The gleaming silhouette of modern high-rise buildings greets visitors to Halifax, the seaside capital of Nova Scotia. Washed with ocean breezes and within easy reach of numerous parks and endless sandy stretches of beach, this city is a lovely destination in itself, but also serves well as a gateway to the region's rural attractions.

Historic Halifax has a variety of cultural and historic assets to keep visitors entertained. From the famous fort, the Citadel, which crowns the small hill adjacent to the city center, to art galleries galore, to restored 18th-century buildings edging the boardwalks down by the water Halifax is a refreshing urban center with much to offer.

For seagoing vessels of yore, stop in at the Maritime Command Museum or the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Even the easily queasy can enjoy some time on the steady deck of docked HMCS Sackville or CSS Acadia. Get an education in early Canadian immigration at Pier 21 museum before winding up an afternoon with a dinner cruise through Halifax Harbour.

If this sounds all too civilized, make the most of sunny skies and slip away to the beach. Several sandy stretches are an easy drive from the city. Vacation allotment allowing, don't miss the famous picturesque fishing village, Peggy's Cove, to the west. With time to explore the area, rent bicycles from local operators or hike easy local trails for an afternoon in natural Nova Scotia.

Halifax is 150 miles from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and 270 miles from Sydney on Cape Breton Island.