Nova Scotia takes great pleasure in celebrating. You won’t want to miss the vacation this year, with events like Lobsterpalooza– a mouth-watering, learning and cuisine experience in June. Or attend one of Nova Scotia’s finest musical productions-DRUM!. Anniversary celebrations like the Loyalist Landing 2008, in Shelburne and the Louisbourg Encampment 2008 offer a unique opportunity to explore our heritage and living history. Discover our extra-ordinary Inn’s like the Lightkeepers Kitchen & Guesthouse. Marvel at the Bay of Fundy– learn why there is nothing boring about a tidal bore! Find out why we are fast becoming a most delicious culinary destination.
The culture of Nova Scotia is dominated by historic Gaelic traditions, not the least of which is Celtic music. As the only area outside of Scotland where Gaelic language and culture live on today, it’s no wonder that the Celtic tunes of Scottish immigrants are so prevalent. But more
contemporary blues, hip hop, pop, jazz and rock round out our musical traditions.
 |  | Whales to Trails
Nova Scotia has a superb mix of hiking trails and some of the world’s greatest coastal trails. Our 7,600 km (4,750miles) of coastline and breathtaking landscape provide hundreds of front and back country hiking adventures. The trails offer an outstanding opportunity for bird watching and naturalists, bring your binoculars and scan the nearby ocean for whales. Still long to get up close? There are numerous whales-watching cruises available. Sightings of finback, minke, humpback whales are common and you may even see endangered North Atlantic whales. |
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 | | The best reality shows aren’t on TV
Nova Scotia’s coastline and diverse landscapes offer some of the most magnificent beauty and recreational opportunities in the country. Hike along the rugged cliffs of Cape Chignecto where towering 200-metre cliffs rise above the worlds highest tides. Cape Breton Highlands National Park encompasses one of Canada’s most exceptional wilderness areas. Hike through dense forests, kayak along bays and inlets. Only at Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site can you set up your tent beside a fresh-water lake, later hike any of the parks 100 kilometers of beautiful woodland trails and revel in the presence of 300 year old hemlocks. |
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 | | Nothing boring about a Tidal Bore!
Marvel at the Bay of Fundy and witness the highest tides in the world. From on top of 200 metre high cliffs watch the tide rise over 16 metres. Discover the rare phenomenon created when competing currents collide. It’s a one-of- a-kind adventure vacation experience to ride a tidal bore. The cresting waves become your personal roller coaster. Visit the Tidal Bore Rafting Park for an unforgettable rafting experience, or the Shubenacadie River Runners Ltd. for more information. |
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 | | The Surf Scene
The surf scene in Nova Scotia is a complete year-round deal. With the extensive and varied coastline you'll find the waves you want somewhere in the province on any given day. September, with its moderate temperatures and juicy hurricane-season swell is prime time, but the hardcore thrill riders love those wicked waves of winter. The local surfers will welcome you warmly especially at popular spots like Whitepoint, Martinique and Lawrencetown Beaches. There are many charted breaks particularly in and around Halifax, and yet there are still plenty of opportunities to explore your own secret sites. You'll find top quality surf shops with the big names you love along with lessons and rentals if you need them. Learn-to-surf packages are available from surf outfitters and from some accommodation operators. |
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 | | Louisbourg 2008
The year 2008 marks the 250th anniversary of the second siege of Louisbourg. The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site is planning to host a number of events to commemorate this anniversary. July 25-27 the Fortress of Louisbourg will have the Encampment as well as Military displays. |
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 | | United Empire Loyalists 225th Anniversary
One of the most significant tourist attractions in the province of Nova Scotia in 2008 will be the festivities commemorating the 225th anniversary of the 1783 landing of the United Empire Loyalists in Nova Scotia. The showpiece of the year-long festivities will be the last three weekends in July 2008 including a Reenactment weekend beginning on July 17th. |
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 | | DRUM!
DRUM! Is Nova Scotia’s spectacular new musical production featuring musicians, dancers, drummers and singers from our four founding cultures – Aboriginal, Black, Celtic and Acadian – in a heart-pumping fusion of music, dance, poetry, video, rhythm and song. Performances in Halifax Fall 2008. |
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| | Extra-ordinary Inns
Nova Scotia has a range of interesting places to spend the night– or several nights– from trains to castles. In 1887, the Intercolonial Railway built a train station in Tatamagouche to provide passenger and freight service to the area. A century later, long after the last trains stopped there, the station was saved from demolition by its new owner and transformed into the Train Station Inn. Today the old station has been painstakingly restored to remind visitors of its vibrant past. Nova Scotia has the largest number of lighthouses in Canada, including some of the oldest in North America. One such
lighthouse is located on Cape d’Or at the Lightkeeper’s Kitchen and Guesthouse. It’s also the only light station in Nova Scotia where you can spend the night. Left vacant after 1989, the keeper’s houses were later repaired and turned into a one-of-a-kind accommodation and dining establishment. Nestled among the hills in Glenville, Cape Breton, the Glenora Inn & Distillery Resort is the only single malt whisky distillery Inn in North America. Most guests come to sample some of the distillery’s offerings, including its signature Glen Breton Rare. |
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 | | Trout Point Lodge received 5 Green Keys from the Hotel Association of Canada’s ECOmmodation program. A property with five green keys “exemplifies the highest standards of environmental and social responsibilities throughout all areas of operations”. Trout Point Lodge lies immediately adjacent to the Tobeatic Wilderness Area, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve |
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 | | Two Nova Scotia Restaurants make prestigious list
enRoute, Air Canada’s inflight magazines' annual survey of new restaurants, named Mosaic Social Dining Lounge and Gio to the list of The Next 20. A list of restaurants that enRoute predicts will change the way people dine in 2008 and beyond. Onyx Restaurant has been awarded a Five Diamond Award from CAA/AAA. For more information on restaurants in Nova Scotia, visit edining.ca |