A prime location at the mouth of the Gulf of Maine established this port's strategic importance centuries ago. Today you can unpick this rich history at Yarmouth's museums, which chart its origins as a settlement of the Mi'kmaq nation and the arrival of the French Acadians and English. The landscape offers many attractive clues to Yarmouth's heritage, too. Stroll about its streets to find fishing wharves and grand homes built for sea captains. Along the way, enjoy a local craft beer and snack on a lobster roll or a warming bowl of seafood chowder, courtesy of the fishing boats bobbing in the harbor. Yarmouth's natural surroundings are as charming as the town itself. Climb the 77 steps of the Cape Forchu Lighthouse for superb views of the rugged coastline. Take a walk in pretty Frost Park, particularly eye-catching during fall. And, at night, look up at the explosion of stars in the clear, dark skies for which this part of the wild east coast of Canada is famed.

Bagpipers bid a warm welcome to Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia and the most Scottish of all Canada's great cities. The Citadel Fortress, which dates to the city's founding in 1749, stands over the thriving downtown area, where modern buildings nestle alongside the exquisitely restored Historic Properties waterfront. Here you can shop for authentic Scottish tartans and superb hand-knit woolens. Nova Scotians claim they have the freshest air and warmest smiles in Canada.

Cape Breton Island's main city Sydney is peaceful and cozy. This Canadian port town reveals its history in the Heritage & Science museum, and boasts the world's largest fiddle on the waterfront. Enjoy the coastal scenery on Cabot Trail for a true taste of this special landscape.

Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island, is a captivating blend of history, architecture, landscapes, and wildlife. Its streets are adorned with Victorian-era architecture, showcasing the city's rich past, while the island is blessed with rolling emerald hills, miles of rugged coastline plus sand dunes, forests, and pristine beaches. The result is an unmissable serene masterpiece of nature . Beyond Despite holding a pivotal place in Canada’s history as the "Birthplace of Confederation," Charlottetown is not just about historic charm. Venture beyond the shore and embrace a world of wildlife wonders. Coastal habitats come alive with seabirds, seals, and marine life, including whales, seals and dolphins. The island's red sand beaches, characteristic of its iron-rich soil, are a unique and picturesque sight. If you feel a sense of déjà vu here then don’t be surprised; the island is forever linked to the world of "Anne of Green Gables," the iconic novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Visitors can explore Green Gables Heritage Place and immerse themselves in the fictional world of Anne Shirley.

Just northeast of the UNESCO-designated Vieux-Québec (Old Town), Montmorency Falls Park enchants with striking flows that are one and a half times taller than Niagara Falls. Explore the streets of the Old Town presided over by the Château Frontenac for a taste of French-Canadian culture found in classic bistros and cafés, and explore proud French history found in numerous museums.