Nova Scotia

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Introduction

Lighthouse

© All Rights Reserved dpatton

Nova Scotia, from the latin for New Scotland, certainly has Scottish and Celtic roots, but also mixes into that pot the French Acadian and native Mi’kmaq cultures as well. Nova Scotia is home to the world's highest tides in the Bay of Fundy, the awe inspiring scenery of the Cape Breton trail, the lively culture of Halifax and the charm and hospitality of Lunenburg on the Lighthouse Route. Travellers can explore fishing villages and Atlantic Ocean beaches during the days, and listen to Celtic, Acadian, Scottish and modern music at night.

Geography

The province's mainland is the Nova Scotia peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, including numerous bays and estuaries. Cape Breton Island, a large island to the northeast of the Nova Scotian mainland lies to the north-east of the mainland. Sable Island, a small island notorious for its shipwrecks, lies approximately 175 km from the province's southern coast.

Nova Scotia is Canada's second smallest province in area (after Prince Edward Island).

Cities

• Halifax, Nova Scotia's capital, is a port city with a lively night scene and, as one of Canada's oldest cities, some beautiful architecture, parks and historical sights.

Cape Breton

• Sydney is the largest city in Cape Breton.
• Glace Bay is a former coal mining town located in the north of Cape Breton.
• Port Hawkesbury is the first town you enter when traveling to Cape Breton.
• Baddeck is a lovely little resort town located in the middle of Cape Breton near the Bras d'Or lakes.
• Margaree Valley , and the Margaree River, a world famous salmon river alongside 30km of the Cabot Trail

South Shore

• Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a charming seaside town on the South Shore of Nova Scotia.
• Bridgewater is the largest town and hub of the south shore Nova Scotia.
• Yarmouth is a large town located near the Southern most part of Nova Scotia. The Cat ferry to and from Maine operates from here.

Annapolis Valley

• Digby is a fishing town located on the Bay of Fundy. Famous for scallops.
• Annapolis Royal is the oldest European community north of Florida. Founded in 1605.
• Grand Pré is a small town dedicated to the memory of the expulsion of the Acadians.

Cumberland and Colchester Counties

• Amherst is the gate way to Nova Scotia, a town located on the border of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
• Truro is located in the middle of Nova Scotia and home of Stanfield's underwear.

Sights and Activities

Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia

© All Rights Reserved Degolasse

Fortress of Louisburg

The Fortress of Louisbourg was originally built by the French in the 18th century. It was designated as the capital of the French colony Ile Royale (present day Cape Breton) and was the first line of defence in the battle for North America with the British. The Fotress was first sacked by the British in 1754 after a six week seige. Over the next 15 years the Fortress was returned to the French in a treaty and captured again by the British until it was destroyed in 1760. In 1961, then Prime Minister of Canada, John Deifenbaker started the rebuilding process of the Fortress of Louisbourg. This rebuilding took most of the next two decades when it was finished in the 1980s. Currently it is an interactive site which provides a glimpse into 18th century life and the history of Nova Scotia and Canada.

• The Cabot Trail is a 185-mile (298 km) loop around the west coast of Cape Breton Island, considered one of the world's most scenic drives.
• The Bay of Fundy is home to the highest tides in the world.
• Joggins Fossil Cliffs was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July, 2008. It is home to millions of years of fossils.

Events and Festivals

• Ha!lifax Comedy Fest is a comedy festival featuring local, national and international talent.
• Halifax International Busker Festival is a 2-week festival showcasing the many talents of street performers.
• Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival is an annual festival in August dedicated to folk music.
• Celtic Colours International Festival is an original Cape Breton festival to celebrate the Celtic heritage.
• Windsor-West Hants Pumpkin Festival is an annual event where pumpkin growers from across Atlantic Canada and the eastern United States bring their giant pumpkins to be weighed. Then there is a giant pumpkin boat race.

Weather

Atlantic and Fundy waters are relatively cold (8 °C - 12 °C), and they help to keep the air temperature over southwestern Nova Scotia on the cool side in spring and summer. In January, when their temperature is between 0 °C and 4 °C, these same waters moderate the harshness of winter. Farther offshore to the east, southeast, and south are comparatively warm 16 °C waters of the Gulf Stream. Its warmth, especially from August through October, is credited with prolonging fall - the season many Nova Scotians consider to be the best of the year.^[1]

Getting There

By Plane

The Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport is the Atlantic Canadian hub for all domestic, regional and international services. Scheduled air service into Nova Scotia is available from all major Canadian cities, from all major United States cities through connecting hubs at Boston and New York, and from major European cities through the connecting hub at London.

By Bus

Greyhound from New York and Voyageur from Montreal connect with Acadian Lines which serves Atlantic Canada. At Amherst, intraprovincial bus lines link most major communities.

By Train

Via Rail Canada provides transcontinental train service; there are stations in Amherst, Springhill, Truro and Halifax. Call toll-free 1-888-842-7245.

By Car

Highways from all points in the United States and Canada join the Trans Canada Highway from New Brunswick into Nova Scotia.

By Boat

Car ferry trips connect Maine, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland to Nova Scotia.

Newfoundland - Nova Scotia
Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland, to/from North Sydney, Nova Scotia, daily service year-round; additional service mid-June to September. Argentia, Newfoundland to North Sydney, Nova Scotia: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, mid-June to mid-October. Reservations recommended. Tickets must be picked up one hour before sailing. Marine Atlantic Reservations, 355 Purves St, North Sydney, NS, B2A 3V2. 1-800-341-7981.

Prince Edward Island - Nova Scotia
Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island, to Caribou, Nova Scotia, daily service May 1 to December 20, operated by Northumberland Ferries Ltd., 94 Water Street, P.O. Box 634, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 7L3. In Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, call toll-free 1-800-565-0201. From other areas, call (902) 566-3838.

Saint John, New Brunswick - Digby, Nova Scotia
Daily service year-round; three trips daily during peak months. Reservations recommended. Bay Ferries, 94 Water Street, P.O. Box 634, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 7L3. Phone 1-888-249-7245; (902) 566-3838; fax (902) 566-1550.

Portland & Bar Harbor, Maine - Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Service June 1 to mid-October. From Portland, Maine on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; from Bar Harbor, Maine on Monday through Thursday. Reservations required. Passengers should be at the terminal one hour prior to sailing. For sailing times contact Bay Ferries Limited, 94 Water St., P.O. Box 634, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 7L3 or 121 Eden St., Bar Harbor, Maine, 04609, USA. Phone 1-888-249-7245, (902) 566-3838; fax (902) 566-1550.

Getting Around

By Plane

Air Canada JazzAir Canada Jazz operates daily flights from the Robert Stanfield International Airport in Halifax to Sydney, Cape Breton. Prices vary depending on when tickets are booked and it takes approximately 50 minutes.

By Train

There is only one passenger train line that is still operating in Nova Scotia. It connects Halifax, Nova Scotia to Moncton, New Brunswick and on to Montreal, Quebec and the rest of Canada.

Currently there is one passenger that departs from Halifax at 12:35.^[2] It stops in Truro, Springhill, Amherst and Sackville, New Brunswick before arriving in Moncton. Barring delays this trip takes 3 hours and 25 minutes and costs for a regular car $64.41 ($57.00 + tax).

By Car

Nova Scotia is encircled by eleven scenic travelways. These scenic travelway routes follow the slower-paced trunk and collector roads that lead you around the province of Nova Scotia. Each travelway describes the culture, history and natural features along the route and is referenced with all the places to stay and things to do in the area.

More information on Nova Scotia's Scenic Travelways can be found from the Nova Scotia Tourism Website

By Bus

Acadian Lines operates buses that run throughout Nova Scotia. The schedule and cost per ticket is subject to change. As of Sept, 2008 departing from Halifax, Acadian Lines operates on the following bus routes:

• to Amherst with a stop in Truro - 3 buses daily, $37 one way for an adult, $31 for a student. Approximately 2.5 hours.
• to Sydney, Cape Breton with stops in Truro, New Glasgow and Port Hawkesbury - 3 buses daily, $67 one way for an adult, $57 for a student. Approximately 7 hours.
• to Digby with stops in Windsor, Nova Scotia, Annapolis Royal - 1 bus daily, $44 one way for an adult, $37 for a student. Approximately 4:20.

By Boat

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