|
Believe it or not, until 1923, Italian motorists could drive on the right-hand side of the road in rural areas, but had to drive on the left in towns and cities. On the road of life, things sometimes seem just as confusing. You may find some help for living here. |
|
|
|
Page 2 of 2
6. Dinosaur Country through the Drumheller Valley in Alberta
Called the dinosaur capitol of the world, Drumheller Valley, in southern Alberta, brings the earth’s past into the present. We can only imagine the tremendous forces that shaped the dramatic Canadian Badlands. Since then, erosion has uncovered the bones of the once-abundant dinosaurs. Enjoy the spectacular scenery and interesting things to do, within easy driving distance of Banff, Calgary or Red Deer. Over 50 attractions are located within a 100 square kilometre (60 square mile) area. The World’s Largest Dinosaur (86 feet tall) is the best place to start your tour of the Drumheller Valley. It’s on North Dinosaur Trail (Hwy 838). The aerial view of the river valley from inside her smile is a definite must-see and the Drumheller Visitor Information Centre is located right beside her giant big toe. There you can pick up maps and get free travel information from the friendly staff. Then just 6 km west of the big dinosaur, you’ll find the Royal Tyrrell Museum, which has more dinosaur skeletons to see than any other attraction in the world. This trip should be a big hit with the kids, whatever their age.
7. Routes des Saveurs (The Flavour Trail) in Charlevoix, Quebec
Located 120 km (72 mi) east of Quebec City, the Charlevoix region has 6,000 sq km (2317 sq mi) to explore. It is a rural area of quaint villages with red-roofed clapboard homes along the shores of the St. Lawrence River. But our interest is the Routes des Saveurs, a 143 km (89 mi.) journey that highlights regional dishes and agricultural products from the abundant fields. The Trail is the result of a cooperative effort between twenty-nine farm producers and restaurant chefs in the region. Signs showing a chef’s hat logo, posted on restaurants and farms, mark the route. If you travel in August, you’ll enjoy wild blueberry season. Visit Le Ferme Eboulemontaise, home to forty-five kinds of sunflowers. Another good stop is to see cheesemaking at the Laiterie Charlevoix. As well, the area includes fish farming (raising Yukon arctic char and speckled trout) and emu farming at the Centre de l’Emeu de Charlevoix. Les Serres Lacoste specializes in hothouse organic tomatoes and at the Fumoir Charlevoix, you’ll find a smokehouse for salmon and other fish. How could you not enjoy a road trip like this?
 8. The Niagara Peninsula Circle Route, Southern Ontario
Call me partial, because this is the area where I was raised. But the land between Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the Niagara River has much more to offer than the world-famous Niagara Falls. Atop the Niagara Escarpment, at Decew, you can tour one of Ontario’s oldest flour mills, Morningstar Mill . Then make a stop at the Canal Centre at Lock 3, where you’ll get the best view of ships using the Welland Canal. And if you would rather bicycle than drive along the River Road, a well-designed parkland path runs the length of the river between Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Falls. See the giant whirlpool, botanical gardens, the hydro-electric power plant, and the floral clock. Stay in charming bed and breakfasts, especially in Niagara-on-the-Lake, home to Fort George and the Shaw Festival. And as you complete the circuit, travelling west on Lakeshore Road, be sure to enjoy St. Catharines’ beautiful lakeside village, Port Dalhousie, where you can ride the antique hand-carved Looff Carousel for 5 cents (that’s right!), located in Lakeside Park. With its flowering gardens and almost endless parks, its delightful orchards and verdant hills, no wonder the region has a thriving tourism industry.
9. The Sunshine Coast on Highway 101, British Columbia
Not far from Vancouver is this region of the southern mainland coast of BC, on the eastern shore of the Strait of Georgia. It can only be reached by land vehicles using a ferry because no access roads have been built from the rest of the province over the precipitous terrain. Highway 101 runs through small-port communities and cottage country. The area has been named correctly. Powell River, for example, registers almost 2,000 hours of annual sunshine. The upper half of the coast is connected with the lower half by a delightful 45-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay. With more than 20 provincial parks, lakes, beaches, and mountains, it’s a great escape from big city life. From Langdale to Lund, you’ll pass through Gibsons (near the BC Ferries terminal), Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Secret Cove and Pender Harbour. At the north end, the ferry to Powell River docks at Earl’s Cove, which is also near Skookumchuck Narrows, where the skookumchuk, the world’s biggest tidal marine rapids, can be seen. The Sunshine Coast also offers some of the best diving on the Pacific Coast.
10. The Bridges of Kings County, New Brunswick
Kings County, in southern New Brunswick, is drained by both the Saint John and Kennebecasis rivers. This provides the opportunity for a network of bridges, on this case, an abundance of covered bridges—sixteen, to be exact. These relics of a bygone era were the best way to preserve wooden spans at that time (80 to 100 years vs. the 15 years if uncovered). You can see many of Kings County’s bridges in just a two-hour drive. Sussex is an ideal base of operations. From here you can take day trips to Magnetic Hill, the Hopewell Rocks, and Fundy National Park . Sussex is just about one hour from Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton. Enjoy everything at your leisure from antique and craft shops to outdoor cafes and even the oldest livestock auction in Atlantic Canada. Visit the Agricultural Museum on Perry Street and the Sussex Museum, Gallery & Tea Room on Maple Avenue. And you won’t want to miss the NB Antique Auto Giant Flea Market in August. These picturesque bridges also provide great photo ops.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 25 March 2010 )
|
© 2010 crosscanadacruisers.com
|
|
