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Your-Nova-Scotia-Travel-Tips, Issue #003 -- The BEST Nova Scotia Travel Tips March 18, 2014 |
Issue #003, March 2014Hello everyone,Well, the spring seems to be taking its time arriving! But I am still thinking about spring, summer and fall in Nova Scotia! What about you? Welcome to the March issue of Your Nova Scotia Travel Tips. My newsletter promises to bring to you information that will make your Nova Scotia vacation the best ever! It doesn't matter if this is your first visit, if you are a native Nova Scotian visiting from away or if you live here. I have something for everyone. Festivals & ConcertsNova Scotia is famous for its festivals, events and outdoor concerts. They are everywhere and you could easily go to one every weekend.The festival pages on my website are up-to-date. Well, I should say that they are up-to-date as of today BUT I will continue to add events as I become aware of them. So check my listings often. Some events that look interesting are:
The 'Kirkin o' the Tartan
Highland Lobster Supper
Annual Celtic Music Interpretive Centre Golf Classic
Seafest Festival
43rd Annual Nova Scotia Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Festival
Louisbourg Crab Festival
The Dutch Mason Blues
Festival
Halifax Seaport Beerfest
Festival of Cape Breton Fiddling 2014
Clam Harbour Beach Sandcastle Competition
Tip#1Many festivals in Nova Scotia are outside festivals in big fields or local parish grounds. So, many do not have permanent seating facilities.My advice: travel with a folding chair! It might come into good use! Also, bring along a sweater as the evening can get a little chilly by the ocean. Must-See MuseumThe Fortress of Louisbourg is steeped in history. It is basically a huge living museum of what life was like in New France in 1744. You can easily spend a full day at the fortress just roaming around and talking to the townsfolk.You can have a tea and scone or have a full lunch at one of the restaurants at the fortress. Afterward, just wander down to the shore to enjoy the view. Visit some of the buildings and talk to the animators. They'll tell you all about the history of the fortress and how crucial it was to New France. The first siege by the British is set for 1745. There are also special activities at the fortress including a dinner theatre and a murder mystery night. These happen weekly all summer long. Don't forget the Fete de St. Louis August 23-24 Check out my Fortress Attractions page for more information. Tip#2If you are going to make the trek to the fortress make sure you also check the Louisbourg Lighthouse. The lighthouse is located just across the bay from the fortress.This is Lighthouse Point. The first lighthouse at this location was built in 1734. It is quite historic as it was the first lighthouse in Canada. There is also a hiking trail that will take you along the coast as far as Lorraine. The Great OutdoorsHave you heard of the Shubenacadie Canal? This canal is quite historic and stretches from Halifax to the Minas Basin in the Bay of Fundy. Several of the historic locks still exist today.The locks are long ago out of use but the area is now filled with cycling, walking, hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails. It is called the Shubie Canal Greenway Corridor. It is located in the Dartmouth area and is easily accessible. You can also dog walk there. If you are staying in the Dartmouth-Halifax area this is definitely a great place to get active.
Tip#3I recently camped at Shubie Campground located in Dartmouth. There are 2 great things about this location:(1) You have direct access to the Shubie Canal Greenway Cooridor walking trails from the campground. (2) You are not far from Halifax. So if you want to camp and be close to Halifax....camping at Shubie is a good option. They even have a yurt that you can rent. Celtic MusicHave you ever thought of taking some Scottish fiddle lessons in Cape Breton while on holiday? Well, it is possible!
Check out Music on the Canal in St. Peter's, the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique and the Gaelic College in St. Ann's.
You'll find guitar, fiddle, bagpipes, singing and lots more for beginners and everyone else! Tip#4Would you prefer just to listen?
The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse (corner of Prince & Bedford Row) in downtown Halifax has sessions twice a week when traditional players get together. Every Tuesday starting at 8pm there is a traditional Irish get-together where musicians gather to play some tunes. Every Sunday from 2-4pm there is a open session which includes Irish Set dancing. I’d say that this is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Halifax AttractionsI have visited the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax several times. My latest visit was in December. I visited this time through the eyes of a sailor. My partner was with me, she is a sailor and this was her first visit to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
It was a pure delight to watch her in the Days of Sail exhibit. We actually did not get much past this exhibit during our visit. I guess another one is needed.
The museum has displays about the Titanic, the 1917 Halifax Explosion, the birth of the Canadian Navy, Sable Island and much more. There is even a miniature Theodore Tugboat display.
Check out my website for more information on the museum. Tip#5Not far from the museum is one of the best pubs in Halifax. The Old Triangle is awesome. Like I said in Tip#4 they have live Irish music and regular jam sessions.The pub food is some of the best I've tasted. I had their pan-fried haddock and it was delicious. This is definitely a place to check out on your next trip to Halifax. It is a hopping place all summer log. Hot off the PressThe Bay of Fundy has recently been named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of North America. This is not surprising since the Bay of Fundy has the highest tidal range in the world at around 55 feet.Do you know that 115 billion tons of water flow in and out of the Bay every day? Truly amazing! The Bay of Fundy is also a perfect spot for whalewatching. Tip#6Do you want to get some FREE tourism guides about Nova Scotia? Maybe even a map?
Well, you can! Call Nova Scotia Tourism at 1-800-565-0000.
They will send you a Doer and Dreamers Guide book. Make sure you ask for a Nova Scotia travel map too! A little extra...USA Today has included Cape Breton in their 10 most romantic islands. A very good reason to plan a trip to Cape Breton this summer. Check out the story from USA Today right here!Annapolis Royal was recently featured in "10 Best Places You've Got to See" in MacLeans.ca. This is a great article and will make you want to put this on your Nova Scotia Bucket List. Follow MeMy pinterest boards are really starting to grow. It really is addictive. These boards help me to collect wonderful pictures.Want to see awesome pictures of Nova Scotia? Visit Your-Nova-Scotia-Holiday.com's profile on Pinterest. Do you want up-to-date information on interesting things happening in Nova Scotia?
Setting up a facebook page is still on my 'to do' list. Stay tuned!! Almost forgot...don't forget to check the updates that I just did to my website. The summer activities for the Cape Breton Highlands National Park are updated. The summer attractions for the Fortress of Louisbourg are also updated. Make sure you 'like' my site when you visit! That's it for now!See you next month about this time for the next issue of Your Nova Scotia Travel Tips.
Don't forget to forward this issue to your friends and family! I would really appreciate it!
All the best, |
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