Things to do in Atlantic Canada

Here are just a few of the many New and Exciting things happening in Atlantic Canada…

The Hearst Lodge Wilderness Hike - Rugged adventure and rustic comfort in New Brunswick. Experience wilderness living the way American newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst’s friends and business associates did almost 100 years ago. The Hearst Lodge located on the Fundy Trail, along the Bay of Fundy, accommodates up to ten people. Days are devoted to guided hiking, biking, kayaking or horseback riding, followed by home-style meals and evening presentations on subjects ranging from astronomy to interpretations of geology and fossils, to the culture and heritage of the area. This all-inclusive three-night package requires a moderate to high level of physical activity and a love of wilderness hiking and is offered from June to September. www.fundytrailparkway.com

Torngat Mountains National Park Base Camp - “kANGIDLUASUk”- Labrador: Located on Inuit land at the southern boundary of the Torngat Mountains National Park, the camp is a collaboration between Parks Canada and the Nunatsiavut Government. The philosophy of kANGIDLUASUk revolves around the connection Inuit and their ancestors have with the Torngat Mountains region. A typical day in kANGIDLUASUk sees Inuit elders sharing their knowledge of the land with scientists, park managers, and Inuit youth; tourists visiting archaeological sites with Inuit guides and participating in traditional harvesting activities, enjoying a cup of tea with young Inuit students, catching a char with Inuit hunters and seeing Inuit staff integrated into ongoing science and monitoring programs. It’s unique, and exotic – an entirely different experience in Canada’s newest national park! www.kangidluasuk.com

Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia is Canada's Official Immigration Museum - Pier 21 celebrates and shares the Canadian Immigration experience by honouring the unique stories of Immigration. It pays tribute to 1.5 million immigrants, war brides, displaced people, evacuee children and Canadian military personnel who passed through Pier 21 between 1928 and 1971. Pier 21 includes a broader story of nation building and will soon showcase exhibits highlighting the early beginnings of Canada and immigration from 1868 to the present. www.pier21.ca

Prince Edward Island’s Culinary Boot Camp - Slip into your complimentary chef's coat, and get ready to work in our state-of-the-art kitchens alongside world-renowned chefs. Culinary boot camps provide unique, customized experiences that allow you to enjoy the Island’s cultural culinary heritage. Learn the intricacies of preparing fabulous culinary creations as well as cooking tips, and survival skills as you prepare your very own culinary creation to enjoy in the beautiful Lucy Maud Dining Room. Camps are easily customized to accommodate your time, both half-day and one-day courses are available, with the opportunity to book a two-day 'field to kitchen' experience. www.culinarybootcamps.com www.youtube.com/tourismpei

Bear Viewing in New Brunswick - Imagine a zoo where you’re the one in the cage, while wild bears roam free in their natural surroundings 26 feet below you. Welcome to Little Big Bear Safari in New Brunswick’s Acadieville near Kouchibouguac National Park. Here, you will observe majestic black bears feeding and interacting, completely unaware of your presence. In the springtime, you may even get to witness little bear cubs frolicking and being tended to by caring mother bear. Available from mid May to mid October, seven days a week. www.bearsafari.com

A Celebration in Newfoundland & Labrador! Canada’s First English Colony Turns 400 in 2010! It was called Cuper’s Cove in 1610 when John Guy and his fellow travelers from England established a colony at what is now Cupids, a scenic community near St. John’s, capital city of Newfoundland & Labrador. In addition to the usual trials and tribulations of adapting to a new home on a new continent – hunger, illness, bad weather … the Cuper’s Cove colonists had to deal with the scourge of pirates. The original colony didn’t survive, but the deeds of the first settlers paved the way for others. This first English colony, in what is now Canada, was one of the first settlements in New France and New England. Among the celebration events will be an arts festival styled in the 17th-century manner, July 2-11, 2010. Join us as we celebrate the bravery and vision of these first colonists. www3.nf.sympatico.ca/cupidshistorical

Culinary Trail, a first in Nova Scotia - ‘Adventures in Taste’ is a brand new, exciting product offering quality culinary and wine adventures uniquely representative of Nova Scotia's culture, heritage and lifestyle. Meet the winemakers, visit the farms, pick your own ingredients and learn about our local resources. Taste of Nova Scotia is a unique, province-wide, marketing program committed to offering the very best culinary experience the province has to offer. www.tasteofnovascotia.com

Tranquility Cove Adventures - This Prince Edward Island Once in a Lifetime Adventure combines wildlife, adventure and a culinary treat all in one package! Take a salt water cruise to a giant sand bar to dig giant clams. Outfitted in full fishing gear, you’ll get in knee to chest deep water to dig your own clams! When the pot is full you’ll be taken to shore where you’ll have a clam boil – there’s enough for all! Spend your time bird watching, searching for sea glass and driftwood and then go deep sea fishing off Panmure Island to see the seals sunbathing off the shore. Finish your adventure by hauling a lobster trap and rock crab pot with a little help from your guide, a third generation Island Fisherman! www.tranquilitycoveadventures.com

New Brunswick’s Coastal Kayak and Lobster Cookout - Your adventure begins with a 2-hour paddle along a coastal route where you’ll view limestone cliffs, a lighthouse and a bald eagle’s nest – all framed by the beautiful backdrop of the 400-mile long St. John River. Following your trip, it’s back to the beach to enjoy a lobster cookout at a sheltered picnic area. Your menu will include fresh-steamed Bay of Fundy Lobster, rolls, salads, corn on the cob or fresh steamed mussels in season and seasonal baked fruit pies. www.gofundyevents.com

International Appalachian Trail in Newfoundland & Labrador – Growing, Growing, Grown … ! Three more sections of the International Appalachian Trail in Western Newfoundland have been opened to adventurers and hikers! The Lewis Hills Trail is a challenging 19-mile trek in the scenic hills south of the City of Corner Brook where hikers will be able to spend 2-3 days exploring the terrain and honing their skills. The Blow Me Down Mountain Trail will take hikers on one of two distances - either 21 or 30 miles. Depending upon the route taken, these trekkers should expect to spend 2-3 days on this back country adventure hike on the south shore of the captivating Bay of Islands. The Devil’s Bite Trail is a ‘pay attention!’ 27-mile trek in the hills just north of Gros Morne National Park; 3 to 4 days in these wilds will earn a hiker bragging rights for the remainder of the year! www.iatnl.ca

Nova Scotia Hotel News – Recently opened, the 114 room Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Centre in Truro; the 119 room Holiday Inn Express in Stellarton/NewGlasgow; the 64 room Best Western in Liverpool; and, the 163 room Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton in Dartmouth. A 130 room Hilton Garden Inn is planned for downtown Halifax in 2011. Oak Island is now offering upscale residential condominiums in addition to their oceanfront hotel and chalets. The re-branded Pictou Lodge Beachfront Resort has expanded to include two and three bedroom chalets. White Point Beach Resort has expanded their experiential programming to include unique culinary products, Nordic Walks, Astronomy/stargazing, Yoga and Aboriginal experiences. Stoneham Chalets now offers special Geocaching programs, including training and GPS devices for groups of 8-32.

PEI Lobster Fishing Excursions - Get up close and personal with a lobster. Smell the salt air, feel the gentle breeze against your face, enjoy the thrill of taking a lobster right out of a trap, and savour the experience of a traditional Island lobster supper aboard the 45-foot fishing boat “Top Notch”. Onboard, you’ll discover what it’s like to haul a trap or band a claw. Take a turn at the wheel. Learn about the modern technology used in today’s lobster fishery while Captain Mark delights you with tales of the industry’s early days when lobster wasn’t considered the delicacy it is today. www.markscharters.com