 | Nova Scotia's seaside towns are worth the road trip | | | With the temperatures predicted to climb to 111°F (44°C) here at my home in Arizona (it’s a dry heat, she says as she melts), it has taken all of my willpower while writing this newsletter about a road trip to Nova Scotia not to book the first flight I can find. It’s the perfect time of year to head to this Best in Travel selection and there’s no better way to see its stunning sights and feel the sea breeze of this coastal region of Canada than getting in a car and driving between all of its most charming spots. Dean Petty moved to Nova Scotia for university 18 years ago and immediately felt it was home. He guided our video team to the best spots to see during a road trip of the region, so if you can't make the trip yourself, be sure to watch the video to go along for the ride without leaving your home. After a surfing career, Dean is now a small business owner with a collection of places that include a coffee roaster and a few pizza shops. I caught up with him to get more of his thoughts on traveling to Nova Scotia and how the recent (but now contained) wildfires have impacted his community. | | | Nova Scotia’s gorgeous coastlines are worth slowing down to savor. Here are some of the highlights you shouldn’t miss along the way. | | | | | Grab a bike and head to the Salt Marsh Trail in Cow Bay – this flat and cruisy gravel trail has a lot of nature to enjoy. Get coffee and breakfast at Dean’s cafe: Two if by Sea. | | | | | Check out Pro Skates Halifax, one of the oldest skate shops in North America. This spot is an institution of shred. Need a haircut? Head out back and see Joel at Oddfellows. | | | | | Explore the Annapolis Valley. You'll find family-run farmers markets, antiques and a completely different microclimate. Thanks to high tides, the Valley also has pristine sloped tidal banks perfect for mud sliding. | | | | | If the image of a lighthouse comes to mind when you think of Nova Scotia, it’s the one at Peggy’s Cove. Explore this and the other beautiful, perfect seaside towns of the South Shore. | | | | | Head to Lunenburg, a Unesco World Heritage Site, to see the vibrant fishing village that shows up on Nova Scotia postcards. Tip: Hop on a boat with Walter Flower to see cool sea life and get a perfect photo of Lunenburg. | | | | | The beauty of Nova Scotia can’t be confined to one town. The best way to experience the picture-perfect communities that dot its shores is on a journey between seaside villages. | | | I caught up with Dean to see what life has been like since the announcement of Best in Travel 2023 – and get more of his tips for planning your journey. | | | First of all, I know the wildfires are now contained and Tourism Nova Scotia expects to see summer visitors, but how have the wildfires impacted your community? | Luckily where I live was unaffected by the fires. But my heart goes out to everyone who lost their homes or businesses in the fires. It was a harsh reminder of how delicate our place here on this planet is. Luckily we have had lots of rain as of late, which will hopefully allow us to have a safe forest-fire-free summer. | | | What’s been the reaction to the news about Nova Scotia making the list for Best in Travel? | There is always a sense of pride when you see your home makes a list like this. It's been really fun to run into people and hear them say how excited they were about it! I have also connected with lots of people who have maybe been thinking about coming here and this little vignette of what Nova Scotia has to offer (the mud-sliding was obviously the biggest draw) sealed the deal on making their next travel plan. | | | What was it like for you to see the video unveiled? | Well, that's always a mixed bag of emotions, isn't it? Seeing yourself and hearing your voice come through the speakers of whatever it's playing on. The classic "do I really sound like that?!" But all in all, I felt a great sense of pride to be able to help showcase the place I love the most on this planet, and am lucky enough to call home. I really love it here! | | | | | “I felt a great sense of pride to be able to help showcase the place I love the most on this planet.” — Dean Petty | | | You took us to so many wonderful spots. Which is your favorite? | Being a surfer, the Nova Scotian coastline is obviously nearest and dearest to my heart. I start to dry out when I'm away from the salt water. I think pound for pound in embracing all things Nova Scotia, Lunenburg kind of takes the cake. It represents so perfectly what Nova Scotia is all about. A vibrant, beautiful old fishing community with yummy food, amazing people and views that will make your iPhone want to jump out of your pocket. | | | If you had a playlist for a road trip through Nova Scotia, what are the top three songs you’d have on it? | Bruce Springsteen – "I'm on Fire"
Whitney Houston – "I Wanna Dance with Somebody"
Tyler Childers – "Shake the Frost (live)" | | | Beyond your own shops and the others in the itinerary, what are your other best restaurant recs? | A (not-so) short list: The Narrows, Field guide, Chkn Chop, Johns Lunch, The Knot, Periwinkle Café in Cape Breton, Doraku sushi, the lunch counter at Pete's Frootique, Dear Friend bar, Humble Pie, Pho Hung Ming and Side Hustle. | | | | | PSSST! As a thank you to our loyal newsletter subscribers, we're giving you 20% off your next purchase. Use the code BOOKSEMAIL20 and start building your personal Lonely Planet library.* | *Valid through 8/31/2023 & one-time use only | | |  | Love travel inspiration in your inbox? | | | Share with a fellow travel lover by forwarding to a friend. Did someone share this email with you? Subscribe by clicking here. | | | This email was sent to you by: | Lonely Planet Publications Ltd. | 1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707 | | | |
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