Québec City, the capital of French-speaking Canada, is one of the North American continent’s most beguiling cities. The pretty old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a joy to behold; the cobbled streets and church spires are enclosed within the old city walls, and many of the buildings date back to the 17th century

The rugged Gaspé Peninsula is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Canadian Maritimes, and the waters off the coast are a whale watching hotspot. Highlights include Forillon National Park, home to wildlife including moose and bears, and Bonaventure Island, where you’ll find one of the world’s biggest gannet colonies.

The picturesque town of Louisbourg, on the Atlantic coast of Cape Breton island, was the main port for the French colony of Île-Royale, named after King Louis XIV. The beautifully restored 18th-century Fortress of Louisbourg, which twice fell to the British, is one of Canada’s most important historical sites.

The natural harbour at Halifax is the second largest in the world after Sydney, and this charming city has a proud maritime heritage. Take a stroll along the historic waterfront, delve into the vibrant arts scene or explore the beautiful coastal scenery of Nova Scotia.

Lunenburg’s UNESCO-listed old town is the best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement in North America, with its picturesque wooden buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. You can also see a replica of the famous schooner Bluenose, an icon for Nova Scotians, which was built at the port.

Bustling Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia National Park, and a popular port of call for cruise ships. The town is quaint if a little touristy, filled with souvenir shops and cafés, while the National Park offers a beautifully rugged landscape of mountains and lakes, crisscrossed by hiking trails.

The vibrant maritime city of Portland is a culinary and cultural hotspot, with some fantastic restaurants, a thriving craft beer scene and a host of trendy galleries and shops. Lobster lovers will be in heaven, while history buffs will enjoy strolling the handsome Victorian streets of the Old Port district.