Taking a Winter Ontario Wellness Retreat in Peterborough & the Kawarthas

The perfect Ontario wellness retreat destination exists, and it isn’t as far as you might think. Peterborough & the Kawarthas is a short drive from Toronto and offers the perfect balance of city amenities and natural landscapes, making it the ideal place for a wellness getaway with friends or loved ones.

We all reach points in our year where we need a little bit of an excuse to get away. Life moves too quickly, the days rush past, commitments fill our calendars, and it can feel like we just want time to stand still for a moment. While it might not be possible to literally freeze time, planning an escape to natural surroundings in the form of a wellness getaway is the closest thing I’ve found to stopping the clocks.

Chris and I have enjoyed wellness getaways in Chelsea and Wakefield, Quebec and New York State, but you definitely don’t have to leave the province of Ontario to find the ideal place for your next trip.

There’s a lot that goes into planning a wellness getaway. The most important part is to turn inwards and consider what you need in your Ontario wellness retreat. Is it unscheduled time? The freedom of not having to plan meals or grocery shop? A little pampering? A solid dose of nature? All of the above?

For me, I’m learning that I tend to over plan. I get too excited about an occasion, and the next thing I know I’m creating a massive travel itinerary in the name of a wellness retreat. This is often met by the push and pull of my inner thoughts realizing this isn’t the goal of a trip like this. Sometimes you just have to let go and let the destination do the planning for you.

Peterborough & the Kawarthas offers so many ways to plan a wellness getaway. It’s just the kind of destination that allows any desire to over plan wash away. It has all the makings of the perfect place to fill your cup on your next retreat, and it’s easy to soak in your surroundings and take a moment to appreciate this pause in time on a wellness escape here.

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Embracing “Hygge” On a Winter Wellness Retreat in Ontario

One of the biggest pitfalls of planning a wellness getaway in Ontario is that many people tend to only think about wellness in the warmer months. Those longer days tend to cue desires to relax and enjoy life. But so many of us overlook winter as the perfect opportunity to turn inward and reflect on ways to bring what we want into this next year.

It’s important to take the wintertime as an opportunity to activate the primary principles of “hygge”. This Scandinavian practice encourages you to create a cozy environment, spend time with loved ones, find time for slow activities and enjoy and appreciate watching the seasons change. Respecting the cold of the winter months allows you to embrace how nice it feels to be cozy on a winter wellness getaway.

I’d highly recommend finding as many ways to indulge in this hygge mindset on your wellness retreat to Peterborough & the Kawarthas. My dear friend Allison and I figured out a mutual time that worked for us to head to the region, and found ways to feed our souls through good food and slow activities. Peterborough & the Kawarthas is full of ways to jump head first into a winter wellness escape to the region.

What to Do on Your Ontario Wellness Retreat in Peterborough & the Kawarthas

If the biggest part about setting aside time for a wellness retreat in Ontario is figuring out where to start, then don’t worry. I’ve included all of the ways you can create the winter wellness escape of your dreams in Peterborough & the Kawarthas. All you need to bring is your bathing suit, a good book, and maybe a candle, and I’ll take care of the rest.

Escape to a Cabin Away From It All

This is quite possibly the most important part of planning a fulfilling wellness getaway. My favourite part about a winter wellness escape is a good cabin in the woods. While these places aren’t all necessarily “in the woods”, they are such cozy places to stay at in the region that will make the perfect backdrop for your winter wellness getaway.

Lake Edge Cottages

This is an intimate, eco-friendly and family-owned cottage resort that feels like all the best parts of a trip away at camp. It’s set along the picturesque Otonabee River, with several private cabins available for rent, perfect for a friends’ or couple’s wellness getaway.

Many of their private cabins have a private hot tub with lake views, and their property is home to several walking paths, which are perfect additions to wellness retreats in the region. This is where Allison and I decided to take our wellness getaway this time around, and we opted to stay in the Kawartha Suite.

This cozy and warm fully equipped suite had its own electric fireplace, and two spacious bedrooms, so we each got our own bed. To learn more about this small but mighty resort, click here.

Elmhirst’s Resort

This is a charming lakeside resort that has been family-owned and operated for generations. Their spacious, private cabins are perfect for a group of friends or family to book out for a group wellness weekend getaway. Each cabin has a wood burning fireplace, a full kitchen and access to the many acres of land at the resort.

During my most recent wellness getaway with Chris, we absolutely loved our stay in one of their Free Spirit Cottages. Our cottage was fully accessible, with three bedrooms and three full bathrooms, which would be a real bonus for a group getaway.

They also have a spa, indoor pool and fitness facilities on site, making it an excellent place to get a little extra out of your wellness getaway. It’s perfect for a group wellness trip too, and they even have a spa on site. We actually have a whole article dedicated to everything about staying at Elmhirst’s Resort, which you can feel free to read all about here.

If you’re interested in booking a winter stay at Elmhirst’s, you can do so here.

Honey Cove

This tiny cabin getaway in Keene is an idyllic cabin escape, perfect for a couple looking to truly be immersed on a nature retreat, or for a solo cabin getaway.

It has everything you need for a relaxing wellness getaway, and its proximity to walking trails and the lake and rivers on its shores offer plenty of opportunities to centre yourself. You can click here to check availability for a stay at Honey Cove.

Other Private, Short-Term Rentals

There are also so many private short-term rental lake houses to choose from if you’re spending your wellness getaway in Peterborough & the Kawarthas. This beautiful house on Lake Chemong sleeps 8, and would be perfect for a friends’ wellness trip to the area.

Indulge in Well-Curated Goodies

It can be fun to cook a warm and cozy meal on a wellness weekend away, but it’s even more exciting to find new, delicious goodies that you might not have otherwise tried. One of my favourite things to do on a wellness getaway with friends is head to a local specialty grocer to find a specially curated grazing board.

Fortunately, Peterborough & the Kawarthas is not without its fair share of wonderful cheese shops. If you find yourself in the region north of Peterborough, The Cheesy Fromage in Lakefield is an excellent specialty shop to stop at for a customized grazing board, or to order one in advance. They have knowledgeable staff, including a cheese monger, who will introduce you to some of the most delicious cheeses and treats you can think of for your board.

The Cheesy Fromage also has an excellent selection of local Ontario wines and other fine foods that you can pick up on a stop here. Not only can you pick up an afternoon or evening grazing charcuterie board here, but you can even grab a breakfast grazing board. Think smoked salmon, local cream cheese, baked goods and more.

Another fantastic place south of Peterborough is Millbrook Mercantile in Millbrook. They are ready to make any custom charcuterie board you wish, and they also have an excellent cheese and sandwich counter and specialty grocery shop. Their selection of wines, sparkling waters and other indulgences will certainly provide you with all the goodies, treats and ready-to-heat meals need for your wellness getaway.

If you’re actually keen to cook on your wellness getaway, but you don’t necessarily want to put all the effort into grocery shopping or meal-planning, then you’re in luck. Nikki, owner of N2 Adventures and Honey Cove in Keene, is a local chef and farm-to-table enthusiast. Her catered meals are a delight, but she also puts together delicious prepared meal baskets.

All ingredients are locally sourced, prepared and seasoned by Nikki, so all you have to do is cook them in the oven, on the stovetop or over the BBQ at your cabin stay. You can visit her website for more information, or to contact her for your own custom food basket.

HAVE a NOURISHING Meal Out, Or Two, Or Three

A rich start to the day with shakshuka for brunch from The Vine

The "Pretty in Pink" mocktail at One Fine Food

If you’re looking to have a few meals out while you’re on your wellness getaway, then I’d recommend visiting a couple different spots in Peterborough:

The Vine is a pescatarian restaurant in Downtown Peterborough with a plant-forward menu, filled with equal parts indulgence and exciting ingredients. Their diverse pizza selection is a delight, featuring standouts like a Spicy Dill Pickle Pizza and a Potato Pizza.

On my recent wellness getaway, they even offered a unique "Breakfast Pizza" adorned with vegan bacon, cherry tomatoes, green onions, sunny-side up eggs, and micro-greens. Beyond pizzas, they offer inventive breakfast options like Shakshuka, Seafood Cake Benny, and Breakfast Wraps. Cap off your meal with one of their generously-sized baked treats.

One Fine Food is nestled in an unexpected location away from Peterborough's downtown core. It offers impressive cocktails and mocktails, lunch, dinner, and dessert choices. This establishment combines a boutique grocer and market with an outstanding restaurant, focusing on Italian-fusion cuisine.

Perfect for celebratory meals, the expansive menu includes enticing salads, eggplant parmesan, hearty steaks, and homemade pastas. Catering to both vegetarians and carnivores, the well-rounded menu ensures a delightful experience for large groups.

Revelstoke Cafe is a vegan cafe just north of the downtown core of the city. They have such a cozy and welcoming space located in an historic storefront, and whether you’re coming for a delicious brunch or lunch, they have nourishing choices for every palate. I had a delicious breakfast burrito on my most recent brunch visit.

Revelstoke is also fully licensed, with a wonderfully curated selection of craft beer, natural wines and an inventive cocktail list. They also have several non-alcoholic beverages, on top of offering tasty caffeinated and caffeine-adjacent drink options. I had a Vanilla Beetroot Latte that was as delicious as it was beautiful. Rumour also has it that their cinnamon buns are some of the best in town!

Take a Nature wALK

This is a must when it comes to embarking on a wellness escape to Peterborough & the Kawarthas. This area is home to so many stretches of the Trent Water System, which lends itself to stunning water views, frozen lakes and ponds and peaceful winter scenes. These are such nice areas to walk alone for a solo meditation walk, or with a friend.

There are excellent places to walk throughout the region, but depending on where you stay, your accommodation might have a peaceful forest bathing trail to help take it easy. This was the case with our stay at Lake Edge Cottages, where they had several walking trails and paths at the back of the property that wove through scenic ponds and forest.

Elmhirst’s Resort also has an expansive lakeside property, perfect for taking extended nature walks. They also have several working farms on the property, and many farm animals that you can interact with, too. If you plan on spending some time on a wellness retreat here, then you’ll be grateful for all of the open space you’ll have access to during your visit.

Allison and Puck getting to know each other at Wanderlight Alpacas

An afternoon walk through the hay fields with owner Katie, Allison, Miguel, Puck and Joker

You can also book yourself in at a walking experience farm, like Wanderlight Alpacas. This endearing farm experience takes you on an outdoor adventure near the Village of Lakefield. It offers you the opportunity to get up close and experience the personalities and hilarious energy that is walking with an alpaca. No matter the time of year, owner Katie brings you and her alpacas out on her family’s hay fields for a relaxing nature walk in a pastoral setting. The views of the farm are beautiful, but the bond you’ll feel with these complex yet beautiful creatures is something you’ll want to stay even longer for.

Some other calming places to walk around in the region are sections along the Otonabee River, and places where you can see the Trent River Locks in action, like at Burleigh Falls and Lock 28. If you’re someone who practices yoga, then taking your practice to any of these nature paths while you’re bundled up would be such a nice treat in the winter.

Spend Time at the Spa

As much fun as it is to spend the winter months cozying up in a cabin in the woods, we all love an excuse to feel a little pampered now and again. Fortunately, the proximity of all of the nature escapes in the area is so close to the City of Peterborough, making it that much easier to pop in for a half- or full-day of spa services during your trip.

Euphoria Wellness Spa

This spa is beautifully situated in downtown Peterborough. It’s been named one of Canada’s top 50 spas, and it’s located right beside Millennium Park and the Otonabee River. Allison and I headed for a half-day of services to really soak in the relaxation of this wellness getaway.

They have quite the selection of medi-spa services to choose from. It was difficult to decide, but we opted for a Revive Express Facial followed by an Organic Manicure and Organic Pedicure.

The experience at Euphoria is truly luxurious. The staff are attentive and friendly, and really want you to feel taken care of during your stay. Scheduling our spa services at the same time meant that we were able to relax and enjoy one another’s company in such a warm environment all morning. If you’re good friends who don’t get to see each other very often, like Allison and I, then you really can’t put a price on how nice it is to have a day at the spa together.

The final thing I’ll say about Euphoria is that after your treatments are finished, there’s no rush to leave. There is a relaxing steam room and a sauna that you can take advantage of after your services to keep the relaxing tone of the day flowing. Your body will thank you after spending some time at this spa.

Elmhirst’s Spa

If you’re looking for a spa that offers the tranquility of nature, then I’d definitely recommend visiting Elmhirst’s Spa at Elmhirst’s Resort. It is a small but mighty spa, offering a range of relaxing services in a serene lakeside setting.

I recently took a wellness getaway here with Chris, and we took advantage of their Spa Getaway Package. It offers a two-night stay in one of their cabins, breakfasts and dinners in their Hearthside Dining Room, and two spa services. We enjoyed a 60-minute Aromatherapy Massage that was incredibly relaxing, and then we had the option of choosing a facial, manicure, or pedicure.

They can arrange custom group packages at Elmhirst’s that include lunch if you’re visiting for the day. There are also Pamper Packages which include several meals and overnight cabin stays at the resort, in addition to spa services or spa credit. I’d highly recommend checking out the available packages, or contacting them about a custom package through their website.

Pick Up A Cozy Board or Card Game

Creating meaningful moments to spend together during a wellness trip is a must. There are a lot of ways to create intentional activites during your getaway, but I have to say that stumbling into the board game sections at Boardwalk Boardgame Cafe and The Toy Shop in Peterborough offered a lot of options in terms of excellent games to play together on an escape.

Disconnecting from screens on a wellness getaway is one of my favourite ways to truly get into the mindfulness and connected “zone”, and as someone who loves boardgames, this felt like a no brainer.

Boardwalk Boardgame Cafe especially has an excellent selection of games for purchase, and you can even try a few games out during your visit if you’re trying to pick the best game for you. Their staff is supportive and helpful, and they’ve played all the games that they own and sell, so if you have a favourite type of game or any sort of stand-out scenarios you enjoy in a board game, definitely ask questions and they will guide you to the best game for you.

We settled on three card games to take on our cabin escape to pass the time together. Ugly Christmas Sweaters is actually a card game that was created by a couple from Peterborough, and considering our winter getaway was ahead of the holiday season, taking this game felt like a no brainer. We also picked up The Fox in the Forest because we tried it out at the cafe and loved it, but also because it felt like the right style of game to bring into nature. And finally we grabbed Dutch Blitz, which is always a fan favourite, and is a lot of fun to play any time of year.

In the end, there were way more games that we were interested in taking on our getaway, like Planted and Carcassonne, but in the end you’re just going to have to either head to the store yourself or check out their selection online to make all of your intentional board game dreams become a reality.

Finding Light in the Darkness on Ontario Wellness Retreats

Venturing beyond Ontario can be fun, but it’s so important to remember that these kinds of wellness experiences and destinations are right here in our backyard in Ontario.

Whether you plan to go on your own, with friends or with your partner for your Ontario wellness retreat, Peterborough & the Kawarthas is your oyster for relaxation. It has quiet nature and bustling city life all wrapped into one.

So grab your suitcase, tap that loved on on the shoulder, pick a time and get going! You don’t need a plan as long as wellness is on the agenda.

I want to humbly thank Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism for hosting me as media for this Ontario wellness retreat. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Taking a Restorative Winter Ontario Wellness Retreat in Peterborough & the Kawarthas