Visitors are never more than 35 miles away from Nova Scotia’s picturesque coastline. The town of Lunenburg sits on the Canadian province’s south shore and was established by the British in 1753. Photo © Gary Yim

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There are plenty of reasons to visit Nova Scotia (Latin for “new Scotland”) — one of the three Maritime Provinces of eastern Canada.

Many people head for Cape Breton island in the northeastern corner of the province. They may take the famous Cabot Trail roadway, which winds along the island’s rugged Atlantic coastline — reason enough to head to that portion of Nova Scotia.

But rather than follow those crowds during a recent visit, my wife Fyllis and I set our sights on the southern part of the territory to see what it has to offer. We found an enticing combination of Mother Nature at her best, fascinating history and an intriguing mix of cultures.

You’re never more than 35 miles from the sea, and the shoreline is pocked by inlets and bays that are overlooked by tiny fishing villages. The interior changes from forests to low hills to lake settings, while the inviting Annapolis Valley is blanketed by scenic farms.

4,000-year history

What now is Nova Scotia was first inhabited by the Abnaki and Mi’kmaq people, Native Americans who were part of the Algonquian language family.

An inviting budget-stretching alternative is Hedley House by the Sea, which overlooks Smith Cove from a four-acre setting of lawns and gardens. The 14-room motel is blanketed by fresh flowers. Rates begin at $71. For more information, call (877) 826-2500 or log onto hedleyhouse.ca.

Not surprisingly, many a restaurant menu includes Digby scallops in some form. Among ways I saw them prepared were pan seared, fried, grilled, encased in prosciutto, wrapped in bacon, on pizza, in salad and swimming in chowder.

Electing to eat something other than scallops during two dinners at the appropriately named Dockside Restaurant in Digby, I opted for grilled haddock ($14 with sides) and fish and chips ($9), both excellent. For more information, call (902) 245-4950 or log onto fundyrestaurant.com.

For information about visiting Nova Scotia, call 1-800-565-0000 or log onto www.novascotia.com.