Gaspe or Nova Scotia
May 27th, 2008, 09:26 AM
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Gaspe or Nova Scotia
Late start on planning 10 day trip in August to Atlantic Canada. Will be leaving from Maine and returning to Vermont. Which do you recommend -- Gaspe or Nova Scotia? This is for my husband, 13 year old son, and myself. We like hiking, beaches, exploring small towns, good (not fancy) food, nature. Which would you recommend? What would be good base(s) of operations. We prefer to stay in one place for a few days and do day trips rather than pack and unpack every day. Any help much appreciated!
May 27th, 2008, 12:52 PM
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Ten days? You could tour both.
It depends on how much you want to move about.
Both areas can be fascinating.
You will cross into Nova Scotia from New Brunswick near Hopewell Rocks which is a great area for seeing the effects of the dramatic tides that are so characteristic of the Bay of Funday.
One of the funnier gratuitous signs I have seen was stuck on the official sign for Hopewell Rocks. It said: Vienna Rolls.
We enjoyed our visit to Cape Breton Island. The Fortress of Louisbourg is a must see in my opinion.
It presents a very interesting view of history, particularly a view of history that Americans do not usually have the opportunity to hear or view.
I think also that Halifax, as the Loyalist City, would be interesting. Also, some of the towns along the south shore of the Gaspé Peninsula are interesting for the same reason. Places like New Carlisle and New Richmond were founded by Loyalists who were run out of the colonies after the American Revolution.
The number of refugees ran into the tens of thousands.
That is not a side of the War for Independence, or the American Revolution, that we often learn in school. Contrary to the rosy-eyed view of liberty and justice for all, the Loyalists, or Torries, were treated most harshly. They were, after all, siding with the enemy.
It depends on how much you want to move about.
Both areas can be fascinating.
You will cross into Nova Scotia from New Brunswick near Hopewell Rocks which is a great area for seeing the effects of the dramatic tides that are so characteristic of the Bay of Funday.
One of the funnier gratuitous signs I have seen was stuck on the official sign for Hopewell Rocks. It said: Vienna Rolls.
We enjoyed our visit to Cape Breton Island. The Fortress of Louisbourg is a must see in my opinion.
It presents a very interesting view of history, particularly a view of history that Americans do not usually have the opportunity to hear or view.
I think also that Halifax, as the Loyalist City, would be interesting. Also, some of the towns along the south shore of the Gaspé Peninsula are interesting for the same reason. Places like New Carlisle and New Richmond were founded by Loyalists who were run out of the colonies after the American Revolution.
The number of refugees ran into the tens of thousands.
That is not a side of the War for Independence, or the American Revolution, that we often learn in school. Contrary to the rosy-eyed view of liberty and justice for all, the Loyalists, or Torries, were treated most harshly. They were, after all, siding with the enemy.
May 28th, 2008, 10:38 AM
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You could, indeed, 'do' both, but don't forget you will have a full days drive in between. Gasp is lovely, but perhaps slightly less suited to a young teen.
Personally, I would head straight to NS and limit my time to that province.There is an abundance of hiking, whale watching, many beaches, interesting small towns both historical and scenic and lots of decent food (chowders, mussels, scallops, fish and chips are the best local bets).
You could do NS in two chunks: Lunenburg (base) and the South Shore and then Cape Breton.
Get hold of the Doers and Dreamers Guide for more info. Just Google Nova Scotia Tourism for lots of info.
Personally, I would head straight to NS and limit my time to that province.There is an abundance of hiking, whale watching, many beaches, interesting small towns both historical and scenic and lots of decent food (chowders, mussels, scallops, fish and chips are the best local bets).
You could do NS in two chunks: Lunenburg (base) and the South Shore and then Cape Breton.
Get hold of the Doers and Dreamers Guide for more info. Just Google Nova Scotia Tourism for lots of info.
Jun 1st, 2008, 04:07 PM
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Thanks Bob and LJ for the ideas. We took our son many years ago and spent a week in Nova Scotia, at Salty Rose Cottages in Rose Bay. Arrived in Halifax by train from Montreal (one of our favorite parts of the trip). The place we stayed was fabulous, right on the beach. It was September so not really beachy weather but a great trip nonetheless. Maybe if we do an updated trip to the South Shore and then to Cape Breton for the second part. But what kind of trip is that from Cape Breton back to Vermont???
