By KAT TANCOCK
Orca, British Columbia (Photo: Jonathan E. Shaw)
You don’t have to go as far as Africa for a world-class nature experience, whether it’s wildlife viewing or something a little less traditional. Bring homegrown excitement to your next vacation with these 10 Canadian wilderness and wildlife safaris. (more…)
Fireplace junior suite at the Trout Point Lodge
By Kat Tancock
At the southern end of Nova Scotia in Yarmouth County, a three-hour drive from Halifax, Trout Point Lodge might seem like it’s at the end of the world—and that’s kind of the point. With water views from every room, the rustic-chic Relais & Châteaux property is designed for relaxation. (more…)
By Kat Tancock
Based out of Bear River, in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, Sledding Hill is a small farm that grows market produce, vegetable starts and ornamental plants. But it’s with their packaged products that owners Martin McGurk and Gordon Tingley, originally from Vancouver, get most creative. Their catalogue includes lavender and chili-lemon sugars, jellies and simple syrups, as well as lavender pepper, a mixture of black peppercorns, ground lavender florets and citrus peel.
The lavender simple syrup is a hit down in Lunenburg, where you can buy it at Ironworks Distillery and sample it in the subtly floral lavender martini at Fleur de Sel, one of Atlantic Canada’s best restaurants and a Gold Medal Plates gold award winner. (more…)
Back in 1934, Nova Scotia’s selling points for vacationers included dustless highways (ah, luxury!) and 22 golf courses (it has 80 today) among many of the natural and historic attractions it still showcases, like Louisburg and Cape Breton Island.
It was, to quote the Official Motor Guide of Nova Scotia, a place where you could “Generally Enjoy Your Holiday In a Sportsman’s Paradise.” Plus, in 1934 you could pick up this guide to Nova Scotia for a mere dollar.
This and other historic Nova Scotia guidebooks are viewable online at the Nova Scotia Archives. Browse the entire 136-page 1909 Sporting Guide to Nova Scotia, the 24-page Storied Halifax (1917), and the pamphlet 7 Days in Halifax, which advises visitors of the wide range of dinner prices in that city in 1930: from 50¢ to $1.50.
By Candice Walsh
One of the joys of travelling Nova Scotia is the ease of getting around the province by car. When Halifax starts feeling a little too close for comfort, you can hightail it out of there with a moment’s notice. You don’t even need to go overnight—just go.
Photo by sleepyorange
Parks Canada has announced that Nova Scotia’s Sable Island has been designated the newest national park in Canada. The remote island some 300 km offshore is best known for its hundreds of wild horses—believed to have been introduced to the island in the 18th century—who run free on the grassy dunes. The island is also a migratory bird sanctuary and a breeding ground for grey seals. (more…)
Every Friday, we will be featuring a travel photo from our readers that inspires you to explore Canada. We want to showcase your adventures whether it’s of a park, a city scape, nature or an interesting character. Join our Flickr Group so we can easily find you. In exchange for use of the photo, we will credit your name and link to your photo. If you have a particular theme that you would like us to showcase, let us know on Facebook or Twitter.
Fort Anne, Nova Scotia. Photo by Pash Photography
Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
For travellers planning their summer trips in Canada this year, the regional editors of Where magazine have released their top picks for summer travel. The winners of Where Canada’s Best New Attractions for Summer 2011 represent the most exciting attractions – new, significantly improved, or celebrating major milestones this year. A diverse group of attractions from coast to coast, this year’s winners offer a wide range of activities and events suitable for any family, art lover, sports fanatic, nature lover or adventurer. Together, these attractions serve as the top must-see and must-dos for anyone travelling in Canada this summer. (more…)
Motor sports galore at Scotia Speedworld.
Spring saw the start of another season of Nova Scotian motor-sports, with two tracks near Halifax hosting events. In Shubenacadie, Atlantic Motorsport Park hosts car and motorcycle races every weekend this month. Scotia Speedworld, in nearby Enfield, hosts the Monster Jam monster-truck show on June 10 to 12, plus several races.
Photo: Donald Lee
• March 19: Wen Wei Dance joins the Beijing Modern Dance Company as Live Art Dance Productions presents Under the Skin at the Dalhousie Arts Centre on University Avenue. An international cast of 12 talented dancers explores the ties beneath superficial differences.
• March 26: The Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada brings its smash hit The Phantom of the Opera to the Dalhousie Arts Centre.
• March 11: The Dartmouth Community Concert Series hosts a unique evening of music at Woodlawn Church as percussionist Anne-Julie Caron (marimba) and pianist Marie-Eve Scarfone join forces
• March 20: Symphony Nova Scotia moves to the cozy confines of Saint Andrew’s United Church on Coburg Road as Jeanne Lamon visits for a celebration of English baroque music.
• March 24: The Symphony returns to its regular digs at the Dalhousie Arts Centre for this performance of Mozart’s Jupiter symphony. Pianist Avan Yu also performs Schumann’s Piano Concerto to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth.
• Durty Nelly’s on Argyle Street: Traditional pub, serving Irish grub and imported beers.
• The Red Stag on Lower Water Street: Friendly vibe, wide selection of beer on tap, located in historic Brewery Market building.
• The Split Crow on Granville Mall: One of the city’s most beloved pubs, live music, rollicking atmosphere.
• The Old Triangle on Prince Street: Owned by folk-music legend Brian Doherty, live music, Irish beers aplenty.
• Pogue Fado on Barrington Street: Hip young bar, party atmosphere, live music.