To see Canada, reader recreated family trip out east

We asked Star readers to tell us about trips they have taken and to share their experience and advice:

Where Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia

When June 2025

Trip rating 5/5

What inspired you to take this trip? The “elbows up” movement inspired us to spend our money in Canada. When our children were eight and 10, we took them as far as New Brunswick and thought it would be a good idea to recreate this trip, extending it to PEI and Nova Scotia.

What was the best sight? Getting to explore new cities with activities, such as an outdoor puzzle hunt around Saint John, an e-bike tour in Halifax, and various Black history sites in Nova Scotia (Viola’s Way, Africville). In addition, we were amazed at Canada’s natural beauty, from the deer in the botanical garden in Fredericton to the waterfall at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency.

What was your favourite activity? We all loved the friendliness of the people we met in the East Coast. Something about Halifax spoke to our souls — the history, the waterfront, the scenery and delicious food. One of our children thought it was the perfect blend between living in Toronto and Vancouver. As a book lover, my daughter particularly enjoyed exploring Cavendish, PEI, through the sites featured in “Anne of Green Gables.”

What was the most delicious thing you ate? Salvatore’s Pizzaiolo Trattoria in Halifax was a highlight for our children. The pizza transported them to Italy. They also loved the thick and creamy tomato soup. My daughter loved eating Cows ice cream. It was particularly surprising to find a Jamaican restaurant in PEI, serving authentic Jamaican food that would rival any Toronto restaurant. For my husband and me, another highlight was sitting on the patio at Matadora Tapas Bar in Halifax, enjoying pan con tomate, a Spanish form of bruschetta, and matrimonio de anchoas, grilled anchovies on sourdough, which was one of our most favourite foods.

What was the most memorable thing you learned? The history in each place. We loved trying all the different local restaurants. One of the things we chose to do on Father’s Day was to look into the past of my husband’s grandfather, a miner in Glace Bay on Cape Breton Island, through a tour of the Miners Museum. While some aspects of the exhibit were heavy, it was important to see our history as a family and as Canadians.

What is one piece of advice you’d give? Planning is key to having a successful trip. Luckily, our home is filled with planners, using Google spreadsheets for hotels, attractions and activities. Start planning early as it could take months, and hotels get booked quickly in peak periods. While we had a lot of individual activities planned, we also allowed room for flexibility and made sure everyone in the family felt they could have something to look forward to on the trip and reminisce about later. We are all about making memories together.

Nadine Brown, Ajax, Ont.

READERS’ CANADA TRIPS?

We’d like to hear from Star readers about places in Canada that they’ve visited recently and would recommend, whether it’s a warm weekend getaway to Blue Mountain, Ont., a winter-wonderland jaunt to Quebec City, or a ski trip to Banff Sunshine Village. If you’ve been, loved it and want to tell us about it, we’d like to hear from you.

Email us with “CANADA TRAVEL TIPS” in the subject line at [email protected].

Please include brief responses to these questions. If your holiday experience is chosen, we’ll be in touch.

1. Where did you go and when was it?

2. Where did you stay?

3. What was a highlight of your trip? Why?

4. Any travel tips?