Experience Nova Scotia culture to the fullest when you take a Canada and New England cruise. Of all the places that you visit on your Canada and New England cruise, Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia might just be the most memorable. In addition to gorgeous natural scenery, easygoing attitude and the impressive main port of Sydney, Nova Scotia culture is rich in history, music and cuisine to be explored.
The Celtic music of Cape Breton Island is perhaps what makes this region of Nova Scotia so famous. It's rare to find Celtic influences on this side of the Atlantic, but that's exactly what makes Cape Breton so special. Some people here even speak Gaelic, an increasingly uncommon language. The reason for this is that this part of Nova Scotia was a common landing point for immigrants from Scotland in the 18th and 19th centuries. The culture has not only survived, but thrived. At any point, you're likely to find plenty of Celtic musicians playing at venues all around Sydney.
Celtics aren't the only ones who came to Sydney. The town also has a strong sense of British influence. After the American Revolution, British loyalists fled the new country for the safety of Canada, and many of them found their way to Sydney. Taking a driving tour around the city, you'll be able to hear some of the backstories and see the houses of these people, as well as learn what influences Britain still has on the town today.
If you want to mix in your history with a little natural beauty, then you should definitely head to Bras d'Or Lake. Surrounded by beautiful forests and hills, this expansive body of water is home to hundreds of coves and islands. Booking a sailboat on the lake is definitely a fantastic way to spend the day, but history buffs should stick to the coast. In the nearby town of Baddeck, they'll be able to tour Alexander Graham Bell's summer home, as well as visit a museum dedicated to the famous inventor.
