Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, known as the “Father of New France,” the grand provincial capital of Québec is one of the oldest European settlements in North America and blends past and present beautifully. The only walled city in the Americas north of Mexico, Old Québec is a UNESCO World Heritage treasure offering 400 years of history and evolution, and its aged cobblestones also feature the best of today's shopping, food and entertainment.
Percé is a small town near the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula in Québec, located within the traditional lands of the Mi'kmaq. These native people called the area Siscog, or “steep rocks,” an apt description of the dramatic landscape of rugged coastal cliffs and soaring mountains. One of the world's largest natural arches, striking Percé Rock looms just off the coast. On nearby Bonaventure Island, hiking trails wind through meadows and evergreen forests populated by large colonies of gannets, puffins, cormorants and murres.
The second largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris, Montréal is a nexus of commerce and culture. With a collection of more than 40,000 works, Montréal Museum of Fine Arts is among the most prominent in Canada, as is the historical collection at the McCord Museum. More superlatives are found at Montréal Casino, the largest in Canada, and Notre-Dame Basilica, one of the oldest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the country. The cathedral is renowned for its imposing façade and opulent interior.
Canadian dimes are emblazoned with Bluenose, a fishing schooner renowned for racing undefeated in international competition. Lunenburg is home to Bluenose II, a faithful replica and just one of many distinctive facets of this town’s waterfront. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Old Town Lunenburg mingles the past with present-day fun. Peppering the narrow streets are colorful façades of colonial buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, and the salty life of seafaring and rum running comes alive at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.
A historic treasure, Louisbourg is home to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, which offers a glimpse into what life was once like in this bustling town fortified by the French in the 18th century. This is also one of the busiest fishing villages in the Maritimes, and a meal of fresh chowder and lobster would be perfectly complemented by a sip of Fortress Rum, matured in oak barrels within the fortress. Hikers along the seaside may spy native puffin or moose, and a jaunt along the biking trails reveals even more of verdant Cape Breton Island.
A major economic center of Atlantic Canada, Halifax is also all about culture and scenery. And history. And shopping. And food. Active travelers will enjoy a hike along nearby Peggy's Cove to see the iconic lighthouse, or a Segway tour through Halifax proper, or even a kayak through the harbor. With miles of coastline, Halifax has some of the best views in Nova Scotia, and the national historic site of Halifax Citadel is one of the best places to take in these scenic vistas.
A vibrant seaside capital city, Charlottetown takes pride in its past while carrying forward the tradition of hospitality that Prince Edward Island province is noted for. The centrally planned downtown is lined with Victorian-era houses and buildings, and the spires of St. Dunstan's Basilica tower above the skyline. Picturesque Queen Street and Victoria Row are home to historic shops as well as the Confederation Centre of the Arts, a showcase of the best in Canadian visual and performing arts.
A jewel of Newfoundland's breathtaking west coast, Bonne Bay is surrounded by the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gros Morne National Park, exhibiting unparalleled diversity of habitat and stunning views of both the ocean and mountains. Within the park are the Tablelands, an astounding geological site nearly a half-billion years old, where continental drift has caused deep ocean crust and rocks of the earth's mantle to lie exposed. Along the coast of Bonne Bay, the town of Woody Point invites visitors to shop for crafts and jewelry and check out the local art studios.
Named as one of Canada's 50 Places of a Lifetime by National Geographic, L'Anse aux Meadows transports visitors back in time a thousand years. Perched on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland, the ancient Viking settlement is heralded as the oldest in North America and widely accepted as evidence of European contact here prior to Columbus. Discovered in 1960, L’Anse aux Meadows was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978 and now brings the struggles of early settlers to life.
