AS SEEN IN THE JANUARY 2011

FAMOUS BEST FAMOUS ROAD EXCITING DESTINATIONS ROAD TRIP WITH EXCITING DESTINATIONS & DELICIOUS DINING

HALIFAX
B
WRITTEN BY GAIL GERSON-WITTE & CAROLYN DELAFRANGE
RADISSON SUITE HOTEL HALIFAX, 1649 Hollis St., Halifax, NS 902-429-7233, www.radissonhalifax.com. Right in the heart of Halifax, this all-suite hotel overlooks the historic harbour with 104 wonderfully designed very roomy suites, each with a separate living room. They have a 3 green key rating ,high speed internet, great indoor pool, sauna & fitness center & are close to everything you want to experience. We enjoyed Ryan Duffys restaurant in the hotel for fine breakfast, lunch & dinners. FOXHILL FARM CHEESE HOUSE, 1209 Marginal Rd., Halifax, NS B3L 4T6, (902) 407-1301, Fax: (902) 542-4024 www.foxhillcheesehouse.com. Rick and Jeanita Rand, 160 cows, ten employees, several barns and a cheese house. The Rands make more than a dozen different varieties of cheese and also produce their own gelato, which they sell at the market. It was my fathers, my grandfathers, my great-grandfathers. MARITIME MUSEUM OF THE ATLANTIC, 1675 Lower Water Street Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA B3J 1S3, 902-424-7490, http:// museum.gov.ns.ca/mmanew/en/home/default.aspx. Located in the heart of Halifaxs historic waterfront I learned about Nova Scotias rich maritime heritage. I saw small craft boatbuilding , World War Convoys, the story of sailing & the Age of Steam. From , the Titanic to the Halifax Explosion, I learned how to define Nova Scotia and its relationship with the sea. I sat in a replica Titanic deck chair & climbed aboard CSS Acadia. Here you can really feel history. HALIFAX CITADEL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, 5425 Sackville St. Halifax, Nova Scotia, 902- 426,5080. Visit 1869-with tours, visual talk & exhibits & the Army Museums scarce display of weapons, medals & uniforms show Citadels part in FACT:. No building in Halifax is higher than the hill as the Harbour must be visible to protect it with impenetrable guard walls, still fixed canons & spy holes to see the harbor & pretend to fire canons are drawn daily in tribute. THE FIVE FISHERMEN, 1740 Argyle St., Halifax, NS Canada B3J 2B6, 902-422-4421, www.fivefishermen.com. Halifaxs premier seafood restaurant for 35 years. The elaborate Mussel Bar included with all main courses, is a huge hit as are the ghost stories, & exquisite parties & business events. Wine Spectator Award of Excellence & a new Deck add to the popularity of the nightime activites with smooth service. Multi leveled dining & known for its past serving the Titanics unfortunate victims like John Astor. Rumor has it that their ghosts are still there!

NOVA SCOTIA
LUNENBURG
LUNENBURG ARMS HOTEL & SPA, 94 Pelham Street, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia B0J 2C0. Rich in history, culture, entertainment & COMFORT. The view of the harbour exciting. Wondrous get away, retreat, or meeting place. Unesco World Heritage Site.. fab spa services, wonderful breakfast, allergy-free duvets- robes- wireless Internet- cable, Aveda soaps , pet-friendly. FISHERIES MUSEUM OF THE ATLANTIC, 68 Bluenose Drive, P.O. Box 1363 Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada B0J 2C0, ,902-634-4794 Toll Free 1-866-579-4909, Fax: 902-634-8990, E-mail: f m a @ g o v. n s , h t t p : / / m u s e u m . g o v. n s . c a / f m a / e n / h o m e / default.aspxLearn about Rum. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.Learned about life in a fishing community & up close about life at sea. Extraordinary aquarium & wharf-side vessels. Take a boat ride, see the Ice House Theatre, the Salt Store Gift Shop & Old Fish Factory Restaurant are fun. We shucked scallops & then ate them!!! IRONWORKS DISTILLERY INC., 2 Kempt St., PO Box 734, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada B0J 2C0, 902-640-2424, Fax: 902-640-2383, www.ironworksdistillery.com. This micro-distillery run by Lynne MacKay & Pierre Guevremont & named for their 1893 building, (was a marine blacksmiths shop) A tasting of Apple Vodka that uses Annapolis Valley apples & other fruity products, (made from natural ingredients) are distilled by hand with different varieties & combinations of fruit was outstanding.Check for new products. SALT SHAKER DELI, PO Box 966, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada B0J 2C0. 902-640-3434, Fax: 902640-3099, Chef Adam Todds Pint of Propeller Draught & 1lb Indian Pt. Mussels for is great. From Pad Thai, to Seafood Pizza, to Smoked Seafood Chowder & a fab Lobster Roll w/ Nova Scotia lobster, an Italian Platter & Mediterranean Tuna were really outstanding! A popular item among tourists visiting the South Shore is a T-shirt emblazoned with the words Lunenburg - a nice little drinking town with a fishing problem. Lynne MacKay and Pierre Guevremont. This past summer, the couple purchased the former Walters Blacksmith Shop on Montague Street. TRATTORIA DELLA NONA, 9 King St., Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada B0J2C0, 902-640-3112, Fax: 902-640-3119, www.trattoriadellanonna.ca. Chef Terry Vassallo combine modern cuisine & traditional Italian classics & create exceptional experiences. Wood fired pizza, fresh pastas, local seafood & traditional Italian dishes like Osso Bucco & Saltimbocca, paired with an extensive wine list representing all of the major wine regions of Italy. We offer thoughtful and attentive service on three different levels of dining. Have a drink in our busy bar area next to the wood fired pizza oven, on the sunny street level, or the romantic Cantina with the cozy Kachelofen (wood burning oven). Come and experience the food, wine and romance of Italy!

DISCOVERING

TROT IN TIME BUGGY RIDES, RR #1, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada B0J 2C0, 902-6348917. Contact Person: Basil Oickle. The best activity with explanations & historical facts that are a WOW.

MAHONE BAY
Considered one of the most attractive towns in Canada, listened to Bob Sayer describe the vista of Mahone Bays 5 churches (3 are readily visible) & interesting businesses. From October 2nd to 4th Mahone Bay will show off its autumn-draped streets to the world as scarecrows, pumpkins and various other fall heroes adorn the town & this is a not to be missed event. I loved the . The Great Scarecrow Challenge where residents and businesses alike take part in this unusual contest. The Mahone Bay Centre, the Anglican Church Hall, and the Legion Hall are the centres of attention for antiques collectors & I really want to return here! Bob Sayer walk and talk Mahone Bay Visitor Information Centre, 624-6151 or 1-888-624-6151. AMOS PEWTER, 589 Main St, Mahone Bay NS B0J 2E0, (902) 624-9547, Toll Free: (800) 565-3369, Fax: (902) 624-1366,, www.amospewter.com, Email: info@amospewter.com. Amos Pewter designs stunning handcrafted pewter gifts, jewelry & keepsakes in an open studio where we witnessed this fine art form with the talented Artisans. Amos Pewter designs pewter gifts & ornaments since 1974. I bought a huge amount of jewelry.

BLOMIDON INN, 195 Main St., Wolfville, NS, 902-542-2291, www.blomidon.ns.ca. A tastefully restored 19th Century Sea Captains Mansion. Acres of gardens & like a Victorian English Manor House. Wolfville is the centre of wine country, they have an Award of Excellence for its Wine List from Wine Spectator Magazine. See the fab House of Gifts . The Laceby family with sons, Michael (outside) & Chef Sean, Rob& wife Mary run the Amherst Shore Country Inn. This is the place to stay & visit . GLOOSCAP HERITAGE CENTRE & MIKMAQ MUSEUM, 65 Treaty Trail, Truro Power Centre, Millbrook, Nova Scotia, B6L 1W3,902843-3496, 800-895-1177, www.glooscapapheritagecentre.com. I loved learning about the mikmaq history & viewing the incredible 40-foot statue of glooscap. This aboriginal group describes kluskap (glooscap) as an abenaki word meaning man from nothing. Glooscap, was he first human. He was created out of a bolt of lightening in the sand & is shown in mikmaq legends as a symbol of wisdom & hope dreamcatchers to earrings, traditional mikmaq music to prolific aboriginal literature, clothes to ball caps and from genuine mikmaq art to brilliantly crafted native jewelry. JOST VINEYARDS, MALAGASH TOUR / TASTING, 48 Vintage LaneMalagash, Nova Scotia, Canada B0K 1E0, info@jostwine.com -Toll Free: 1-800-565-4567 (Canada and the US), Fax: 902-257-2248 Telephone: 902-257-2636, With 150 Awards, & located along the Sunrise Trail , along the Northumberland Strait. Christian Josts family began the wine business in Germanys Rhine region & here assists many to develop their own wines. Offers specialized wine labeling, wine training, a craft shop deli bar.Fabulous tour & a private wine tasting included shopping at the dazzling store. The warm waters of the Northumberland Strait produces a remarkable selection of reds, whites, fruit wines, ice wines & specialty wines, with the ice wines being my favorite.

GRAND PRE
SUGAR MOON FARM, EARLTOWN LUNCH / TOUR 221 Alex MacDonald Rd., Earltown, Nova Scotia, Canada B0K 1V0, E-mail: info@sugarmoon.ca, www.sugarmoon.ca, 1-866-81-maple. Nestled amidst striking mountainous hiking trails & with a huge variety of Maple products in the maple store, we enjoyed the timehonored Nova Scotia cookery, but with a flawless maple accent. Scott Whitelaw & Quita Gray are the owners who teach the techniques & history of maple sugaring right in their own sugar camp & you can visit the Sugar Woods. Loved the authentic log pancake house. See the springtime tradition of making maple syrup over a wood-fired evaporator, fueled with mountain hardwood. The Sugar Moon Farm is Atlantic Canadas Maple Syrup Economuseum, a living museum of the craft of maple sugaring.They give free tours of our working sugar camp & maple interpretive area, seasonal demonstrations & maple samples. TANGLED GARDENS, P.O. Box 80, 11827 Hwy 1, Grand Pre, Nova Scotia, Canada, BOP 1MO, tangledgardens@gmail.com. Opening times - April to December. Daily. Open 10am to 6pm. Located in the Grand Pre in the exquisite Annapolis Valley. Beverly McClare & George Walford make jellies, vinegars & herbs from the herb garden. There is an art gallery. The name tangled garden is expressive of its blend of plants, picket fences, pergolas, sculptures & ponds.http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/ tangled_garden#ixzz19p5WAPh2he. DOMAINE DE GRAND PRIX WINERY & LE CAVEAU RESTAURANT , 11611 Highway 1,P.O. Box 105,Grand Pr, N.S, BOP 1M0,Canada, (902) 542-1753, Toll Free 866-GPWINES, Fax (902) 5420060,www.grandprewines.ns.ca/restaurant. 2011 season begins on Saturday April 31st,mail mail@grandprewines.ns.ca. Domaine de Grand Pr Founder Hanspeter Stutz, created one of the lovliest places in the area, now Winemaker Jrg Stutz, uses 100 percent Nova Scotian grapes & presents unique varieties & has won many awards for wines well suited for the Maritime region. They grow specialty grapes specially developed for Nova Scotias climate & landscape, & have over 25,000 visitors each year . The Muscat Ice Wine is beyond compare. LE CAVEAU RESTAURANT, an exquisite dining experience in the heart of Nova Scotia. Chef Jason Lynch and his dining dream utilize 80% of home grown products in their universal worldwide style of cookery. The roomy outdoor terrace is superb for private parties & dazzling weddings. In the heart of the Annapolis Valley, only 50 minutes from Halifax & just outside of Wolfville, they areopen for lunch & dinner. The lovely atmosphere & fabulous food make this a Must . Domaine de Grand Prs wine shop is a great spot to relax and taste some of our wines or perhaps pick up a gift that is uniquely Nova Scotian. Mouthwatering selection of Wine tasting with cheese pairings of beautiful cheeses THE TRAIN STATION INN, 21 Station Rd., Tatamagouche, NS B0K 1V0 (902) 657-3222 www.trainstation.ca. James & Shelly le Fresne restored the century old Train Station with furnishings that suggest the historical olden days. The station & spacious cabooses are an unparalleled Bed & Breakfast experience, as they welcome you aboard . With 3 bedrooms, private baths, a parlor, sitting rooms, balcony & kitchenettes, in the original Stationmasters residence & a railway museum, caf & unique gift shop.. The food in the dining car is first-class & the Continental Breakfast in the Jitney Caf unrivaled. Great for banquets, special events & families who look for something differently delicious.

GASPEREAU VINEYARDS, 2239 White Rock Road, Gaspereau, NS, CA, B4P 2R1, 902-542-1455, www.gaspereauwine.com, info@gaspereauwine.com. Formerly an apple orchard the vineyard was planted in 1996 on south facing slope. Opened in 2004, winemaker, Jost planted Chardonnay, Riesling, Ortega & Vidal on the warmer upper part of a vineyard and varieties such as De Chaunac, LAcadie, New York Muscat & Kuhlmann further down what is a fairly continual slope. Jost prefers LAcadie, which is the most widely planted white variety in Nova Scotia. The Chocolate & Wine pairings is not to be missed .The Maple Wine-my favorite.

SHUBENACADIE

HALLS HARBOUR & THE LOBSTER POUND RESTAURANT, 3586 Hwy 359, Centreville RR3 NS-BOP 1J0, 902-678-7001, Fax: 902-678-7001. In the SW region of Nova Scotia, Canada, this small fishing lends its name both to the small fishing village overlooks the Annapolis Valley, on the north & the Bay of Fundy, on the East Sheffield Vault & on the West Chipman Brook. This is a fab Tourism Destination. Pick your lobster from the lobster pound, stay overnight, visit the artists studio, search for antiques. TIDAL BORE RAFTING PARK & COTTAGES, RR4 Shubenacadie,NS CanadaBoN 2Ho, 1800-565RAFT, www.raftingcanada.ca. One of the top 5 rivers in Canada the Shubenacadie River & Tidal Bore Rafting Park are awesome to white water raft, take a mud sliding tour or just vacation. Rafting trips & family adventures on 180 acres of backwoods is only 1 hour from downtown Halifax. 10 Cedar Pine Cottages fabulous home cooking restaurant, gift shop, dog kennels, senior rates & more. The Sandbar Restaurant is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (including breakfast) & is available for special functions, events & business meetings & wedding receptions! Delicious pies unique dishes like lobster & Roasted Red Pepper Dip, Toasted Almond & Mandarin Salad, Mixed Berry Crumble & Sticky Toffee Pudding are special.

ABOUT THE BAY OF FUNDY They are home to the worlds highest recorded tides & this is natures rarest show that you will not see anywhere else. One hundred billion ton ofwater flow in and out of the Bay of Fundy twice daily every 24 hrs a day displaying currents, 4-8ft waves, swells, rip-currents, whirlpools 4 whitewater rapids. Tides are thought of the pulse of the planet. They originate because the force of gravity decreases with distance from a massive body which in our case is the Moon. The wave is a Tidal Bore. The river changes direction before your very eyes, created by the tidal wave, or bore, is followed by 3 to 12 ft+ rapids.

PEGGYS COVE, 178 Peggys Point Rd., Peggys Cove, NS. B3Z 3S2,www.peggys-cove.com. Peggys Cove is a little fishing village south of Halifax with worlds most photographed lighthouse . The rocky landscape of Peggys Cove where you can walk on these rocks to have a fantastic view of the Atlantic Ocean with its strong winds. Check out the wondrous shops selling souvenirs & go to the lighthouse post office & mail a postcard to yourself. Its the last place in Canada that still hand stamps mail. Swissair Flight 111 Memorial is here & the Fishermens Monument.