Atlantic Canada - Waterfront Life, Whale Watching and a Different Holiday Experience

For the twin pleasures of bustling, international citiesbustling waterfront. It is also the gateway to the
and miles of breathtaking unspoilt countryside, therest of Price Edward Island, which includes the superb
Atlantic side of Canada is the place to visit. Known asPEI National Park with its sand dunes, sandstone
the Maritime Provinces, Nova Scotia, Prince Edwardcliffs, forests, salt marshes and some excellent
Island and New Brunswick are an excellent focus forbeaches.
a coastal adventure peppered with fun night life andNew Brunswick
the chance to get up close to the natural habitat ofOnwards from Price Edward Island to New Brunswick
rare bird and animal species. Halifax and Nova Scotiais an experience in itself, via the 8-mile Confederation
A tour might usefully start in Halifax, Nova Scotia (5.5Bridge. Here you can visit the Arcadian villages of
hours flying time from the UK). Halifax is a lively cityBoutouche and Le Pays de Sagouine, this latter being
with a deep connection to the UK as a formed Britisha lively village with theatre, music, comedy and live
dependency. You can visit Citadel Hill with itsentertainment all geared to the unique Arcadian
19th-century star-shaped fort (a National Historic Siteculture. You might also want to try catching your
of Canada), the Public Gardens, the fascinatingown lobster and enjoying a fine seafood dinner on
harbour front with its military heritage. You might alsoboard a specially-organised cruise.
visit Fairview Cemetery, where over 100 people whoOther New Brunswick towns to visit are Monckton
died on the doomed liner Titanic have found theirand of course Fredericton, the capital, both with
resting place. The waterfront also has numerousplenty of themed history re-creating the life and
traditional pubs offering local ales and Gaelic tunes, atimes of the early settlers.
reminder of course, that these parts were firstSt John and the Bay of Fundy
settled by Scottish Highlanders - hence the nameAfter Fredericton you might travel to St John and
"New Scotland" - Nova Scotia.the Bay of Fundy, with its concentration of over 20
Halifax is also the base for a tour to one of the mostspecies of whale including Minkes, Finbacks,
photographed locations n Canada, Peggy's Cove,Humpbacks and the rare Right Whale. Cruises
which is overlooked by Canada's only light houseoperate to ensure you have every chance to see
which has a post office.these magnificent creatures.
Cape Breton IslandSaint John itself has its own charm, with easy style
After Halifax, a trip to Cape Breton Island, said to beand plenty of good restaurants with local specialities
one of the earliest European settlements in Northincluding fiddleheads (violin-shaped ferns that grow
America, can be followed by a stay in Baddeck.along the riverbanks), tarte au sucre (a Brayonnne
Baddeck has the Museum dedicated to formersugar pie) or poutine (grated raw and mashed
summer resident and famous inventor Alexanderpotatoes wrapped around fresh pork). It has the Old
Graham Bell. Baddeck also gives you the base for theCity Market and the fascinating "Reversing Falls"
Cabot Trail, a circular tour on a highway carved highwhere water flows backwards due to the force of
into the mountains, taking in Cape Breton Nationalincoming tides.
Park and several traditional village where ScottishThe route back to Halifax, takes you via Hopewell
customs are still the norm.Rocks, where you can see the world's highest tides
Prince Edward Islandwhich can rise to an amazing 50 metres.
Travelling from Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island isThere is a great deal to discover in this region of
by ferry from Caribou to Charlottetwon across theCanada - easily managed by self drive car hire and
Northumbria Strait. Historic Charlottetown is wherelocal tours, but equally lending itself to a 14 or 18 day
the Union of Canada was discussed and ratified incoach tour for those who prefer to leave the driving
1864, and is the island's capital. The city also has theand planning to others.
colourful Great George Street and the restored and