Is Nova Scotia interesting for an 8 year old ?

[Tworoads]

Hi
Would appreciate your thoughts!
Want to go a little further afield but don’t know if my son could handle a 10 hour plus flight to get us to Vancouver (from Manchester. Time difference is also an issue.
Was looking at Nova Scotia but does it have a wow factor? Is there much for an 8 year old to do?
Was also thinking about Slovenia.
Went to French Alps last year and liked it but looking for more variety. Hope you catch my drift (maybe not explaining it well!)

Slovenia - yes
Nova Scotia....almost certainly no.

Nova Scotia is interesting from an Historical ( the Titanic rescue and settlers from Europe ) environmental and geographical point of view. I doubt if an eight year old would be excited by any of this.
Save money and have a wow time in Europe.

What did you do in the Alps last year OP? Would you recommend?

Thank you everyone. Will definitely have a read up.
@CherryMaple we went to Samoens in the French Alps. The little town is kind of Bavarian in style. The village bells go off at 8am! Very quaint. Besides mountains there are many lakes, including one that’s perfect for children with a treetop assault course, inflatable obstacle course on the lake, restaurants on site etc.
loads to do for all ages. My son said it was “the best ever!”
Looking for something now to match it as don’t want to repeat holidays.
Just can’t think that my son can manage a very long flight (or maybe it’s just that I can’t with him next to me!)

Thanks so much @Tworoads We’ve been looking and the Alps sound perfect for us but not been able to decide where to stay. Would you be happy to DM me with details of where you stayed if you would recommend? Don’t want to derail your thread! Many thanks.

We used Alps Accommodation but, whilst our duplex apartment was in a stunning location, it was really high up in the hills and (stupid me) didn’t hire a car! Look for somewhere in Samoens nearer to the town because it is so lovely in the evening down there. Alps Accommodation have some great properties to hire and not too expensive.

I mean, there are adventure parks, animal parks, walking trails and lakes in Nova Scotia. It is very much a "great outdoors" kinda place. But to be honest it's a heck of a long way to go unless you have a connection to the area or a strong interest in its history. Seems a bit random really.

You could find all these things in Europe without the long haul flight.

The answer to this is always Iceland :) loads to do, and plenty of wild spaces. A different holiday at all times of the year. My sons loved it at this and all ages.

Iceland! Wow, hadn’t thought of that!
@Nextbitoflife what did you do there? Was it warm in the summer?
I suppose the volcanic activity is a bit of a concern but haven’t really looked into that.
If you have time, I’d love to hear more 😊

We've had several wonderful summertime holidays in Chamonix - again loads to do - rock climbing, horse riding, golf, canyoning, white water rafting, go-karting, trips into Italy, rides in cable cars, walking, summer luge, trampolining, high wire tree climbing, etc etc

If your son thought Samoens was the best holiday ever - why not try the same type of holiday, but in another country - there are similar in Italy and Austria and other European countries. As you've found out - it is easier to have a car. In fact we've driven each time - so additional excitement of the channel tunnel and an overnight stay en route and return.

Certainly wouldn't be hacking all the way over to Canada - as nice as I'm sure Canada is!

Nova Scotia is lovely. I have visited with my own children. You could visit Halifax and the Citadel which is right in the heart of the city. Beautiful beaches, local history - what is not to like? Lunenburg, Peggy's Cove, Mahone Bay, Annapolis Royal, Fortress of Louisburg - tonnes to do. I guess I don't know what you would define as "wow factor" though. You would need to rent a car.

I've been to Slovenia - it is also lovely. Ljubljana is a great little city, there are some really neat caves, Predjama, Bled...lots to do - things are a bit closer together than in Nova Scotia.

We roadtripped from Montreal- Quebec- New Brunswick - PEI - Nova Scotia and back to Montreal via Maine last autumn.

Incredible trip but DO NOT underestimate driving times- most days we spent 2/3 hours in the car even if we had a base to explore for a few days! Place to place could be 5-6 hours and 8 hours some days. Easy driving and we love a road trip but I can’t imagine it with an 8 year old!

Most days involved a mixture of driving and hikes! We skipped Halifax as didn’t seem to be much there. We LOVED the Cape Breton Highlands but lots of driving and hiking and scenery. Loved the beaches on PEI and the dramatic coastline in New Brunswick.

Montreal and Quebec were both incredible- the FOOD was incredible, absolutely beautiful cities! Lots of mooching, seeing the sights and enjoying great cafes and restaurants.

We went in fall and the foliage over the rolling hills was INCREDIBLE but if you’re expecting dramatic lakes and mountains like in BC, you would be disappointed. It’s beautiful but it a much more understated way- rolling farmland, cute little towns, big forests, gorgeous coastline.

I mean, I love Nova Scotia but I don't think you can include Annapolis Royal in a list of "loads to do" 8 years old or otherwise 🤣

It's literally one street

Digby is another bizarre place. The whale watching is awesome in the Bay of Fundy but in the town itself it is just waiting to be made into a "something strange happened here" Netflix documentary 😬

For another mountain holiday but a different country - Tyrol, Slovenia, Pyrenees, Dolomites.

For something active but not mountain based - there are a few active holidays based in Greek islands (eg Trek Adventures, Nikiana, Wildwind) or surf hotels in Portugal (Maverick, Noah)

Scandinavia could have some good options if you want nature and outdoorsy without the heat of the Med. Denmark has great beaches plus the Viking history if that appeals

Dont worry about volcanoes - far away from where you might be and very well managed! Summer similar temps to UK. Whales, kayaking and every tiny village has an amazing open air geothermal heated swimming pool. Cool cosmopolitan city then wild areas with geysers and black sand beaches and amazing nature everywhere. So easy to visit and you can do tame luxury or wild backpacker as you wish. It is £££ though.

I love Nova Scotia but I don't think you can include Annapolis Royal in a list of "loads to do" 8 years old

Well, I guess I'm thinking more that it is a very pretty area and I have never struggled to entertain either of my 8 year olds with outdoor activities, local museums, beaches etc - I never grew up with the many richest of Europe at my doorstep so you learn to make do