I’m not an environmentalist, and I have never studied ocean sciences. So I went to look for some sources. I found some that I think are pretty reliable, and I’m going to quote these sources and then elaborate on how to apply these great tips, to our everyday lives in Nova Scotia!
Here goes…
Treat the Beach with Respect
Perhaps the most obvious sounding tip: just keep the beach clean. In National Geographic’s online article Ten Things You Can Do to Save the Ocean, they mention this simple task. We are lucky to have so many fantastic beaches in our province. During your time spent at the beach, make sure that you’re not doing anything harmful to our ocean. This includes always, always picking up after yourself before you leave the beach, and ensuring that everyone with you does this as well. Try your hardest to leave all natural elements of the beach in the exact state you found them, this includes underwater.
Because there are so many private beaches and hidden gems in Nova Scotia, chances are sometimes you’ll be at a beach that isn’t part of a provincial park, and isn’t monitored by anyone. Even if there aren’t any garbage cans, and even if you’re in the middle of nowhere, be sure to leave nothing behind. It’s the right thing to do.
Observe Your Community
What can you do in your community, to help save the ocean? This is a question that sounds way more complicated than it actually is. Just look around. What are other people doing? Are there organizations dedicated to this cause? Which local businesses are making efforts to be environmentally friendly? Ask around.
In David Helvarg’s book 50 Ways to Save the Ocean, he points out that one really big (really easy) way to help is to find out which business owners care about the ocean, and are doing something about it, and then simply tell your friends and others in the community. You have the power! Swap information and make it known that your community cares about their ocean. Hopefully, then, businesses who aren’t doing anything, will start to pay attention.
Eat Sustainably
The sustainable seafood movement has really gained momentum in recent years. People simply want to know where their food is coming from, how it got to their table, and if that process had any negative environmental impacts along the way. I’ve noticed at some major grocery store chains there is now signage in the seafood section, easily identifying which items were farmed or fished sustainably. Also, I’ve been in restaurants that offer this information on their menus. If they don’t – just ask. This is another one that takes minimal effort, really just asking, observing, and remembering.
I found some information on David Suzuki’s website about sustainable seafood, and why it is important in saving our oceans. Among many reasons, and much information, it states that sustainable fish or other seafood “Are captured in ways that maintain natural functional relationships among species in the ecosystem, conserve the diversity and productivity of the surrounding ecosystem, and do not result in irreversible ecosystem state changes.” Pretty serious stuff. What you put on your plate could have dire consequences on what lives deep, deep down in the ocean, which in turn affects our entire planet.
Click Photo for Source
BYO Bottles and Bags
Reducing plastics is a major, major factor in saving our oceans. All websites and sources I looked at stressed the serious impact that plastics are having on the health of our oceans. The National Geographic article says “Plastics that end up as ocean debris contribute to habitat destruction and entangle and kill tens of thousands of marine animals each year.” That’s not cool. They also offer tips that most of us are already familiar with, or doing, like carrying a reusable water bottle, using green bags when we shop, making sure we use reusable plastic containers for food storage, and recycling properly, of course!
Doesn’t sound like too much work, does it? I didn’t think so. If you’re interested in learning more and taking even further steps, I would recommend finding an organization dedicated to saving the oceans, and getting information from them. There are organized beach cleanups you can volunteer for, donations you can make, and events you can attend that all help.
Take a minute and look around, the next time you’re on the shore in Nova Scotia. Breathtaking, isn’t it? Let’s keep it that way.
Additional Resource:
50 Ways to Save the Ocean (Inner Ocean Action Guide) David Helvarg, 2006: New World Library
One of my favourite long summer day drives in Nova Scotia is to head down the old number three highway along the South Shore. Yes, Atlantica Oak Island happens to be along this very road, but that’s not the reason why I love it. Why I love driving the South Shore is because of it’s abundance of take out food, ice cream shops, antique shops and other interesting establishments, both off the old highway and 103 as well. Having grown up on the South Shore and all, I am familiar with quite a few of these little gems, but I put the call out on Facebook for friends and family from that area to let me know what they consider to be the best take out food and ice cream spots. Much in line with my own choices, here is Your Guide to: Delicious Ice Cream & Take Out Food on the South Shore! Bear with me, though, as many of these spots don’t have websites and will need to be discovered by getting in the car and exploring!
Let’s start at the tip of the province in Yarmouth. This first spot isn’t exactly “off the beaten path”, however, the take out seafood is delicious and worth mentioning. Downtown on the waterfront there is a big bright yellow restaurant and brew pub called Rudder’s. A few years ago, Rudder’s procured an old train car and transformed it into a take out window for people on the go, who don’t have to time to come into the restaurant and sit down, or want to wander along the water and eat. How do I know so much about this place? I might have spent a summer working at Rudder’s… I know firsthand that the food is delicious! Sidebar: If you want to try shark, this is the place to do it during their yearly Shark Fest.
Moving up the coast, let’s stop in Shelburne. There were a few mentions for Shelburne including Shelburne Dairy Treat, Dan’s Ice Cream Shoppe (number one on Tripadvisor), and my personal favourite right on the highway, Thomson’s. The convenience alone of pulling off the highway and ordering food from a takeout window is fantastic. Most of the dishes are of the deep-fried variety, and seafood, which is pretty standard all along the coast.
A bit further up the highway, in Queen’s County, close to Liverpool is an awesome spot called the Dairy Treat. Now it is my understanding that most of the locals simply call it “World’s Best Clams” and up until a couple days ago, I didn’t even know the real name. When I visited this great little spot, I did notice the sign stating that they have the world’s best clams, and I did investigate to the best of my ability. Yes, indeed, they do have delicious clams and as well an extensive ice cream offering, including sundaes, banana splits and the like. Visit if you can! You’re in beach country… while you’re down there, try and find the elusive white-sand warm water Carter’s Beach.
Just a jaunt up the road, turn on exit 14 down Auto Row in Hebbville, heading towards Bridgewater. Along this same road is the Tastee Freez, my quintessential summer ice cream window while growing up in the area. My go-to item is a medium twist… that is, a medium sized soft serve cone that’s half vanilla, half chocolate. Delicious. They also have pretty good take-out menu available, along with the full range of sundaes, dipped cones, and flurries (their version of a Blizzard). There is a big gravel lot to pull into beside it, and a couple picnic tables to sit at. Across the road is a huge U-Pick strawberry farm!
Looking for something a bit more refined? Keep on going until you hit exit 11 and head into Lunenburg for some homemade goodness at Sweet Treasures Confectionary on Montague Street. The smell of homemade waffle cones hits you as soon as you step inside this small shop, and an order of very cocoa-y chocolate ice cream is perfect for a stroll along the waterfront in this UNESCO World Heritage Site town. Another side bar: Staying for dinner or lunch? Try Magnolia’s Grill, on the same street.
Not too much further towards Halifax, along the old number three (just past Alantica Hotel & Marina Oak Island) try the bright pistachio green Island View Restaurant. Just inside the door you can choose to either grab an ice cream at the takeout counter to the left, or sit in the dining room and enjoy the view of the bay of islands. Another great spot for soft serve. Growing up we always called this place the Green Canteen. There are a couple picnic tables outside, great to enjoy your cold treat and the ocean breeze on a hot day!
I’m sure there are many, many more hidden spots and greasy spoons along the South Shore, and if you’re visiting Nova Scotia and want the real deal – just ask the locals where to go! Enjoy!
Happy Eating,
Laura
Hello Readers,
I’d like to take this time to wish Lisa Aukstinaitis the best of luck on her new journey! Lisa has left Atlantica Hotels as of last Friday. She did a fantastic job on Atlantica Hotel & Marina Oak Island’s social media, including writing all of the blog posts up until now, the Facebook updates, the tweeting, website work - and much, much more. We know she will do wonderfully in her new role and hope that she stops by to visit now and again! Good luck, Lisa!
I’ll be taking over this blog and keeping up the Atlantica Hotel Halifax blog, and social media for Atlantica Hotels. Feel free to drop me a line with any feedback. loakley@atlanticahalifax.com
Whether you opt for a destination or local seaside wedding there is something magical about the ocean on your big day. Some couples choose to be married by the sea because they simply love the ocean and have an emotional tie to it. If you’re leaning towards being married seaside but are unsure if it’s a good fit for you, maybe these factors should be taken into consideration:
A wedding next to the ocean truly is a setting like none other.
I have to share a funny story with you. This past Sunday my mom sent me an email telling me to call my dad and wake him up because he was still sleeping and she had some house chores for him to do. Unfortunately I didn’t get the email until about an hour after she sent it. When I finally called, my mom answered. She told me he was awake but that I should call back to talk to him. This seemed odd to me since my 
dad and I usually only talk once every two weeks. When I asked her why I needed to call back she informed me that it was Father’s Day, duh! Immediately I thought that there’s no way it can be Father’s Day yet. For me to miss any sort of holiday without sending a card is unheard of. Of course, mom was determined (“first Sunday of June, just like Mother’s Day”) so after a few quick online searches I proved her wrong. A few short hours later I called my dad to wish him a Happy Un-Father’s Day! This chain of events brought on my idea for today’s blog, Father’s Day. My dad means the world to me and if he lived closer I would come up with something unique to do with him on the South Shore.
My dad loves spending time on the water. Most of my childhood memories involve a boating trip, a fishing trip and even wind surfing. One of the most exciting activities that I know my dad would love to do is a trip with Lunenburg Ocean Adventures. Whether you want to do shark cage diving, deep sea fishing or shark fishing, Lunenburg Ocean Adventures has chartered tours that will include a delicious lobster supper. The crew and captain are certified in Seafarers Advanced First Aid and Marine Emergency Duties. This is a fun way to be out on the water with your dad and do something you may never have done before.
Another fun activity out on the water is the Lobstermen Boat Tours. In previous blogs I have mentioned this company because I find that what they offer is like nothing else. This is a hands-on experience where you get to be part of the action on a real working lobster boat. You won’t only get to see the work that is done, you will get to enjoy picturesque coastline scenery and gain valuable knowledge from their onboard Marine Biologist. Educational and exciting.
If your dad is a golfer he would thoroughly enjoy a day at Chester Golf Course or Osprey Ridge Golf Club the South Shore. Both of these courses offer picturesque scenery with views of the Atlantic Ocean, amazing greens and a fantastic club house for a quick lunch or a fabulous end of day dinner. Another favorite for some dads is a nice day at the spa. So many more spas have started to cater to men with sports massages, male facials and pedicures it’s no wonder more and more men are choosing to relax in a spa. Another fantastic option is a wine tour at Petite Riviere Vineyards. It’s a gorgeous winery with a unique terroir that boasts daily tours and 
several concerts throughout the year.
If your dad is sporty and enjoys different adventures maybe a tour with Freewheeling Adventures would be great for him. They offer cycling, sea kayaking, yoga and hiking tours on the South Shore; some tours lasting a day, others spanning over several days. If you’re looking for just an afternoon of sea kayaking head to the Kayak Shack at Atlantica Marina on Mahone Bay. This is the perfect spot to test your skills and explore the stunning surroundings. Also available at the Kayak Shack are bike rentals, paddle boats, fishing tours and boat tours that take you around the famous Oak Island Money Pit.
Even though this next activity doesn’t take place on the South Shore it’s worth mentioning because it’s one of Nova Scotia’s most famous adventures, Tidal Bore Rafting. This fun activity takes place on one of the top 5 rivers in Canada, the Shubenacadie River where you can experience the Bay of Fundie in action while you raft through the impressive scenery around the world’s highest tides.
I’ve only just scrapped the top of the options available for Father’s Day. Obviously there is much more outside of the South Shore. Explore this truly unique province with your dad this Father’s Day. We would love to hear what you decide to do.
When you sit on the patio outside of La Vista Restaurant at Atlantica Hotel & Marina Oak Island, you will look upon one of the most legendary islands in Canada, Oak Island.
If you ask any Nova Scotian about Oak Island you’re sure to get a different answer about the mysteries surrounding the island. Most will agree that the island is home to the infamous “money pit” but what is hidden down the shaft is the real mystery. Since 1795 people have come and gone, digs have happened and halted, and now the Friends of Oak Island Society is ready to let you take a tour. To Atlantica Hotel & Marina Oak Island this means exciting things are to come. If you’re not sure what all of the hubbub and sizzle is about here’s a brief history about the island and it’s mystery.
Oak Island is one of about 360 islands located in Mahone Bay in Lunenburg County. When 16 year old Daniel McGinnis first found a circular depression in the ground he and 
his 2 friends began to dig. By the time they had dug down 30 feet they had discovered markings from tools as well as layers of logs every 10 feet down the shaft. When Onslow Company started digging in 1803 they found layers of different materials such as coconut fiber and charcoal putty. When they reached 80-90 feet they found a stone with inscribed symbols that was thought to say “forty feet below two million pounds lie buried”. Unfortunately, it is unknown where this stone is now. This was the first time that diggers experienced the flooding of the pit which caused the halt of yet another attempt at discovering the mystery. Since then, there have been several more digs from organizations such as the Truro Company in 1849 and the Oak Island Association in 1861. Each dig shed more light on the construction of the shaft and brought about a total of 6 deaths over the years. In 1965 the causeway, that is currently the only connection to the island, was built in order for Robert Dunfield to move a 70 ton crane on to the island. When Triton Alliance Ltd. hit bedrock at the bottom of the pit in 1967, they lowered a camera into the hole and found quite a lot of debris, most likely left from previous excavations. In 2005 a portion of the island was purchased by partners from Michigan. Since January 2011 when the Oak Island Treasure Act deemed that digging could continue it’s been rumored that excavation would begin soon.
No one is certain as to what lies at the bottom of the pit and if the pit itself is simply an act of nature or if the shaft has been constructed in such a way that it is protecting something
sacred. One theory about the money pit is Blackbeard’s treasure is buried at the bottom because apparently Blackbeard claimed he buried his treasure “where none but Satan and myself can find it.” Another guess is that Marie Antoinette’s missing jewels are hidden down there because when the Palace of Versailles was stormed by revolutionaries she ordered a maid to take them and hide them. One of the most outrageous rumors is that the secret at the bottom of that pit is none other than the Holy Grail. What do you think?
Due to the fact that the island is privately owned, it has not accessible to the public. In the past there have been summers where tours took place but in recent years those opportunities have become few and far between. This year, however, the chance to explore Oak Island is available again. In order to take part in a scheduled tour of Oak Island you can either purchase a ticket one hour before the tour, while driving onto Oak Island, or at any point from the front desk at Atlantica Hotel & Marina Oak Island. As the closest hotel to the island, Atlantica Oak Island has its arms wide open to all who share a passion for the island and the mystery. An informative Oak Island display at Atlantica Oak Island contains never before seen artifacts. Gather your friends, family and co-workers to enjoy what could be a once in a lifetime experience.
Click here for full schedule.
Please Note: Atlantica Oak Island does not deem the provided information as fact nor is it the held belief of everyone.
My Top Five Reasons to Visit the South Shore
In my mind, the best parts of spring are the opportunities that arise. It’s in spring that people start to feel more adventurous and let’s be honest, people are happier when it’s sunny. With so many places to visit in Nova Scotia let’s focus on one of the most beautiful areas, the South Shore! I’ve compiled and am ready to share with you my top five reasons to visit the South Shore. 
sail the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg and discover sea caves from the famous Ovens Natural Park. If you want to be more involved, try the Lobstermen Tours where you’ll receive hands-on education about lobsters and real life experiences of professional lobster fishermen. If the sea is not for you, Freewheeling Adventures can take you on a bike ride along the Lighthouse Route that will be sure to leave you with outstanding memories. Or hop on a motorcycle to enjoy one of the many guided tours through the South Shore. No matter what type of adventure you’re seeking, the South Shore can provide.If you still don’t think the South Shore is for you, let me know because I’m sure I can prove you wrong. The South Shore is home to some of the most stimulating ventures right on the edge of the country. Is that not reason enough to visit?
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