Atlantic Canada

The centre of Canada's Acadian past, New Brunswick is known for its historic towns, covered bridges, and the Bay of Fundy, home to the world's highest tides. Hopewell Rocks grab the most attention but take your time exploring the Fundy Coastal Drive to get the most out of this beautiful region. St. Andrews-by-the-Sea is a popular oceanfront resort village with cute shops and restaurants and superb whale watching in season. Saint John is a sturdy coastal town with handsome brick buildings and a small but lively City Market. Don’t miss a kitsch photo op at the giant lobster in Shediac, or the Acadian villages and beaches between Shediac and Miramichi.

Halifax, Nova Scotia is the largest city in the Atlantic provinces. Long gateway for immigrants to Canada, it offers a delightful waterfront with world-class museums devoted to the country's immigration and maritime histories. Foodies aren't neglected either, whether they're in search of fine dining or a local brew at a welcoming pub. Drive west to explore the colourful seaside towns of Peggy's Cove and Lunenberg. At the eastern end of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton is home to the Cabot Trail, arguably--okay, we're not arguing--one of the best driving trips on the planet. Be sure to stop in the town of Baddeck to check out beautiful Bras d’Or Lake, and the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site.

Across the Confederation Bridge, the longest bridge over icy waters in the world lies Prince Edward Island. Despite being Canada's smallest province, PEI (as it's known) gives visitors and residents alike space to breathe with its laid-back pace of life. Potatoes and fresh lobster are local dietary staples, but you can find great restaurants across a variety of cuisines, particularly in Charlottetown. Dotting the island's shores are iconic lighthouses and fine beaches backed by red-rock cliffs. PEI is also known as the home of Anne of Green Gables, with a site that attracts visitors from around the world, looking to pay homage to the beloved Canadian character.

With a starring role in Canadian history, Newfoundland and Labrador are today better known for their warm hospitality and awe-inspiring Atlantic sights such as Iceberg Alley, Gros Morne National Park, and Fogo Island. In Newfoundland's north, L'Anse aux Meadows preserves the sight of the first European settlement in North America, dating back to the 11th century Vikings. Nowhere is Newfoundland's hospitality more legendary than in Gander, which provided a safe harbour to the passengers of 38 diverted wide-bodied aircraft on September 11, 2001, until airspace reopened, an event retold in the hit Broadway musical Come From Away.