Just 5½ hours flying time from the UK, Maritime Canada is closer than you think. Linked at every corner to the sea, this picturesque corner of the world boasts legendary hospitality and old world charm. With historic waterfronts and lighthouses gazing out over rugged headlands, the seaside drives here are beautiful. Restaurants are full of fresh lobster, creamy clam chowder, shrimps and scallops.

Nova Scotia has the largest population and the capital is Halifax. This is an exciting, romantic port city that buzzes with energy while still retaining its 18th Century charm, pretty brightly coloured houses and pavement cafés.

Travelling west on the Lighthouse Route you will arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg, a small fishing town and home to the famous tall ship Bluenose II. Following the coast you will travel through unrivalled seascapes and pretty towns such as Digby where the scallops must be sampled and Wolfville from where you can explore the Minas Basin and its high tides.

To the east and connected by a narrow causeway lies the incredibly Scottish Cape Breton Island. Follow the 184-mile Cabot Trail through craggy coastlines and pretty Acadian fishing villages and spot whales from various viewing points en-route. The Gaelic language is alive here and Celtic music festivals occur with pipe playing, dancing and folklore.

A ferry journey from Digby lies New Brunswick and the Bay of Fundy where tides rise as much as 48 ft in six hours. The bay hosts the largest population of endangered right whales anywhere in the world and acres of natural beauty. On the east shore you can see close-ups of grey seals at Kouchibouguac National Park and stroll across endless stretches of sand dunes.

Prince Edward Island is the smallest of the Canadian provinces and can be accessed by ferry from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. The ‘Gentle Island’ is famous for red soils, potatoes and delicious seafood. Visit the house of Lucy Maud Montgomery author of Anne of Green Gables whose legacy is everywhere on the island.

Newfoundland and Labrador encompasses folklore, legend and sweeping rugged landscapes. St John’s is the oldest city in North America with traditional, wooden-coloured buildings and a warm welcome from the locals. Friendly coastal communities frame the sea ravaged coastline and unspoilt beaches.

The rich history of settlers from Ireland and France is evident in traditional songs and poems. Follow the Viking Trail to L’Anse aux Meadows (an ancient Viking settlement and designated UNESCO World Heritage Site) or see the amazing sunsets at the Change and Fogo Islands. Gros Morne National Park owes its UNESCO Heritage Site status to unique Tablelands of ancient rock formed 500 million years ago. View icebergs at Iceberg Alley or whales at Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, also a protective sanctuary for sea birds.

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