Guest Author - Melanie Hachey

Canada is a really big country; the second biggest in the world. It boasts an endless array of natural attractions, many of which I have yet to visit. Here is my wish list of Canadian attractions, in Atlantic Canada, that I would like to experience as soon as I can collect the funds and find the free time to do so.

Biking the Confederation Trail, Prince Edward Island: Confederation trail on Prince Edward Island is made up of the old rail beds. Trains haven't run on the Island since 1989. The trail is a multiuse trail for pedestrians and bikers. It's mostly flat with a gravel surface. The trail stretches from one end of the Island to the other, with several side trails that lead to attractive seaside towns or other important attractions, including one to the capital city, Charlottetown, and one to the Confederation Bridge, which links the Island with New Brunswick. Bikes can be rented at many places along the trail and, for those who don't like to camp or cart too much gear, B&B and inns can be found at many places along the route. Biking the Confederation Trail offers visitors a unique and exciting way to explore the island.

Grand Falls gorge, New Brunswick: The town of Grand Falls in north western New Brunswick is named for its impressive waterfall. The falls can be explored by walking trail or by pontoon boat on a tour that explores the gorge up close. The gorge, at the base of the falls, rises to an impressive 230 feet high and is well-worth exploring. The falls and gorge can be visited in less than a day and are easily combined with one of New Brunswick's other attractions, or as an interesting rest-stop on the drive through New Brunswick.

South Shore Beaches, Nova Scotia: There is much to see, do and explore on the south shore of Nova Scotia. Explore the white sand and cobblestone beaches, take a dip in the ocean, bike or walk one of the trails, kayak or canoe in the ocean or on one of the rivers or lakes. Check out the scenic seaside towns, go antiquing, or craft shopping; and don't forget to sample the seafood. A great way to stay and explore is to rent one of the many cottages available and use it as a home base from which to really get to know the area.

Whale watching: Just about any coastal destination in Atlantic Canada offers whale watching or sea life watching tours. Choose which type of boat you'd like to try, from sailboats to fishing boats to jet boats, and hop on board. Along with whales, sea birds, seals, porpoises, and other sea life are also often seen on these tours. Viewing the shore from out on the water also offers an interesting new perspective on the beauty of the area.

Gros Morne Park Newfoundland: From sandy beaches, to arctic tundra; from mountain tops to low lying marshes; Gros Morne National Park, in western Newfoundland, offers a mind-boggling variety of landscapes to explore. According to Gros Morne Travel.com, the park was rated "the second best park in North America for destination quality, park management and sustainable tourism." There are many hiking trails and natural attractions to explore and at the end of the day you can enjoy some of the famous Newfoundland hospitality at one of the nearby towns.

There is so much to explore in Canada. I hope to get a chance to see it all some day.