Welcome to the first edition of Nova Scotia's Trade Talk, a quarterly newsletter providing information to the Travel Trade on what's happening in Nova Scotia. Contact a member of our Sales Team for further information and don't forget to check out our "New Discoveries" on www.novascotia.com/traveltrade for more of what's new in Nova Scotia, Canada's Seacoast.
Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador, Bluenose II, is offering public cruises in Halifax and Lunenburg this summer. Maximum number of passengers is 75 with 40 available by reservation. For further information and full sailing schedule, visit http://schoonerbluenose2.ca
For the most comprehensivecollection of Nova Scotia historical evidence anywhere, visit www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm. Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management is one of Canada's oldest archival institutions and has recorded information of provincial significance created or accumulated by government and the private sector over the last 300 years. Search through online databases, do genealogical research or visit virtual exhibits such as Brigs & Barques: Images and Artworks from the Golden Age of Sail.
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One of Nova Scotia's best known icons, Peggy's Cove, is undergoing some changes to enhance the visitor experience. Enhancements include: a new interpretive program - interpretation of the natural and cultural history of Peggy's Cove through materials such as interpretive panels, signage and brochures. New infrastructure development includes picnic areas, benches, walking paths, information services, etc. Expansion of the visitor information centre will provide better visitor counseling and orientation to the Village and expansion of the existing parking lot will provide additional parking including a redesign to provide a turnaround for larger vehicles such as motorcoaches and RV's. Implementation of the enhancements has already begun with completion of all elements of the project scheduled for spring 2006.
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In Nova Scotia, you'll find something to suit your every taste and whim - from seafood chowder overflowing with shrimp, lobster and scallops to world class vintages. Explore Nova Scotia's wine regions, with Valley Wine Tours www.valleywinetours.ca who offer Sommelier guided daily tours to Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley wine region and Epicurean Adventure Tours who offer "behind the scenes" culinary adventures, wine tastings, farm visits and fine dining experiences throughout Nova Scotia.
Zoom Airlines now has year-round weekly direct service from London Gatwick to Halifax. London departures will operate on Fridays from May 6 - December 9; Sundays from December 18 - April 30, 2006. Also new for Zoom is weekly direct service from Belfast to Halifax with departures on Wednesdays from June 22 - October 26. www.flyzoom.com
VIA Rail Canada's "The Ocean" rail service between Montreal and Halifax has introduced a learning travel product to provide leisure travelers with an authentic educational tour on rails of Atlantic Canada. Passengers in the new "Easterly Class" are treated to a fun educational experience including geographical interpretation, music, authentic Atlantic Canada cuisine and more. www.viarail.ca
The CAT, Bay Ferries' high speed ferry from Bar Harbour, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia has enhanced their 2005 service by providing two daily crossings for the summer season. www.catferry.com
Check out Atlantic Canada's most complete source for air travel at www.flyhalifax.com with 21 airlines flying to over 30 direct destinations!
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The Halifax area will soon be home to two new properties, the 113-room Quality Inn & Suites is scheduled to open this summer on Parkland Drive in Halifax. Construction is also underway on the 145-unit Hilton Garden Centre in Aerotech Park, near the Halifax International Airport which is tentatively set to open in winter/spring 2006.
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St. John's Anglican Church in Lunenburg triumphantly reopened its doors on June 12th following a multi-million dollar restoration. In November 2001, fire destroyed more than 50 per cent of the historic landmark. St. John's, the second oldest Protestant church in Canada, stood proudly as a spiritual and architectural anchor in the heart of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lunenburg. Designed in 1754, St. John's Anglican Church is a Provincial Heritage Property, a National Historic Site, and in 2004, was the first Canadian site to be listed on the World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites. Through painstaking preservation and restoration parishioners and visitors can once again celebrate this magnificent landmark. Check out St. John's restoration website for further information and tour times at www.stjohnsrestoration.com
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One of the world's premier cultural and entertainment spectaculars, The Nova Scotia International Tattoo takes place in Halifax from July 1-9, 2006. Held annually in the first week of July, this event features pipes and drums, dancers, choirs, military displays and more by over 2000 first-class Canadian, international and military performers. www.nstattoo.ca
The Changing of the Guard is a series of events taking place in 2006 to commemorate the military heritage of Halifax and Nova Scotia. It will mark the 100th anniversary of the departure of the last British military forces from North America and will be the largest historical re-enactment event in Canada in 2006 with performers from all over North America and Europe. The culminating event is a historical military encampment and re-enactments that will take place in downtown Halifax from July 18-25, 2006. www.changingoftheguard.ca
Celtic Colours International Festival takes place all across Cape Breton Island from October 6-14, 2006. Over 250 musicians, dancers, singers and storytellers will perform at venues throughout the island. www.celtic-colours.com
The Fortress of Louisbourg Public Archaeology Program will take place again in 2006. In 2005, this professionally supervised excavation of the 18th century historic site takes place of over five days, six nights in August with excavation within the reconstructed Fortress of Louisbourg townsite. This program includes training, supervision, daily historical presentations, excavation, accommodation, breakfast, lunch and transportation daily to the site. For further information and registration deadline visit
http://fortressoflouisbourg.ca/ArchaeologyE
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- North America's Oldest Farmer's Market is the Halifax Farmer's Market which is held every Saturday at the Keith's Brewery Building. Over 100 vendors offer an endless variety of special products and crafts from the fields, waters, kitchens and workshops of Nova Scotia. www.halifaxfarmersmarket.com
- North America's Oldest Salt Water Ferry Service runs between Halifax and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. A return trip is $4.00. www.halifax.ca/metrotransit
- Nova Scotia has the largest number of lights in Canada, and also some of the oldest, with Sambro being the oldest operating lighthouse in North America. Many of these are open to the public and several have picnic areas. For further information, visit the official website of the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society at www.nslps.com
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Please tell us what you think. Send your comments on this newsletter to gov.ns.ca