Before we had children we would take off every chance we got to go somewhere.

We have been to destinations all along the Atlantic coast from Halifax to South Carolina.   I worked in Newfoundland for a while so we spent lots of time there as well. In the last few years we have added Ontario and Quebec to our list of visited destinations.  I have also been to Alberta and my husband has been to Saskatchewan.  This land truly is our land!

We dream of seeing the rest of Canada someday, especially British Columbia.  My father always said if he had to live anywhere other than Halifax, it would have been Victoria BC.  He loved it there.  To go from Nova Scotia to British Columbia is crazy expensive, so it is a destination for us that will take a lot of advance research.

Some of our favourite vacations have been in our own Maritime Provinces.  For those who don’t know, that would be Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island (PEI).

In our early travel days unfortunately I didn’t take near as many pictures as I do today.  That is sad because we have seen so many amazing things and places.

We also do a lot of what we call ‘road tripping’.  Just wake up and go.  Nova Scotia has many beautiful beaches, lakes, historic sites, scenery and so much more.  The Annapolis Valley during apple blossom time is something everyone should see once.  The whales of Digby (among other places) are a site to behold.  Visiting Windsor’s Hockey Heritage Museum is something every hockey fan should do.  The grounds at Uniacke House are immaculate.

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic has an excellent Titanic exhibit and the Museum of Natural History is a great place for everyone.

The Discovery Centre has some really neat stuff and during school off times they put together great activities for the kids to experience.

Joggins Fossil Museum, Pictou’s – The Hector, the mines of Springhill, Peggy’s Cove, York Redoubt, the Halifax Boardwalk and Citadel Hill are other great attractions in Nova Scotia.

But of all the things you can see or do here nothing matches up to the Cabot Trail.  It is just amazing.  I am sure we have been there 15 times and every time is just as wondrous as the last.  When you see pictures they don’t look real, but trust me they are.  In the fall the trail is full of spectacular colors as the leaves change!

PEI is a playground for the entire family.  So much to do!  The beaches with the red sand are one of a kind.  My favourite by far is Brackley Beach, yes even more than Cavendish Beach.  Camping in a tent or Cabin or even glamping is the way to go in PEI.  We always take the bridge over and the ferry back.  Years ago you could only get there by ferry.  It was just part of the PEI experience.

New Brunswick is a big province with a variety of everything.  Lots to do, Magic Mountain is a favourite, lots to see and something really for everyone.  You can shop, go to the beach, visit heritage sites, visit the Bay of Fundy and the Hopewell Rocks.  It covers all ends of the tourist spectrum.  I will say driving the highways to northern New Brunswick is painfully boring.  Once you get past Fredericton it is a pretty boring ride.

Regardless of which province you go you will find that the people are a big part of the experience.  We live a laid back, simple and relaxed lifestyle for the most part.  Don’t rush to get things done, take time to appreciate the moment, the destination and the experience.