What is New in Atlantic Canada in 2008
MONDAY, 28 APRIL 2008
Submitted By: Maricar Cinco
There’s a whole new world to discover in the four provinces of Atlantic Canada, and it’s not far away. Make this your year to trek through North America’s last unexplored wilderness, channel your inner Picasso and learn to paint… or write or play the fiddle, try your hand at kite surfing in the warmest waters north of Virginia, get up close and personal with whales and icebergs, sleep in a lighthouse - or a charming country inn, play soldier in a 250-year old fortress, and experience several European cultures without crossing the Atlantic.
Atlantic Canada is waiting for you. Whether you’re a book-loving teen who counts Anne of Green Gables as her heroine or a cool surfer dude who wants to add the latest notch on his boogie board, you’ll find plenty to grab your attention in Atlantic Canada.
THE GREATEST OUTDOORS
Yes, there is beautiful scenery. From the Bay of Fundy with the world’s highest tides to the rugged cliffs of Cape Breton, Atlantic Canada is a paradise for nature lovers. Watch whales and icebergs float by off Newfoundland and Labrador and see the Northern Lights fill the skies while hundreds of thousands of puffins gather on shore. The sandy beaches may be deserted, but the waters are the warmest north of Virginia.
RIGHT NEXT DOOR
Only two hours north as the plane flies, or drive for several hours from New England, the four provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island offer quick and easy getaways for American travelers. This June, Delta is starting new flights from Boston to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (PEI), and Northwest will renew service from Detroit. Continental just announced more service to St. John’s, Newfoundland and offers daily flights to Moncton, New Brunswick. Six airlines are flying in to Halifax, Nova Scotia (Air Canada, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United) from several East Coast gateways and United introduced new service from Chicago to Halifax last year.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of getting eye-to-eye with a whale, and there’s nothing boring about riding the 50-foot Tidal Bore in the Bay of Fundy. Set to debut this spring in Nova Scotia is the Joggins Fossil Centre featuring the world’s largest collection of 300-million-year old fossils. Just opened in New Brunswick is the Metepenagiag Heritage Park, which celebrates the 3,000-year old Mi’kmaq culture. Following Newfoundland’s Viking Trail brings you to the 1000-year old settlement of North America’s first “discoverers". Play soldier at the re-enactment of Louisbourg’s second siege on its 250th anniversary or relive the life of an 18th century Loyalist at the 225th anniversary of the Loyalists landing. This year, PEI is celebrating the 100th birthday of Anne of Green Gables.
LADIES ONLY
Say so long to your significant other for a few days and opt for a girl’s getaway to learn how to fly fish on the Miramichi River in New Brunswick. How about hanging ten at the first all-women surfing school in Nova Scotia? Kayakers can work off all those mussels and potatoes paddling along PEI’s 180-mile Confederation Trail. Want to be eligible for the next “Survivor"? The Tuckamore Inn in Newfoundland and Labrador is offering a six-day wilderness training package.
CHANNEL YOUR INNER PICASSO OR JANE AUSTEN
Here’s an opportunity to express your artistic side. Fredericton, New Brunswick’s culture capital, will offer 120 different workshops in the fine arts, crafts and design. The Prince Edward Island’s School of the Arts has 11 weeklong classes in painting, writing, and other disciplines.
TO THE MAX
Thinking of more adrenaline-pumping pleasures? There’s surfing a half-hour from Halifax, diving World War II wrecks off St. John’s, and kite surfing off New Brunswick’s Acadian Coast. In Central Newfoundland, there’s white water rafting and close encounters with moose. Hiking in the recently-opened Torngat Mountains National Park – one of Canada’s newest parks – is not for wimps; polar bears prowl along the paths.
EAT LOCAL
Did someone say lobster? Atlantic Canada is seafood central and visitors can gorge on pristine mussels, scallops, and cod. Locavores should know that long before slow food and “eat local” became a mantra, folks in Atlantic Canada have been doing just that. Here, you’ll find there’s a very short distance between the farm and your fork. Try dulse, fiddleheads or partridge berries. More wineries are popping up in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley and throughout the four provinces, there’s a burgeoning food scene as more young chefs are moving here and opening restaurants.
NEW INNS, AN ABORIGINAL LODGE, LIGHTHOUSES AND A PRIVATE ISLAND
The hotel scene in St. John’s has been heating up. Last year, The Beach House debuted with 10 suites and three cottages equipped with flat screen TVs, DVDs, marble baths, and rain showers. From your room, you can watch icebergs and ships sail by and in the evening, dine at one of Canada’s best new restaurants, the Atlantica Restaurant. The beautifully-restored Ryan Mansion, a National Historic Site dating from the early 20th century, recently opened in the city’s historic quarter. Rooms have fireplaces and Jacuzzis in the marble baths. Clean modern design and deep soaking tubs draw travelers to The Hometel, which offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences. One of the city’s first boutique properties, Blue on Water came on the scene three years ago. Its seven rooms have a fresh contemporary décor and come equipped with Wi-fi Internet access, satellite TV, and DVD player. The restaurant offers wonderful, fresh fish and seafood. In New Brunswick, visitors can stay in the new Metepenagiag Outdoor Adventure Lodge, an aboriginal lodge built of native cedar, and dine on authentic Mi’kmaq recipes like bannock and fiddlehead chowder. The Lighthouse on Cape d’Or features four bedrooms in a lighthouse with some of the best views in Nova Scotia. At Five Islands Resort, families or friends can have an entire island to themselves with a main house and four cabins – one of which is a tiny three-story lighthouse with its own widow’s walk.
The Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP) is a nine-member pan-Atlantic partnership comprised of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the four Atlantic Canada Tourism Industry Associations, and the four Provincial Departments responsible for tourism (New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island). Travelers can find more information by going to www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca, www.newfoundlandandlabrador.com, or www.novascotia.com/fall.
Source:
travelvideo.tv
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