Connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, the peninsula of Nova Scotia is fringed by water; Cape Breton Island to the north is linked by a causeway. The sea is a way of life on this southeastern Canadian province and water activities trump all outdoor adventures.

Comb sandy beaches, raft a tidal bore, or go dolphin and whale watching, fishing, canoe paddling through kelp beds and kayaking past towering coastal cliffs. Nova Scotia’s seafaring history is documented at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in provincial capital Halifax and the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenberg, a quaint German ship-building settlement dating from 1753.

The destination also has a strong Scottish influence. Attend the Halifax Highland Games and Scottish Festival or the Celtic Colors International Festival. The province hosts 700 annual festivals and events and local fresh seafood always plays a major role. Come during fall harvest to take in the foliage and stomp grapes at a vineyard.

Drive along the interconnecting scenic routes, including the dramatic Cabot Trail through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Lighthouse Route, Evangeline Trail past orchards and the beachside Sunrise Trail. Halifax, the commercial and maritime center for all of Atlantic Canada, is perched on the second-largest natural harbor in the world and is a major military port.

Visit Halifax’s historic waterfront and the Citadel, a granite fortress built in 1749 known for its kilted regiment and changing of the guard. Halifax has hundreds of eateries and pubs showcasing Scottish bagpipe music, museums, art galleries, shopping and theater. Drive to Peggy’s Cove, with its picturesque, rugged coastal scenery and lighthouse.