Atlantica Hotel Halifax Blog

Click image for source

It seems this blog has had a green theme lately, and I’m going to keep it going for now by talking about some great homemade ideas to celebrate Mother’s Day. I think we can all agree that the best gifts come from the heart. You can’t get much more personal or genuine than a handmade gift for Mom on her special day!

Celebrate with Nature

There are so many creative and beautiful resources at our fingertips if we just take the time to look around, and take advantage. Why not plant a mini herb garden and hand paint the pots fun spring colours to present to Mom on Mother’s Day? Or maybe give her outdoor garden a surprise overhaul, for the gift that will keep on giving all summer long. Hand-picked wild flowers or a fruit basket you’ve created from a local u-pick could be a fantastic way to show your Mom how special she is. 

Click image for source

Fun with Photos

If you’re not into scrap booking in the traditional sense (it can be a lot of work) make Mom a smaller version by adding photos to every day objects. Purchase a blank coffee tumbler in which to insert special photos of you and your Mom together, make photo coasters, or design a custom-made printed photo album on the computer that captures fun family moments. 

www.cathiefilian.com

Fashion Forward

Perhaps Mom is more of a fashionista and prefers the type of gifts that she can proudly wear. How touching would it be for her to open up that little box on Mother’s Day and find a pair of handmade beaded earrings you designed at the local bead shop? Maybe pick up a vintage handbag or scarf at the second hand shop and add a personal touch with the sewing machine. For those Moms with a very unique style – you could try jazzing up a pair of vintage heels with an antique brooch, oversized buttons or beads on top. (For more great ideas like this, check out Cathie Filian’s Domestic in the City blog).

Click image for source

Just Like Mom Used to Make

For the more culinary inclined, you might want to consider whipping up Mom’s favourites in a home-cooked meal. Dress up the dining room and treat her like a real VIP, or, pack a picnic basket and head off to somewhere in the great outdoors to treat Mom to a home made lunch. Maybe head to a park that was a childhood favourite, for some added nostalgia! Don’t forget to finish the meal with something sweet… you might be able to cheat on this one by picking something up at the local pastry shop – hey, you’ve done a lot of work, after all!

Of course, the real pleasure for Mom on Mother’s Day is getting to spend time with her family and create new memories. The fact that you’ve put in the effort to create something extra special for her will be icing on the cake. Happy Mother’s Day!

Image Provided by Dept of Agriculture

Easy Being Green

Doing your part to act environmentally conscious on Earth Day isn’t as hard as it seems – actually, it’s a great way to kick off a regular habit of eating green for the rest of the year. Finding local and seasonal food in Nova Scotia is easy. It’s just a matter of making the commitment to change your regular grocery shopping routine. 

A number of resources already exist for you to use on your journey to eating green. Organizations such as Select Nova Scotia, the Department of Agriculture, and Taste of Nova Scotia have been creating guides, websites, and the like, for years to try and promote our local foods. If you’re not quite sure where to start, try the Where to Buy Local tool on Select Nova Scotia’s website; this will give you an idea of local suppliers in your area.  Also, try this list of links on the Agri-Food website which is organized by industry.  These websites also offer great information on why eating local is beneficial to both your health and the environment. The Taste of Nova Scotia website offers up pure motivation by way of fantastic articles, photos and blog posts featuring our fantastic Nova Scotia cuisine, wine and beer. 

Developing New Attitudes

The major challenge most people face, when trying to eat local, is simply breaking old habits. As we all know too well, old habits die hard, especially when it comes to food. The fact of the matter is, if you’re already enjoying a healthy and delicious lifestyle, the transition to eating local with a green focus is easy. Break the grocery store cycle and get into a routine of hitting up your weekly Farmers’ Market for all the fresh produce, meats and other goods that you can. Your grocery list doesn’t have to change – just where you buy, and the time of year, does. If your market doesn’t have all the regular items you are looking for, research local suppliers and ask about ordering directly, or if a local store can begin to order in for you.  Buying as much as you can locally will make a huge difference. There will probably be a couple things you still need at the grocery store, but we’re not asking you to give up your Heinz ketchup – every little bit counts. 

Click Image for Source

Seasonal Eats = Seasonal Treats

It’s not exactly pulling teeth to entice most people into eating our regional specialties, especially in restaurants.  I got in touch with Amanda Langley at the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, to talk about the local food movement, and she confirmed that local is one of the biggest trends right now in the culinary world. “Canadian restaurants named Locally Produced Food & Locally Inspired Dishes as the #1 hot trend in their 2011 chef survey,” says Langley. Sustainability came in second, with nutrition and health following at third and fourth, respectively. This goes to show the recent shift in not only what the best chefs in the country want to work with, but also what consumers are demanding. Amanda adds that “consumers are looking for local foods to minimize the food miles their meals have traveled and thus minimize their carbon footprint. But, buying locally also supports family farmers and contributes to healthy local economies.” 

Not only do these local ingredients reduce your carbon footprint, they also allow the cuisine to shine during its brightest moment. Seasonal items in Nova Scotia taste best during their natural harvest time; pair that with our talented chefs and you’ve got some seriously mouth-watering menus. “I think the most obvious benefit to buying locally is eating seasonally and getting to enjoy local foods harvested at the peak of perfection,” confirms Amanda. “Local products are the freshest choice and they deliver amazing flavour and quality. And, you can look forward to each season bringing familiar and memorable flavours to our table,” she adds. Agreed. There’s something so comforting, natural and delicious about consuming our province’s specialties in the season they’re meant to be enjoyed.

Click Image for Source

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The spring and summer seasons in Nova Scotia are my favourites, with not only fresh vegetables, meat, and seafood – but also an array of fruit available. Cooking seasonally in the spring and summer is so much fun, with so many possibilities. I couldn’t resist asking Amanda what kind of foods her ideal Earth Day meal would have. Her answer: “After a long, cold winter, spring in Nova Scotia means we all get to indulge in colourful foods again! It might be that first taste of fresh peas, mint, asparagus, rhubarb and spinach.” This is so true; I have picked out a few recipes perfect for spring from the Select Nova Scotia website to help you get planning a sensational spring meal: 

• Roasted Rhubarb with Ginger
• Spicy Maple Broiled Salmon
• Asparagus with Dill and Cream

“Asparagus is actually considered the first harvest of spring in Nova Scotia,” Langley informed me. She believes in celebrating Earth Day by “celebrating what is grown in your own backyard. Nova Scotia’s wide range of climate conditions and soil types means that we are blessed with one of the most diverse agricultural regions in Canada.” I couldn’t agree more! Find local ingredients that work for you, your cooking style, and make sure you have fun with it. 

Amanda was nice enough to leave me a great Earth Day tip to share with our readers! “The seasons don’t last forever so you might want to learn the art of making jams, pickles, and preserves so that you get to enjoy your favourite seasonal tastes all year long!” Great advice! 

Happy Earth Day! 

References: 

2011 Chef Survey  

Amanda Langley – Planning and Development Officer, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture @NSChefBuyLocal 

Taste of Nova Scotia 

Select Nova Scotia 

Department of Agriculture

Click Image for Source

RSVP Green

There are so many stylish looking wedding invitations to chose from, and quite a few of them are already made from recyclable materials by awesome, eco-conscious designers. Check out this example from the website Something Green Weddings, showcasing fabulous looking handmade, sustainable invitations.  Another trend for green weddings is to go completely paperless! There are several websites and programs specializing in e-invitations for your big day. Check out Wedding Tracker, Wedding Window and EWedding.

Table Décor

Flowers are still the centrepiece of choice for many brides, and you can go this way while remaining eco-friendly. Choose your flowers from a local, sustainable grower, and be sure to ask a lot of questions about their growing practices. Another great way to eliminate waste is to have take-home centrepieces that are either useful or edible for your guests. Live plants that will continue to grow, or a small tower of cupcakes that one lucky guest at the table will win during the night, can be fun, while staying green. 

Margaret MacLeod Eco Gown

Eco-Wear

If you’re willing to get over the desire to buy a brand-new, super expensive wedding gown that you’ll probably never wear again – there are a couple stellar options for staying green while deciding on your dress. Creating a re-designed gown is fun and unique, and you can work with a seamstress to re-vamp a previously owned or vintage gown to change it into something beautiful for your special day. Be sure to sell or donate your dress after the wedding, if you can’t alter it into something you might wear again, to repeat the cycle of reusing.

Gowns made from sustainable material such as hemp and silk, and suits from bamboo, are also available if you have the resources to purchase from a designer working with these materials. Toronto designer Margaret MacLeod has an entire Eco Collection – and they are absolutely beautiful.

Sustainable Sparkles

When designing your wedding rings look for fair trade metals and Canadian diamonds.

Green Glamour

Look for salons and spas that feature eco-friendly, organic cosmetics and have made a commitment to promoting these products to their customers. All-natural beauty products are not only easier on the environment, but easier on your skin and body. If possible in your area, book the entire wedding party at an eco-spa, like the Eco Chic Spa in Whistler, BC.

Register Smart

We all know that most couples have been living together long before their wedding – so let’s be honest – how many major household items do you really need? If you can admit that you already have most of the important items for your home covered, opt for giving your guests the option of donating to a charity in lieu of purchasing you a gift.  If there are actually items that you need, keep it to a minimum and don’t just register gifts for the sake of registering. According to website savourycity.com one green wedding trend is to register gifts in kind. Create a list of specialized jobs, duties or skills that you may need in the near future from your guests and have those as your wedding gifts! (Example, your interior designer friend may lend her services for your new living room in lieu of a physical gift). 

Click Image for Source

Eat Local

This one is easy. Work with a venue or caterer who can source locally and (if you have the resources) mainly organic. By featuring local items your menu will not only be seasonal and delicious, but will have a smaller carbon footprint. Feature local and/or organic wines and beer, if you can.

Stay in the Dark

Be sure to work with a venue where candles are permitted, and dimmers are available in the ceremony and reception rooms. This will not only save energy but create a romantic and dreamy atmosphere for your special day. 

Cake Topper from The Natural Wedding Company

Top This!

When choosing your cake topper, there are actually quite a few eco friendly options to consider. Locally sourced flowers can come in handy once again for a colourful and natural look, figurines made of sugar paste, which is both edible and biodegradable, or, find artisan-made toppers that double as adorable keepsakes like designer Heather at Star House is doing, using recycled wood. I found these on an awesome online sustainable wedding directory and blog called The Natural Wedding Company.

Honeymooners

Simply by doing some extra research about your hotel or resort, you can ensure that you are being a responsible honeymooner! Also, consider offsetting your carbon emissions from the trip. Or for the more adventurous, head out on a low-impact camping trip or eco-adventure as newly weds.

Happily Ever After

Even if you choose to implement a only couple of these tips on your wedding day, it will have a positive impact on the environment and your memory of the big day. Hopefully your efforts will be shared with the wedding guests and they will also take away new information and tips for their own practices. Showing your guests your commitment to the environment on the most special of days adds a personable and passionate touch to your wedding. Good luck and congratulations!

"May Mud" - Click Image for Source

The elusive Nova Scotia spring season is officially here. Each year it seems we are brimming with more excitement and anticipation over getting out and grasping this newfound climate for all that its worth. Whether that be a literal temperature climate, or simply a new emotional climate, that first warm ray of spring sunshine that touches down instills us with a new energy and attitude; we are ready to jump in the car, put it in drive, and explore the province. What new adventures will this spring present to you? Here is a selective list of some provincial highlights (conveniently including a couple of my favourites) that I’ve put together.

Go Local

Whether you’re already a supporter of local produce or aren’t sure where to start – heading to the Annapolis valley or nearby farms to buy fresh from the source is a great way to familiarize with Nova Scotia produce.

A wonderful spring daytrip to the Annapolis Valley can include visiting cheese producer Fox Hill Cheese House in Port Williams to sample one of their 20 varieties of cow’s milk cheeses, farm fresh milk, in-store gelato or other dairy products.  You can even peer in behind the glass and see them making the cheese onsite.

Fox Hill Cheese House - Image Source: novascotia.com

Noggins Corner Farm Marker - Click Image for Source

Head to Greenwich and stop at Noggins Corner Farm Market for a fix of fruit and veggies.  Affordable, beautiful and seasonal Nova Scotia produce, grown on-site, will fill your shopping basket.  Succulent homemade jams, preserves and sweet apple cider will round out your shopping experience with a little indulgence.

You absolutely cannot leave the Annapolis Valley without visiting an award-winning Nova Scotia winery.  Check out the beautiful Domaine de Grand Pre and talk with owner Hanspeter Stutz about the future of winemaking in Nova Scotia. Have a tasting in their beautiful gift shop, take a tour, or extend your visit with lunch in the onsite gourmet restaurant Le Caveau. If you’re looking to drive deeper into the valley, make time for Blomidon Estate Winery, situated on a breathtaking site on the edge of the Minas Basin. Purchase a glass of the wine of your choice (after tasting a few) and sit out back on their quaint patio amongst the vines to sip and enjoy.

Enjoying Wine on Blomidon Patio - Image Source: halifood.com

Of course I can’t mention spring activities in the Annapolis Valley without offering up details of the 78th annual Apple Blossom Festival.  The festival runs from May 25^th to 30^th this year, and is another great reason to visit the area. Concerts, parades and carnivals highlight this wonderful event in one of our most beautiful and fertile regions.

Sweet Spot

Indulge in locally made maple syrup, while learning about the process, at Sugar Moon Farm in Earltown (near Tatamagouche). Spring is the perfect time to view how they tap the trees, take a hike up the hill to view the historic original sugar camp, enjoy a free guided tour, and have a decadent maple sugar brunch of pancakes in the log cabin restaurant onsite.

Spring into Action

Looking to get messy during the spring thaw? Venture off-road with your ATV, Jeep or four wheel drive vehicle onto one of our many approved Nova Scotia trails and take advantage of that spring mud! Visit one of the many websites to map out your route in advance.

Zipline in Pictou County - Image Source: novascotia.com

Fly high through the trees and take in some beautiful scenery at Nova Scotia’s first zipline, Anchors Above Zipline  in Pictou County. Their highest zipline is 240 feet, dropping six stories and lasting 1,100 feet long! Go with a group to receive a great discount.

The Victoria Day long weekend in May is home to the annual Scotiabank Bluenose Marathon in Halifax. Participate in this great event and help to raise money for a charity of your choice, join a team, or complete a personal goal! Not a runner? You can still join in the excitement during the race by cheering on the participants!

Staying Home is for the Birds

Whatever your interests may be, there is a great reason to get out of the house this spring in Nova Scotia and create your own adventure. Take that dose of Vitamin D and run with it!

Our Neighbourhood

Although Halifax may not be as famous as cities like Toronto or New York for having well-defined and characteristic neighbourhoods, we do have several unique areas of our own that many Haligonians are proud to be a part of.

Atlantica Hotel is part of an exceptional community called the Quinpool Road Mainstreet District. What sets us apart from other neighbourhoods in Halifax? A whole lot, we feel. We are a neighbourhood with character and diversity. We house city landmarks and offer an enormous range of services, shops, products and food – all packed into one very accessible street.

Why We Love Living at Robie & Quinpool

Where else in Halifax can you get your taxes done, have a manicure, consult your lawyer, get your oil changed, book a vacation AND get your passport photo taken, stop for a pint, buy your wedding cake, get fitted for a suit, pick up a bottle of wine to go with your organic groceries, visit the dentist, take your cat to the vet, buy a house, pick up a Tim’s, eat food from your choice of 11 different countries, go for a work out, purchase a new bicycle and, of course, check into a four star hotel… all in the same street? And that’s even close to covering it all.

Our Neighbours

Below I’ve highlighted some of our awesome neighbours who represent the range of products, services or experiences you can have on Quinpool Road. I’ve included only locally-owned businesses (like us). There are many, many more great establishments who didn’t make it into this article – and that’s simply because there are way too many to choose from.

Where to Shop

If you’re looking to create a beautiful space in your home, Zephyr Home and Rug is an upscale furniture boutique where you’ll find some of the most beautiful interior pieces in Halifax. They only carry high-end brands and offer in-home style consultations as well. For those less worried about the state of their furniture, Bib ‘n Tucker Children’s Shop is not far, featuring the cutest in children’s and babies’ clothing, toys and accessories.  Whether you have a family or you’re preserving your interior design, we could all use some inner balance. Bhavana Yoga Lifestyle Store represents inspired living by offering yoga clothing and accessories with an emphasis on local and Canadian designers.

The "Simple" at Seasons by Atlantica

 Where to Eat

Of course I have to start off by mentioning the new Seasons by Atlantica. This isn’t a shameless plug – we really do have some of the tastiest and most creative cuisine in the city and an award-winning executive chef. On the more ethnic side, try the Greek Village, a tiny diner with authentic and very reasonably priced Greek dishes, or the B-Well Sushi and Café whose specialties are sushi and coffee. Further on down the road, try Halifax landmark the Ardmore Tea Room for a famous cheap breakfast and other diner delights.

Where to Drink

Due to strange liquor licensing laws on Quinpool there are actually only two places you can stop in for solely an adult beverage. The beautiful lounge in Seasons by Atlantica that offers a panoramic view of the Halifax Commons, or, Freeman’s Little New York, the long-standing Quinpool joint whose claim to fame is New York style pizza, more specifically, it being available until 5 am! For caffeine-based liquid try Ireland32, a chic and mini café offering espresso drinks and a limited yet tasty food menu.

Click Image for Source

Where to Watch

Renting a movie? You need to check out Video Difference. This Atlantic Canadian-run company has two locations in HRM, one being on Quinpool, and is like a dream for movie buffs, indie fans, documentary watchers, or anyone, really. The selection will knock your socks off and their customer-oriented attitude (with drop off locations literally all over town) will put a smile on your face. If you’d rather catch a flick still at the box office, visit the renowned Oxford Theatre. True, it is Empire (so doesn’t count as locally-owned) but they typically play critically-acclaimed movies that are not available in large theatres. Also, the interior is grandiose and retro, so just going is an experience in itself.

Where to Create

Many opportunities to create something beautiful await you during your visit to Quinpool Road. Visit Clay Café with the kids and paint your own colourful clay creation, craft your own bead necklace at Beads R Us, or help to design your wedding cake with a top notch pastry chef at Scanway Catering and Cake Shop.

Where to Beautify

There are actually twelve different hair salons, spas or nail spots on Quinpool Road. Indulge in a treatment with Aveda spa products at Key Lime Pie Salon Spa (we offer the Aveda line in our guestrooms as well). Or, simply stop in at Lee’s Nails for an express manicure on your lunch break.

Where to Stay

With us, obviously! We take pride in being a landmark Halifax hotel, and although we may have changed a few things about our property recently, we’ve marked the corner of Quinpool & Robie since opening in 1974 – and we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

 Us being built in May 1973 – Image Courtesy of Halifaxhistory.ca

A T-Rex Named Sue in Chicago - Click Image for Source - Copyright the Field Museum Chicago

So, you’re looking to get away with your family for March Break this year, and fit in some kind of educational merit without the kids really knowing.  You’re in luck! Turns out Halifax is bursting with fun, engaging and (secretly) enlightening activities for the whole family.

Pre-Historic Fun

First up is the most exciting and colossal of them all: A T-Rex Named Sue exhibit will be at the Museum of Natural History through until early May. This is the perfect time to plan a getaway to Halifax and pack your children’s heads full of knowledge on the prehistoric times and how the discovery of Sue’s bones came to be! Sue is a 90% complete T-Rex skeleton, the most complete on the planet, and she’s made her first ever Canadian stop here in Halifax. This may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view Sue, who belongs to the Field Museum in Chicago, and is on tour like a rock star all over the world for at least the next few years. Sue is even on Twitter!

Great news: the Museum of Natural History happens to be literally steps away from Atlantica Hotel Halifax. We have put together a March Break package including up to four passes to the Museum to be used, a super fun kids’ check-in, map of adventurous activities around Halifax, post-skate hot chocolate for the whole family (since the skating oval is just across the street) and of course breakfast and parking. Sue the T-Rex is less than a 10 minute walk away, or only two minutes in T-Rex steps. Visit our website or call us to book our Atlantica March Adventure Package today!

Play Smart

Up next is a super fun exhibit at the Discovery Centre called Play.  This is a prime example of tricking your kids into doing something intellectual. Although the concept seems simple – you get to play a whole bunch of traditional games, some life-sized – it is actually way more complicated than that. While you engage with the exhibit you will, according to their website, “explore theories of science and art in the dynamics of human interaction.” Whoa, sounds awesome to me, like an ideal way to broaden your kids’ ways of thinking about and looking at interactions with others. Yay for sneaking in science!

Click Image for Source

Sail Around the World

You can also give your kids a Passport to Adventure at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic this March Break.  This interactive program offers mass appeal to kids and adults of all ages; learn new skills and traditions about life at sea and sail away as a family around the globe on a seafaring adventure! Everyone is encouraged to dress in their “seafaring gear” for this – I foresee many little pirates and buccaneers! There are also other daily activities at the museum, see their website for details.

Lace Up

 Are your kids excited about skating on the Canada Games oval this March break? Secretly fill their brains with history and knowledge about our country’s love affair with skating! Pier 21 is featuring an exhibit about just that; Lace Up: Canada’s Passion for Skating will be on until March 27^th and is the perfect follow up to that day of skating (and hot chocolate at Atlantica). According to Pier 21 the exhibit “explores the history and importance of skating in Canada and gives a glimpse of three major ice sports: figure skating, speed skating and hockey”. This exhibit was shown in downtown Vancouver during the 2010 Olympics. Sounds like something everyone would enjoy!

Lots to See and Do

Of course the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia will also be open with several exhibits over the March break period; check out their website for more information.

Looks like there is lots to see and do in Halifax this March, especially if you’re looking to fit in a bit of learning for both kids and parents. Pack up the car and head here for your secretly educational March Break!

Social Media Love - Click Image for Source

February is the month of love, and in my last blog post I covered several unique and exciting ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Nova Scotia with your loved ones. Now I want to talk about some business-to-business love that we can all show each other, not only this month, but on an on-going basis.

Last month I was lucky to attend a Social Media café at the beautiful White Point Beach Resort on the South Shore. My travel and tourism colleagues who are heavily engaged in social media were all there, and we had some great discussions about coming together to pool our knowledge and tools for the greater good of the industry. We want to reach out to businesses that may be intimidated to start using new media or might not even have it on their radar at all. Let’s be honest – social media is a great tool for exposure, and the more our wonderful Nova Scotia companies are getting their names out there, the more visitors we will attract and the more fun, authentic experiences they will have while in our province! It truly is a win-win; so why not distribute our knowledge around the province? 

Click Image for Source

White Point has partnered with Destination Southwest Nova, TIANS and others to put together a social media boot camp to do just that. What a better way to celebrate the Valentine’s month than to show a little social media love to our fellow businesses? The program is perfect for those who have just started and want to know more, or who are looking for the tools and information to get their social media program up and running. The course is being offered on February 28^th and March 1^st at White Point Beach Resort.  To register for this event please call 1-800-565-5068 and mention Social Media Boot Camp; space is limited! Feel free to contact me for information as I do have an electronic copy of the registration form, including the course agenda.

Social media is all about spreading around a little love. Re-tweet your fellow industry colleagues on Twitter, share their links on Facebook, or in our case; help them acquire the skills they need to successfully execute their own fun and engaging campaign. It’s all about visitors and friends showing us a little love back by spreading the word about our beautiful province – so go out there and join in the conversation!

Possible Scene at Social Media Bootcamp - Group Hug - Click Image for Source

Lots of Love,

Laura O, Business Development

Click Image for Source

There are literally hundreds of unique and beautiful ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in our stunning province. The choices can range from one-on-one time in a swanky city hotel, to cozying up with the entire family in a rustic rural cabin after a day of skiing or snowboarding. However you choose to spend your Valentine’s Day make sure that you are with people you love, and that you do something to make that day extra special.

I have been researching both classic and unique Valentine’s Day ideas around the province to share with you. My findings show that there are several types of romantic and family getaways in Nova Scotia, I will outline a few fun and interesting excursions in the following categories: Adventurous, Traditional and Foodie. Depending on your personality and what sort of activities (or lack of activities) you prefer, there is definitely the perfect Valentine’s Day for you just waiting to be planned!

The Adventurous

Click Image for Source

Looking to bring some excitement into the picture this Valentine’s Day? Try an adventurous getaway with your significant other or the entire family. Get out on the hill for a snowboarding or skiing adventure at Martock or Ski Wentworth – just be sure this year to check into their limited capacity due to being 2011 Canada Games venues. Ski Wentworth also offers Dog Sledding – postpone that adventurous Valentine’s Day celebration just a little bit and join in on this unique activity. Available dates are listed on the website.

Snuggle up with your loved one and create a little heat – to stay warm during your romantic winter camping voyage. Kejimkujik National Park has campgrounds that are open year-round. Show off your outdoor skills and tackle our Nova Scotia winter climate, together!

Rather make s’mores and then sleep in your cozy, warm indoor bed? Spend time on the lake at home or with friends. I recently attended an outdoor skating party on a spectacular lake in HRM. Make a bonfire, indulge in some Nova Scotia mulled wine, cook open-flame food, and skate hand-in-hand under the stars.

This next activity is not for the faint of heart. For the truly hardcore couples, taking a winter surfing lesson together could be the ultimate Valentine’s Day escapade. Nova Scotia boasts some amazing surfing conditions and waves – and winter is one of the best times to get out there. Surf companies like One Life Surf are open year-round and offer lessons by appointment.

The Foodies

February is a fantastic month in Nova Scotia for foodies.  Dine Around is in full-swing for the month in participating restaurants throughout the province and involves an offering of very reasonable prix fixe menus. Dine Aroud is the perfect opportunity for splurging on an intimate Valentine’s Day dinner at a high-end restaurant.

The Nova Scotia Winter Ice Wine Festival runs from February 3-13 this year, so wine lovers should prepare to celebrate the day of love a little early. This unique festival boasts a variety of events throughout the province (many of the romantic nature) such as Valentine’s Chefs Night at Sugar Moon Farm where lovers can travel to Earltown for an evening of gourmet food, ice wine tasting and live jazz. Top off the evening with a dreamy horse-pulled sleigh ride through the country snow. Visit the festival website for a complete listing of other wineries, restaurants and distinctive venues holding Ice Wine celebrations.

Speaking of wineries – wine lovers can plan their own their own romantic escape to one of the province’s many charming wine regions for dinner, tastings, winery tours and nearby cozy rural accommodations (think Bed & Breakfasts in the Annapolis Valley).

For the more self-sufficient and culinary savvy couple, make a trip to the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market or your local farmers’ market to stock on up locally-produced ingredients, desserts and wine or beer. Light some candles and embark on an intimate stay-at-home evening of sipping wine and cooking together. Not much of a chef? No worries – you’ll be surprised how much fun getting in the kitchen together will be and how delicious a seasonal, locally-sourced meal will taste!

The Traditional: Cityscape, Seaside and Country Romance Packages

No time to leave the city? Prefer to stay downtown in the largest city East of Montreal and celebrate in style? Plan a swanky getaway in a hotel suite. This is the time to splurge on that hotel Romance or Valentine’s Day package. Be greeted with a bottle of sparkling wine, decadent chocolates and flowers in your upgraded Executive Suite. Follow up with an intimate dinner and then a romantic stroll downtown to Celebration Square, where in honour of the Canada Games there will be free concerts starting on Valentine’s Day. Listen to East Coast tunes amidst the sparkling lights of the city.

Having so many picturesque locations at our fingertips is one of the best things about living in small and beautiful province like ours. Plan a quick getaway to a cabin or chalet on one of Nova Scotia’s beautiful coastlines. Atlantica Hotel & Marina Oak Island will be offering a theme weekend from February 11-13 where you can enjoy A Weekend in Paris. A reception, breakfast, dinner, welcome gift and wine all make this romantic getaway carefree and fun. Visit Atlantica Oak Island’s website for more information.

Looking for a country-style traditional evening of romance? Escape to Hatfield Farm in Hammonds Plains for their Valentine’s Day dinner and dance, followed by a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow-laden trees.

 Year-Round Fun

Of course many of these fantastic excursions I’ve described can be enjoyed in Nova Scotia during other seasons as well! Get out there and plan your romantic Valentine’s Day occasion soon; and be sure to try out the other activities with friends and family for year-round fun.

The Mystery

I’m on a mission to solve the mystery behind hotel restaurants in Halifax. There are so many great chefs working in the hotel industry in our fine city with fantastic menus and ideal venues. I’m talking restaurants with large capacities, great views of Halifax and diverse menus. Yet, for some reason, the average Halifax diner doesn’t seem overly keen on visiting these establishments as frequently as their stand-alone counterparts. I, for one, am confused about this phenomenon. There seems to be only a couple big success stories in our fine city, but overall, I feel I can safely generalize that restaurants located in Halifax hotels do not have as large a following as stand-alone restaurants.

Those that seem to have avoided the “hotel restaurant” stigma have purposely marketed their establishment as separate from main business. Particularly, a separate entrance from that of the hotel seems to help. What is so bad about walking through a hotel lobby to get to the dining room? We try so hard to make lobbies inviting and warm! Personally I think spending time in a hotel lobby pleasurable; staff is friendly and you’re surrounded by happy-go-lucky vacationers.

 Gathering Expert Witnesses

So, I decided to gather perspective from a few different types of people involved in the restaurant scene here in Halifax. One, our own executive chef Luis Clavel, from his culinary standpoint; two, an executive member of the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia (RANS); and three, the opinion of our dear consumers.

Chef Clavel was quick to point out that standalone restaurants “are destination spots for themes. Ethnic foods, specialty items and brand concepts help standalones gain brand recognition and followings.” This is an excellent point. Hotel restaurants, generally speaking, are pushed into a corner when it comes to menu design; there must be something for every kind of guest or traveler available. While this may seem like a con, I actually think it is a pro. This means the menus are diverse, crowd-pleasing and if the chef wants to spotlight risky or innovative dishes, he can have them as a special or feature on an optional table d’hote menu. With such talented chefs manning our accommodations sector, this means all of your favourite dishes (and more) are being done really, really well in our hotel restaurants.

Executive Director of RANS, Gordon Stewart, mentions that traditionally restaurants existed in hotels to serve guests and even in a lot of cases, operated at a loss. This created a philosophy of “hotel first, restaurant second.” Mr. Stewart also points out that this has probably played a part in hotel restaurants traditionally not being frequented at the same level as standalones; as more marketing dollars directed toward key market segments typically means more customers. I think that this is beginning to change in Halifax, as we have seen a few operations marketing independently, or in some cases are even operated independently by a third-party company. This means more focus on the restaurant as a restaurant, and not just another service outlet for hotel guests.

To access the consumers’ point of view, I reached via our Facebook and Twitter accounts to see what people had to say.  Ashley MacDonald responded via Facebook that “it’s an interesting topic. Hotel restos were ‘the’ place to go back in the day. Now people forget about them. There are many reasons – awareness, marketing and lack of marketing. People don’t think of a hotel when they think of a resto.” Other Twitter comments expressed the same kind of sentiment, as well as that hotel restaurants have always seemed, to them, to be only for hotel guests. Interesting… it seems from potential customers’ perspectives we haven’t been doing enough to market ourselves and let people know that yes; we want YOU local diners, in our hotel restaurants!

 Appealing the Conviction: What can we do?

What can we do to change this behaviour? How can we entice Halifax diners to give more hotel restaurants a try? Chef Clavel agrees that “our hotel restaurants have a great opportunity to develop their product, compete with independent restaurants and be awarded the same status, however, it takes considerable time and effort.” I think that both diners and the restaurants share equal responsibility in this scenario. Should hotel restaurants be reaching out more to prospective customers? Investing more marketing dollars in their dining establishment? Absolutely. In Gordon Stewart’s opinion the key is “marketing; separating the food from the bedroom. Mail drops, flyers, business lunches – get on the radar”.  Another key ingredient in marketing successfully is “a plan than can tie in all the various elements that make up and deliver a solid business plan for growth.” In other words, if hotel restaurants were marketing like independents, maybe their business levels would reflect those of independents.

 Branding

Doesn’t it always come back to this? Create a strong brand image for your restaurant and those foodies and frequent diners will recognize your spot. Gordon Stewart suggests “brand your place with a food specialty that you become known for. Offer unique and regular specials. Put the spotlight on your suppliers.” Basically, create an identity for yourself. He also adds that it would be wise to “emphasize the benefits of dining at a hotel: parking, table service, great chefs, quick business lunches, etc”. Amen to that! I would also like to point out: nice, clean bathrooms. These top-notch facilities and conveniences should be associated with the hotel restaurant dining experience. Let’s change the way diners are thinking about hotel restaurants in Halifax!

 Case Closed?

Is this “case closed” on the mystery of Halifax hotel restaurants? Not quite.  There is still some work to be done to start the revolution of our hotel dining scene in Halifax. I hope to see in the near future our fabulous hotel restos full of adventurous Haligonians, dining along side happy tourists and travelers alike.