Nova Scotia :: Naturally beautiful (and great for gays!)

Fred Connors is an ideal ambassador for Halifax. He is not shy about expressing his love for the city and his belief that Halifax is gay-friendly destination.

"I would certainly recommend gays visit Halifax. We welcome all people- we are a city of oddballs," says Connors, owner of Fred, his trendy self-titled combination salon, caf� and gallery.

Oddballs or not, Halifax has a long history as a city of immigrants. Having been bounced between French and English rule for many years (the first French settlement was in 1605), it attracted large populations of Europeans (especially Scots, Germans, French and English), and more recently folks from various Asian and African countries. There is also the area's indigenous people, most of them Mi'kmaq.

It seems its "melting pot" culture has translated into an especially strong acceptance of the LGBT community (something fairly common across Canada, one of the few countries to have legalized same-sex marriage); not just in Halifax but throughout the entire Canadian province of Nova Scotia, of which Halifax serves as the capital city.

Its accepting attitude blends together with its rich history and top notch attractions to make it a perfect place for gays to visit.

Stay

Many hotels in Halifax and across Nova Scotia have made a proactive effort to welcome gay travelers.

The Marriott Harbourfront and the Delta Hotels ( Barrington and Halifax), which actively support the local LGBT community, are located in downtown Halifax and provide excellent accommodations and service.

Located about a 90 minute drive from Halifax, along Nova Scotia's South Shore (pictured), is White Point Beach Resort. It is a year-round, oceanfront property that is ideal for a romantic escape.

Each of these properties are TAG Approved and the Marriott Harbourfront is also a member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association.

Eat

Think Nova Scotia cuisine and the first thought will likely be seafood but that is just the beginning.

Among Halifax's more popular dining spots are Five Fishermen, FID and Chives (headed by the openly gay and talented Chef Darren Lewis). And for a special treat, along the harbourfront is Sugah for handmade confections and ice cream as well as the adjacent Rum Runners Rum Cake Factory.

A visit to Fundy Bay and Annapolis Valley region of Southwest Nova Scotia provides visitors the opportunity to discover the source of much of the area's agricultural riches. Visitors can watch local fishermen bring in lobster from Halls Harbour that are then served fresh (pictured) at Halls Harbour Lobster Pound; sample (and buy) the gourmet hand-crafted herb-infused jellies, jams, liqueurs and other goodies from Tangled Garden; and stroll the Wolfville Farmers' Market where every Saturday morning year-round vendors, such as Fox Hill Cheese House, bring locally produced goods.

Finding some good drink to accompany all the good food is a simple task. Nova Scotia is home to some amazing wines and beers.

Gaspereau and Grand Pr� are two award-winning vineyards (Grand Pr� also makes the yummy Stutz Hard Apple Cider) that have regularly scheduled tours and tasting events. And visiting beer lovers should be sure to make a point of stopping by the original Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Brewery (Keith's is one of the oldest breweries in all of North America) in downtown Halifax for a interactive tour and tasting.

See/Do

Much of Halifax (a port city) history and daily life revolves around its harbour (the second largest natural harbour in the world), as such, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, located on the downtown harbourfront, is a good first stop for any visitor. The Museum provides not only an understanding of Nova Scotia's rich marine heritage but its overall history through the vast collection and exhibitions.

Just a few short walk north of the Maritime Museum is Nova Scotian Crystal. Founded by former Waterford master craftsmen, the shop produces some of the finest mouth blown and hand cut crystal in the world. Visitors are also able to observe the intricate production process.

Other popular things to do and see while in Halifax include exploring the historic Citadel (pictured) star-shaped fort and shopping the unique boutiques and stores along Spring Garden Road and the downtown Historic Properties.

Outside of Halifax visitors can discover the many scenic towns such as the Lundenburg fishing village (home of the famous Bluenose schooner) and the artisan community of Mahone Bay.

Play

One of Fred Connor's few complaints about Halifax, unlike Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, is that the city doesn't have an established gay district.

"There have been various attempts but it just has not taken off much," says Connors, who's own business is located on the Westside of the city in an area most residents consider the closest the city has to a current gay hood.

On the positive side, most folks attribute the lack of a gay district to the strong integration of the city's gay and straight communities. However, that is not to say that there is not a defined gay scene-it is just a small scene.

Reflections Cabaret is a popular dance spot for the local gay community and Menz Bar (don't let the name fool you, woman are very welcome) is a fun casual pub.

Halifax also host an annual pride celebrations in late-July that draws thousands of visitors from across Nova Scotia, the surrounding provinces and around the world. In recent years, Halifax Pride has grown to be Canada's fourth largest LGBT cultural festival.

Some Basics
More than a third of Nova Scotia's population of nearly one million people lives in Halifax and its immediate suburbs. The province is about twice the size of Massachusetts.

Halifax enjoys the second warmest climate in Canada. It rarely suffers from extreme winter conditions and has pleasant summer temperatures.

Contributing to Nova Scotia's progressive nature is the fact that the province is home to 11 universities and colleges (6 just in Halifax), which skews the population younger (more than 55% of the population is under the age of 44).

Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport is Nova Scotia's principal full-service airport. Non-stop flights are available between the U.S. and Halifax from Boston, New York, Newark, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago and Washington, DC.

For more information about Halifax and Nova Scotia, visit www.tourismhalifax.com or www.novascotia.com.