The Red Penguin Hostel, Lawrencetown, Canada

Owned and operated by an enthusiastic traveller and backpacker, The Red Penguin Hostel is a great base for your explorations in Nova Scotia.

Located in historic Lawrencetown in the beautiful Annapolis Valley close to Annapolis Royal and between the North and South Mountains. The large century home has been converted into a warm and convivial hostel with a front verandah and a large back deck for barbequeing and relaxing. There is a mix of private rooms and rooms suitable for couples.

Hostellers have a seperate fully equipped kitchen for their use as well as a lounge with a television and DVD player. Linen is included and there are coin operated laundry facilities for guests to use. There is also plenty of free guest parking.

Attractions close to the Red Penguin are:

- The historic and charming village of Annapolis Royal with its gracious heritage homes and its picturesque setting and its 2 National Historic sites: Fort Anne and Port Royal. The latter built in 1605 was the earliest European settlement in North America north of Florida.

- The fishing villages of Hampton, Port George, and Margaretsville along the Bay of Fundy coast. With their pebble beaches, lighthouses, and tidal pools at low tide to explore, they offer characteristic vistas of the Bay of Fundy. For excellent hiking above the rocky shoreline there are the magnificent trails at Delap's Cove.

- Further along, The Red Penguin can be used as a base for day trips to Kejimkujik National Park. With pristine lakes, rivers and forests it is a paradise for hiking and canoeing.

Other points of attraction further along are day trips to Digby and area to feast on the famous scallops. Superb scenic drives along Digby Neck provide glimpses of an abundance of wildlife and of course there are the popular whale-watching tours.

Another interesting day trip this time heading east is to the area in and around Wolfville, home of Acadia University. Nearby is the important Acadian legacy of Grand Pre Historic Site. Also close by is the village of Scots Bay which has a nice beach for swimming. Excellent hiking is found on the towering seacliffs of Cape Blomidon with unforgettable views of the Minas Basin.