DAY 1
I was very lucky to have just returned from Maritime Atlantic Canada with First Class Holidays and Air Canada. It was a very easy transit through Heathrow Airport despite our misgivings and flew to Halifax, Nova Scotia in less than 6 hours. Halifax, Nova Scotia (New Scotland) is known as Canada's Ocean playground, an outdoor paradise. The perfect place for relaxing on the beach, kayaking, sailing, swimming, surfing and sampling the freshest of seafood.
We stayed at the Cambridge suites for one night which was an excellent location. Halifax is Atlantic Canada's largest city but so easy to explore by foot (though a tad hilly), reminded me a bit of San Francisco. Halifax boasts 4 km of boardwalk with beautiful views of the harbour and St Georges Island. Full of museums, shops galleries and waterfront bars and restaurants serving my all-time favourite lobster. A modern city but with 18th and 19th century architecture. That evening we went to the waterfront to pick up a Harbour Hopper Tour which is a fun way to explore the city, first by land and by sea but a word of advice don't sit at the front!
DAY 2
We spent the morning exploring and our first stop was the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Canada's largest and oldest. A great place to learn about Nova Scotia's Maritime heritage. Original artifacts from the Titanic are housed here and what I learnt about was the 1917 explosion, the 2nd largest after Hiroshima. A truly shocking event.
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site on Citadel Hill is a worthy visit. Sits proudly above the harbour below. You can see how when the British were in how easy it was to defend the harbour below where the first settlers built their homes. It is no longer a garrison but a living museum where the cannons will still fire every day. Well worth a visit.
We left Halifax in our car hire and drove to South Shore to Peggy's Cove where the iconic lighthouse stands, one of the most photographed places in Canada. En route we went through the really pretty Mahone Bay, where the famous '3 Churches' stand side by side at the waterfront and make a great photo opportunity.
Our final stop was the seafaring town of Lunenburg. Old town Lunenburg is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site because of the original architecture and buildings. we had a walking tour, the guide was so passionate, telling us tales of the folklore, history and superstitions of the town. I found it a very spooky and superstitious place but really beautiful.
DAY 3
We headed off this morning to the historic town of Annapolis Royal. Home of the Mi'Kmaq before the European settlers came in in the 1600's. Here we had a guided tour the Fort Anne National Historic site named after our Queen Anne originally built by the Scots. It is Canada's oldest National Historic site.
Moving on from here we ended up in Digby known as the 'scallop capital of the world' so of course I was happy having more wonderful seafood washed down with local Nova Scotia wine. From Digby, you catch the ferry across the Bay of Fundy to the province of New Brunswick and the city of St John. Our final destination tonight is St Andrew's on Sea to stay in the iconic Algonquin Resort, known as the 'Castle by the Sea' A spectacular place. Thankfully they didn't tell me until next morning it is haunted!
DAY 4
The highlight for us today was a whale watching boat trip on the Bay of Fundy. The tides in the Bay are considered the highest in the world and each day 160 billion tonne of seawater flows in and out twice a day. This in turn means lots of feeder fish and plankton so a lot a wildlife to see. We were lucky to see a minke whale, harbour porpoise and grey and harbour seals. The highlight for me was a bald-headed eagle. Home also to sharks, Finback and Humpback whales. A fabulous excursion and make sure you don't forget the sun cream.
St Andrew's by the Sea on southern point of the Bay is one of New Brunswick's premier destinations. A charming resort with lots of restaurant options, galleries and boutiques. This was one of my favourite places. We moved back from here to St John again, one of Canada's oldest cities, a vibrant port city. Again, another walking tour made more interesting with wine and whiskey tasting.
DAY 5
This morning we headed off again up the coast to the Fundy Trail Parkway, a natural wilderness experience with over 30km of hiking trails and stunning coastlines. We explored the Big Salmon River area crossing the suspension footbridge. Thankfully it wasn't too high. Here we had a lumberjack picnic which was such fun. With lunch served in a metal pail, it was reminiscent to what they would have had back in the day. This was a lovely place and could have spent a few days here hiking and exploring the area.
We went further north to Moncton for the night. I bit busier than we were used too but was a great base to visit the Magnetic Hills Winery. What a treat this was, we were treated to a 5-course culinary feast cooked by a local celebrity chef Gene Cormier, while paired with the most delicious wines. Disappointing these wineries don't export as we are all missing a treat.
DAY 6
This morning’s trip was to Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park. Here it is home to the world's highest tides. Here you explore the ocean floor during low tide. We had a guide who was passionate and informative about the site's ecosystem. A natural phenomenon that within hours the tide is in rising to heights of 35 metres. When this happens, you can take a kayak tour through the same rocks we walked through 2 hours previously. I did this too. Frightened the life out of me as never been on the water before but was a great experience.
This evening we left New Brunswick to head to Prince Edward Island. This route took us over the confederation bridge, the longest in world over iced water, nearly 12 km long. Stopped then at another charming fishing village, Victoria by the Sea and of course had more amazing seafood and wine. Our final destination was Charlottetown.
DAY 7
Today is Canada Day, celebrating the anniversary of Canadian Confederation which actually took place in Charlottetown in 1867 so we couldn't have been in a better place to celebrate. We were spoilt today as had no driving to do as we were taken out on a private tour around the island, visiting beautiful beaches and more lighthouse photo opportunities.
One of the most popular stops is the Green Gables House. A magical setting that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery to write 'Anne of Green Gables' This attraction has thousands of visitors every year. This evening we celebrated with the locals and watched a spectacular fire work display from the waterfront.
DAY 8
Today we leave Prince Edward Island to go back to Nova Scotia going via the Orwell Corner Historic Village, an original village from the 1890's. Now a living history attraction. Yet again more ghostly stories. A bit of a theme going on I feel. We crossed back to Nova Scotia this time by ferry, only a 75-minute crossing and had a scenic drive back to Halifax, obviously via another stunning ocean front venue for more lobster and wine.
I have spent the most wonderful week exploring these maritime provinces. The most beautiful regions and best way I can describe it is to compare it to New England, I thought it is so similar. The nicest friendliest people I have ever met. Storybook villages, charming seaside resorts, national parks, most incredible coastlines and my favourite the food and wine. Seafood heaven.
Thank you to First Class Holidays and Air Canada for making more magical memories.
