Tour Nova Scotia and Taste the Difference

Nova Scotia’s breathtaking shoreline and friendly people makes this province a popular travel destination for millions of travelers from around the globe. Its diverse culture and culinary history complete the travel experience. Throughout the province you will find farm and fishing communities dotting the landscape providing spectacular scenery and a variety of fresh local ingredients. Taste of Nova Scotia has recognized the importance of food and regional cuisine to the travel experience for over a decade and a half. The distinctive “Taste of Nova Scotia” logo is proudly displayed by its member restaurants as their pledge to offer local products, prepared with attention to quality, taste and reflect Nova Scotia’s rich tapestry of cultural and culinary heritage.

In Nova Scotia no matter where you are in the interior of the province you are only a 2-hour drive from the seacoast which explains the incredible seafood tradition found throughout the province. From Digby’s world famous scallops to Bay St. Lawrence’s lobster fishery, the cuisine is regional and there are as many tastes as there are regions.

Along the South Shore, (Lighthouse Route) lighthouses dot the coastline and menus boast seafood delights such as lobsters, mussels and smoked salmon. Here, German heritage is reflected in dishes such as Solomon Gundy (pickled herring). The Annapolis Valley on the Evangeline Trail, the “bread basket of the province” its rich fertile soil nourished by the world famous Bay of Fundy tides produces lush harvests of fruits and vegetables that can be found in such dishes as hodge podge and apple torte.

The Acadian fishing community of Cheticamp nestled at the mouth of the world famous Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island is home to many regional dishes. Some of the most popular Acadian dishes include Chicken Fricot, Tourtiere and Butterscotch Pie. The rolling hills of the Cabot Trail were also a comforting sight to early Scottish settlers, longing for their native home. Throughout Cape Breton, the Scottish culture still thrives in the tuning of every fiddle, the shuffle of every dancer’s feet and dishes such as Scotch Pies, Scottish Oatcakes and Scones appearing on many menus throughout the Island. One will find the only single malt whiskey distillery in North America uses the fresh sparkling waters of the mountains to ensure that there is a wee dram or two for weary travelers.

Vineyards in the province’s North Shore, Annapolis Valley, South Shore and Cape Breton are producing grapes that are being vinted into national and international award winning red, white and ice wines by a growing number of wineries. The harvests from the orchards and fields in Nova Scotia share the wine stage with award winning fruit wines and crisp hard apple cider.

Nova Scotia is a feast for the senses. The fiery music of the Celtic fiddles, the mouth-watering taste of fresh steamed lobster and the crisp scent of salt air. Come visit and experience it for yourself.

Travel by land, by sea, or by air, come visit us.

By Land: Highways from all points in the United States and Canada join the Trans Canada Highway from New Brunswick into Nova Scotia. Travel bus lines, Greyhound from New York, Voyageur from Montreal and Acadian Lines that serves Atlantic Canada. At Amherst, inter-provincial bus lines link most major communities.

By Sea: Travel to Nova Scotia by mini cruise, comfortable car ferry trips from Port-aux-Basques or Argentia, Newfoundland to North Sydney, Nova Scotia; Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island to Caribou, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick to Digby, Nova Scotia; and Bar Harbour, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

By Air: The Halifax International Airport is the Atlantic Canadian hub for all domestic, regional and international services. Limousine service and car rentals are available at the Halifax International, Yarmouth International and Sydney airports.

You will probably enter Nova Scotia through one of these communities.

Yarmouth isthe terminal for the ferry operating from Bar Harbour Maine. Regular bus service links Yarmouth to Halifax and Yarmouth airport receives daily flights from Halifax and Boston. The Evangeline Trail and the Lighthouse Route both begin at Yarmouth.

Digby, on the Evangeline Trail, is the terminal for the car ferry from Saint John, New Brunswick. Buses depart daily to Yarmouth and Halifax.

Amherst is the first community you enter crossing the border from New Brunswick on Trans Canada Highway 104. Two scenic travelways begin at Amherst, the Sunrise Trail and the Glooscap Trail.

Tidnish is the first community after you enter Nova Scotia coming from Confederation Bridge/PEI via New Brunswick’s route 16.

Caribou/Pictou, on the Sunrise Trailis the terminal for the ferry that arrives daily from Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island between May and mid-December.

North Sydney is the terminal of the ferry service from Port-aux-Basques and Argentia Newfoundland.

Halifax is the destination for most flights arriving in Nova Scotia. Regular bus service connects the metro area with other parts of the province. Four travelways converge here the Marine Drive, Evangeline Trail, Glooscap Trail and the Lighthouse Route.

The official Nova Scotia Scenic Travelways Map may be picked up at any Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre throughout the province or visit www.novascotia.com to order one.