Good times in the Bon Temps region and at Trout Point!

La Région Bon Temps has lots to delight the independent traveller, from the unique Village Historique Acadienne to Canada’s oldest courthouse (and jail) in Tusket and a Tuna Sport Fishing Museum in Wedgeport. The new web site bontempsnovascotia.ca has it all!

At Trout Point, too, there’s lots of new offerings. A brand-new exercise room, new astronomy gear for guided after-dinner outings, and this year 2 staff musicians to help guests “tune up” for dinner in the Great Room. Trout Point is also running some greats specials, including 20% off online booking for select rooms, as well as 4 nights for the price of 3 when you also take Half Board each day. Reservations can be made here.

Staff astronomer Michael Hiland will continue his instructive star gazing sessions and Sky Safaris with the help of a brand-new Meade 10″ telescope, to bring distant celestial objects into brighter and greater focus. The LX90-SC Telescope with Schmidt-Cassegrain (SC) optics give you high performance. Meade uses water-white glass with superior light transmission across the entire visible spectrum combined with Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) – with 15% better light transmission than standard coatings – and oversized, thermally-stable Pyrex primary mirrors for optimum light collection. This telescope gives a spectacular viewing experience to Lodge guests!

The 10″ LX90-SC Telescope by Meade has an f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system (focal length 2000mm) and Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) for maximum image brightness and contrast.Trout Point is working with the Bon Temps tourism society to spearhead having the local region declared the first StarLight Destination in North America, as recent press reports have stated. The are surrounding the Lodge, with the Tobeatic Wilderness Area at its core, has among the darkest and clearest nigh time skies on earth, unparalleled for amateur astronomy.

Trout Point is working with the Bon Temps tourism society to spearhead having the local region declared the first StarLight Destination in North America, as recent press reports have stated. The are surrounding the Lodge, with the Tobeatic Wilderness Area at its core, has among the darkest and clearest nigh time skies on earth, unparalleled for amateur astronomy.

Starlight Destinations are visitable places characterised by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource.

The Starlight Tourism Certification System was created with the aim of encouraging, at world-wide level, the improvement of the quality of tourist experiences and the protection of the night skies in Starlight Destinations.The Starlight Certification seeks to guarantee the capacity to enjoy the view of the stars and to discover the associated scientific, cultural, natural and scenic values.

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2013 Nova Scotia Seafood Cooking School

Culinary Vacations Schedule

3-day, 2-night programs include accommodation, meals, and hands-on culinary instruction:

May 17-19, 2013: Mediterranean Cuisine with an emphasis on seafood

September 27-29, 2013: Seafood Cookery

November 8-10, 2013: Seafood Cookery

The cost, per person, for Seafood Cookery and Mediterranean Cuisine is CAN $899 for 2013 sessions–no increase over 2012! The program includes two nights’ accommodation in a Deluxe Junior Suite (double occupancy; upgrades available), all meals, and the culinary instruction and field trips (if offered).  There is also a 9% service fee. Those not wishing to participate in the culinary program can stay at Trout Point Lodge using the normal room and meal tariffs. A signed copy of The Trout Point Lodge Cookbook  is included.

For more information, check here.

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Trout Point gift certificates–perfect for the holiday!

Trout Point Lodge gift certificates are available online and form a perfect gift for the holidays! Available in denominations from $150 to $1000, Gift Certificates are sent out by email in a printable pdf format!

The Lodge can also provide gift certificates or pre-paid stays for specific room, meal, and activity packages. Just contact Trout Point by email or by phone at (902) 761-2142!

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New Fall/Winter Specials

To celebrate the Lodge’s year round opening and its new membership in Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Trout Point currently has the following specials on offer:

• 20% off online rates for certain rooms (reservation is non-changeable and non-refundable)
• Book 4 nights and pay for 3 in select main lodge rooms (Half Board required to be purchased each day)
• Romantic Hideaway Special: 1 night in a Fireplace Junior Suite, 1 guided kayak, star walk, or hike, Champagne & chocolate in your room on the night of arrival, and Half Board $499/couple.  Book packages here.

The above prices do not include tax or service fee.

Trout Point Lodge opened in 2000 next to the Tobeatic Wilderness Area, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Secluded at the junction of 2 river, Trout Point offers the “darkest night skies in eastern North America,” as noted when USAToday called the Lodge 1 of the 10 best eco lodges in the world earlier this year.

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Atlanta – come escape the heat in Nova Scotia this summer!

Delta Air Lines is resuming its weekly service to Atlanta from Halifax and will introduce new daily service to New York for the summer. Travellers flying to and from the U.S. won’t have to make connections through Toronto or Montreal and can take advantage of U.S. customs pre-clearance available at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

The U.S. carrier will fly non-stop to Atlanta from Halifax International Airport, beginning June 21.

The Saturday service will depart Atlanta at 10:55 a.m and arrive in Halifax at 2:15 p.m. The out-bound flight will depart Halifax at 3:00 p.m.

The flights will run until September and be operated by Delta’s connection carrier Skywest, using a 76-seat Canadair jet. The daily New York service will start June 5 and operate until Sept. 7. See more at the Chronicle-Herald.

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Book a Trout Point Lodge package and get 1/2 the tax back!

Did you know that if you book a tour package with Trout Point Lodge, you can apply to get 1/2 of the 15% Harmonized Sales Tax refunded as a rebate from the Canadian government?

A tour package is a combination of two or more services or of property and services that includes transportation services, accommodation, a right to use a campground or trailer park, or guide or interpreter services when the property and services are supplied together for an all-inclusive price.

You can view and book current Trout Point Lodge of Nova Scotia packages here.

Our Nova Scotia Seafood Cooking School packages also count!

You will find more information and application forms from the Canada Revenue Agency here.

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Trout Point Lodge announces pay now online booking special for May & June

For a short time only, take advantage of 20% off already low online rates booked from http://www.troutpoint.com. This special is good Sunday-Friday each week in May & June, 2012.

To get this rate, the room must be reserved online. Online Special Rates are charged to your credit card immediately and are completely non-refundable and non-changeable. When reserving online, if you DO NOT want this rate, and prefer our normal cancellation policy, please indicate this in the comment box. This discount cannot be combined with other discounts or specials. Special does not apply to or include meals.

RESERVE ONLINE HERE

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Luxury is choice: Trout Point Lodge accommodation options

For the 2012 season starting May 1, Trout Point Lodge guests will have an expanded choice of room options. In the classic massive log main lodge, 7 spacious (400+ sq. ft.) rooms and 1 suite (700+ sq. ft.) feature queen or double beds, river views, original handcrafted V. Cottreau furniture, turn-down service, and direct-dial telephones, but no TVs, no cell phone reception, and no Internet access. Rooms with cozy fireplaces or wood stoves make the main lodge perfect for a stress-free hideaway or romantic getaway. The main lodge is also great for groups or family get-togethers, where you can take over the entire facility.

The other options on Trout Point’s 100-acre forested estate all include satellite TV, WiFi, and lots of outdoor porches, decks, boardwalks, or balconies. The magnificent Forest Suite has a large flat screen TV, 2 wood burning fireplaces, a vast great room with cathedral ceiling, deck, and balcony. The cozy bedroom has a handcrafted hardwood bed (queen) and a magnificent bathroom with twin sinks and separate tub & shower.

The charming Island Meadow Room features a tumbled-marble bathroom and a sitting area outside the French doors. A flat screen TV, Ipod dock, WiFi, and direct-dial telephone make it perfect for those who want to remain connected to the outside world.

Likewise the cottages at Trout Point offer great modern amenities, including not only WiFi, telephone, satellite TV, but also full kitchens, pod coffee makers, living rooms with a fireplace or beautiful Vermont Castings wood stove (Cub), and wonderful decks. Black Bear Cottage has two bedrooms, each with sparkling just-renovated (2012) bathrooms, and is ideal for families or a friends getaway.

Cub Cottage is perfect for honeymooners. A hand-carved king bed is the centerpiece of the bedroom, which also has its own balcony overlooking East Meadow Lake. A jet-tub and separate shower complete the scene.

In sum, Trout Point offers a great variety of accommodation options depending on your desires:

• the main lodge for an authentic Canadian wilderness experience in luxury, but a true getaway–a place to forget about the cares of the outside world
• Forest Suite & Island Meadow Room for refined accommodations with all the modern amenities including TV and WiFi
• The cottages for those demanding space, privacy, and a full range of facilities including kitchens & living areas

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Trout Point Cooking & Wine School announces new 2012 offerings

Entering its 13^th year of offering multi-day culinary vacations, Trout Point Lodge of Nova Scotia will add 1-day seminars in a series called l’Art de vivre. Consisting of classes with the Lodge’s chef/proprietors, guests will also receive a Saturday night in a main lodge room or suite plus breakfast and 5-course dinner. The series focuses on food and wine appreciation outside of the kitchen.

Art de vivre topics will include:

• Wines 101 plus themed wine tastings such as Wines of Spain, Bordeaux Regions, or Nova Scotia selections
• Cheese appreciation
• Hot & cold smoking techniques
• Espresso expressions
• Gourmet mushrooms

Planned for May, June, September, and October, 2012, classes will be limited to 10 participants and encompass about 2-3 hours spent learning about special aspects of food & wine.

The cost is $100/person in addition to the regular Lodge rates for room and Half Board.

The purpose of the Art de vivre series is to provide special insight into the finer aspects of living relative to food & drink.

Cheese appreciation will cover the different types of cheese—from soft bodied, surface-ripened ones like Livarot to hard, grating cheese like Reggiano Parmigianno—as well as how to store, age (affinage), and serve cheeses, including the cheese course within a multi-course meal.

Espresso expressions will explore the basics of coffee cultivation, quality, and roasting and then demonstrate how to make the perfect cup of espresso and cappuccino. How to select and operate an espresso machine—including a comparison of 4 different machines at the Lodge—will conclude the class.

The Smoking class will introduce the techniques for infusing seafood and meats with savoury smoke flavour, naturally, including how the Lodge makes its own acclaimed smoked salmon. In the Gourmet mushrooms session, guests will learn about the different kinds & qualities of edible mushrooms—wild & cultivated—as well as how to select and store them.

Trout Point Lodge proprietors Vaughn Perret and Charles Leary operated an award-winning, diversified organic farm before moving to Nova Scotia. They were among a handful of North Americans inducted into the French Guilde des fromagers in 1994 and operated an acclaimed New Orleans restaurant that featured their farm’s organic vegetables, cheeses, and exotic mushrooms. They have cooked at Trout Point since 2000, which has won a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence each year since 2007. This year, Departures magazine chose the Lodge among the world’s top 10 foodie getaways.

The Lodge has also announced dates for its 3-day, 2-night Nova Scotia Seafood Cooking School program. This all-inclusive culinary vacation including accommodation, meals, hands-on instruction, and field trips will be held May 18-20, 2012: Mediterranean Cuisine with an emphasis on seafood as well as June 15-17 and September 28-30, 2012: Seafood Cookery.

About Trout Point Lodge Nova Scotia’s only member of Relais & Chateaux, the Lodge consists of 7 deluxe guest rooms, 2 suites, and 2 cottages. Trout Point has achieved a 4 1/2 star rating from Canada Select since opening in 2000 and won the inaugural Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award.

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Check out the 2011 Trout Point packages

The Lodge has lots of new special offerings and packages, from gourmet getaways to wilderness safaris! Take a look here!

We’ve also posted a 15% online booking discount, currently available for the month of May.

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