On a map, Nova Scotia resembles a duck or a lobster – both fitting references for a province defined by its proximity to the North Atlantic.

However, the landscapes, seascapes, and cultural experiences in Canada’s second-smallest province are as varied as any in the nation. Take a drive in almost any direction, and you’ll encounter a transformation in both scenery and heritage.

A stretch of coastline washed by the world’s highest tides is dotted with French Acadian villages, characterized by their tall stone and wooden churches. In contrast, the opposite coast features rocky headlands interrupted by crescent-shaped beaches and fishing villages founded by European and Black Loyalist settlers. Furthermore, the fertile Annapolis Valley nurtures a burgeoning wine region, while the northern highlands remind one of Scotland due to the Gaelic Scottish settlers who recognized Cape Breton Island’s familiarity. Not to forget, the Indigenous Mi’kmaq people have roamed these lands for thousands of years, utilizing rivers as highways and the seashore as their pantry.