Canadian World Traveller Spring 2023 Issue

ountry Inns...Luxary Safari Camps...Ecolodges...Ice...Cave...Treetop... Hotels
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Glamping at Whispering Springs Wilderness Retreat
After two years plus of social distancing
I was more than ready to cozy up to
nature on a glamping adventure at
Whispering Springs Retreat in
Northumberland County in Ontario. The twonight
yoga wellness retreat was curated by
boutique luxury travel outfitter, The Divine
Destination Collection. Its standards are high
for providing meaningful, luxurious travel
destination experiences, and this is no exception.
Glamping is camping with an invigorating
dash of glamour, where once you peel open
the entrance of the rustic log-framed safari
tent you step into what looks like a cozy log
cabin interior with sophisticated decor, upholstered
bed, soaker bathtub and heated blankets.
I slept in a Treetop Tent, two stories high,
by Cherie DeLory
with a luxurious oak-framed Queen bed,
ensuite bathroom, and private balcony overlooking
the spring-fed pond. Nothing says
communing with nature like sleeping in the
treetops, sharing branches with the local
chickadees.
Whispering Springs Retreat sits on 200 acres
of prairie and meadow wilderness ecosystem
in the hamlet of Grafton, Ontario, 90 minutes
east of Toronto. It’s only 10 minutes away
from Ste. Anne’s Spa, where you can peruse
its pretty walled gardens, and indulge in pampering
spa treatments and nourishing dining
options. Back at Whispering Springs, from
canoeing in the pond to sinking into a hammock
or bird watching, nature’s ambiance is
calming. You can enjoy the outdoor salt water
pool, hot tub, sauna, and electric and woodburning
fire pits, lounging comfortably on a
Muskoka chair, signature S’mortini cocktail in
hand at sunset.
At sunrise, when it comes time to explore the
Whispering Springs wilderness, I can’t help
but think I’m entering into the enchanted
wood masterminded by children’s book
author, Enid Blyton in The Faraway Tree book
series. I don’t spot any fairies or pixies, but
our guided forest bathing walking tour leads
us beyond the horses in the pasture to the
whimsical Forest Chapel. A peaceful destination
wedding setting, the open-air Forest
Chapel is sheltered by a canopy of oldgrowth
forest and is certain to offer many
nature lovers a wedding ceremony to remember.
On my return walk through the forest and
then alongside the spring-fed pond, past the
tents and cabins, stopping to look at wildflowers
and chipmunks, I admire a handcrafted
wooden swing set too irresistible to
bypass. I take a seat and hold onto the ropes.
As I swing and swoosh back and forth, I’m
certain I can hear nature whispering to me.
https://www.whisperingsprings.ca/
https://divinedestinationcollection.com
Breakfast baskets including a freshly baked
croissant, juice, and yogourt parfait can be
delivered upon request, and wood-fired pizzas,
craft beer and local wines are served at
the open-air Watering Hole Guest Lounge
and Bar. I enjoyed elegant candle-lit dinners
of Beef Wellington and roast chicken with
mushroom sauce.
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