Still time to book for the eastern provinces

With the passport crisis, the health measures that have limited our travels over the past two years and the resurgence of COVID-19, the pleasure of traveling abroad seems somewhat spoiled, when stays are not downright compromised. . Why not set sail for our great country? Rejuvenating and exotic, while being at a reasonable distance from Quebec, the maritime provinces are able to accept tourists, even at the last minute!

Emmanuelle Mozayan-Verschaeve
special collaboration

It is no longer necessary to register to travel to the three maritime provinces when you come from elsewhere in Canada. Vaccine passports and tests are no longer in effect and masks have fallen off.

“On the contrary, we encourage our Quebec neighbors to come and visit us for their holidays so that they reconnect with the beaches, the salt water baths, the unspoiled nature, the friendly Acadian culture of New Brunswick and that they come to support our festivals and events,” says the New Brunswick Tourist Office, reached by email. Tourism operators are currently receiving a lot of requests, but there is still time to book since there are still a large number of accommodations available.

Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia

The same goes for the Prince Edward Island Tourist Office, whose enthusiasm for discovering the region’s unique, preciously preserved environment, its clear water and its rolling hills is clearly feel at the end of the line. It would seem that there are still many possibilities for accommodating tourists, particularly in campsites, hotels and bed and breakfasts; there is therefore good hope of finding a place, even at the last minute.

There are also no restrictions on traveling to Nova Scotia, which encourages us, however, like public health experts from Canada, to continue safety protocols such as hand washing and physical distancing. as a preventive measure. The tourist market seems to be in turmoil, because the tourist office informs us that accommodation has had strong reservations for the summer, even if it is still possible to find accommodation.

As for Parks Canada, which began accepting camping reservations in mid-January, places are scarce. However, there are still a few pitches during the week and during the shoulder seasons, but it is better to book quickly.

To put you in the bath…

Here are some good plans to fully enjoy your stay in the Maritimes based on your favorite activities.

It is possible to make a road trip in New Brunswick to explore the different regions of the province. Eight getaways are suggested on the Tourism New Brunswick website, including Harvest Valley around the capital, Fredericton, where you will see the longest covered bridge in the world.

If you’re feeling adventurous, opt for the Appalachian Summit tour, where you’ll hike winding mountainside trails, glide over water in a canoe, and camp by the fire in the heart of the most mountainous region. of the province.

The Points East Coastal Drive in Prince Edward Island is lined with more than 50 beaches. Its lighthouses are one of the must-see attractions. More in the center, you will immerse yourself in the history of the house of green gables on the homonymous coast, populated by charming villages.

Second city of the province after the capital Charlottetown, Summerside, judiciously named the city on the sea, has a pretty promenade where it is good to taste the local seafood.

In Nova Scotia, be sure to explore the many trails on Cape Breton Island in the north of the province if you are thirsty for nature and grandiose landscapes. The place is renowned for its spectacular views.

Further south, also explore the Acadian and Yarmouth coasts, so peaceful, but where Anglo-Saxon and Acadian cultures rub shoulders and where the musicians will make you want to dance. After dark, the sky in this region is said to be so dark that the stars shine there like nowhere else.

The Bay of Fundy and the Annapolis Valley are renowned for Mi’kmaq legends and the country’s first settlements, as well as for their tides, the highest in the world.