Halifax, Nova Scotia: Canada’s Low-cost Travel Destination
While the vast majority of American travelers will spend their summer vacations in crowded and over-priced Florida, the Caribbean, Europe or in swanky (and pricey) resort towns on the East or West Coasts, many savvy travelers will head in an unlikely direction: north. Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, Canada’s second smallest province, is only a two-hour flight from New York or Boston, but it seems a world away. With pleasingly low prices, a rich maritime feel and big city amenities in a small town atmosphere, the city has a lot to offer travelers.
With a 7-day advanced purchase, round-trip flights to Halifax are available from $365 flying out of New York (www.expedia.com). Booking far in advance and bundling airfare with hotel stays and rental car reservations will save you even more. Portland, Maine, the nearest ferry crossing to Nova Scotia, is only a 1.5-hour drive from Boston. After making the international crossing, it’s a four=hour drive from the dock in the town of Yarmouth to Halifax.
Once you arrive in Halifax, your costs will be minimal. Delicious meals can be had for $7 and a bottle of good local wine will set you back as little as $5. In taverns patronized by the local Haligonians, such as The Old Triangle, whose slogan is “food for the body, drink for the spirit and music for the soul,” sizeable entrees average $5 to $8.
Rub elbows with locals, tourists and seafarers from as far away as Norway and Japan om Halifax’s pub district. The Salty Crow, a popular fixture with live entertainment and a wide selection of beers on tap (don’t forget to sample Keith’s India Pale Ale, a homegrown brew), is hailed by many as the best pub in town. As in New England, you’ll have your fill of locally-caught lobster and creamy chowders-all at a fraction of the cost. Planked salmon, Acadian rappie pie and oatcakes are also local favorites.
The posh Waverly Inn in downtown Halifax has rooms starting at $110 in the high season, but with an unbelievable number of charming historic B&Bs to choose from in the $50-$75 range, who needs posh?
Outside the city, seemingly never ending stretches of Atlantic coastline and lush countryside provide for the opportunity to enjoy virtually every type of outdoor recreation imaginable. To explore your options, go to Adventure Nova Scotia (www.adventurenovascotia.com).
With the click of a mouse (www.novascotia.com) or a phone call (800-565-0000), the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage will happily send you a huge free vacation planner appropriately called the Doers’ & Dreamers’ Guide. This 475-page guidebook contains a plethora of information about Nova Scotia, from tourist attractions and accommodations to restaurants and maps.
Some American and European tourists enjoy their trip and the prices so much, they become seasonal or full-time residents, buying low-cost land to build on or purchasing vacation homes for a song.
*All prices in US dollars.
