Click photos for sources

Give mom a Mother’s Day experience she’ll really enjoy! A recent survey done at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto revealed that half of moms only pretended to like the gifts they received last year – although they really didn’t! Stick with my tips to enjoying a happy Mother’s Day on the south shore and be sure to really surprise mom this year.

The key to impressing mom with a thoughtful gift is to create an experience that you can enjoy together. Experiential gifts are personal, and create lasting memories.

Active Moms

There are lots of great outdoor experiences to have along the south shore. For the more active mom, plan a stroll along a nearby beach or boardwalk, such as Rissers Beach in Lunenburg County. Go for a hike or plan a picnic outdoors. Does mom golf? Take her for a round at Osprey Ridge or Bluenose Golf Club.

She’s a Sweetie

Maybe mom might have a sweet tooth. If that’s the case, you’ll want to head into Lunenburg for a nice walk around the historic town, and a stop into Sweet Treasures Confectionery on Montague Street, for homemade ice cream on a waffle cone.

Brunch it

Or, spoil her with an entire brunch buffet (including dessert) like the one we’re serving at in our beautiful La Vista Dining Room. Our property also offers a great opportunity to stroll around the grounds and take in the beautiful ocean scenery. You can’t go wrong with brunch – there’s something for everyone!

Pamper her

According to that survey I mentioned above, most moms admitted if they were going to get a gift, they’d rather get a gift card. Surprise mom with a gift card to our Aqua Spa. Then, she can pick from our array of relaxing services and choose a day that works for her to visit our spa professionals and be pampered.

Try your luck…

If you’re sure you know mom’s tastes like the back of your hand, you may want to try your luck at a local store. Try Amos Pewter in picturesque Mahone Bay and pick out an artisan made piece of pewter jewelry.

If you’re still unsure what to get mom, don’t forget your card and flowers! But trust me, mom will be extremely happy for the effort you put in to spend time with her.

Good luck and Happy Mother’s Day!

Click photo for source

Spring Planning

It’s officially been Spring for almost a week! It’s hard to believe that Easter is just around the corner. At Atlantica Hotel & Marina Oak Island, we love planning fun activities for the whole family. Easter is no exception. We’ve got great regular guests who love to spend their Easters with us, and there’s a few reasons why!

Thinking of taking the plunge and becoming an Easter vacationer? Let me tell you about some of the reasons your kids will love visiting us at Oak Island…

After a seafood feast on Good Friday in our beautiful La Vista dining room, enjoy our carnival night! On Saturday, take part in arts and crafts and our Easter egg hunt.

Need a little more excitement? Watch the reptile show or magician! You won’t want to miss hot chocolate in our cozy fireside lounge, or roasting marshmallows. And who could say no to our GIANT cookie decorating?

Plus… we’ve got a delicious Easter brunch buffet on Sunday. Check out the menu at the end of this post!

A favourite tradition

There are various traditions throughout the country and the world for this Spring holiday. One of my favourites is colouring eggs and hiding them for a hunt, along with chocolate ones. I thought I’d look into what other countries are doing this Easter, and if any interesting eggs hunts were going on. It turns out the world’s largest Easter egg hunt is already underway…

Giant Eggs

In London, England they’re in the midst of The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt 2012, and are calling it the biggest egg hunt in the world! The event is actually a fundraiser, looking to raise £2 million for two charities: Action for Children and Elephant Family.

The event is quite incredible; over 200 fibreglass eggs, two-and-a-half-feet tall, were designed and built by artists, architects, jewellers and designers from across the world.

Contestants have been searching for the strategically placed eggs across central London since the beginning of lent. They have 40 days to find as many eggs as possible. The event is looking for the designation of World’s Biggest Egg Hunt from Guinness World Records.

There is of course a prize for the winner of the hunt: the diamond jubilee egg… prized at  £100,000! That’s over $150,000!

Spring to the shore

The eggs are a little bit smaller at our hunt, but it’s still sure to be a fun time. Let’s hope some of that extra warm weather makes it back our way for the long Easter weekend.

Happy Spring!

Brunch Menu:

Join Us April 8, 2012 11:30am – 3:30pm

Pastry Basket

Freshly Baked Croissants, Pastries, Muffins, & Scones

Traditional Eggs Benedict

Topped with Hollandaise Sauce

Greek’s Maple Sausage & Smoked Bacon Potatoes O’Brien

Baby Red Potatoes, Bell Peppers, Fresh Herbs

Belgian Waffles

With Freshly Whipped Cream & Four Berry Compote

Chef Attended Stations

Omelet Station

&

Pineapple Glazed Ham Carving Station

Lunenburg Seafood Chowder

Scallops, Shrimp, & Haddock in a Creamy Dill infused base

Waldorf Salad

Caesar Salad

Curried Pasta Salad

Imported & Domestic Cheese Display

Fresh Fruit Display

Crudite with Herbed Yogurt Dip

Seasonal Vegetable Stir Fry

Saffron Infused Rice Pilaf

Lemon Pepper Haddock

with Tomato, Caper, & Olive Fondue

Dessert Display

Featuring Assorted Cakes, Pies, Squares, & Tarts

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!

Mahone Bay Father Christmas Festival, Click Photo for Source

‘Tis the Season

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.

Father Christmas Festival of Mahone Bay

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.

A Lunenburg Heritage Christmas

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.

A Green Christmas?

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

Remembering on the South Shore

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.

History

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.

The South Shore Remembers

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.

More Information

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.

Resources

Robert Hirtle, Lunenburg boasts long-standing military history, SouthShoreNow.ca           <http://southshorenow.ca/archives/2008/111108/feature/index.php>.

Time to Remember, SouthShoreNow.ca, <http://www.southshorenow.ca/timetoremember/>

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

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

1. A seaside wedding offers the most picturesque background anyone could ever ask for. 
2. A seaside wedding offers a more modern casual atmosphere compared to a traditional wedding that may take place in a church or a hall.  Being by the water provides guests with the option to possibly dress more casually.  This also opens the door to a few alternate options in terms of wedding party attire.  Many couples who choose to be married by the ocean will opt for beige suits or lighter cotton dresses versus heavier satin frocks.
3. A seaside wedding can be more cost effective.  Destination weddings on the beach are known for being a major wedding venue contender lately because they generally do not cost as much as a big wedding can.  Even a wedding next to the ocean in Nova Scotia can be cost effective because there is no need to rent a ceremony venue or sometimes even a hall. 
4. A seaside wedding can be relaxing.  Between the sound of light waves and the fresh salty air it’s no wonder everyone, including the bride, at a seaside wedding can feel more at ease than imagined.  The calming noises and natural scents have a way to unwind the people experiencing them.
5. A seaside wedding is full of natural lighting.  To infuse some brilliance into your big day enjoy the splendor of outdoor lighting.  Not only is natural lighting fantastic for photos but it lifts people’s moods.
6. The natural beauty of the sea is the most wonderful décor around.  No need for expensive floral arrangements or bright linens when you have the outdoor scenery to brighten up the surroundings. 

A wedding next to the ocean truly is a setting like none other.

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.