Mountainous national parks, lush vineyards, vibrant cities, and fairy-tale villages, Atlantic Canada’s eclectic Provinces seem worlds away from the United Kingdom. However, with flights that take as little as five hours, the irresistible charms of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are just a stone’s throw away and have tempted many a Brit in swapping their hometown for a visit to Canadian soils.
Adventurers and keen walkers can explore the mountainous terrain of Newfoundland and Labrador, wine connoisseurs can indulge in a tour of Nova Scotia’s vineyards, beer aficionados can pub crawl their way across New Brunswick, and those with a taste for something sweet can revel in the idyllic beauty of Prince Edward Island’s villages.
New Brunswick
If you like: London’s Craft Beer Scene
Then why not try: The micro-breweries of Fredericton, New Brunswick
Coming from a nation of beer lovers, travellers from the United Kingdom can take advantage of the emerging craft beer scene sweeping across Atlantic Canada. In particular, New Brunswick’s capital, Fredericton is emerging as one of the premier craft beer destinations on the East Coast. With a population of only about 60,000, Fredericton can be considered a small-scale version of the overall craft beer industry and yet multiple micro-breweries popping up across the province promise unique and refreshing flavours against the backdrop of charming local life. Countless festivals and events are emerging each year and the Fredericton Craft Beer Festival has quickly become one of the fastest growing festivals in New Brunswick; an event that brings together the largest selection of local beer, cider and mead available on the East Coast.
Newfoundland and Labrador
If you like: Hiking in the Lake District
Then why not try: Exploring Terra Nova National Park
Terra Nova National Park has recently been recognised as Canada’s 20th Dark Sky Preserve and the first in Newfoundland and Labrador. Canada’s most easterly national park promises four hundred square kilometres of magnificent natural beauty. Here, nature lovers can kayak or boat from picturesque sheltered bays to ruggedly beautiful coastlines, amongst a host of marine life and seabirds. Thick fragrant forests and secluded coastlines promise 11 beautiful hiking trails where keen walkers can explore the wilderness amongst moose, lynx, beaver, eagles, and even bears.
Nova Scotia
If you like: Sipping English sparkling wine
Then why not try: Touring the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia
The lush and verdant vineyards of Annapolis Valley produce some of Canada’s finest sparkling wines. Aficionados of the bubbly beverage will enjoy this region of Nova Scotia, heralded as one of Atlantic Canada’s best foodie hot spots and home to 18 wineries. A burgeoning wine industry producing palate-pleasers, these Atlantic Canadian grapes are said to be rivalling the UK’s own creations. Nova Scotia’s soil and mesoclimates create some of the most distinctive premium-quality grapes in North America. Whenever wine lovers visit these idyllic vineyards, they are never more than a stone’s throw from the ocean making for a perfect day out that combines Nova Scotia’s breath-taking scenery with a refreshing tipple.
Prince Edward Island
If you like: Visiting quaint English villages
Then why not try: Soaking up the charm in Prince Edward Island
Known for its Chocolate box charm, visitors to Prince Edward Island are greeted with candy coloured houses delicate lighthouses, and picturesque farmland punctuated by grazing ponies and giant pumpkins. Rivalling England’s prettiest villages, Canada’s smallest Province promises storybook charm and an insight into an old-world Canadian way of life. For the ultimate fairy-tale house-goals, visitors can head to Anne of Green Gables’ Heritage Place – a 19th century farm in Cavendish and arguably the sweetest abode on the island. Fans of Canada’s literary legend Lucy Maud Montgomery can enjoy visiting the fictitious home of Anne Shirley, while admiring the green shutters, white picket fences, and abundance of flowers and fruit trees.
