YANA'S WANDERLUST

This incredible weekend escape in Nova Scotia was surrounded by spectacular nature and winter’s magic. Cozy cottage by the lake, hot tub, fluffy snowflakes, and lovely places to visit nearby – such a perfect combo for a romantic getaway.  We had a wonderful time in Hubbards, Nova Scotia, filled with joy and pure bliss.

Here is a full weekend getaway itinerary:

• Dreamy stay at Lakeview Cottage
• Visit to Black Harbour Distillers
• Exploring Hubbards
• Hiking Castle Rock Trail

I’ll share more details about these destinations below, and you can also watch my YouTube video about this adventure:

Every place from this getaway itinerary has a special place in my heart. Let me tell you why.

Lakeview Cottage

This wonderful stay at Lakeview Cottage (Fox Point Shore Rentals), surrounded by majestic trees and shimmering waters, felt like a weekend in Paradise. My most cherished memories are from the quiet morning moments when nature was just waking up, and everything was so peaceful. Just looking at the water and embracing the surrounding beauty – what a perfect way to start a day.

I will never forget the moment when mesmerized by the ice patterns on the lake’s edge, I saw the first snowflakes. Then, within a few minutes, the scene transformed into a winter wonderland. It was so magical. And there’s no better way to experience the snowfall than from a hot tub. Just relaxing in the warm water, watching the dance of snow, feeling the snowflakes on my skin and admiring the beauty of the frozen lake was a highlight of this trip.

The elegant interior with rustic touches perfectly complimented the beautiful scenery outside. There was everything we could wish for in Airbnb:

• living room, dining room and high-end kitchen combined in one big open space;
• full bath with a shower and jacuzzi on the main floor and a half bath upstairs;
• basement, filled with games and activities that could entertain for weeks, as well as a huge TV and incredible movie collection;
• cozy comfortable bedrooms (2 upstairs and 1 in the basement).

A lot of natural light and warmth filled this cottage with final touches of comfort. We could stay in this cottage forever, but I couldn’t miss the opportunity to explore some awesome places nearby.

Black Harbour Distillers

We headed to explore the town, and this was our first stop. We were there mid-December, so it was a perfect time to try fabulous Christmas drinks at Black Harbour Distillers and enjoy the festive decor. But they have many more fantastic flights, so I would love to come back one day and try a different set. It was a great experience, and live music added even more excitement.

Hubbards

It is a lovely town, and it looked wonderful with snow, but I would love to come back in the summer and explore some beaches there. There are quite a few of them. However, there was also something special in Hubbards in December – Christmas markets. We were lucky to experience one of these even though we came here right before closing. There weren’t any crowds by then, but there were still a lot of amazing local vendors. So, we bought some treats.

Castle Rock Trail

It is the must-visit place nearby! Castle Rock is a fantastic trail with a gorgeous 360° view from the top within less than a 20-minute drive from the cottage. We planned to get there on Sunday morning before getting home, but the weather changed our plans. It started raining, and the roads were in bad condition, so we had to return here 2 weeks later.

I loved this place. The first 3 km was an easy hike. Wide flat trail, beautiful lake views and occasional bridges were no effort and pure joy.

The last leg was a bit harder, but the incredible view from the top was a fantastic reward. Having this place for ourselves at sunset was unbelievable. We were able to see a gorgeous full moon and setting sun at the same time. It couldn’t be more magical. It was an unforgettable experience.

Here’s the map of Castle Rock Trail on AllTrails

Important advice – while planning your trip, don’t trust Google Maps on this one. You can’t get here by driving to the trailhead through Boulder Dr. It’s a private gated Road. Drive to East River Trail parking instead (you can click “get directions” button on AllTrails and it’ll lead you to the parking lot through Google Maps or Apple Maps), then hike about 3 km through Chester Connection Trail to Castle Rock Trailhead and choose the trail to the top. We decided to hike the easiest red trail this time, which is 1.5km. one way. It is uphill, but other than that, it’s an easy hike, and the views from the top are so rewarding.

Please remember to respect nature and leave nothing but footprints. Help to preserve our natural treasures.

Subscribe to my newsletter below and join me in exploring gorgeous Nova Scotia and its abundant wonders! Which one of these places impressed you the most? Let me know in the comments, and check out my Instagram reels from this incredible getaway in Hubbards, Nova Scotia.