Trip Advisor's 2012 Traveller's Choice Hotels

February 2, 2012 ~ TripAdvisor have released the winners for the 2012 Traveller's Choice Awards and Nova Scotia is well represented!  

Antigonish Evergreen Inn - #2 of the Top 25 Bargain Hotels in Canada AND #2 for the Top 25 Hotels for Service in Canada

Burton’s Sunset Oasis Motel, Cape Breton - #14 of the Top 25 Bargain Hotels in Canada

Colby House B&B, Sydney - #10 of the Top 25 B&B’s in Canada 

A Seafaring Maiden B&B, Granville Ferry - #15 of the Top 25 B&B’s in Canada

Glenora Distillery Named Whiskey Distillery of the Year

January 24, 2012 ~ Glenora Distillery was named Distillery of the Year at the Annual Canadian Whiskey Awards on January 19, 2012 in Victoria, BC.  This prestigious award saluted the distillery for its dedication to making Canadian single malt whiskey over the last 20 years.  

Each year the Canadian Whisky Awards recognize the very best Canadian whiskies and encourage distillers to maintain the highest standards for making whisky. To be eligible to compete, whiskies must be distilled and matured in Canada. An independent panel of whisky writers, bloggers, and journalists selects the winners after blind tasting each whisky. Operated on a not-for-profit basis, the Canadian Whisky Awards are fully independent of the Canadian whisky industry. Read more ...  

L’Acadie Vineyards’ 2007 Prestige Brut brings home Silver Medal in prestigious international competition

December 5, 2011 ~ Corks were popping in Nova Scotia when L’Acadie Vineyards heard the news that their pride and joy Prestige Brut was the only entry from North America to win a medal in the 9th international competition of the world’s best sparkling wines.  Effervescents du Monde® was held from November 16 to 18 at the Lycée Le Castel Culinary School in Dijon, France. More than 550 sparkling wines from twenty four countries were evaluated by a panel of 100 judges. This international acclaim for L’Acadie Vineyards’ 2007 Prestige Brut adds to the glowing reviews and a total of seven awards, which include a Gold Medal and Top Scoring Sparkling at the 2010 Canadian Wine Awards.  Read more ...

Taste of Nova Scotia Prestige Awards Honour Culinary Excellence and Innovation

November 29, 2011 - The Taste of Nova Scotia Prestige Awards is a celebration of excellence to honour producers and restaurants that provide exceptional culinary products and experiences. The 2011 Awards were presented in the following categories:

Innovative Product of the Year:  Lavender Syrup, Sledding Hill, Bear River
Restaurant of the Year – Chef Inspired Fine Dining: Fleur de Sel, Lunenburg
Restaurant of the Year – Chef Inspired Casual Dining:  Charlotte Lane Café, Shelburne
Restaurant of the Year – Essence of Nova Scotia:  The Red Shoe Pub, Mabou
Producer of the Year:  Meadowbrook Meat Market, Berwick
Server of the Year:  Simone Mombourquette, Trattoria della Nonna, Lunenburg
Consumer Choice Product of the Year:  Pumpkin Muffins, Schoolhouse Gluten-Free Gourmet, Mahone Bay
Gary MacDonald Culinary Ambassador of the Year :  Chef Alain Bossé

Lonely Planet:  Maritimes Ranked in Top Ten Regions to Visit in the World in 2012

November 3, 2011 ~ Canada has only one mention on this year's Lonely Planet top 10 countries, regions and cities to visit in 2012.  The Maritime provinces - Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island - ranked No. 7 on the list of best regions for tourists to visit next year. The Maritimes, say Lonely Planet, "have always exuded the quintessential briny vibe of clapboard fishing villages, clifftop lighthouses and townhall lobster suppers.  But there's new action brewing. From distilleries popping up that turn PEI potatoes into silky vodka to organic farm wineries that crush Nova Scotia grapes into sweet vino, gastronomes are drinking up the rustic region. Stir in the wharfside oyster cafes, mushroom foraging tours and farmstead cheese-making classes, and you have a scene of plenty between sips, too. The tide is pulling especially strongly in 2012, when the Maritimes mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster." Read more ... 

National Acclaim for Celtic Colours International Festival

October 25, 2011 ~ In the midst of its fifteenth successful annual event, the Celtic Colours International Festival received honours from two national sources. The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) has recognized the Celtic Colours International Festival by designating it as one of the Signature Experiences Collection®(SEC)—an innovative marketing program with the goal of inspiring more high-spending international travelers to book their next vacation in Canada. The SEC, first launched in July, showcases high-quality Canadian tourism enterprises from coast to coast to coast that deliver the authentic experiences CTC research says its international customers look for when they choose a vacation. As ambassadors of Canada's tourism brand, "Canada. Keep Exploring", these memorable experiences have met rigorous criteria to ensure they will stand out in a crowded and competitive marketplace.

And Celtic Colours certainly does stand out in the marketplace. For the second consecutive year, the nine-day cultural celebration has been recognized as a finalist for the Canadian Tourism Awards in the National Cultural Tourism category. The Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by The Toronto Star, allow Canada’s tourism industry to recognize those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer a superior tourism experience to travelers in Canada. Selected by a jury of tourism industry professionals, the awards will be handed out November 24, 2011 at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.

Cape Breton Recognized as one of the "50 Rides of a Lifetime" by Bicycling Magazine

September 29, 2011 ~ Bicycling Magazine asked readers and staff to name their all-time favorite places to pedal. The result (in no particular order) were classic destinations, must-do events, and two-wheeled adventures that should be on every cyclist's bucket list.  "Traverse the rocky coastline of Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island" was listed #6.  Read more ... 

Le Caveau Recognized as one of the World's Best Winery Restaurants

August 19, 2011 ~ Le Caveau Restaurant at Domaine de Grand Pre has been recognized as one of the top 20 "World’s Best Winery Restaurants" as recognized by Canada's Premier wine magazine "Wine Access". As indicated in the article “Domaine de Grand Pré, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2010, is located at the historical site of the first modern Nova Scotian winery, just outside of Wolfville. The Swiss-born Stutz family added beautiful landscaping, modern wine equipment, a gift shop, and Le Caveau, a fabulous restaurant overlooking the vineyards and the Bay of Fundy, with a gorgeous pergola complete with stone pillars. Chef Jason Lynch does excellent work here, with a focus on local products, always suiting the crisp, European-style wines fashioned by Jürg Stutz. Specialties include buttered Moroccan chicken and house-made L'Acadie vine-smoked salmon”. Congrats to the Stutz Family and the entire team on Domaine de Grand Pre for this well-deserved recognition!

Read the full article http://www.wineaccess.ca/articles/item/the-world039s-best-winery-restaurants
 

Nova Scotia Wines Take Home 26 Awards at 2011 All Canadian Wine Championships

July 20, 2011 ~ Nova Scotia wineries received 26 awards, including four Double Gold medals, at the annual All Canadian Wine Championships in Windsor, Ontario this year.
“I’m particularly delighted with our awards, especially our Double Golds, at this last competition,” says Hans Christian Jost, owner of Jost Vineyards. “With the spectacular growing season we had last year, we were expecting great things from the 2010 harvest…these awards are confirmation of that.”
This year’s All Canadian Wine Competition received entries from 182 wineries. The following Nova Scotia wineries won awards:

Jost Vineyards
Double Gold - 2010 Tidal Bay
Double Gold - 2010 Valley Roads L’Acadie Gris
Double Gold - 2009 Marechal Foch
Gold – 2010 Coté St. George L’Acadie Blanc
Gold – 2010 Valley Roads Leon Millot Baco Noir
Gold – NV Maple Wine
Silver – 2010 L’Acadie Pinot Grigio
Silver – NV Kellermeister
Silver – 2010 Petite Milo
Bronze – 2009 Coté St. George Foch

Gaspereau Vineyards
Double Gold - 2008 Lucie Kuhlmann Barrel Select
Gold – 2010 Seyval Blanc
Gold – 2009 Triomphe D’Alsace
Gold – NV Vitis
Silver – 2010 L’Acadie Blanc
Silver – 2008 Lucie Kuhlmann
Bronze – 2010 Tidal Bay

Domaine de Grand Pré
Silver – 2010 Ortega
Silver – NV Stutz Hard Apple Cider
Bronze – 2010 Vidal Icewine
Bronze – 2010 Tidal Bay
Bronze – 2010 Muscat

Annapolis Highland Vineyards
Silver – 2010 Highland Beauty
Bronze – 2010 DeChaunac

L’Acadie Vineyards,
Gold – 2009 Innovation Series Red

Blomidon Estate Winery
Bronze – 2009 L’Acadie Blanc 
 

Travel mag names Cape Breton top island in Canada, continental U.S.

July 8, 2011 ~ A travel magazine has named Cape Breton the No. 1 island destination in Canada and the continental United States.  The win in Travel and Leisure magazine’s 2011 World’s Best Awards was determined by reader votes.  Cape Breton beat out Vancouver Island and Nantucket to win the top honour for the third time.  The East Coast destination also came in at No. 3 on the list of Top 10 islands in the world.  Islands are rated based on natural attractions, activities and sights, restaurants and food, people, and value. The complete 2011 results can be found at www.travelandleisure.com.  It will also be the cover story of the August issue of the magazine.

Bras d'Or Lake now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

June 30, 2011 ~ Canada welcomes its 16th Biosphere Reserve, as Bras d’Or Lake, Nova Scotia, is designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Biosphere Reserves are living laboratories of sustainable development, where local communities choose to take the challenge to protect biodiversity while fostering economic and social development. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves now numbers 580 sites in 114 countries.  This new Biosphere Reserve includes the complete watershed of Bras d’Or Lake, a salt-water estuary that constitutes a true inland sea. This estuary has unique oceanographic and biological characteristics as it contains both species typical of Arctic waters and of warm subtropical oceans, living within a few hundred meters of one another. UNESCO’s designation of this site is the result of a highly collaborative process that started in 2005, involving First Nation representatives, provincial and federal government agencies, academics, and the nearly 14 000 citizens of the region. This process led to the development of a comprehensive management plan for the lake, to the creation of new jobs and encouraging business opportunities, while respecting the principles of sustainable development. To learn more about Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve, please consult: www.blbra.ca

Canadian Institute of Planners Announce Winners of Great Places in Canada:  Great Neighbourhoods 2nd Place - The Hydrostone, Halifax

May 16, 2011 ~ The Great Places in Canada Contest encouraged people to nominate and vote for the place they love most. In the "Great Neighbourhoods" category, The Hydrostone received 2nd place.  The factors taken into consideration include the promotion of social and economic activities, memorable or unique character and architecture, accessibility, sustainability and connection to local culture, history and landscape. The Hydrostone was nominated for a number of reasons such as the Market, which provides a quaint mix of boutiques, shops, and eateries. The market also contains an adjacent park, known as the Young Street Commercial Common, which is triangular in shape and provides a welcome break from the grid pattern prevalent throughout the Halifax peninsula.  Learn more ... 

Reader's Digest 10 Amazing Canadian Hikes:  Cape Breton Highlands National Park

May 13, 2011 ~ The arrival of spring’s warm weather is a great time to hit the trails. Hiking is not only a good way to enjoy some breathtaking wilderness areas, but it’s good exercise too. Among the abundance of footpaths in Canada, Reader's Digest picked the country's 10 best hikes and Cape Breton Highlands National Park made the list.  Created in 1936, Cape Breton Highlands National Park is 950 square kilometres in size which protects about 20 percent of northern Cape Breton. The park is home to numerous rare or threatened species as well as old growth forest. You can enjoy this special place by hiking any of the 25 trails which vary from easy to challenging and from 0.2 to 15.7 kilometres in length.

Nova Scotia Wines Win Gold

May 10, 2011 ~ The warm summer of 2010 has helped Jost Vineyards in Malagash, NS and Gaspereau Vineyards, just outside Wolfville, NS win Gold at the Tasters Guild International Wine Competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  The 2010 Valley Roads L’Acadie Gris made by Jost Vineyards was one of the big winners at the competition being one of only a few wines winning a Double Gold while Gaspereau Vineyards' Gaspereau 2010 Rosé also won a Gold Medal at the competition. Learn more ...

Trip Advisor's 2011 Traveller's Choice Destination Awards

May 5, 2011 ~ TripAdvisor have released the winners for the 2011 Traveller's Choice Destination Awards and Nova Scotia is well represented!  

• Top 25 Canada Destinations - Halifax #9
• Top 10 Bargain Hotels in Canada - Antigonish Evergreen Inn #3
• Top 10 B&B's and Inns in Canada - Hillsdale House, Annapolis Royal #5
• Top 10 Luxury Hotels in Canada - Prince George Hotel, Halifax #6
• Top 10 Hotels for Service in Canada - Antigonish Evergree Inn #9

Tideview Cider Wins Gold at International Cider Competition

May 2, 2011 ~ Tideview Cider won four medals at the Great Lakes Cider and Perry Competition held in Grand Rapids, Michigan in April. This competition is the largest of its kind in North America and the second largest in the English-speaking world. The big winner was Tideview Heritage Dry Cider 2007, available at the NSLC provincially, also at private wine stores in metro Halifax. This classic dry cider was honoured with both a gold medal for Best North American Style Cider and an honourable mention for Best of Show. Learn more ...

World's Best Cycling Routes According to Lonely Planet

April 26, 2011 ~ There’s no better way to explore a place than by bike. May is National Bike Month in the US, and so the folks at Lonely Planet are celebrating by honouring their favorite two-wheeled travel companion with their picks for the top 10 trips around the world that should be on every cyclist’s wish list.  Ranking #9 on thier list is Cape Breton Island, Canada:  "This justifiably renowned cycling route is best-known for the scenery – breathtaking rocky coastlines, the crystal clear Bras d’Or inland sea and the soaring ridges of the Cape Breton Highlands – especially in their autumn colours. But adventure-seekers will also be satisfied as gently rolling hills become invigorating mountains with some tough climbs and heart-thumping descents. Combined with local wildlife (such as beavers, moose and deer), quaint fishing villages, an intriguing Gaelic culture grown from French-Scottish roots and plenty of fresh ocean breezes, Cape Breton is the whole package.  The Celtic Colours roving music festival makes October a superb time to visit."  Click here to see who else made the cut! 

Nova Scotia Tourism Earns IFWTWA Award of Excellence in Destination Marketing

 
March 16, 2011 ~ The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association's (IFWTWA) Excellence Awards program recognizes the world's finest travel and tourism industry professionals as experienced by the organization's journalist members. Pamela Wamback of Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage earned IFWTWA's Award of Excellence in Destination Marketing for her exemplary work in promoting the diverse aspects of the destination she represents.  Learn more ...  

Cabot Trail #1 with Harley-Davidson Owners

August 2010 ~ The Cabot Trail was voted Best Famous Road in the World in a contest held  by HOG (Harley-Davidson Owners Group) Magazine. Wendy and Harold Nesbitt helped the magazine with a feature on the Trail in the August issue (page 14) that included the announcement, a write-up and photographs. Over 1,000 votes were received and the Cabot Trail was chosen by 97 per cent of members. 

Wine Spectator awarded the Westin Nova Scotian’s in-house restaurant, Elements, with the 2010 Award of Excellence. 

July 26, 2010 ~ Halifax’s Elements Restaurant is home to a diverse team of chefs, managers, and wine aficionados offering food and drink for a valuable Halifax restaurant experience. Executive Chef Raj Gupta originates from India and has worked in 11 countries throughout his career. His team has been working diligently to have this diversity reflect onto their wine list. This year, their work was recognized. Wine Spectator acknowledges restaurants whose wine lists are innovative, appeal to wine enthusiasts, and are paired appropriately with their region and cuisine. The selections must be interesting and satisfy a broad range of wine preferences. This June, Wine Spectator awarded Elements Restaurant with an award of Excellence. Learn more ...

Stonehame Lodge & Chalets Receives Coveted Fodor's Choice "Best of the Best" Award

June 29, 2010 ~ Stonehame Lodge and Chalets located in Scotsburn, Pictou County, Nova Scotia has been recognized by Fodor’s Travel, the foremost name in travel publishing, as a 2010 Fodor’s Choice selection. This distinction represents a remarkable achievement and recognizes Stonehame as a leader in its field for service, quality, and value in the 2010 year.  Learn more ...