Nova Scotia Travel Guide

By Mansi Aggarwal

The international tourists might not know it but Nova Scotia is the fast up coming destination for the avid travelers. Located in the main land of Canada, it offers never-ending expanses of greenery and lots of water inlets to make it the ultimate fishing ground. Since 1604 when John Cabot found it out it has been a teeming ground for fresh water fishing. This fits well the Canadian social culture. During the 17th century the Scottish and the French businessmen traded here in fur. The Scottish influence is evident from the name it self which means ‘New Scotland’.

The tradition of the place is highly influenced by the sea and the place is studded with museums and galleries singing the lore of the seafaring individuals form the land. The feeling one gets there is nostalgic and it takes one back into the annals of ancient mariner lifestyles. The ton of beaches in the place and the scenic beauty is good enough to attract people from all around the world. The place has taken due advantage of its proximity to the sea. The surfers have actually set up, in the place, the host for the major surfing events of the world. The life saving competitions is also held along its coast lines and that has made the place a lot more popular then other coastal destinations.

As a mark of respect to the discoverer of the place, the longest travel around Nova Scotia is called the ‘Cabot trail’. The approximately 180 mile long tour of the city covers many parts and is a trip worth taking. The natural structures and the golf courses en route the trip are a pleasure watching. An amazing fact about the place is that it is because of this place that the telephone technology has developed. The place is the home land of Graham Bell. He invented the telephone.

The capital city of Halifax is the witness of the people dead in the Titanic Disaster in 1912. The bodies were brought to Halifax and the place has numerous cemeteries resting the victims of the disaster. Apart from having the historical account of almost half-a-century the city is a growing hub of modernization and an upcoming destination for development. With the advancement of Canada the place is getting much required attention.

One of the most fascinating things to see in Nova Scotia is the lighthouses around the place. Standing as the custodians of rich marine history, they stand tall to help the lone ships that loose their path in the confusing seas. The light houses provide an extraordinary sight and most tourists are attracted by them. To keep them in good shape an organisation to maintain them has also been formed. A customized tour is also designed to take the tourists to all the major lighthouses. The tour is almost along the coast line and offers much thrill to the visitors.

The cultural influence of the French and the Scottish is evident around the place. A delicate balance between the two existed for a long time and keeping in view the rich heritage and the growth prospects it is no more there. Thus Nova Scotia is truly an out of the world experience to the tourists.

Mansi aggarwal writes about Nova Scotia travel. Learn more at http://www.novascotiatouring.com

Travel to Nova Scotia: Canada's New England

by Phillip Townsend
If you're on a budget, tired of crowded beaches and packed hotels, love seafood, and have a 19th-century mindset, then Nova Scotia is for you.
Think New England, and vivid images come to mind: of lighthouses and fishing boats, charming coastal towns, lobster and crab, Victorian homes and rich history. It has always been an intriguing region, steeped in truth and in fiction by the novels of Stephen King. If you like New England, you'll love Nova Scotia, Canada's second smallest province.
Find Nova Scotia on a map — in the North Atlantic, east of the state of Maine — and "vacation hotspot" won't be the first thing that comes to mind. But don't let Nova Scotia's northern location fool. Summertime is comfortable and winters are milder and less snowy than in many northern states. Situated just two hours from New York City or Boston, Nova Scotia feels a world away...as if you've stepped back in time. Largely underdeveloped and rich in natural beauty, history and culture, this hidden has a lot to offer: pristine beaches, resort, spas, B&Bs and country inns, rustic lodges, world-class golf and whale watching.
Just picture England, Ireland or Scotland 100 years ago, and you get a idea of what Nova Scotia is like. Almost an island, it is best known for its picturesque coastline, sleepy fishing villages and friendly people. The province's gem is Cape Breton Island, an area deeply steeped in Scottish heritage. The island's breathtaking Cape Breton Highlands National Parkand the Bras d'Or Lake (pronounced "bra door") are popular with Canadian and foreign travelers alike.
Not only is Nova Scotia a prime tourist destination, but cheap real estate and a reasonable cost of living make it an attractive second home. 1-acre oceanfront lots sale for as little as $15,000, while a three-bedroom home on a few acres can be had for as little as $60,000. It's no wonder that Hollywood heavyweights such as Jack Nicholson and Demi Moore have snapped up summer homes here.
Considering its close proximity, not many Americans make it to Nova Scotia. Of those who do, few are disappointed.
Why not go see for yourself?
RESOURCES
If you go, stay at Stern's Mansion Victorian Bed & Breakfast. It's charming and conveniently located. See: www.sternsmansion.com
Nova Scotia's Best Private Guide
While a well-informed, open-minded guide can improve your trip by 100 percent, a bad one can completely ruin it. Mrs. Chiassaon is the kind of person you need at your side when traveling in Nova Scotia. She is one of the most competent tour guides in Nova Scotia. She is familiar with the entire province and offers guided tours tailored to your individual preferences and tastes. She may be contacted at: kjchiasson@eastlink.ca

About the Author
Phillip Townsend is the author of Passport to Canada: The Complete Guide to Living and Retiring in Nova Scotia.

Whale Watching – The Biggest Show on Earth

by Cliff Calderwood
Whale watching is a spellbinding, entertaining, and thought-provoking adventure trip. It’s a show with the largest mammals on earth as the star performers. Whales are majestic and graceful giants, who’s every move seems effortless, choreographed, and yet playful. In this article discover how to get the most out of your trip.
Imagine a lazy summer’s afternoon on a boat in a gentle rolling ocean. A good breeze softly massages your face where you sit, and you begin to close your eyes and drift away… the sound of the boat’s engine begins to fade and finally stops. The boat, like you, is drifting over the waves and following the breeze. It’s very peaceful and calm and after a stressful week you feel in harmony with the world.
Then something explodes… out of the water… and only a few feet from your nose! A 30-ton humpback… the length of a large house... it breaches… and in another second is gone. And you’re left in disbelief and wonder.
And it’s just the start of your whale watching!
While whales are scattered throughout the world there’s only a handful of accessible locations to view them in their natural environment. The coastal waters of New England and the west coast of North America are prime locations for whale watching. Hawaii and South Africa are also superb locations to spot whales, as are the ocean waters around New Zealand.
So if a vacation or trip takes you to any of these areas make sure you book a cruise and take in the largest show on earth.
Here’s some pointers to make sure you have an enjoyable whale watch.

PLAN YOUR WHALE WATCHING TRIP
In the summer months whale watching is popular and so book early – many tours suggest one week to avoid disappointment.
Whale watching cruises can last anywhere from 3 hours to 41/2 hours. If whales are just playing hard to find, then the captain will make every effort to stay out as long as they can to get a sighting.
While most boats are equipped with a place to buy food and drink they don’t usually mind you taking your own pack lunch or snacks. Because it can be a long ride until they find the whales and then back to port take a novel or your walkman and listen to your favorite music, or even whale song CD. If you’ve got young children take something to keep them entertained as well.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A WHALE WATCH CRUISE
Before you book on a whale watching cruise check into the cruise company. Check out their web site, you’ll usually find information about the fleet’s experience and staff.
Today most whale watch boats have sophisticated equipment and communications that help the captain find the whales. But if a company has been organizing whale watch trips for many years it’s a sign they’re doing something right and a safe bet for you.
My most rewarding trips have been when a naturalist or whale expert has been on board to provide information and narrate the tour.

CHECK FOR A WHALE SIGHTING GUARANTEE
Because of the very unpredictable nature of the whales, they’ll be rare occasions when you just don’t see any. So make sure you book on a cruise that offers a guarantee sighting or you get to cruise again for free.
Offering a guarantee is another good sign of a confident and experienced whale watch company. But remember if they spot one whale and you weren’t watching or somewhere else on the boat when they did – tough!

WHALE WATCHING IS DONE ON THE OPEN OCEAN.
Whale watching on the open ocean means if you suffer with motion sickness at all then take something about an hour before you board the cruise.
Experienced whale watch cruise captains do not go out in rough seas, but it’s not a harbor cruise and the whale feeding grounds are usually miles from land. The open sea can be a little choppy even in the summer months.

QUICK CHECK OF WHALE WATCHING EQUIPMENT.
Recommended things to bring on your whale watch are a camera and plenty of film or memory cards (if you’re digital). If you’ve got binoculars take them as whales sometimes surface yards from the boat, and having binoculars will give you spectacular views and close ups others without them just won’t get.
Wear sneakers or something rubber-soled for good traction on a wet and slippery deck. And take sunscreen, sunglasses, and if it’s got a tie strap – a hat.
Because of the breeze and open water there’s usually a 15-degree difference from land out in the ocean. So take a sweatshirt or windbreaker just in case, and especially for a late afternoon trip. Also the boats will go out in the rain and if you’ve got a poncho take it.
The whales are waiting for you. These mesmerizing animals have traveled thousands of miles so you can view them playing and feeding. It’s really the biggest show on earth. So go ahead and take the adventure - they don’t stay for long.

About the Author
Cliff Calderwood is the owner and contributing writer of www.new-england-vacations-guide.com . You can read other vacation articles and get a free travel report at his New England vacations online guide site.

2008 Doers' and Dreamers' Guide Now Available

Well it's arrived. The Nova Scotia Tourism department has announced today that the bible for trave in Nova Scotia is now available. The text of the provinces press release is beolw.

Nova Scotia's 2008 Doers' and Dreamers' Guide is on its way to potential visitors around the world.
The 384-page guide, contains listings on about 3,000accommodations and campgrounds, restaurants, museums andattractions, outdoor operations and adventures, signaturefestivals and events, and tour operators. This year's coverfeatures beautiful Peggy's Cove.
"The 2008 travel guide features countless ways for people to experience Nova Scotia," said Bill Dooks, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "It will help us to promote the province as a unique, year-round vacation destination that has something for everyone."
The guide features Nova Scotia's new tourism logo and refreshed tourism brand launched in November 2007. The brand highlights old world charm, new world pulse, seacoast culture and genuine, hospitable people.
This year, 350,000 English and 55,000 French guides will be distributed in response to inquiries generated through advertising campaigns, calls to the Nova Scotia Information and Reservation Service, and e-mail and website inquiries. French copies will be available in early April.
Guides are also distributed to travel agencies, tour operators, trade shows, travel media and Visitor Information Centres.
Visitors will have an easier time planning their vacations and finding unique experiences thanks to new tourism regions designated in the 2008 Doers and Dreamers Guide and other marketing materials. Nova Scotia's six regional tourism industry associations provided input into the new regions and how they are presented in the guide."
The new and enhanced Doers' and Dreamers' Guide features the best of what each region has to offer and now uses the regional names that Nova Scotian's use," said Madonna Spinazola, general manager of Destination South West Nova Scotia. "These redesigned elements will help connect our visitors with what there is to see and do and make it easier to get information on the places they want to visit."
Copies of the guide are available by calling 1-800-565-0000, online at http://www.novascotia.com/and at provincial visitor information centres in Amherst, Halifax Stanfield International Airport and the Halifax Waterfront.

Contact: Tina Thibeau
Tourism, Culture and Heritage
902-424-4817
Cell: 902-483-6104
E-mail: thibeatd@gov.ns.ca

Be sure to check out the web site and get your copy today.

Nova Scotia Tourism Showcased On Google Earth

What do you get when you combine Google Earth and the Nova Scotia Doers' & Dreamers' guide? Well you get the best virtual tourism experiance around. The Nova Scotia Department of Tourism has undertaken a project that uses Google Earth to offer a virtual tourism experiance. All you have to do is have Google Earth installed and then visit the Nova Scotia Google Earth page. From there follow the link for the Google Earth download. Once you download the data file you will be able to fly from attaraction to atraction. All aroind the province there are tartan placemarks noting places of interest. You can click on them to find out more information. This is a great tool to start planning you summer of fun in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia Travel Guides - The key to planning a great trip

If you are planning a summer trip, or a trip any other time to Nova Scotia there is one must have, a Nova Scotia Travel Guide. For 2007 there were 4 different guides each with a specific theme and a scenic travelways map. There was the standard all around "Doers' & Dreamers' Travel Guide" available in both print and CD format. This is the bible for planning your trip in Nova Scotia and will prove an invaluable reference while on the road. The 2007 version was 424 pages packed with all kinds of information on food, accommodations and attractions from all over the province. The 2008 version should be out for distribution in March 2008. You can pre-order it from Nova Scotia's Tourism website.
The 3 other themed guides were "Golf Nova Scotia Travel Guide", "Motorcycle Tour Guide Nova Scotia" and "Festival & Events Guide". These guides offer very specific information that people are looking for when planning their trip to Nova Scotia.