Salt Spring Love-In
FEBRUARY 12TH, 2009
Salt Spring Love-In
We opted out of the standard reso, roses and box of chocolates and whisked our current amour off to whimsical Salt Spring Island for the weekend.
stay
Stage a love-in at Oceanside Cottages' seaside Love Shack. The cozy, shagadelic shed, where there's fresh fruit, flowers and firewood waiting for you, has its very own outdoor soaker tub overlooking a private beach. Come nightfall throw a log in the fire and dig into the in-suite vinyl record collection of crooners before hitting the deck for a skinny dip under the stars. From $135 a night. Love Shack, Oceanside Cottages, Salt Spring Island, 866-341-0007, www.oceansidecottages.com
shop
Grab a free Salt Spring Studio Tour guide and leisurely weave from artisan to artisan. Stop by ceramicist Julie MacKinnon's studio for the prettiest shades of tableware from her Surburban collection and pick out some matching mugs for your morning lattes. And be sure to take a little piece of island bliss home by way of the all-natural Salt Spring Soapworks (its Body Gelato is a must-have).
Julie MacKinnon Ceramics, 805 Long Harbour Rd., Salt Spring Island, 250-537-2100, www.juliemackinnonceramics.com
Salt Spring Soapworks, 1-150 Fulford-Ganges Rd., Salt Spring Island 250-537-2701, www.saltspringsoapworks.com
eat
The Love Shack is outfitted with a mini-kitchen and BBQ, so gather some delicious local fare from Salt Spring Island Bread Company (its brick oven beauties are well worth the $7 loaf tag) and gooey caramels and handmade treats from Harlans Chocolate. Pick up a bottle of Zeta at the Garry Oaks Winery and, for a late-night love toast, the 2005 Morning Star Methode Champenoise from Salt Spring Vineyards.
Salt Spring Island Bread Company, 251 Forest Ridge Rd., Salt Spring Island, 250-653-4809.
Harlans Chocolates and Salt Spring Gelato, 100 Lower Ganges Rd., Salt Spring Island, 250-537-4434, www.harlanschocolates.com
Garry Oaks Winery, 1880 Fulford-Ganges Rd., Salt Spring Island, 250-653-4687, www.garryoakswine.com
Salt Spring Vineyards, 151 Lee Rd., Salt Spring Island, 250-653-9463, www.saltspringvineyards.com