Nova Scotia

You might get a feeling of déjà vu in Nova Scotia. It wasn’t named “New Scotland” for nothing—the rolling, verdant countryside and strikingly crisp waters evoke a land an ocean away. But settle in amid the diverse population of Mi’kmaw, French, African and Scottish descendants, and you’ll realize Nova Scotia has a quirky character all its own. Most come to experience the charm and revel in the wonder during the summer months, when wild roses burst along the hillsides, and lighthouses and cottages epitomize the word “quaint.” Capital Halifax offers a more cosmopolitan side of Nova Scotia, with chic restaurants and rocking clubs up to any big-city snuff. Hikers and kayakers won’t want to miss the fair-weather delights of Cape Breton Island, while those with thicker skin (and warmer coats) will enjoy some good ole’ winter snowshoeing. You may even find your own fountain of youth on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, one of the world’s few “Blue Zones,” where unusually high numbers of people live to over 100 years old. But who can blame them?—we don’t want to leave Nova Scotia either.