TRAVEL
This versus That | Travel Edition
Dreaming of global destinations? You don’t have to go far to find equally breathtaking alternatives — right here in Atlantic Canada.
By Kristin Kent
With spectacular landscapes and destinations, Atlantic Canada offers an array of world-class destinations. | BACKGROUND: BLACKBOXGUILD/ENVATO
WE TRAVEL THE WORLD, but sometimes we forget the great options in our own backyard. Beautiful beaches beckon. Wine country calls your name. Adventures await at historical sites. There’s no need to get that passport out for your next vacation. Set out to discover those exceptional destinations without leaving Atlantic Canada.
Wine tasting, anyone? Bypass Napa Valley and, instead, sip your way through Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. With its rolling vineyards, valley views and crisp white wines, the Annapolis Valley is Nova Scotia’s answer to Napa. Known for its cool-climate varietals and vineyard tours, replete with ocean backdrops, the Annapolis Valley is a wine lover’s dream destination. And the region’s farm-to-table dining scene makes your visit just as much about the experience as the wine itself. Mercator Vineyards, in Wolfville, is known for their their award-winning vintages, and nearby L’Acadie Vineyards is recognized for their sparking wines.
Enjoy a trip to Mercator Vineyards and sample fantastic vintages. | PHOTO: COURTESY MERCATOR VINEYARDS
Love exploring beautiful parks? Skip Fiordland National Park in New Zealand and head to Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador. A UNESCO World Heritage site with glacier-carved fjords, towering cliffs and pristine wilderness, Gros Morne delivers dramatic scenery and epic hiking without the long-haul flight. If you’d rather take in the grand views from the water, opt for a scenic boat tour.
Dreaming of beaches? Forgo the Caribbean and unwind on the sandy shores of Prince Edward Island. Red and white sand beaches, sweeping dunes and rugged sea cliffs — PEI’s coastline is as breathtaking as in any southern destination. The sheltered coves of the Northumberland Strait boast the warmest waters north of the Carolinas, while charming seaside towns from Summerside to Cavendish entice you to stay, as do the sweet and briny fresh oysters of Malpeque Bay, which rival the best elsewhere in the world.
Sun, sand and sensational views, PEI’s coastline offers a variety of beaches to explore and enjoy. | PHOTO: COURTESY TOURISM PEI/SANDER MEURS
Planning a whale-watching adventure? Swap the Alaskan road trip for one along the Fundy Coast. Nestled between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the Bay of Fundy boasts stellar opportunities to view humpback, minke and fin whales migrating to its nutrient-rich waters. The tides here can rise to an astonishing 16 metres (53 feet), creating a stunning natural spectacle twice a day. For prime vantage points, start near the historic small town of St. Andrews and then take in the coastal vistas as you meander down to Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park.
A whale-watching adventure awaits in the Bay of Fundy. | PHOTO: TOURISM NOVA SCOTIA/DRONE PHOTOGRAPHER: SOAR
Into all things prehistoric? Instead of Dinosaur National Monument in Utah, visit Nova Scotia’s Joggins Fossil Cliffs. Step back 300 million years and marvel at the world’s most complete fossil record of the Coal Age. And just like Colorado’s Dinosaur National Monument, Joggins offers the hands-on experience of exploring prehistoric life forms. Plus, you can walk alongside towering ocean-carved cliffs while spotting fossils embedded in the ground right beneath your feet. CAA
Joggins Fossil Cliffs are impressive, featuring fossils left behind by some of the earliest reptiles to walk the earth. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF DR. ANDREW MACRAE