Serenity Seeker

*Wander safe, wander local. Check your region’s local health guidelines before heading out. Getting to know a river is almost like embarking on a wet and wild love affair. You forge a connection, learn everything you can, and then strengthen it over time. Sounds like a relationship, doesn’t it? The connection you have with a body of […]

Learn how you can get the most out of your river experience, while being a responsible tourist in Ontario’s Highlands.

When was the last time you discovered a local landmark or business that you didn’t know was there? In Ontario’s Highlands, we have some amazing spots and experiences that you might be surprised to hear about. For example, did you know the longest canopy boardwalk in the world is located in Haliburton Highlands? Or that […]

Sip and savour under the sun on a dreamy waterfront patio at one these spectacular restaurants.

Have you heard the expression “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!”? COVID-19 may have already resulted in a lot of lemonade, but now is not the time to give up. If you’re hunkered down at home, we have just the thing to inspire your mind and expand your horizons (and no, it doesn’t mean […]

It’s something we dream of all winter – that magical moment when the sweet spring sun touches our skin for the first time, and the whole world feels bigger and brighter. This is when we peel back the layers we’ve piled on for the winter months and for the first time get a full glimpse […]

*Wander safe, wander local. Check your region’s local health guidelines before heading out. These days the warm weather is telling us summer is here and we don’t need to be told twice to get out and embrace the outdoors and the freedom it offers through physical distancing. The best summer hikes not only take us into the wild […]

Maple syrup isn’t just for pancakes. Celebrate Canada’s iconic sweetener in all its forms in Ontario’s Highlands.

*Stay home, stay safe. This article contains experiences you can have at home or that conform with current stay-at-home orders. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, but unfortunately this year brings with it new challenges.  You can’t go out to dinner, you can’t go see a movie, and many of the typical Valentine’s Day […]

Glide over fresh snow on these cross-country ski trails near you.

The ground may be covered by snow right now, but we’re dreaming of the warm weather and the camping season to come in the wild places in Ontario’s Highlands. Camping reservations have recently opened at provincial campgrounds across Ontario and if last year was any indicator spots will book up fast. You can book a […]

Have you ever had a pivotal moment in your life? One event that stands out to you and makes your path in life clear? My moment came to me in the form of a wolf as black as the night, with golden eyes that seemed to peer into my soul. Not many people can say […]

*Wander safe, wander local. Check your region’s local health guidelines before heading out.  While many of us are tucked up in cozy comfort in the night hours, the intrepid astronomers among us head outdoors to drink in the starry night skies. Stargazing in winter may be a wee bit nippier but it definitely brings the best rewards, […]

Explore wild places on cross country ski or snowshoe trails in Ontario’s Highlands.

Discover the story of Sarain Fox and her journey home to the Ontario’s Highlands, relieving memories of ice fishing and snowmobiling along the way.

The holiday season is coming, and it’s the season for giving. You might be the type to start planning early, or the kind who is motivated by pressure, not even beginning your shopping until the 11th hour. Whichever you are, we’re here to help get the ideas flowing with a list of online gifts that […]

*Wander safe, wander local. Check your region’s local health guidelines before heading out.  When the holiday decorations go up in December the whole world begins to shimmer with magic. Every car ride or stroll is filled with wonder as we drink in the night filled with sparkling holiday lights of all colours. For the next […]

*Wander safe, wander local. Check your region’s local health guidelines before heading out.  You nestle into a soft cocoon of blankets while curled up on the couch, the fire casting its flickering glow onto the faces of friends or family as you share comradery and conversation. You clasp a warm mug in your hands, the […]

Friluftsliv (free-lufts-liv): Free air life *Wander safe, wander local. Check your region’s local health guidelines before heading out.  If you’re worried about being stuck indoors this winter, the Scandinavians may have the solution with this hard to pronounce and consonant-filled word: friluftsliv. Loosely translated, friluftsliv means “free air life,” a concept that was coined by […]

Having a guide can turn an everyday hike into the most amazing adventure. Although I’d hiked on my own in the past, making the hike with Tim Yearington of Bird Mountain Journeys wove together a story that allowed a deeper connection and different outlook on nature and history. It gave me a greater outlook on […]

So you’ve seen the Instagram posts of friends or family seated around a rustic campfire, enthusing on the beauty of nature and a rugged camping experience, but you’re thinking “That’s totally not for me?” Hey, don’t sweat it, you are not alone. Camping isn’t for everyone, and who says it should be? If everyone were […]

Who says art can only be found in big galleries or urban showrooms? To find fantastic local and Canadian art you need to head to the places that inspire artists to create, and Ontario’s Highlands is among the most beautiful places in Ontario (in our humble opinion). Beyond the inspiration found in the rugged hills […]

Find the best vantage points for all the brilliant fall colours this season.

So you’re not ready for camping season to end? Here’s a tip: It doesn’t! Just because the summer is over doesn’t mean we need to head indoors, when it comes to camping experiences, fall is where it’s at. Fall camping is an entirely different (and some would say better) experience from summer camping –no bugs, […]

Discover these top lakes and rivers in Ontario’s Highlands to discover the beauty of fall colours from a canoe.

It’s been a heck of a year, hasn’t it? If ever there was a year to test your capacity for resilience, it would be 2020. After such a momentous year, what we all could use right now is a little “me time” – a little pampering, and a little bit of peace and quiet to […]

Now more than ever we are drawn to our community, and the places that help us to unwind and get outdoors. To get away from the crowds and reconnect with our roots. Frontenac County tempts us to sit back, unwind and check into vacation mode, to rediscover a world of countless lakes and a region […]

We are so lucky to come from a place that has it all: phenomenal views, rugged landscapes, abundance of trails, and infinite opportunities for recreation, all enticing you to leave your comfort zone and step into the wild. Here, endless forests meet cool, clear lakes and rivers to create incredible vistas that reach out to […]

Lanark County is a land of sweet contrasts, where dense forests of sugar maple border lush, green fields and you’re as likely to come across a cyclist as a farmer on one of the region’s winding roads. Urban and rural unite here to create a region that’s as colourful and varied as the patchwork quilt […]

From the rushing waters of the Petawawa, Madawaska and Ottawa rivers to the unspoiled woodlands of Algonquin Park, the Ottawa Valley is a sultry enchantress, enticing us with adventure. Renowned as a world-class whitewater destination and for the challenges found in its rugged hills and lush dales, the Valley pushes us to do more, live […]

Known for its pristine wilderness, incredible views and rugged natural spaces, the majestic beauty of Lennox & Addington speaks to the wanderer inside us all. From the craggy peak of Mazinaw Rock at Bon Echo Provincial Park to the starry skies overhead, there is wonder waiting to be discovered here, a vivid reminder of how our […]

The deep lakes and meandering rivers here are ripe with life, both on land and in the water. This land is known as a region rich with minerals, and we haven’t forgotten how our communities were settled by the gold rush, where miners flocked, eager to delve into the earth to unearth its riches. Thick […]

This year the key to exploring is to keep it local; this is the time to explore our own backyards, and the regions close to home that have so much to offer us in the way of exhilarating outdoor experiences, fantastic food and drink, and blissful relaxation. If you’re exploring a new corner of Ontario’s […]

You waken slowly in the early morning, the high-pitched warble of birdsong drifting lightly through the trees overhead. The sky is faintly brightening with the coming of dawn, and the natural world is gradually blossoming to life. Around you there is no trace of human activity, no murmurs of voices, clanging of dishes, or whir […]

Live the lifestyle of the rich and famous – for a week, anyway – with a Le Boat cruising staycation.

Hit the water and take advantage of these easy kayaking and canoeing opportunities in Ontario’s Highlands.

Experience a slice of farm life at Dwyer’s Farmhouse in the Ottawa Valley.

Find tranquility with Cabinscape and connect to nature in the off-grid Joni Cabin.

Pamper yourself with a little self love with this recipe for an at-home spa day from Wind in the Willows Spa in Haliburton, Ontario.

Wake up lakeside with a steaming cup of coffee from a roastery in Ontario’s Highlands.

Discover the beauty of mindfulness and allowing yourself to Just Breathe.

Discover these perfect picnic spots throughout the Ottawa Valley and Lanark County on your next road trip just outside of Ottawa.

Discover businesses across Haliburton County putting sustainability first.

Expert fishing guide Sebastian Kowalczuk shares his secret fishing spots where you’re guaranteed a good catch.

Spring’s revival invites you to immerse yourself in your senses.

Soak up incredible views and beneficial side effects across Ontario’s Highlands.

Add a little romance at one of these nine intimate Ontario retreats.

Warm up your winter in Ontario’s Highlands with a getaway to one of these snug lodges or resorts.

Discover these 6 cabins in Ontario and uncover the beauty of a winter staycation in Ontario’s Highlands.

Tips for a successful catch with ice fishing this winter.

Discover these places in Ontario’s Highlands that allow you to get out into nature, benefiting your mental and physical health.

Live in the moment and tune into yourself at one of these 6 nature spots in Hastings County and Haliburton County.

Discover the best places for summer sunsets in Ontario’s Highlands.

Discover these 5 golf courses in Ontario’s Highlands, perfect spots for your next golf escape.

Grab a lifejacket and discover whitewater rafting in the Ottawa Valley for any type of traveler.

Breathe the fresh air at outdoor yoga workshops and events near Ottawa, Ontario.

Head into the woods and onto the water this summer and discover these off-grid cabins in Ontario.

Discover ways to give a mom a Mother’s Day to remember, with gift ideas that go above and beyond.

Meet Donna and Cam Dillman, owners of Circa 1894 B&B in Lanark County.

Grab your SUP board and take in the beautiful views at these 5 places in Ontario’s Highlands.

Head to Lanark County for a relaxing and rejuvenating spa day.

Four memorable bike adventures in Ontario’s Highlands.

Find your connection with nature and each other during a cabin getaway at Deacon Escarpment in Renfrew County.

Take a break to recharge your spirit and relax your mind while cross country skiing in the snow-covered woods of Silent Lake Provincial Park.

Escape the every day and check out these top places to read a good book in the Ottawa Valley.

Snowshoeing to serenity in #MyHaliburtonHighlands.

Discover snowshoeing on the Rideau Trail in Lanark County.

Follow this Serenity Seeker Road Trip story with a focus on pampering.

Discover cabins in Ontario that allow you to get a temporary break from the online world.

A three-day Serenity Seeker Route to getaway, unwind, and leave any stress behind.

I’m a Serenity Seeker. I wander at my own pace, searching for a way to unwind and reconnect with myself and with the people who matter most.

Explore the sweet moments and ageless beauty of Perth, Ontario.

7 Locations that will relax the most stressed out traveller.

Wintery trails, white-capped yurts and a lakeside massage make for a perfect couple’s romantic weekend getaway.

4 Tips for getting to welcoming Ontario’s Highlands communities.

An expert’s guide on the best fishing spots in Ontario’s Highlands.

An expert traveller’s advice on how seek serenity and embrace a slower pace in Ontario’s Highlands.

A beginner’s guide to everything you need for a great catch in Ontario’s Highlands.

Two bloggers uncover the outdoor beauty of Haliburton.

An Ottawa couple asks: to slow down or recharge with thrill?

Discover these top places to relax like the locals in Lanark County.

Discover these charming Bed & Breakfasts in Ontario’s small towns.