Known to lower blood pressure and reduce stress, time spent in the great outdoors is never wasted. As well as a multitude of health benefits and improvements in mood, spending time outdoors allows us time away from our screens to reconnect with those around us and take in some of nature’s awe-inspiring scenery. If you’re overdue some time reconnecting with nature, head to Atlantic Canada where there’s wide open spaces, plenty of fresh salt air, and adventures for every comfort level.
Canada’s provinces that border the Atlantic Ocean (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island), among them boast a total of eight national parks.
In New Brunswick, Kouchibouguac National Park comprises salt marches, barrier islands, Acadian forest, bogs, sheltered lagoons, tidal rivers, freshwater systems, and 25 kilometres of shifting white sand dunes. With such a diverse landscape, guests are spoiled for choice when it comes to activities with canoeing, swimming, whale watching, seal spotting, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and tobogganing amongst the offering.
Over in Newfoundland and Labrador, Terra Nova National Park is Canada’s most eastern and comes packed with hilly woods, fjords, lakes, rocky cliffs and wild Atlantic coastline. Set along several inlets of Bonavista Bay (once home to the native Archaic and Pre-Inuit peoples), this 400-kilometre-square patch of rugged greenery is home to Terra Nova moose, black bears and all manner of marine life which can be spotted on a boat tour.
Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Highlands National Park is a must visit for any wildlife spotters in the area looking to spot some of the moose, black bears, coyote, endangered Canada lynx, and bald eagles. For hikers, there’s the flat-topped Highlands Plateau, along with the French, Mackenzie and Franey mountains.
If you’re more about time spent unwinding on the sands, Prince Edward Island National Park is the place to be. For pristine white sands and supervised swimming, visit Greenwich. For majestic sand dunes and scenic beaches, we recommend Brackley-Dalvay. Then for clifftop views and a gentle stroll along a peaceful trail, make for Cavendish.
Nothing will lift the weight of the world off your shoulders quite like looking out into the galaxy to capture the stunning light show that illuminates the night sky. Away from the disruption of urban light pollution, the four provinces of Atlantic Canada offer a wide variety of stargazing options to both accomplished and beginner enthusiasts alike.
From the William Brydone Jack Observatory in New Brunswick to the Terra Nova National Park Dark Sky Preserve in Newfoundland and Labrador and the world’s first starlight hotel, Trout Point Lodge, in Nova Scotia to starry night skies packages at The Barachois Inn on Prince Edward Island, there’s something to suit every type of stargazer in Atlantic Canada.
The newly developed Fundy Trail Parkway is set to open on 20th May this year. The upgraded route will mean that there is now one trail linking each of New Brunswick’s top natural attractions; Fundy Trail Parkway, Fundy National Park, Hopewell Rocks and Cape Enrage. Stretching over 2,559 hectares, the Fundy Trail Parkway is a beautiful way to explore New Brunswick’s nature with its pristine beaches, 20 lookouts with panoramic views, a 15-metre waterfall, a 60-metre suspension bridge and 600-million-year-old rock formations.
Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province and it’s now possible to circumnavigate the island with the new Island Walk, a 435-mile walking route. The full trail takes over 30 days to complete but there are 32 sections with a mix of inland and coastal walks, taking in red dirt roads, beaches, quiet streets and both tips of the island at North Cape and East Point.
Nova Scotia has revolutionised ways of exploring its beautiful landscapes with a new eight-person gondola located at Cape Smokey in Cape Breton Island. Atlantic Canada’s only gondola, it takes riders from the bottom to the top of the mountain in eight minutes where visitors can admire expansive views of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Ingonish Harbour and the Atlantic Ocean. While at Cape Smokey, taste award-winning craft brew, enjoy live music and access the proposed hiking trails at top the mountain - all planned for this upcoming summer season.
Rockcut Twillingate Trails is a system of beautiful hiking trails located along the coast of Twillingate Island, right in the heart of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Iceberg Alley. The trails offer longer “point-to-point” hikes plus shorter loop-back options suitable for all skill levels. Enjoy the rugged coastline and rocky beaches of Codjacks Cove, Spiller’s Cove, and French Beach while keeping an eye out for seabirds, whales, sea stacks, icebergs, and more. Don’t forget to pause and pick some wild berries along the way!
To book your encounter with the great outdoors in Atlantic Canada, get in touch today.
There are so many great reasons to experience certain destinations in the shoulder seasons – that sweet spot between a region’s peak season and off-season. Think fewer crowds and queues for major attractions, better-value flights and other travel, and a more authentic experience of the destination. We’ve put our heads together to share a few of our favourite places that can be just as good or even better outside of high season.
Explore the USA with Aer Lingus with seasonal flights from Dublin. Experience the hustle and bustle of New York, the sandy beaches of Miami, or the art and culture of San Francisco. Whether you are looking for a fun-filled family holiday or a romantic getaway, the USA has something for everyone.
On paper, opting for indirect flights with short layovers may seem like a recipe for added stress and inconvenience, especially when travelling with children. However, there are some surprising benefits to a longer journey. Read on to discover how you can fall in love with the less direct route to your holiday.
