Eastern Canada

As the second biggest country in the world, Canada encompasses stunning and diverse landscapes and scenery, as well as impressive wildlife and a rich culture. The vast open spaces and expansive cities make for a truly relaxing visit, and when you do encounter people, they are always friendly and welcoming.

Nature lovers will have their breath taken by the rugged coastlines, oceans, rivers, lakes, luscious forests, rolling fields, vineyards, valleys, cliffs, hills and mountains. Much of which is untouched by human development. Even the Canadian wilderness alters between the provinces so in Newfoundland and Labrador you can enjoy extensive forests, lakes and rivers versus the neatly manicured pastoral fields of Prince Edward Island and the rocky coves and small beaches of Nova Scotia.

Whatever time of year you visit there are adventures to be had in Eastern Canada – from skiing to surfing, hiking, kayaking, fishing and swimming – you will never be stuck for ways to exert some energy. But re-fuelling isn’t a problem wither as Canada produces a variety of sumptuous food from the freshest of fish to the tastiest of vegetables and the heartiest of lagers.

Must See & Do
Climate
Travel
Globe trekker Itinerary

Practical Info:
Sleep
Eat & Drink
Useful Websites
Useful Books

TV Shows:
Globe Trekker: Eastern Canada

Photo Gallery: Eastern Canada
Community:
Travel Stories
Photo Galleries

MUST SEE & DO...

1. Stan Cook Sea Kayaking adventures, NL
2. Signal Hill National Historic Site, St John’s, NL
3. Fairview Cemetery, Halifax
4. Cape Breton Island, NS 5. Anne of Green Gables house, PEI <
6. Hopewell Rocks, Bay of Fundy, NB
7. Old Town, Quebec City, QC
8. Wendake, QC
9. CN Tower Edge Walk, Toronto, ON 10. Niagara Falls, ON


FESTIVALS & EVENTS

1. New France Festival, Quebec City
2. Just for Laughs, QC
3. Lobster Festival, Shediac, NB
4. Acadian Festival, NB 5. Potato Festival, PEI
6. Busker Festival
7. Pride Toronto, ON
8.Toronto International Film Festival, ON


SHOPPING

Great things to pick up in Canada include delicious speciality chocolate, fudge and maple syrup confectionary, adventure clothing – the range is vast and not too expensive, wood carvings, silver jewellery and ice wine.

BACK TO TOP

CLIMATE:

• When to go: July / August are peak season when you can expect Eastern Canada to be sunny and busy. Accommodation prices also rise at this time.
  May / June and September / October – temperatures are cooler but comfortable, crowds and prices drop off and attractions are open but usually for shorter hours
  December – March is busy is ski resort towns. Expect freezing temperatures and a lot of snow.

• What to wear: Casual and comfortable suits Eastern Canada. Particularly important are comfortable shoes for walking around, cycling and sea adventuring. Layered clothing is useful in summer because the weather can change quickly and temperatures can drop in the evening. Winters are incredibly cold, so snow jackets and boots are essential.

BACK TO TOP

TRAVEL:

• Getting there: The main international airports in Eastern Canada are Toronto Pearson Airport, Montreal Trudeau Airport and Halifax Airport. But you can also arrive to Atlantic Canada by ferry, road or rail. Ferries cross from Maine, USA to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, while the VIA rail line connects the whole area with lines between Toronto and Montreal, Montreal and Halifax etc. Car is by far the easiest way to get around Atlantic Canada using the connecting bridges or car ferries to travel around the provinces.

• Getting around: Depending on which province you’re in, local transport includes subways, buses, taxis or even bicycle. Because Canada is so vast, intercity travel is over long distances and planes may be easier than trains and buses/coaches. Air Canada is the largest airline in the country followed by WestJet, CanJet and SkyService. Nationally, trains are operated by VIA Rail.   

BACK TO TOP

GLOBE TREKKER ITINERARY:

• Zoe’s 3000km journey starts on the Avalon Peninsula, in Newfoundland & Labrador, the oldest and most easterly part of North America. Though Newfoundland was the first province discovered by Europeans, it was the last to join Canada in 1949 – a testimony to its independent spirit.

• Next, she travels south west to the maritime provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, known for their rugged coastlines, natural beauty and delicious fresh fish. Here Zoe finds her sea legs, goes fishing for lobsters, floats on the highest tides in the world and discovers the stories of the legendary RHS Titanic.

• Heading inland, Zoe soaks up Quebec City’s European culture and old-world charm and parties at the New France Festival.

• Finally she reaches Ontario, experiencing the dizzying heights of Toronto’s tallest tower and the thundering magnificence of the Niagara Falls.

BACK TO TOP

PRACTICAL INFO:

• Population:
  - Total population of Canada (2011): 34,349,200
  - NL, NS, PEI, NB, QC and ON combined (2011): 23,616,000

• Currency:
  - Canadian dollar (CAD $)

• Language:
  - Two official languages: English and French

Don’t forget to pack:
1. Trainers
2. Sun cream
3. Bug spray
4. Layered clothing for changes in temperature
5. Waterproofs 6. Books / entertainment for long journeys if travelling around
7. Phrasebook (French and Newfoundland slang!)
8. Binoculars 
9. Driving licence
10. Your appetite

BACK TO TOP

SLEEP:

Book hostels & hotels:

Ryan Mansion
21 Rennies Mill Road
St. John's
Newfoundland
Tel. +1 709-753-7926
This is a 5-star boutique hotel in the high end range (more than $250)

Glenora Inn & Distillery
13727 Route 19
Glenville, Cape Breton Island, NS
Tel. +1 902-258-2662
Nine rooms and six self-catering wood chalets available. This accommodation is midrange ($90 – $250)

Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations
5 Place de la Rencontre « Ekionkiestha’ »
Wendake, Québec G0A 4V0
Tel +1 418 847 2222
55 four-star boutique-style rooms and suites are available, all overlooking the Akiawenrahk River and forest. This accommodation is midrange ($90 – $250)

BACK TO TOP

EAT & DRINK:

• There is a smorgasbord of offerings available in Eastern Canada, all of it incredibly fresh and most of it caught straight from the sea. Lobster is so abundant here that even McDonalds serve McLobster rolls throughout the season. Speciality dishes range from seal flipper pie, cod tongues and partridgeberry pies in Newfoundland, lobster with melted butter and locally grown fresh fruit and veg in the Maritimes, poutine (fries soaked in gravy and cheese) in Quebec and bold reds and crisp white wines from the Niagara Peninsula. Expect to have to loosen your belt a notch at the end of your trip.

  
  

USEFUL WEBSITES:

Tourist Boards:

• Canadian Tourism Commission

• Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

• Nova Scotia Department of Economic & Rural Development and Tourism

• Prince Edward Island

• Tourism New Brunswick

• Tourisme Québec

• Ontario Tourism

• Tourism PEI

• Québec City Tourism

• Tourism Toronto

Attractions, Events and Tours:

• Parks Canada, Signal Hill

• Stan Cook Sea Kayak Adventures

• Gatheralls Puffin and Whale Watch

• Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Halifax Nova Scotia

• The Five Fishermen restaurant and grill, Halifax

• Celtic Music Interpretative Centre, Judique, Nova Scotia

• The Red Shoe pub, Mabou, Nova Scotia

• Avonlea Village of Anne of Green Gables

• Green Gables Heritage Place

• Tranquillity Cove Adventures, PEI

• Meridian Farms, PEI

• Red Shores racetrack and casino

• Shediac Bay Cruises

• The Hopewell Rocks, Bay of Fundy

• Baymount Outdoor Adventures, Hopewell Rocks

• New France Festival, Quebec City

• The Citadel, Quebec

• Parks Canada, The Plains of Abraham

• Cirque du Soleil

• Onhoua Cheteke reserve

• CN Tower

• Great Lakes St Lawrence Seaway

• Niagara Parks

• Niagara Helicopters

Companies & Organizations

• Iceberg Vodka

• Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation

BACK TO TOP