Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island: With Newfoundland

Pleasures and Pastimes Dining Though there are few really distinct national dishes here, the strong ethnic presence in Canada makes it difficult not to have a good meal. This is especially true in the larger cities, where Greek, Italian, Chinese, Indian, and other immigrants operate restaurants. In addition, each province is well known for various specialties.Seafoodusually heads the menu at restaurants in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. In addition,fiddleheads, curled young fern fronds picked in the spring, often accompany dishes in these maritime provinces. The Great Outdoors Most Canadians live in towns and cities within 200 miles of the American border, but the country does have a splendid backyard to play in. A network of 34 national parks, from Kluane in Yukon to Cape Berton Highlands in Nova Scotia, is backed by dozens of provincial and regional parks. All this wilderness provides abundant opportunities for bicycling, canoeing, hiking, boating, horseback riding, mountain climbing, skiing, white-water sports, and fishing. The Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic provinces are ideal for whale-watching. The chapters in this book and provincial tourism authorities have information on all these activities. BIKING: Eastern Canada offers some of the best bicycling in the country, from the flats of Prince Edward Island to the varied terrain of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Write to the provincial tourist boards for their roadmaps (which are more detailed than the maps available at gas stations) and information on local cycling associations. BOATING: With the Atlantic coastline, major rivers, and smaller lakes, boating is extremely popular throughout Eastern Canada. Boat rentals are widely available and provincial tourism departments can provide lists of sources. CAMPING: Canada's 2,000-plus campgrounds range from simple roadside turnoffs with sweeping mountain vistas to fully equipped facilities with groomed sites, trailer hookups, recreational facilities, and vacation-village atmosphere. Many of the best sites are in Canada's national and provincial parks, with nominal overnight fees. Commercial campgrounds offer more amenities, such as electrical and water hookups, showers, and even game rooms and grocery stores. They cost more and are -- some think -- antithetical to the point of camping: getting a little closer to nature. Contact tourist offices for listings. CANOEING AND KAYAKING: Your degree of expertise and experience will dictate where you canoe. Beginners can try waterways in more settled areas; pros head north to the streams and rivers that flow into the Arctic Ocean. Provincial tourist offices can be of assistance, especially in locating an outfitter to suit your needs. FISHING: Anglers can find their catch in virtually any region of the country, though restrictions, seasons, license requirements, and catch limits vary from province to province. In addition, a special fishing permit is required to fish in all national parks; it can be obtained at any national park site, for a nominal fee.Nova Scotiahas some of the most stringent freshwater restrictions in Canada, but the availability of Atlantic salmon, speckled trout, and striped bass makes the effort worthwhile. Salmon, trout, and black bass are abundant in the waters of New Brunswick, and although many salmon pools in the streams and rivers are leased to private freeholders, either individuals or clubs, fly fishing is still readily available for visitors. The waters surroundingPrince Edward Islandhave some of the best deep-sea tuna fishing. Newfoundland offers cod, mackerel, salmon, and sea trout in the Atlantic and speckled trout and rainbow trout in its fresh waters. HIKING: MilFodor's Travel Publications, Inc. Staff is the author of 'Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island: With Newfoundland' with ISBN 9780679025825 and ISBN 0679025820.