With the colourful fall foliage heralding the change of
seasons, many of us are mourning the loss of travel plans that were stymied due
to Covid-19.&nbsp;&nbsp; Now with the uptick in new
cases of Covid being reported in Canada, it appears that we are heading into a
second wave – potentially further curtailing our coveted travel plans.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Remember,
however that there is always a silver lining to every cloud!&nbsp; There is much to explore right here in our
own beautiful province.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p>Reese and I discovered our ‘silver lining’ recently when we
embarked on a road trip to Chester, Nova Scotia to experience ‘<a href="https://www.sensea.ca/" target="_blank">Sensea NordicSpa</a>’.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Having received spa passes as birthday
gifts in April, we felt that now was the perfect time to do a bit of local
exploring and relieve some of the inevitable stress that we all have experienced
as a result of this pandemic.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p>Tucked among the trees and bordering beautiful Stanford Lake
in Chester, this authentic Nordic Spa operates year-round and offers outdoor
saunas, hot baths, cold plunge pool, hammams, relaxation and massage.&nbsp; It really is the Perfect place to unwind and come
away rejuvenated and refreshed.<o:p></o:p>From the moment we arrived and stepped out of the vehicle,
the scent of the trees and meandering smoke from a nearby campfire beckoned.&nbsp;&nbsp; There is plenty of free parking available
and the area is warm and welcoming.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
We made our way to the ‘Reception’ Yurt where we were greeted cheerfully
and informed of all the amenities available to us.&nbsp;&nbsp; With the Spa Day pass (a $60 value) you can
explore and enjoy any of the facilities with the exception of the massage units
for as long or as often as you like.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The spa will provide you with an electronic bracelet which also serves
as your locker key.&nbsp;&nbsp; Hooded bathrobes
and slippers are also happily provided for a nominal rental fee, however we
opted to bring our own.&nbsp;&nbsp; All precautions
regarding Covid are in place and enforced.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Masks are not required in the water therapies or saunas. &nbsp;&nbsp;They are however needed in the reception area
and at the Refreshment Yurt.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p>Once we were checked in, we were directed to two changing
yurts – one for men and one for women.&nbsp;&nbsp; We
were pleasantly surprised with the amenities.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Each changing yurt houses lockers, showers, changing areas as well as an
area where you can blow dry your hair, do makeup, etc.&nbsp;&nbsp; Plush, clean towels are amply available for
use throughout the day.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p>After changing into our swimsuits and wrapping ourselves in
our bathrobes we headed to the first station – the Dry Spas.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There are two of these located in the same
building across from one another.&nbsp;&nbsp; Each
can hold quite a few people and they DO get hot!&nbsp;&nbsp; There are also meditation classes scheduled
throughout the day that are held within these Saunas.&nbsp; We took part in one on our visit and we thoroughly
enjoyed it.&nbsp;&nbsp; Just outside the sauna
there are plenty of hooks for bathrobes on one wall and a ‘plunge bucket’ on
the other.&nbsp;&nbsp; The bucket contains ice cold
water and is emptied by pulling a cord.&nbsp;&nbsp;
We exited and opted to take in the cold plunge pool instead.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The spa recommends a pattern of hot then
cold to get the full benefit of the therapies.&nbsp;
We were a bit hesitant as we descended the few steps into the cold pool,
however we were quite surprised later to see some guests lingering in the icy
cold water.&nbsp;&nbsp; There is also a waterfall
shower of ice-cold water alongside the cold plunge pool if preferred.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p>Immediately after shocking ourselves with the cold water, we
hurried over to the hot pools which are located immediately behind the cold
pool with an impressive view of the lake beyond.&nbsp;&nbsp; The hot pool is jetted and glorious.&nbsp;&nbsp; We remained here for quite a while as we
chatted with other guests and enjoyed the sounds of nature and the spa music
that is piped throughout the outdoor facilities.&nbsp; Simply lovely. Just alongside both sets of
pools you will find a fire pit with a roaring campfire and several Adirondock
chairs – all occupied by robed guests sipping their favorite beverage.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p>By this time, we were starting to feel a bit ‘peckish’ so we
donned our robes once again and wandered just beyond the fire pit to the
Refreshment Yurt.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The daily offerings are posted outside – on the
day we visited there were croissants, salmon sandwiches, beet salad and more
available.&nbsp;&nbsp; They also serve hot and cold
beverages including wine and cider.&nbsp; The
prices were extremely reasonable. Once inside, you are struck by the warmth of
the fireplace in the center of the room.&nbsp;
It is surrounded by comfortable seating inside, but there is also an
expansive deck on the rear of the yurt with amazing views.&nbsp;&nbsp; We decided to treat ourselves with a glass
of wine (or two) and wander outside to the deck.&nbsp;&nbsp; We remained here for quite a while as we
admired the lake views and the layout of the property.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There are lovely hammocks located
throughout the property as well as intimate seating areas where you can escape
the other guests if desired.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p>Once satisfied, we decided to further explore the lower
property.&nbsp;&nbsp; We wandered just past the Refreshment
Yurt to two identical Yurts located side by side.&nbsp;&nbsp; These were reserved for any guests who had scheduled
massages.&nbsp;&nbsp; Just alongside these was
another fire pit and chairs with the scent of the campfire lingering in the
air.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Just a few more steps and you
come upon a Swedish Barrel Sauna.&nbsp; This lovely
sauna is much smaller and would accommodate about 6 persons maximum.&nbsp;&nbsp; We really enjoyed the intimacy of this
smaller option.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Just beyond it and
dotted through the trees were yoga stations that included wooden decking, yoga
mats and portable heaters.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Such a
lovely spot to unwind with yoga if desired.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<o:p></o:p>As mentioned earlier, scattered throughout the treed area of
the spa are large hammocks that can be enjoyed for reading, snoozing or just
relaxing.&nbsp;&nbsp; We both hopped into our own
and lay swaying among the trees with the sounds of leaves rustling and the
scents of nature calming our thoughts.&nbsp; We
truly could have stayed right there for hours, but there was more to explore.<o:p></o:p>We made our way to a structure located just across from the
pools referred to as the Hammam.&nbsp; &nbsp;Inside we found two Steam Saunas – one scented
with eucalyptus and one with orange – each touting different benefits based on
the scent chosen.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After lingering in
each for a while, we exited to discover several basins of scented salts.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;After
rubbing the chosen salt over our body, we showered off the salts in a warm rain
shower.&nbsp;&nbsp; Our skin felt fabulous
afterwards!!&nbsp; &nbsp;Now from here you can go through the circuit
again if you like, but after four and a half hours of pampered bliss, plus the
effects of both the sauna and wine we reluctantly decided to head back to the
changing rooms. <o:p></o:p>Check-out was as efficient and courteous as check-in.&nbsp;&nbsp; We truly enjoyed this experience and would
highly recommend it to any of our clients or friends.&nbsp;&nbsp; As a matter of fact, we cannot wait to
return and enjoy the spa with snow on the ground!&nbsp;&nbsp; The spa is currently working on several
overnight accommodations to be added to the spa as well.&nbsp; We give Sensea Nordic Spa two very relaxed
thumbs up!HINT:&nbsp; Be sure to go online and pre-book your date/time as they fill up fast and are capacity controlled.<o:p></o:p>























We hope you make the journey to Chester to experience this
lovely spot.&nbsp; We would love to hear about
your experience if you do!&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="https://ttand.imgix.net/72276140-497429121112903-1144343561441914836-n-1603313351613.jpg" style="width: 25%;"><img src="https://ttand.imgix.net/101177332-165354224997466-2189757303878836317-n-1603313391095.jpg" style="width: 25%;"><img src="https://ttand.imgix.net/108175699-282432409499505-1149673065133496208-n-1603313425017.jpg" style="width: 25%;"><img src="https://ttand.imgix.net/72972251-379059459637644-1122520377917106750-n-1603313456693.jpg" style="width: 25%;"><img src="https://ttand.imgix.net/106771372-759242014617826-9047961048900708932-n-1603313486181.jpg" style="width: 25%;"><img src="https://ttand.imgix.net/106913687-172493350955476-2612110933777873174-n-1603313513846.jpg" style="width: 25%;"> <o:p></o:p>

Relax and reinvigorate at Sensea Nordic Spa

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