Natalie Preddie is a travel and lifestyle writer, speaker and guest expert on Cityline, Your Morning and Globalโs The Morning Show.
Wellness travel has substantially increased over the past few years with yoga retreats, meditation camps and active escapes popping up all over the globe. Although there’s plenty to see and do outside of the province, why travel far? Ontario offers a whole host of nourishing, rejuvenating, wellness retreats in stunning settings, all within driving distance of Toronto.
Grail Springs
This award-winning spa has previously been named Canadaโs best wellness retreat for a reason. Located five kilometres from Bancroft, Grail Springs is built on top of mineral-rich earth. It is said that the Alkaline-rich waters from the aptly named Chalice Lake bring purity and vitality to the resort, providing many on-site springs.
What sets Grail Springs apart is its commitment to integrating mind, body and spirit, ensuring guests experience and achieve balance in their life and leave armed with the skills to maintain harmony in their day-to-day lives.
This winter, Grail Springs has a winter of wellness package offering discounts on nightly rates and spa treatments. Guests can book stays that range from two to 21 days and partake in activities such as yoga, meditation, hiking, canoeing and Grail Springsโs thermal spa circuit. Delicious plant-based meals are on the menu, with healthy elixirs, teas and snacks also on hand. In the evenings, workshops and guest speakers cover topics such as soundscape circles, music meditation for the soul and crystal connections. And until March 18, the spa is offering a promotion where you can bring a friend for free!
The luxurious spa offers nourishing treatments that allow guests to relax, de-stress and re-energize through reiki, axiatonal alignment and energy balancing. Traditional therapies such as facials, body wraps and scrubs and massage are also available, as well as more exploratory private or group journeys that involve drum circles, crystal bowl sound or emotional bonding.
Sugar Ridgeย
Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre is an all-natural, environmentally friendly experience located in Wyebridge, Simcoe County. Sugar Ridgeโs mission is to provide a space where everyone is free to be themselves and nourish their body, mind and soul. Family-owned and -operated Sugar Ridge is a unique and intimate getaway that prides itself on four pillars: wellness, equality, kindness and integrity.
Whether youโre looking for an individual getaway or a group retreat, Sugar Ridge can accommodate all of your needs. Meals are plant-based, vegan and gluten-free, and mindful eating is practised.
This is truly an all-season escape with programming and unique getaways planned all year round. This winter, enjoy the Yoga & Ski weekend and reconnect with yourself through meditation, yoga, de-stressing techniques and some outdoor winter activity. Or perhaps you need some space to think, rejuvenate and reflect with Sugar Ridgeโs Silent Meditation Retreat. Meditate, stretch; nourish your body with food, sleep and books; and immerse yourself in nature on this โno talkingโ week.
Sweetgrass Spa
If you donโt have time to physically get out of the city, Sweetgrass Spa is waiting to whisk you away for some pampering and relaxation โ for at least the day. This luxurious, award-winning space in the heart of Toronto on Queen Street East is a women-only spa.
Sweetgrass focuses on womenโs overall well-being, offering exclusive and refreshing signature treatments such as their Ayurvedic Shirodharra, a massage and acupuncture technique that releases tension, congestion, emotional stress and stimulates collagen production, as well as the signature Swedish massage. The spa offers some amazing packages, such as the Ultimate Unwind featuring a mani-pedi, Swedish massage, facial and a lunch with Prosecco or wine. You can also purchase a full hotel package, organised from start to finish by the spa, if you’re looking for a full weekend getaway.
