If you like Maine, you’re going to love Nova Scotia. Up in Halifax, you’ll find the coastlines rocky, the seascapes sweeping, and the great outdoors precisely that – great. Hike, kayak, beach comb, and raft a tidal bore. Listen to cool jazz, get tingles up your spine at a military tattoo and marvel at the majesty of the tall ships. That’s just some of what summertime in Canada’s northeastern reaches holds.
July 1 – 8 are the dates for the Royal Nova Scotia International Tatoo, an aggregation of more than 2,000 world-class Canadian and international performers, both military and civilian. The two-and-one-half-hour show is composed of a series of fast-paced scenes, each lasting some three to six minutes. The keening sound of bagpipes sends shivers up the spine as the minutes are metered out with military precision. Highland dancers abound. It’s a show that sticks with you.
You’ll find far less regimented music at the TD Halifax Jazz Festival July 6 – 14. This is Atlantic Canada’s premier music fest, serving up a great selection of jazz, world beat, blues and urban groove. This festival attracts some first-rate international talent, as well as an array of East Coast musicians.
Tall ships sing a song of their own, of taut sailcloth snapping in the wind, and ship’s captains calling out orders. July 19 – 29 a gaggle of historic vessels descend on this slice of Atlantic Canada for Tall Ships Nova Scotia 2012. Board them, touch them and listen to their stories. Afterwards, chow down on just-caught local seafood and find out just how good the local wines really are.
There’s nonstop service this time of year from a slew of U.S. cities to Halifax International Airport. Fly from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
(Image: Itdan)
