Earlier this year, my boyfriend and I journeyed up to Nova Scotia, and for a portion of our trip, we got to explore the Northumberland Shore. It was our first international trip together (although, does Canada really count?!), and I wanted to enjoy a bit of luxury with him. After some extensive research, I found Fox Harb’r Resort, located in a little town, Wallace, on the northern coast of Nova Scotia. Known mostly for their golfing (the course has hosted the likes of Tiger Woods, Charles Barkley, and swing coach, Hank Haney), it is a mecca in the warmer months for those looking hit the links. However, I am no golfer; I’ve been brought to the driving range a few times by family members, but never took to the sport. Fortunately, Fox Harb’r boasts tranquil views, has a spa that rivals other resorts I’ve stayed in around the world, and a sporting clay course, which I was especially excited for! Essentially, this destination is a must-visit in Nova Scotia, whether you’re the type of traveler who checks a bag of golf clubs, or not.
The surrounding area is very quiet. But, after a bit of googling, we did find a breakfast spot that we ended up loving on our first morning — Whirligigs. A giant pot of tea, eggs benedict ,with salmon, of course, and some homemade pastries fueled us up for a day of exploring around the area. Much like any other restaurants in the region, you don’t need to make a reservation, you just stop by and will be treated like you’re at home.
Our day consisted of hitting a few local gems, including Seafoam Lavendar Farm, where I picked up a few goodies for my mom, and Rushton’s Beach featuring a picturesque path to the water, and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot a wide variety of birds as well. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy a packed lunch, or just go for a stroll, Rushton’s is an ideal option.
After a bit of exploring, we made it back to our suite, and enjoyed a soak in our massive tub. I would love to go back up here in the winter time and sit in a bubble bath watching the snow fall one day with a cup of tea in my hand. Sigh. We crashed soon after our soak, and frankly slept like babies.
The next day we woke up slow, enjoyed a cup of tea on the balcony and got ourselves ready to enjoy a round of shooting on the resorts sporting clay course. This particular property has a 15-acre shooting course and a five-stand. We opted for the five-stand to fine tune specific types of shots — I still need a bit of work on the rabbit. We even turned it into a competition, naturally. I obviously won with flying colors (even though my boyfriend would try to convince you otherwise!). If you have never gone shooting before, starting at a place like this, with trained professionals, different types of guns that suit your body type, and detailed instruction, is always how I would recommend to start. Even as someone who has done a decent amount of shooting in my day, I always enjoy coming to a place like this to sharpen my skills and have a bit of fun.
After some shooting, it was off to the spa. We treated ourselves to a couple’s body scrub and massage – yasssss. Their staff was incredibly professional; we left feeling relaxed, and as smooth as a baby’s bottom! If you haven’t experienced a body scrub treatment before, I highly recommend!! I get routine salt scrubs at home, and it is a serious game changer for my skin. After our treatments, it was time for a swim. As you can see from the shot below, their pool is housed in a gorgeous building full of light and space to relax with a good book. I’m still working through my book now, but was happy to tick off a couple chapters.
Then, it was back to enjoy the sunset from our deck. The ocean seems to go on forever up here, and I loved getting the drone out, so I could see even more of the property that we didn’t have time to explore on foot. We ate dinner at a local hole-in-the-wall in town that night, crushing a burger and pie. Can’t go wrong with a little comfort food! The next day, we got a final workout in and checked out in the early afternoon. Our flight out of Halifax wasn’t until later that night, so we made a quick trip to Jost Vineyards to try (and buy) some local wine, and have a quick lunch. The Great Big Friggin’ Red was one of our favorite wines, but I also found myself really enjoying the L’Acadie Blanc, as well. Before this trip, I had no idea they even made wine in Nova Scotia — this was a pleasant surprise and a great way to end the trip!
When I first started planning my trip to Nova Scotia, I was worried that the trip wouldn’t be my ‘speed’. Don’t get me wrong, I love nature, long drives, and good views, but if you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that I also love a little bit of pampering, good food, and a touch or two of luxury. The experience we had in the Northumberland Shore proves that with a little research, you can always build a vacation that is perfect for you, and I’m thankful that we got the best of both worlds on this trip!
