Nova Scotia: what clients should see, experience and where to stay
In nautical Nova Scotia, clients can marvel at picturesque lighthouses, stop at weather-beaten fishing towns and sip on fine wines, while embracing a culture that fuses English, Scottish and French traditions. And with a flight time of just six hours, it’s a great choice for UK clients.
SEE
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Located along Halifax’s historic waterfront, Canada’s largest and oldest maritime museum tells the story of Nova Scotia’s rich seafaring heritage, featuring permanent exhibitions on the Titanic and the chance to explore CSS Acadia, moored outside.
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
After founding Halifax in 1749, the British moved their soldiers to this star-shaped hilltop fort to protect the city from further invasion. Clients who visit can take guided tours to learn what it was like for soldiers and their families to live and work there.
halifaxcitadel.ca
Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse and Village
Nova Scotia is dotted with more than 160 historic lighthouses, and none is more iconic or photographed than Peggy’s Point Lighthouse, located around 45 minutes’ drive from downtown Halifax in the quaint village of Peggy’s Cove. Suggest clients visit before 9am or after 6pm to avoid potential crowds.
Lunenburg
The old fishing town of Lunenburg is another popular pit stop along the South Shore thanks to its pretty painted clapboard houses, award-winning restaurants and 18th-century buildings that have given it Unesco World Heritage status. The town typically gets busy in summer, so suggest clients visit outside of that season or arrive early for the best experience.
Stay
Muir Hotel, Halifax
The Muir Hotel will be Nova Scotia’s first five-star property when it opens later this year, located right in the middle of the new Queen’s Marque district in Halifax. The 110-room Autograph Collection hotel promises to marry a contemporary, East Coast aesthetic with use of traditional materials, while amenities include a wellness centre and a restaurant celebrating regional cuisine.
Book it: Contact hotel for room rates. muirhotel.com
The Inn at the Winery, Domaine de Grand Pre
Oenophiles visiting historic winery and Unesco World Heritage Site Domaine de Grand Pre in the Annapolis Valley will soon be able to take in the area’s beautiful surroundings for longer with a stay at The Inn at the Winery, slated to open this spring. Guests can enjoy an intimate chef’s table experience for up to 10 people, with the on-site chef and sommelier leading diners through five- and seven-course gourmet meals.
Book it: Room rates start from $195. grandprewines.com
Experience
Cabot Trail
This breathtakingly beautiful 180-mile highway weaves through Cape Breton Highlands national park, offering epic vistas of windswept beaches and sprawling forests, with pit stops to spot local wildlife along the way. Clients should take their time along this trail, pausing to enjoy some of Cape Breton’s 26 scenic hiking trails and 24 lookout points, with the Skyline Trail near Pleasant Bay famed for its spectacular sunsets.
Book it: Audley Travel can tailor-make a self-drive trip that takes in Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail, with prices starting from £2,730pp for 14 days including flights, car hire and accommodation. audleytravel.com
Wine-tasting
On this drive through the Annapolis Valley, clients will stop at three award-winning wineries, learning about the region’s viniculture traditions that date back to the 1600s while sipping their way through distinctive grape varietals, from L’Acadie Blanc to Tidal Bay – a wine that reflects the terroir of its birthplace. This experience also includes lunch at Luckett Vineyards, overlooking the Minas Basin fed by the Bay of Fundy.
Book it: Viator’s Wine and Lunch Escape starts from £100pp. travelagents.viator.com
Tidal-bore rafting
Twice a day in the Bay of Fundy, the tides rise and fall, between 3.5 metres and 16 metres, depending on the phase of the moon. When this mass of water flows into the Shubenacadie river, the two waters collide to create rapids, whirlpools and crosscurrents that make it perfect for tidal-bore rafting. This activity is a must for thrill-seeking clients – and if they’re happy to get mucky, they can even go mud sliding after their trip.
Book it: AmeriCan & Worldwide Travel offers two- or three-hour tidal-bore rafting trips from Matland from 15 May-30 September 2021. Prices start from £67 per adult and £61 per child (aged 13 and under). awwt.co.uk
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