New Brunswick
Description: although largely forested, the Saint John River Valley leads to the Bay of Fundy with its cliffs, coves and tidal flats caused by the world’s highest tides. Saint John, the largest city, and Fredericton, the capital, both have strong Loyalist histories. The eastern shore features warm, sandy beaches, while some of the best salmon-fishing rivers anywhere can be found in the interior. The wooded highlands in the north have one of the highest mountain areas in eastern Canada, providing for a variety of adventure activities.
Activities: whale and bird-watching in the Bay of Fundy, salmon fishing, horseback riding, golf, hiking, biking, canoeing.
Attractions: Acadian Historical Village; Fundy Trail Parkway; Hopewell Rocks Ocean Tidal Exploration Site; New Brunswick’s Parks Network; Fredericton’s Old Government House (just reopened); and Saint John’s Kings Square area, New Brunswick Museum and the ‘Reversing Falls’.
Tours: Saint John River; fishing villages; St Martins and the Fundy Trail Parkway; Kingston Peninsula and Funday National Park. Five scenic drives include the River Valley route (426m), Fundy Coast (280m), Arcadian Coast (296m), Miramichi River (113m) and Appalachian Range (137 miles).
Accommodation: range of hotels, exclusive country inns and B&Bs.
Sample product: New Brunswick is featured in a number of self-drive packages from All Canada Travel and Holidays. The 12-day independent Maritime Gourmet itinerary costs from £1,363 and includes 11 nights deluxe accommodation, car and six gourmet meals; flights not included. A six-day tour including New Brunswick is priced from £463, including overnights and a car.
Comment: “Soft adventure product and B&B inns of up to five-star standard are a big draw for visitors, but activities need to be booked before departure because they get quickly sold out in the peak season. We are not sold as a single destination, so we look to the major Canadian wholesalers to push more product to UK operators to gain brand recognition.”
Kim Lacey, project executive, New Brunswick Economic Development, Tourism and Culture.
Contact: Tourism New Brunswick. Tel: 001 506 444 5038.
Internet site: www.gov.nb.ca/tourism