Need Advice on Canadian Travel

[hafox]

In planning stage for trip with kids from Florida to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI.

Have looked all over web for info and found a lot, but there's nothing quite like first-hand knowledge from someone who's been there and I've seen lots of Canadian handles here so...

Anyone have any insider tips or advice on general travel, incoming food restrictions, cool places to see or fun things to do, things/places to avoid, good/bad campgrounds, etc.?

TIA!

Al

[peggi McDonald]

Al: There is so much to see in the Maritimes (Eastern) Provinces.

NB is known as the Picture Province. It has great roads and spectacular scenery. Several places you should not miss are Hillsboro with the tide that is 48 feet high. You walk on the ocean floor at low tide and 6 hours later it is halfway up the giant rocks. It is awesome. Magnetic Hill near Monton is equally awesome. Besides the amusement park, if you park your car in neutral, it will coast UP the hill. Other places worth seeing are the reversing falls in Saint John's and the historic village at Kingslanding near Fredricton. See my photos on www.rvliving.net/gallery Page 8. We stayed at Woodstock facing the hypnotic Saint John's River and St Andrews by the Sea (Photos page 7) is another neat spot.

NS has so many more things to see. The city of Halifax is outstanding steeped in history, and the busy yet peaceful waterfront and beautiful gardens and the historic Citadel and so much more. Take a tour on the "duck" (tour is on water and the harbour as well). Of course you need to see Peggy's Cove, the south shore, Lunnenburg Fishery Museum, Fort Louisburg plus the wonders of Cape Breton Island with the Cabot Trail and Alexander Graham Bell Museum and, and, and.

PEI is the birthplace of Canada. It is a golf utopia and Charlottetown is a dream to walk around, visit the many attractions, have tea with Anne of Green Gables, stay at an incredible provincial park and just tour the Island. Most RVers take the ferry over and the bridge back. There is no cost to enter the Island - only to leave it. The bridge costs less than the ferry does to cross.

All major must-know facts are included in my informative RV Travel to Canada 2006 E-book sold on the RVBookstore but be sure to call the provinces and ask for their travel guides, a map and a camping guide of each one you will be visiting. All provincial websites and phone #s are listed in the E-Book as well as on www.rvliving.net/nalinscont.htm. Campgrounds are plentiful and costs are similar in $$ to parks in the USA - they may be a bit? higher but within reason.

Enjoy the journey as well as the destination. Canada is a beautiful RV friendly country. Come and enjoy the hospitality of your neighbour to the north. Take care P&J
_________________
Peggi & John McDonald
AUTHOR of #1 RV Travel To Canada 2006
#2 RV Packing Tips, RV Life Lessons plus Easy Living Hints - 3 E-Books in One
#3 RV LIVING IN THE 21ST CENTURY - Essential Guide For ALL RVErs (Print book)
Details www.rvliving.net

[hafox]

Peggi,

Thanks for the great info. We're very lucky to have an interest like RVing that has so many enthusiastic members.

Have a great summer!

Al

[Connie and Frank]

Hi, Al and anyone else who is planning to visit the Canadian Maritimes. This is a particularly beautiful area. We are currently camped at Kiwanis Oceanfront Campground in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. (www.kok.ca)
This campground is on the ocean, actually Passamaquoddy Bay, overlooking Grand Manan Island, Campobello Island and the Maine coast.

There are a few surprises in Canada! The most significant one to us is that the dollar is currently weak against the Canadian dollar. The current exchange rate is in the high 80s or low 90s. Gas is currently about 110.9/ liter and we have seen it as high as 115.9. That's Canadian dollars, of course. We are getting a good exchange rate by charging on our VISA. Another thing to consider is the HST or Harmonized Sales Tax, which is 15% on nearly everything. The good news is that non-Canadians can get a rebate of this tax on accommodations, including campgrounds. You get a form at one of the many information centers - look for a large ? on road signs. Make sure the campground personnel note the HST on your receipt. You must have the original receipt to send in, not your credit card receipt. We haven't filled out the form and turned it in as we still have 3 nights to spend in Canada so I don't know how seamless the process will be. Also at the information centers are booklets about each province and smaller ones on the local areas. I found the free province maps better than my trusty AAA maps.

Don't let the cost dissuade you from traveling to Canada though; just be prepared.

We have been in Canada about 3 weeks now and it has been spectacular. The scenery is beautiful and the people are very friendly. We spent 3 weeks on Cape Breton Island at Cheticamp, drove the Cabot Trail, checked out Halifax and Cape Margaret. Peggy's Cove and the shoreline nearby are not to be missed.

Enjoy your trip! We are on the way to Florida from Kittery, Maine, so we may pass you on the road.

Travel safely!
_________________
Connie and Frank

[stormlady]

Not sure if they've been there...but they have 2 pages devoted to Canadian RV travel - this may help:
for some general Canadian RV info
and
popular RV rental locations in Canada

Hope this helps.
_________________
Stormlady
RV Tips and Tricks

[Sbradbry]

Having just returned from a 2-month caravan of all 5 provinces I have one BIG recommendation. If you can possibly arrange your timing to be in Halifax, NS for the Royal International Nova Scotia Tattoo please, by all means do so! We attended on Canada Day, July 1st so I assume its about that same time every year. I have never seen anything of this magnitude and could only assume that it must be like what it feels like to be in the opening or closing night of the Olympics.

[1maleboxer]

It may be hard to believe, but there is a bluegrass festival each weekend someplace in the Maritimes.
We have excellent lobster suppers such as the one at New Glasgow, P.E.I.[sit down] or Fisherman's Wharf, North Rustico, P.E.I. [buffet].
Encourage you to try Maritime mussels in any of the three provinces.
Live quality country music nightly, free to campers at Sun and Shade Campground, Borden, P.E.I.
Recommend that you check the tourism websites at
www.peitourismguide.com
www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca/en-ca/
www.gov.ns.ca/tourism.htm
We trust you will enjoy your visit.