Nova Scotia Highlights

The Scallop Boat Fleet in Digby

Beddeck on Cape Breton Island

I’m high on Nova Scotia. Really. I recently spent seven days and seven nights in this Maritime province of Canada and I’m busting to tell the whole world about it. Really.

One of a Gazillion Little Boats I Admired in Nova Scotia

Ready for the Bay of Fundy Tides: The Biggest in the World

Lunenberg Loveliness

If you follow this blog, you know that I’m a big storyteller. And I can’t wait to share my travels in Nova Scotia with you. For now though, I’ll keep the words to a minimum and let my pictures tell the story. Hopefully they will be enough to entice you to begin pondering a trip to this charming destination. Spring, summer and fall rank as the best times to go although I’d love to see this endearing land beneath a blanket of snow as fierce gale winds blow in from the Atlantic.

Nova Scotia Forecast

Beddeck Lighthouse: A Real Cutie

Boat Graveyard on the Way to Liscombe

“We have the same weather as Massachusetts, only a day late,” one kind Nova Scotian told me on the Nova Star crossing as I gazed out upon the sun rising above the cruise ship’s bow. “And in terms of snow and rain, we get about the same as the northeast of the U.S., only less,” she continued. Indeed, I was amazed by the glorious warm, sunny weather I experienced throughout my stay and fortunately I experienced Nova Scotia beneath a shroud of fog and rain as well. (Isn’t that the sort of weather you expect from this peninsula that reaches far out into the ocean?)

The Early Morning View from my Porthole on the Nova Star

Sunrise off the Bow of the Nova Star

This lady’s report was followed by a heartfelt “Good morning,” as I stood on the Nova Star marveling at the big ball of red slowly rising up on the horizon. Totally unsolicited, I had to look around me to see if she was addressing me.

One of Many Boats Cruising by the Nova Star in Yarmouth Harbor

View from Lovely Liscombe Lodge

Chester: A Liscombe Lodge Legend and River Guide

Entrance to the Inverary Resort in Beddeck

Acadian Artist and Her Husband on the French Shore

“Oh, good morning,” I answered back, somewhat bothered that it took me about five seconds–a very long period of time for an encounter between fellow shipmates–before I realized she was greeting me. By the time I left the Nova Star, I discovered that there are people out there even more friendly than Americans. Then everywhere I went across this province, roughly the size of Florida, I discovered that Nova Scotians went above and beyond to say hello to me, offer help or provide some tidbit of information about their land that they were eager to share.

View of Halifax Harbor from Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel

One of Many Ships at Halifax Waterfront

Yes, the weather and the welcome amazed me at every turn. I knew the scenery would be lovely because so many had boasted about it long before I pondered this trip and indeed the coastal views delighted me as I contoured the province. Inland I was happy to discover sweet, fertile lands such as the Annapolis Valley, the heart of Nova Scotia’s wine and farming region, and also a bastion of history for all of Canada. And don’t let me get started about the seafood for this is supposed to be just a quick little post. Let my pictures whet your appetite and rest assured that all tasted even better than it looks.

Mussels and White Wine at Inverary Resort

Nova Scotia Seafood Chowder: One of Many I Enjoyed

Lobster Fettuccine

World Famous Bay of Fundy Scallops from Digby Pines

Breakfast at Mac-Kinnon-Cann Inn

I do want to add that perhaps what I enjoyed the most was the innocence of this land. To me, Nova Scotia represents a simpler way of life. There are no mega-homes, nor crowds of people or obvious signs of ubiquitous consumption. It’s how I’m sure many parts of America looked over fifty years ago, it’s how I think many of us would like to live and most of all, vacation.

Whale Watching: One of the Best Things to Do in NS

Whale Fountain

Lobster from Lavena’s Catch Café in Freeport

For a truly memorable trip, take the ten-hour cruise on the Nova Star from Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Your NS adventure begins as soon as the ship sails and lasts until you return to the port in Maine. It’s fun and beautiful.

The Mighty Nova Star

Whale watching is a must and I had a helluva time with Freeport Whale & Seabird Tours.

Whale Glow on the Freeport Whale Watching Tour

Here are the places I stayed during my travels in Nova Scotia, all of which I recommend. I’ll be writing more about them and this maritime province in Canada in the months to come.

Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel in Halifax

Liscombe Lodge in Liscomb Mills

Inverary Resort in Beddeck on Cape Breton Island

Digby Pines Golf Resort & Spa in Digby

MacKinnon-Cann Inn in Yarmouth

The Dining Room of MacKinnon-Cann Inn

Digby Pines: A Classic Resort