From whale watching to white water rafting, scenic drives to mountaineering trails, Nova Scotia provides all of this together with a singular tradition, excellent seafood and great wine.
With 13,000 Km of shoreline, a vacation in Nova Scotia will most undoubtedly embrace ocean views and water actions. It’s house to a number of the world’s finest whale watching experiences, a number of the world’s finest scenic drives and hikes, to not point out 150 lighthouses! Gorgeous sea views are a given, nevertheless it’s charming cities, together with multicultural experiences and its eclectic music scene could shock you essentially the most.
I’ve teamed up with Canadian Sky, the award-winning specialist tour operator to indicate you why you must add Nova Scotia to your bucket checklist. They provide a big selection of holidays to Nova Scotia, together with escorted excursions and self drive itineraries, in addition to metropolis breaks and holidays all through Canada.
Canadian Sky have devoted Canadian specialists who can tailor make the right Nova Scotia holidays to fit your necessities, and may be contacted on-line, by cellphone, or you possibly can go to their Buyer Lounge in Dublin in case you want to ebook your dream vacation in particular person.
And, while you ebook Canada holidays with Canadian Sky, you possibly can get pleasure from FREE airport lounge entry earlier than flying direct from Dublin to Halifax!
Whether or not you desire a self-drive impartial tour – the place you select your daily actions however have lodges and a few excursions booked for you, wish to rent a motorhome and go as you please, or ebook a completely escorted tour with knowledgeable tour director to indicate you the highlights, Canadian Sky can organize it for you.
Why select a vacation to Nova Scotia?
I’ve bought 10 nice causes listed right here together with some self-drive, motorhome and escorted tour suggestions:
1. Fly Direct from Dublin to Halifax in 6 hours!
Do you know that Westjet fly direct from Dublin to Halifax 4 occasions weekly? Nova Scotia has by no means been so accessible, and the brief flight time of simply 6 hours and eight minutes makes it an important possibility for a brief break or summer time vacation.
Direct flights begin on the twentieth of June and flights function each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
2. Nova Scotia is likely one of the Finest Locations to go Whale Watching
Nova Scotia is just not solely the most effective locations in Canada to see whales, its one of many world’s prime whale watching locations – that is primarily as a consequence of the truth that you possibly can see as much as 12 various kinds of whales right here.
Finbacks and Minkes normally arrive in Could, the Humpback whales are available in June, and all normally keep alongside the Nova Scotia shoreline all through the summer time and typically into October.
You need to see whales ‘spout’ frequently alongside the shoreline however a whale watching journey is one of the simplest ways to see whales breaching – that is when whales break via the floor of the water and soar into the air earlier than returning to the ocean with a loud splash!
The perfect viewing factors are typically alongside the Cabot Path in Cape Breton and the Bay of Fundy. There may be as many as 300 whales within the Bay of Fundy between June and October, whereas August is peak time and sightings are quite common. You might even spot an orca, blue whale or pilot whale, in addition to dolphins, seals, puffins, turtles, bald eagles and extra.
Canadian Sky’s 8-Night time Self Drive Tour features a cruise from Brier Island to see Humpback whales, in addition to the chance to see rather more of Nova Scotia’s wildlife on one journey.
Fly direct from Dublin to Halifax, the place you’ll keep for 3 nights, earlier than setting off to discover Nova Scotia’s vibrant cities and delightful shoreline. Value of €1599 consists of flights, 8 nights lodge stays, 5 days automobile rent and 4-hour Digby Brier Island Whale & Seabird Cruise.
View provide right here
3. Hike a number of the World’s Finest Climbing Trails!
Nova Scotia is a hiker’s paradise. All Trails has a staggering 1,204 mountaineering trails listed, together with 579 family-friendly hikes in Nova Scotia, 60 wheelchair-friendly trails, mountain bike routes and 1,077 routes with waterfalls or scenic views!
It’s potential to see lush forests, stunning seashores, fairly lighthouses and wonderful wildlife, all on one hike, and in lots of instances you don’t need to journey far to see them.
The Herring Cove Provincial Park Reserve has a brief scenic stroll simply 10 minutes from Halifax and provides beautiful views in simply simply 45 minutes, and the Skyline Path in Cape Breton is a straightforward 5km loop stroll the place you possibly can see a wide range of wildlife, together with moose, bears and bald eagles, in addition to breathtaking views of the ocean and headlands – that is additionally certainly one of finest locations to observe the sundown in Nova Scotia.
The Balancing Rock Path is likely one of the prime Instagram places in Nova Scotia. This brief however spectacular path that leads you up a 235-step staircase to a platform the place you will notice the well-known balancing rock. This is likely one of the most photographed pictures because the rock seems to be like it could topple over at any time – though it has managed to remain in place for hundreds of years!
Taylor Head Provincial Park is situated on a rugged peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic. There are 4 mountaineering trails right here, together with secluded seashores and a spread of wildlife, and the view from Taylor Head is thought to be the most effective views in Nova Scotia.
Intermediate and skilled hikers will love the 13km Cape Cut up Path, which provides spectacular views of the Bay of Fundy in addition to alternatives to see wildlife within the Cape Cut up Provincial Park Reserve, whereas the Cape Chignecto Coastal Path is likely one of the world’s finest hikes, however that is over 50km in size and takes three to 4 days to finish!
These are simply a number of the finest hikes in Nova Scotia, you possibly can see tons extra info right here:
See extra right here
4. Discover 13,000 KM of Shoreline & 40 seashores
You might be by no means removed from the coast in Nova Scotia so Atlantic Ocean views, rugged cliffs and sandy seashores are assured. As you would possibly anticipate, there’s an abundance of water sports activities in Nova Scotia, with all the things from browsing to face up paddle boarding, white water rafting to crusing, so in case you are in search of water primarily based actions, you received’t be left wanting.
There are 40 seashores in Nova Scotia. Melmerby Seashore boasts the warmest sea temperatures in Nova Scotia, whereas Martinique seashore is Nova Scotia’s longest seashore – it stretches for nearly 5km. Inverness Seashore is totally accessible, lifeguarded, and has a boardwalk which is right to soak up the views.
Don’t miss the Bay of Fundy, house to the very best tides on Earth, the place 100 billion tons of water rise and fall twice every day. One can find an abundance of marine life, abandoned seashores and cliffs which are house to the world’s most full fossil report of life from 300 million years in the past! A go to to the Bay of Fundy is likely one of the prime issues to do in Nova Scotia.
Canadian Sky’s tremendous 12-night Atlantic Maritimes Escorted Tour consists of two whale-watching excursions, a lobster dinner cruise, a vineyard tour with tasting, in addition to strolling excursions of Lunenburg and Charlottetown, and museum visits to Alexander Graham Bell Nationwide Historic Web site and Anne of Inexperienced Gables Heritage Web site.
For those who want to go it alone, try the 16 evening self-drive motorhome itinerary which Canadian Sky have curated to make sure you see the highlights of Nova Scotia. It’s priced at simply €1999 for 16 nights!
View Tour right here View Motorhome
5. Go to Nova Scotia’s Vibrant Cities and Villages
Halifax is certainly one of Canada’s oldest cities and its seaside location, marvellous museums and delightful structure make it a should go to in Nova Scotia. Take time to catch some stay music in its full of life bars, and revel in contemporary seafood in its many eating places.
Nevertheless, Nova Scotia’s vibrant cities and coastal villages shouldn’t be neglected. The UNESCO World Heritage Web site of Lunenburg is certainly one of Canada’s most stunning cities with vibrant wood homes that date again to the 18th and Nineteenth-century – this is likely one of the prime cities to go to in Nova Scotia.
Mahone Bay is one other charming city with three historic wood church buildings and a good looking harbour. There are upmarket boutiques and galleries right here, making it a pleasure to discover.
Sydney is understood for its Gaelic origins so you possibly can anticipate finding loads of full of life pubs with stay music right here. It’s also well-known for its contemporary lobster and for being the gateway to Cape Breton Island.
The fishing village of Peggy’s Cove is house to certainly one of Canada’s most well-known lighthouses and is a should see in Nova Scotia, whereas the village of Chester resembles one of many upmarket cities of New England and boasts artwork galleries, craft outlets and an important meals scene.
6. Nova Scotia is house to one of many World’s Finest Scenic Drives
If a Canada street journey is is in your bucket checklist, then you should try The Cabot Path. This 298km loop drive across the tip of Cape Breton Island and thru the Cape Breton Highlands Nationwide Park, is ranked as one of many world’s finest scenic drives. In addition to beautiful Atlantic views, 26 mountaineering trails, 24 look out factors and 6 seashores, there are many fairly fishing villages serving scrumptious seafood that you just need to cease in!
This 13-night self-drive itinerary from Canadian Sky takes within the Cabot Path in addition to Digby, Prince Edward Island, Halifax, the Bay of Fundy, the seaside resort of Western Shore and plenty extra. Value of €2649 consists of flights, 13 nights lodge lodging, fully-inclusive automobile rental, a Harbour Hopper Tour, admission to Fortress of Louisburg and return ferry journey from Caribou to Wooden Islands.
Alternatively select a 16 evening self-drive motorhome itinerary which Canadian Sky have curated to make sure you see the highlights of Nova Scotia. It’s priced at simply €1999 for 16 nights!
You too can select to journey on the Cabot Path on a ten day Enchanting Maritimes Escorted Tour. Value of €4499 consists of fights, lodges, 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, excursions as per itinerary and knowledgeable Tour Director all through.
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7. The Seafood is Very good!
Having contemporary seafood in Nova Scotia is like having pasta in Italy, its virtually a given! And I’m not simply speaking about contemporary cod, Nova Scotian lobster is world well-known, foodies journey from all around the world to attempt it, and you’ll find it served all over the place!
The Lobster Path has over 40 Nova Scotian eating places serving up all the things from conventional lobster to lobster rolls, and even lobster pizza!
Scallops are one other should eat in Nova Scotia and there’s nowhere higher than the city of Digby to attempt them. That is house to the biggest inshore scallop fleet on this planet, and you’ll find them in all of the pubs and eating places. Ensure to attempt its well-known Lobster and Digby Chicks (salted and smoked herring fillets) too!
There are lots of seafood trails in Nova Scotia too – the most well-liked are the Lobster and Chowder Trails – you possibly can see extra about them right here.
This 9-Night time Enchanting Canadian Maritimes Tour features a lobster expertise with a neighborhood specialist the place you’ll find out about lobstering, adopted by a meal of contemporary lobster on board a ship.
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8. Nova Scotia is house to twenty Wineries & 40 Breweries!
Nova Scotia has been rising grapes for wine because the 1600s, and it’s the solely place on earth that produces Tidal Bay wines. One can find distinctive grape varieties right here throughout 20 wineries and vineyards, with quite a few award-winning white and glowing wines out there.
Nova Scotia can be well-known for its craft beer scene. Halifax boasts essentially the most pubs per capita in Canada and there are over 40 breweries within the province. If you wish to pattern Nova Scotia’s beer and wine, the Good Cheer Path is a good way to expertise as many as potential. This route connects over 50 producers of beer, wine and spirits from Sydney, Cape Breton Island to Yarmouth.
Canadian Sky’s Atlantic Maritimes Tour features a vineyard tour and tasting, a lobster dinner cruise, and breakfast within the picturesque Peggy’s Cove.
View Tour right here
9. Nova Scotia has a Outstanding Historical past
Nova Scotia has such an fascinating historical past. There’s proof that the Mi’kmaq, the First Nations folks, lived right here from the fifth century BC. 1000 years later explorer John Cabot landed in Nova Scotia, and this was adopted by the 1000’s of British, Irish and Scotland settlers. The Gaelic tradition and language can nonetheless be seen in lots of villages, pubs and festivals in Nova Scotia.
All of those nationalities have made Nova Scotia into the multicultural province that it’s right now.
There are lots of sights and points of interest that showcase the Mi’kmaq, in addition to a cultural centre and dwelling historical past museum which focuses on Gaelic tradition and language.
One other should go to museum in Nova Scotia is the Alexander Graham Bell Nationwide Historic Web site, the place you possibly can find out about his many innovations together with Canada’s first powered flight, the world’s quickest watercraft, in addition to the phone.
Canadian Sky’s Atlantic Maritimes Tour consists of strolling excursions of the UNESCO World Heritage Web site of Lunenburg and museum visits at Alexander Graham Bell Nationwide Historic Web site and Anne of Inexperienced Gables Heritage Web site.
View Tour right here
10. Nova Scotia has a Nice Reside Music Scene
To coincide this Nova Scotia’s multicultural previous, you possibly can anticipate finding an eclectic music scene right here too. Kitchen events, ceilidhs, stay music venues and music festivals are a part of life and it’s potential to search out music periods seven days every week.
Cape Breton is understood for its Gaelic origins, so you possibly can anticipate loads of full of life pubs with conventional music, in addition to the world’s largest fiddle in Sydney, which was constructed right here to honour the island’s musical expertise. There’s an annual pageant in Sydney in early October in addition to a Celtic Music Interpretive Centre that has its personal Ceilidh Pub.
One of the simplest ways to expertise Nova Scotia’s music scene is with a self-drive tour. Canadian Sky have curated this 13-night self-drive itinerary which takes within the Cabot Path in addition to Digby, Prince Edward Island, Halifax, the Bay of Fundy, the seaside resort of Western Shore and plenty extra. Value of €2649 consists of flights, 13 nights lodge lodging, fully-inclusive automobile rental, a Harbour Hopper Tour, admission to Fortress of Louisburg and return ferry journey from Caribou to Wooden Islands.
Alternatively try the 16 evening self-drive motorhome itinerary, which is priced at simply €1999 for 16 nights.
View Tour right here View Motorhome
I hope this put up on Canada holidays in Nova Scotia will encourage you to plan a visit there quickly. That is only a small pattern of the numerous holidays to Canada from Eire that Canadian Sky provide. They’ll tailor make the right journey to fit your necessities, and may be contacted on-line, by cellphone, or you possibly can go to their Buyer Lounge in Dublin in case you want to ebook your dream vacation in particular person.
Whereas each effort was made to make sure accuracy, costs, points of interest and actions are topic to vary. This put up was sponsored by Canadian Sky.
