Nova Scotia ("New Scotland" in Latin) is a charming destination that includes stunning seacoast, backwoods wilderness, and Halifax cityscapes in one relatively compact place. It was first named Acadie and claimed for France by Champlain in 1604. French settlers remained in Acadie until expelled by the British in the mid 18th century. Nova Scotia today still has many traditional Acadian French areas--in both the south and the north--combined with English, Scottish, and Irish descendants and influences. Though many mistakenly think Nova Scotia is an island, it is a peninsula, connected to the neighboring province of New Brunswick by a thin strip of land.
The official tourism web site is www.novascotia.com
Depending on where you're coming in from, you'll arrive either by air, highway, ferry, or train.
- Halifax International Airport is the Atlantic Canadian hub for domestic, regional and international airline flights.
- Ferry services from Bay Ferries arrive into Yarmouth from Maine and into Digby from New Brunswick.
- Drivers arrive by way of the Trans Canada Highway from New Brunswick into Nova Scotia.
- There is daily train service provided by VIA Rail Canada with sleeper accomodation and dining car service from Montreal that stops in Nova Scotia in Amherst, Truro and Halifax. "The Ocean" leaves Montreal around 7 p.m. and arrives in Halifax around 4 p.m. the following day.
The provincial Department of Tourism has divided Nova Scotia into different tourism trails, which include the famous Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, the Evangeline Trail, and the Lighthouse Route. Most tourism routes hug the coast, though the interior of the province has much to offer as well, including Kejimikujik National Park and the Tobeatic Wilderness, which together form the Southern Nova Scotia Biosphere Preserve. Halifax is a regional center and unofficial capital of the Maritime Provinces. The web site Destination Halifax has good information, including a guide for those considering meetings, retreats, or conferences.
The largest Acadian French/francophone municipality outside of Halifax is Argyle in Yarmouth County. There is also a lot of French culture in Clare, Digby County, especially along what is known as the French Shore. Cape Breton is noted as a stronghold of Celtic culture, with many Scottish and Irish descendants.
