The Eastern Part of Canada Offers Some Equally Beautiful Drives

A trip to Eastern Canada offers more picturesque ‘Gems’ for RVers. As my last post to this Blog, I’ll highlight the awesome beauty we found on a recent trip to the Maritimes (Canada’s Eastern Provinces). These scenic wonders take on such a unique laid-back down-home flavour. Whale Watching is a popular sport throughout the Maritimes. This picture was taken on our tour.

We had put off a trip to Newfoundland for several years because we felt the ferry costs were too high. However, when we realized the price was similar to the cost of gas or fuel we would have used if we drove non-stop for the time that we were on the ferry (short or long route), our tour of the ‘Rock’ was on. To see the complex wonders of our Newfoundland trip, take a look at our numerous pictures (more ‘pics’ of all eastern Canada are on page 6. ‘Best if viewed as a slideshow’.)

The ‘Doers and Dreamers Visitors Guide of Nova Scotia’ features 11 self-touring drives throughout the province. Besides visiting impressive Halifax there are numerous spectacular ‘driving trails’ in this unique province that snake along the coast. Stops at attractions and one-of-a-kind treasures such as those along the Cabot Trail, or Peggy’s Cove, or Grand Pré - home of the Acadians, or Fort Louisburg (a UNESCO site) are just a few of the hundreds that are waiting. Scenes like these boats at low tide add interest to your exploration by vehicle.

Prince Edward Island is a the quaint long narrow island that is loaded with bike trails, abundant golf courses, awesome provincial parks and red clay everywhere. All roads criss-cross the island from magnificent beaches to sites to see. PEI is the birthplace of Canada and it overflows with easy to understand history presentations such as a creative 'sound and light show' in Charlottetown that explains how ‘Confederation’ began. Of course the Island is home to Anne of Green Gables folklore.

TIP: You only pay to leave the island and travelling by the longest bridge costs less than the ferry. Many RVers take the ferry over and the bridge back.

New Brunswick gets the name of the ‘picture province’ honestly. Their abundance of all new four-lane roads makes travel a dream. Northern terrain offers mountainous scenery and the rolling farmlands in the south are almost hypnotic. Laid back riverfront campgrounds and interesting villages, many in walking distances from where you set up camp, are only a few of the highlights. New Brunswick is also home to Kingsbrea Perennial Garden and the awesome 48-60 foot Bay of Fundy tides.

Quebec’s 400 year old history and European flavour exude from every corner of this province. One of the most impressive routes we have driven anywhere is along Highway 132 en route to the Gaspé. The azure blue St Lawrence on one side and picture perfect houses that proudly show off their incredible gardens on the other is a feast for the senses. In both the villages and the cities, distinctive French style architecture, narrow streets, old world charm and awesome scenery abound. This is a place every RVer should visit at least once – being able to speak French is not a must – someone nearby can usually help English-speaking visitors in all situations. Don't forget to visit a local bake shop for spectacular treats for the eyes as well as taste buds.

In a word, wherever you go in Canada, spectacular sites will be waiting around every bend. But expect to find a lot of unpopulated scenic space between the communities. It is advisable to tour a small section, or a province or two at a time. This country is simply too vast to see it coast to coast in one trip. Wherever you go, with a little planning your RV getaway will become one of your most memorable. Travel safe and please stop by RV Living.net for a visit. It has been great chatting with you over the past months. Peggi.