Retreats and vacation spots

Canada and beyond

Many of the following places appear in the print version of our annual Toronto area Vegetarian Directory. From this page you can print a copy.

Sections below:
Ontario
Quebec
British Columbia
Outside Canada
Vacation links

Retreats and vacation spots

Ontario

Ajalila Gardens – o
North. of Bolton, 905-936-5999
yogameditationretreats.ca
~~Weekend yoga meditation retreats.
››› Take time out to experience a weekend of meditation, yoga and delicious vegetarian food. Our beautiful retreat centre is located on 14 acres of cedar forest just 50 minutes drive from downtown Toronto. Once there you will experience the peace and tranquility of the countryside. Swim in an artesian spring-fed pond during the warmer months. Click on our website for details and registration.

Aziza Healing Adventures: Retreats & Getaways – O d
Creative personal growth, 416-696-0086
aziza.ca
~~Based in Toronto. Self-Discovery opportunities in Ontario, California and Bali.
››› Retreats, Getaways & Workshops feature superior cuisine, inviting accommodations & healing environments. Personal Growth programs for women, couples, singles and private groups combine creativity, journal writing, reflection, yoga, hiking & Spa. Come remember who you are. Relax and reconnect. Enjoy gorgeous natural settings. Mingle amongst kindred souls. Delight your spirit. Enlighten your being. Improve your life.

Camp Frenda – k
905-571-4211  www.campfrenda.com
~~Camp Frenda is a totally vegetarian summer youth camp in Muskoka with lots of fun activities for young people, ages 8 to 16.
~~Located on scenic Lake Rosseau in the Muskoka with activities that range from water skiing to horseback riding.
~~Open: Six weeks during the summer.

Cozy Corners Veggie B&B – O d
Shelburne, cozycornersveggiebb.com, 416-921-6377
www.cozycornersveggiebb.com
~~Cozy Corners is a year-round lodge, health retreat and education centre with six guest rooms, located just north of Orangeville. In-house services include: morning tai chi and stretches, meditation, mini gym, massage chair, Cranial Sacral Therapy and special weekend, health and nutrition-related seminar packages. There is a large deck and hot tub.
     The “delicious wholesome” meals are organic and vegetarian. Water is filtered through reverse osmosis. Breakfast is included, while lunch and dinner are optional.
     Nearby activities include: hiking, birding, riding, boating, skiing, fine dining, theatres, antiques, and artists' studios.

Downtown Bed & Breakfast & Spa – v O
263 McLeod St, Ottawa, 613-563-4399
www.downtownbb.com
››› A majestic house across from the Canadian Museum of Nature. Delicious vegetarian breakfast. Children welcome. Animal friendly. A list of Ottawa's vegetarian-friendly restaurants is provided for all guests!

Hidden Valley Farm – v k O d
1-888-624-0315  www.hiddenvalleyfarm.8k.com
~~Country retreat and B&B offers vegan meals on an organic farm just south of Owen Sound.
››› Enjoy delicious meals and relaxation on secluded organic farm just south of Owen Sound. Our delightful vegan and vegetarian meals are made with vegetables, berries and herbs from the kitchen garden. Special diets upon request. Three guest rooms. Located near Georgian Bay and the Bruce Trail. Accessible by bus. Family-friendly. English and German spoken.
~~Open: Victoria Day to Thanksgiving.

House of Verona- Health Resort – v O
104 Brooker Blvd, Blue Mountain, Ontario, 1-800-252-2826
houseofverona.com
~~Luxury chalet retreat with gourmet raw foods menu. The discount applies to everyone in the party.
››› Boutique health resort, with a focus on raw vegan foods. Guests either book their own health vacations, or join themed retreats, such as Staying Young, or Beating Depression Naturally. Guests stay in 1 of 10 5-bedroom ski chalets with hot tubs, saunas, a pool, and wrap-around decks. Guests also enjoy Le Scandinave Spa, a complex of hot & cold baths. Fitness, hiking, yoga, tennis, golf. Minutes to beaches. Spectacular view of Blue Mountain.

Maple Ki Forest * Spirit Waters – v O d
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , 613-379-2227
www.mapleki.com
~~Year-round lakefront retreat located just north of Napanee on a lake free of speedboats. Three delicious vegan meals per day.
››› Unwind, unfold, and emerge renewed. Secluded lakefront/woodland setting. Restorative, soothing atmosphere. Beautiful accommodations. Superb whole foods / vegetarian / vegan cuisine. Yoga. Healing bodywork. Infrared sauna. Jacuzzi. Great swimming, hiking & paddling. Motor-free lake & river with rapids.
    Welcoming individuals, couples & groups. Midway between Toronto & Ottawa, near Tamworth.

Mountain Nest B&B – v k o
6720 Langley Crt., Kelowna BC, 250-765-4406
www.mountainnest.com
››› Nestled on a Mountain Top with an Eagle eye view of all of Kelowna, and surrounded by endless acreage, our guests begin to sample the abundance of the Okanagan. With private suites, including a separate cottage that can accommodate a large family, we offer something for everyone. Refresh yourself with a swim in the salt water pool, or bubble away in the hot tub under the stars. *Please, no fish, meat or eggs cooked in the kitchens*
~~Continental breakfast includes: fresh fruit smoothies, homemade freshly baked muffins, Okanagan preserves, with coffee and tea provided in suite. Open year round.
     Update (June 2008): The place is for sale and could affect summer bookings, but "we'd be glad to take last minute bookings."

New Life Retreat – v k O d
Lanark (near Perth, 3.5 hrs from Toronto), 613-259-3337
www.newliferetreat.com
~~Retreat centre and bed & breakfast set on a 100 acre organic farm. Raw living foods menu.
~~Located in the heart of the Lanark Highlands. The farm and surrounding area have trails for walking, jogging, biking and cross-country skiing. Organic gardens and greenhouse are open to exploration and hands on learning. Arrangements can be made for canoeing or kayaking on a nearby lake. At day's end relax and enjoy sunsets in the outside Jacuzzi.
     Living foods (raw, organic vegetarian) are at the heart of New Life Retreat. Food preparation instruction is available. Ridesharing options available – see website.

The Pinecone Forest Nature Sanctuary
691 Pinecrest Rd, Boulter, ON K0L 1G0
www.pinecone.on.ca
~~613-332-3651 or 1-866-332-3651 Cottage retreat for vegetarians in the beautiful Madawaska Valley: 4 bedroom cottage, chalet, tent sites, yoga, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, x-country skiing, swimming, wildlife viewing, and guided tours.
~~Open: Year round.

The Roosters Inn – B&B/farm sanctuary – o d
Near Port Perry, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , 905-986-9843
www.theroostersinn.com
~~Vegetarian breakfast and small farm sanctuary. Vegan meals available.
››› The Roosters Inn B&B/farm sanctuary is located just 1 hr N/E of Toronto and 5 minutes E of Port Perry. We offer three bedrooms, two sitting areas, satellite TV, central air, large pool and visits with rescued farm animals. Vegetarian breakfast with organic juices. Nearby are Blue Heron Casino, two major golf courses, great shopping in Port Perry and hiking trails.
~~This bed & breakfast opened recently in April 2008. Their small farm sanctuary includes Norweigian Pygmy Goats, Muscovy Ducks, chinchillas, rabbits, chickens and, of course, roosters.
~~Open: Open April to November.

Sahayoga – v O d
Prince Edward County
www.sahayoga.com
~~Vegan retreat in Prince Edward County by Belleville Ontario.
››› Beautiful new retreat in Prince Edward County (Belleville). Accommodation, all meals and use of facility are included in weekend package. Come and bicycle or simply sit and relax in our new infrared sauna. Open weekends as well as specialty weekends are provided. Also available for instructors to rent for their students.
~~They received a glowing review in NOW Magazine on Jan. 6. http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2005-01-06/goods_travel2.php

Shanti Yoga Retreat – v O d
Prince Edward County, 613-471-1662
www.shantiretreat.ca
››› Beautiful farmhouse and property in Prince Edward County (2.5 hrs. E. of T.O.). Delicious veg. & rawfood meals, Yoga, Thai massage, and more!
~~Relax, refresh and unwind with a B&B getaway or weekend yoga retreat at a rustic century farmhouse and 25 acre property, on the Adolphus Reach waterfront. “Healthy and delicious vegetarian and gourmet sunfood meals will tantalize your taste buds and nourish your body”. Located 2 1/2 hours east of Toronto. Practice yoga in our beautifully restores barn studio.

Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre – O d
Near Midland, 1-866-609-1793
www.sugarridge.ca
~~Vegetarian B&B and retreat centre with a view of Georgian Bay. Yoga, swimming pool, hiking.
››› My husband and I, and our 6 year old son are all vegetarian. We bought an old farm and have built a retreat centre. It hasn’t been farmed for 25 years and we’re letting the forest reclaim a lot of it. We both teach yoga and regularly conduct retreats. We make our own maple syrup and hope to have organic veggies next year from the property. We only serve vegetarian meals and have pleasantly surprised a few diehard meat eaters! -Liz.
~~Guest are invited to take yoga classes, use the pool or explore the several hiking and ski trails in the area. The place is surrounded by the Wye Marsh protected lands.
    You can stay in the B&B or rent a cabin in the woods for a retreat in nature. Facilities are also available for group events. Check their website for a list of current events that you can join.
     There is a bus service to Wyebridge where they would be happy to pick people up. They have agreed to give TVA cardholders 5% off.

Tanglefoot Lodge – o
Near Peterborough, 416-508-1208
www.tanglefootlodge.com
~~Weekend and week-long yoga retreat centre. Yoga, holistic health, music, shamanic teachings.
››› Yoga teachers training course, hatha and ashtanga yoga, meditation, detoxification, music, holistic health, shamanism. Dedicated to the traditional teachings of yoga. Bringing a community of teachers and students together around the world. Private retreats available.
     Magnificent 4,500 sq foot cedar lodge situated on top a hill and nestled in-between a forest of natural landscape... breathtaking and quiet. We are famous for our fresh and delicious vegetarian meals, surely to nourish and warm you.

Thirteen Moons Culinary Wellness Centre – v O d
Near Peterborough, 1-888-326-7326
www.thirteenmoons.ca
~~Women's retreat located on 186 acres of cedar forest. Space for up to seven guests. Cooking workshops available.
››› Located approximately 2 hours northeast of Toronto in the beautiful Kawarthas. Customized overnight retreat packages for individuals or small groups up to seven guests. Spacious, private guest area in open concept, eco-friendly building. Wellness treatments, culinary education and personalized nutritional counseling are available. Nutritious meals and snacks tailored to dietary needs/preferences. Hands-on cooking workshops and cookbook available www.thirteenmooons.ca/about_book.html

Other provinces

Mountain Nest B&B – v k o
6720 Langley Crt., Kelowna BC, 250-765-4406
www.mountainnest.com
››› Nestled on a Mountain Top with an Eagle eye view of all of Kelowna, and surrounded by endless acreage, our guests begin to sample the abundance of the Okanagan. With private suites, including a separate cottage that can accommodate a large family, we offer something for everyone. Refresh yourself with a swim in the salt water pool, or bubble away in the hot tub under the stars. *Please, no fish, meat or eggs cooked in the kitchens*
~~Continental breakfast includes: fresh fruit smoothies, homemade freshly baked muffins, Okanagan preserves, with coffee and tea provided in suite. Open year round.
     Update (June 2008): The place is for sale and could affect summer bookings, but "we'd be glad to take last minute bookings."

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp – k
673 Eighth Ave, Val Morin, PQ J0T 2R0, 1-800-263-YOGA
www.sivananda.org/camp
~~Ashram with daily practice of yoga and meditation in the Laurentian Mountains. Delicious morning brunch and dinner. Very affordable.
~~Shared or private rooms available plus the option of camping during the summer. Main lodge is made of straw bale construction.
~~Open: Year round.

Outside Canada

Active Veggie Tours
613-779-5794  www.activeveggietours.ca
~~Travel consultant specializing in worldwide active veggie group tours.
››› Active Veggie Tours are fully escorted first class tours leaving from all major gateways worldwide to exciting destinations around the world. These veggie vacations are run by experienced tour operators. All tours feature an active component such as walking, hiking, yoga or swimming as part of the day’s itinerary along with vegetarian meals.

Casa Amanecer Bed and Breakfast
Costa Rica, 506-2445-2100
www.casa-amanecer-cr.com
~~B & B in Costa Rica.
››› Come share a bit of our life: Sleep among the whispers of mountain breezes; wake up to a hearty, healthy, vegetarian breakfast; listen to some Latin-American music; peruse the extensive book collection; and perhaps partake of some morning yoga.
~~Be aware their website says " *We do include some eggs, dairy and fish, so we are using the term “vegetarian” loosely."

Farm Sanctuary – v
Upstate New York & northern California, 607-583-2225
www.farmsanctuary.org/visit/index.htm
~~Sanctuary for rescued farm animals. Bed and Breakfast open seasonally (May till October).
~~Farm Sanctuary operates two shelters – a 175-acre farm in upstate New York (Watkins Glen) and a 300-acre farm in northern California near Orland. They rescue, rehabilitate and provide lifelong care for hundreds of animals who have been rescued from stockyards, factory farms, and slaughterhouses. They offer farm tours, overnight accommodations, retreats, and conferences. Note: the New York shelter's Bed & Breakfast cabins are open seasonally from May to the end of October.
~~Open: May 1 to October 31.

Hotel Lands in love – Tierras Enamoradas – d
Costa Rica, 408-215-1000
www.landsinlove.com
~~Vegetarian resort in nature. Israeli and international cuisine.
››› We are a vegetarian/vegan hotel & resort; adventure center with canopy, adventure cable, canyoning, rafting, horseback riding and guided beautiful trails in the cloud forest; as well as organizing tours in Costa Rica. Features include: Israeli & international food, preparing special dishes (weight watchers, Celiacs, diabetics, etc.) upon request, high standard rooms, pet hotel, wifi internet, swimming pool, jacuzzi, camping area, orchid greenhouse, bird-watching and more.
     Nearby attractions include active volcanoes, beautiful beaches, wildlife reserves, hot springs and water falls. All the staff and owners are vegetarian. "We love animals and care for the nature."

Organic Tuscany Cooking Vacations – O
Certaldo, Italy  www.organictuscany.org
››› Week-long "farm to table" organic cooking classes in Tuscany. Visit local organic farms and learn how to use fresh produce in traditional Tuscan dishes. Accommodation is in a typical Tuscan villa. Three of the cooking courses are vegetarian and the others are vegetarian-friendly.
~~Week-long "farm to table" organic cooking vacations in Tuscany. Visit local organic farms and learn how to use fresh produce in traditional Tuscan dishes. Accommodation is in apartments in typical Tuscan villas or farmhouses. Three of the cooking courses are vegetarian and the others are vegetarian-friendly. Special vegetarian week coming up: September 29, 2007. "The wine harvest will have started, the weather is generally great at that time of year and there are some lovely ingredients to be used (pumpkin, chestnuts, fennel...)

Vacation links

Green Earth Travel
A travel service for vegetarian and vegan travel needs based in the United States. A wide range of vegetarian and environmentally-friendly vacation packages and tours in many countries. There is also some tours available that are gay and lesbian friendly.
www.vegtravel.com

Vegetarian USA
A long list of vacation spots in the US sorted by state, a very useful listing by type (such as B&B's, spas, yoga, raw foods, etc), and many around the world. There are symbols for vegetarian, vegan and raw.
www.vegetarianusa.com/vacationmapaz.html (USA by State)
www.vegetarianusa.com/vacationmapkind2.html (USA by type)
www.vegetarianusa.com/vacationmapworld2000.html (world)

Vegetarian Vacations
A vegetarian travel directory provided by Bicycle Beano Veggie Cycling Holidays in the UK. Listings for vegetarian tours and accommodations worldwide. At least one listing for a vegetarian camp that closed years ago (Au Grand Bois) is out of date.
www.vegetarian-vacations.com

VegiVentures
www.vegiventures.com
Based in the UK, VegiVentures offers natural health holidays in Britain, Turkey, Peru and Africa. Their website mentions, "great vegetarian/vegan food cooked especially for the group, relaxing holidays, hill walking, activity holidays, creativity weekends, special discounts for helpers, small friendly groups, vegetarian travel tips and links."

Organic Holidays
Organic accommodations around the world including many in Canada. Each listing includes a small description (often they mention vegetarian cuisine) and picture. Many organic farms have guest accommodations.
www.organicholidays.com