Stay & Play

Glamping at Whispering Springs Wilderness Retreat

by Cherie DeLory

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 two-night 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, 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 wood-burning fire pits, lounging comfortably on a Muskoka chair, signature S’mortini cocktail in hand at sunset.

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.

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 old-growth 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