AP Features, April 23rd, 2007
Adjust your travel aim a little farther to the northeast than usual and go past well-traveled New England to Nova Scotia, Canada's scenic and charming province facing the Atlantic.
They're especially proud of their music. Click on "About Nova Scotia" at the province's official tourism Web site _ http://novascotia.com/ _ to learn more about the subject, including festivals, videos and links to featured musicians. "About" is also where you'll find links for exploring the province's Mi'kmaq, Acadian and Celtic traditions, history and food. And before you put on your hiking shoes you can pick up more details on the geography, including 4,650 miles of coastline, more than 100 accessible beaches, and the world's highest tides on the Bay of Fundy. That section also takes you to "Nova Scotia by Season," where "Summer" promises more than 500 happenings like the Digby Scallop Days Festival and the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo (think military bands and competitions, not skin decoration).
Then you need to dig into the section titled "What To Do" for ideas on sightseeing, fishing, hiking, biking and more. Be sure to try out "Related Links" for NS Museums, Parks Canada and the Fortress of Louisbourg, described as the "largest reconstructed 18th century French fortified town in North America." Before you move on, go back to the top of the main page and sample the travel package deals and the photo gallery. And if you don't want to do all your sightseeing on hiking trails, go up to "Plan a Trip" and click on "Getting Around" for a collection of scenic drives, or travelways as they call them.
Speaking of food, Taste of Nova Scotia _ http://www.tasteofnovascotia.com/ _ has a restaurant guide and recipes.
To learn more about one of the province's most unique attractions, visit Bay of Fundy _ http://www.bayoffundytourism.com/ _ for videos and a map of related attractions under "Recommended Experiences." Next, pick up even more information by going to Central Nova Scotia _ http://www.centralnovascotia.com/ _ and looking for the "Bay of Fundy" link in the paragraph about the Glooscap Trail. Don't ignore the rest of the Glooscap Trail and the region's Sunrise Trail along the island's Northumberland shore.
Nova Scotia's past and present are strongly centered on the ocean, so consult the Seaside Tourism Association _ http://www.seacoasttrail.com/ _ for a scenic photo gallery and directories of places to stay, eat and visit. And places to shop, of course. Their "Links" section is a handy collection of Web sites including a bed & breakfast inn directory, the Nova Scotia Trails Federation and the cosmopolitan city of Halifax _ http://www.halifaxinfo.com _ which anchors a metropolitan region full of still more things to see and do. You might also want to check out the Lighthouse Preservation Society _ http://www.nslps.com/ _ for scenic punctuation points along the coast.
For a slightly wilder section of the eastern shore, Nova Scotia Seacoast _ http://www.novascotiaseacoast.com/ _ will show you the way to fishing, hiking, canoeing, boat tours, forest and farms, and small towns. And you can always just be lazy and try their "Nature Viewing" or "Romance & Relaxation" guides. Go camping there and elsewhere; the Nova Scotia Campground Owners Association _ http://www.campingnovascotia.com/ _ has a guide.
Visit Nova Scotia Travel _ http://www.novascotiatravel.ca/ _ for still more guides to regions, trails, attractions and package tours.
Getting there can be part of the fun. If you don't take a direct flight, you could take the scenic but long overland drive from Maine or Montreal, or you could park the car on the CAT _ http://www.catferry.com/ _ the high-speed ferry that dashes from Portland, Maine, to Yarmouth in less than six hours. Click on "The Ship" for a virtual tour and details (36 knots with 900 passengers and 240 vehicles). Be sure to check out the special offers and package deals.
