We left on July 1st to travel from Toronto to the Maritimes (excluding Newfoundland) and returned home July 18th. Me, my husband, and three boys spend countless hours sharing accommodations that ranged from our cozy minivan to two-bedroom cabins. Our vehicle traveled over 6000 km, through four provinces, and two states. And, it was the first time we’d visited a part of Canada further east than Quebec City (we stopped there, too, along the way.) Here are some of my observations.
- The beaches are beautiful, but the best ones are in PEI.
- Hotels don’t provide a good cup of coffee and the Maritimes don’t have Tim Hortons at every corner (much less Starbucks!) If you’re a sucker for the good stuff, pack your own coffee maker and beans (or a kettle and quality instant coffee.)
- There is such a thing as McLobster (we didn’t try it, though.)
- One map is never enough. Collect as many as you can along the way.
- When the kids’ electronic toys are banned in the car because of bad behaviour, the parents suffer most.
- Don’t travel out east for the great weather.
- You won’t find a guy named Mac selling seafood out of his van off the highway. In the Maritimes, it actually comes right off the boat.
- There is a lobster season for every province. So, if eating lobster is a goal, find out the season dates and travel accordingly. We missed it in Nova Scotia, but found it in Cape Breton and PEI.
- Sure, Maritimers are friendly, but no friendlier than anyone else in Canada.
- Restaurant food is usually crappier than home made food, and a whole lot pricier – unless you’re ordering fresh seafood in the Maritimes.
- Kids CAN eat hotdogs every day for two weeks and never get sick of it.
- Quebec City really does not celebrate Canada Day! We arrived there on July 1st and were promptly told by the hotel staff that there were no festivities. So much for our Canada shirts.
- The least commercial place on the planet has to be Cape Breton. It’s the best place to embrace the beauty of nature.
- Canada should do everything they can to protect the livelihood of their Maritime fishermen.
- Hotels and resorts never provide cutting boards. Pack a small one on your next road trip.
- Whether you scream in a whisper or a loud voice (at your kids), you still get a sore throat.
- The Maritimes isn’t about enjoying luxury accommodations, it’s about appreciating the luxury of nature.
- Canada is a beautiful country and worth exploring.
