HALIFAX, in the province of Nova Scotia, is the largest city in the Atlantic Canada region and is only a six-hour flight from London. Over a few days you can discover the history of Halifax, explore Nova Scotia’s famous villages along the jagged Southern Shoreline, and then head north to the Annapolis Valley to experience cultural diversity set within the most picturesque surroundings.
Halifax Harbour in Nova Scotia
Head to Halifax’s newly developed waterfront, a three-kilometer promenade featuring buzzy restaurants, waterside cafes and a variety of shops and boutiques. The amphibious Harbour Hopper Tour showcases Halifax’s rich blend of historic and modern architecture, and highlights the history of Halifax’s waters, including the recovery operation of the Titanic in 1912 and the tragedy of the Halifax Explosion in 1917. Follow up with a visit to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, home to a permanent exhibition of the Titanic. Most of the recovered bodies were brought to Halifax and buried in the Fairview Lawn Cemetery in the city centre. End your stay in Halifax with an interactive experience at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, which has a record of all Canada’s one million immigrants that arrived between 1928 and 1971.
Halifax at sunset
Take a leisurely two-hour drive westward towards the historic town of Lunenburg and stop off at Peggy’s Cove to see its famous lighthouse. This is one of the most photographed locations in Canada as it’s the perfect spot to watch the sun setting over the ocean’s horizon. Lunenburg is a colourful seafaring town, which trades off its shipbuilding heritage. Its buzzy waterfront is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the famous racing schooner, Bluenose II, as featured on the Canadian ten-cent piece. It’s also the best place in the province to enjoy some fresh seafood while watching the laden fishing boats returning into the harbor after their day at sea.
Kayaker on the Lunenburg Waterfront
A two-hour scenic drive north takes you to Wolfville in the Annapolis Valley. Visit the Grand-Pre National Historic Site, which explains the plight of the Acadians, the first French settlers to arrive in Nova Scotia in the 18th century. End the day with the Magic Winery bus tour which visits the surrounding vineyards to sample their award-winning local wines.
Cycling in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Then it’s only a one-hour motorway drive south to Halifax to catch the overnight Air Canada flight back to London. Nova Scotia’s relative proximity and its combination of historic charm and breathtaking scenery makes the perfect long weekend break for even the most seasoned traveller
by Amanda Bernstein
Atlantic Canada Holidays offers long weekend trips to Nova Scotia. A weekend break to Nova Scotia starts from £1,125 per person, including accommodation on a B&B basis, car hire, and return flights with Air Canada from London Heathrow to Halifax.