Are you looking to get the full story on one of the world’s fastest ships? Maybe get a closer look at what’s hot and happening in Atlantic Canada. Perhaps you’d even like to get the inside scoop on how to successfully cook a Nova Scotia lobster dinner. If we’ve captured your interest and you’d like to do a little investigating, look no further than the CAT Ferry Video Room. Get a bag of popcorn ready because with over 50 online videos, you’ll be making a movie date with the CAT Ferry. Read More »
Discover the finer things in life in the valley
Posted by Your Friends at The CAT on August 3rd, 2009
Without a doubt, Annapolis Valley is the agricultural wonderland of Nova Scotia. It’s also been described as the “bread basket” of the province. Taking into consideration lands full of local fresh produce, vineyards and orchards, it’s easy to understand this reference. In some ways, the Valley is the opposite of Halifax, where the city offers a fast paced sort of vacation. Escape for a day to the Annapolis Valley and become reacquainted with the simpler things in life; apple picking, strolling through acres of lush vineyards, take a breath of fresh air. You’ll also need a great set of lungs because this place will leave you absolutely breathless. Read More »
Marriott Me WOW!
Posted by Your Friends at The CAT on August 1st, 2009
If the CAT were to pull up onto land when it arrives in Portland it would be at the front entrance to the recently opened Residence Inn Marriott in Downtown Portland. It’s that close to the Ocean Gateway Terminal! Escape to Portland, Maine with the Marriott ME. WOW package from $199*ppdo.
Fishing for Acadian heritage in Yarmouth
Posted by Your Friends at The CAT on July 24th, 2009
You’ve just gotten off the ride of your life aboard the CAT Ferry. See? We weren’t yanking your chain when we said it would be 40 knots of fast, convenient travel. Let the maritime adventures begin! Before continuing your journey to the urban jungle of Halifax, NS or the red cliffs of Prince Edward Island, stick around for a day or two to enjoy the beautiful community of Yarmouth and Acadian Shores. From church steeples rising out the horizon to Acadian spirits soaring above and beyond, discover Yarmouth’s little unique gems. Read More »
Remembering the Halifax Explosion of 1917
Posted by Your Friends at The CAT on July 16th, 2009
You’ve heard this expression countless of times before:
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Browse through a collection of vintage photos of the 1917 Halifax Explosion and bring new meaning to the old saying. The images of this disastrous historical event instantly grab your attention and the only words you know are “Oh, my God”. They say the moments between the Mont-Blanc and Imo’s collision and the explosion were set apart with a momentary silence…
You can’t help but stop and take a closer look of a mushroom cloud photo. Again, words fail you and you can only utter “Woa…”. Silently, you continue clicking through a series of before and after pictures that leave you shuddering with goose bumps. Suddenly, the clicks stop as you come upon a photo that literally cuts your breath short. The caption reads “Bodies in Chebucto Road Mortuary” Read More »
In the spirit of Willy
Posted by Your Friends at The CAT on July 8th, 2009
Admit it. Whenever you hear any sort of reference to “whales”, your arm instantly shoots up, your head automatically tilts backwards and you proclaim wildly, “Freeeeee Willy!” Don’t worry. We’ve all been victims of that old cliché. But here you are, in beautiful Atlantic Canada. You’ve heard about these whale watching tours and you’re certainly convinced they’ve become an unwritten must-see rule. But before embarking on the ultimate whale watching experience, take a look at some of our whale watching tips.
Share the experience
Having a whale watching buddy comes in handy when the tour lasts a couple of hours. Not only will company help make time go by quicker when the whales decide to be a little shy, but you if you’re prone to motion sickness, you don’t want to go through it alone if you forgot to take sea sickness medication. Read More »
It’s going to be a delightful summer
Posted by Your Friends at The CAT on June 30th, 2009
The days of praising the wonderful arrival of the spring season is a thing of the past. Summer’s fast approaching and Haligonians know what that means. Summer fests! And we’re not talking about simple “weee” weekend events. We’re talking “street closures-full-weeklong-can-I-get-a-what-what” festivals.
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Festival July 1-8
The highly disciplined world of the Canadian and international military opens its doors and invites you to 2.5 hours of pipes, drums, dancers, military bands, acrobats, choirs, military displays and competitions. Did we mention men in uniform?
TD Atlantic Jazz Festival July 10 – 18
The Atlantic Jazz Festival is more than a full line-up of top-notch jazz musicians. During this musical summer fest, Halifax’s main downtown drag, Spring Garden Rd is closed down and makes way for performances that range from international favourites to local jam sessions.
Halifax Highland Games and Scottish Festival July 11
Yes indeed. We do mean those games where men throw a 20ft log so that it flies end over end. The Halifax Highland Games and Scottish Festival gives you the chance to hang with the Scots with a little highland dancing and some Celtic beats. And remember, they’re called kilts, not skirts!
Tall Ships Nova Scotia July 16 – August 1
Think of this festival as days spent with the Black Pearl from movie trilogy Pirates of the Caribbean. You may not see this vessel in person, but when you see humongous ships from all over the world gather in the Halifax Harbour, you’ll only be able to say woooooooooow…
Alexander Keith’s Natal Day Festival July 30 – August 3
Honestly, not all politicians are awful. Alexander Keith, mayor of the city of Halifax and Conservative member of the provincial legislature brought his brewing talents to Canada and founded the Alexander Keith’s Brewing Company. Natal Day Festival also shows his support for civic events. Cheers to that!
Halifax International Buskers Festival August 6 – 16
Wikipedia calls busking “the practice of performing in public places for tips and gratuities”. Well, make way towards the Halifax Harbour and hold on to your hats. These streets performers come from all over the world and their performances are worth the spare change you carry in your pockets.
Did you stumble upon a festival extravaganza during your last trip to Halifax that we haven’t mentionned? Let us know, leave a comment! Looking for more? Take a peek in our 2009 Nova Scotia Festivals & Events calendar!
Purr-fect Portland Package
Posted by Your Friends at The CAT on June 23rd, 2009
A deal so good it’s Purr-fect! Purchase our round-trip Portland, Maine Weekend Getaway Passenger Fare ($149pp) and with this package you’ll receive 2 nights free at the Clarion Hotel.
A little more than just boats and water
Posted by Your Friends at The CAT on June 9th, 2009
While the city of Halifax is settled in the heart of Canada’s ocean playground, there are plenty of things to do without getting your pinky toe wet. Laugh until the cows come home during a show at the Halifax Comedy Fest or watch a full line-up of piping muscle during the ancient Scottish heavyweight events at the Halifax Highland Games and Scottish Festival. Still looking for more land-lubber action? Glance through our Top 10 list of things to see and do. You’ll be glad you did.
Welcome to the CAT Travel Blog
Posted by Your Friends at The CAT on May 11th, 2009
Welcome to forty knots of fast, convenient travel information.
Now before we go into the formalities of introducing our newest feature, we’d like to share some travel tidbits that you might not have been aware of.
- There is such a thing as lobster ice cream in Bar Harbor, Maine
- There is life at 4:30 in the morning. It’s at the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard, waiting to see the first sunrise in the United States.
- Forget trying to make the English Royal Guards laugh. Save your money. Visit the Halifax Citadel and see the 78th Highlanders instead.
- Horror novelist Stephen King’s Victorian-style mansion is located in Bangor, Maine
- The Canadians have a lot to thank Maine for. The state is the proud inventor of the donut hole machine, earmuffs and the snow plow.
And now to properly introduce our new Travel Blog. Since Canada’s East Coast and the state of Maine are among the top vacation destinations in the world and the CAT Ferry is one of the World’s Super Ships, a travel blog seemed like the next step. Read More »