Christmas Island
It is a seat of ancient culture and hub of the Celtic folk music revival. For centuries, the Scottish and French settlers of tree-covered mountains and magnificent valleys nurtured their heritage in relative isolation. Today the world flocks to historic villages, some of the most desirable golf Nova Scotia has to offer, and Celtic music festivals in the island's stunning setting.
However, that is not Cape Breton’s only claim to fame. It is also home to one of the world’s most popular post offices. So far so strange? Well, the post office is on a place called Christmas Island, and as a consequence they get postcards and letters from all over the world at this time of year with people desperate for the treasured Christmas Island post stamp.
It means that the post mistress, Hughenna McKinnon, is perhaps one of the hardest working women (or indeed person) in the world of letters. During the festive season she runs the risk of repetitive strain injury whilst carefully pressing each card with either a green or red stamp. Her effort to spread a bit of Christmas cheer carries on a long tradition that is growing every year.
A trip to Christmas Island also gives travellers a chance to take in Cape Breton Island’s legendary Cabot trail. You can Tour the bold highlands, high above spectacular ocean views, where moose and bald eagles can be seen. Or go whale watching and watch pods of Pilot whales capering in the shimmering waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Tour the world-class historical reconstruction of Fortress Louisbourg, learn about Acadian history as you wander through centuries-old villages, and descend to a coal mine beneath the ocean floor on the Fleur-de-lis and Marconi Trails and in Metro Cape Breton. An array of lodges, bed and breakfasts, and resorts provide a Nova Scotia accommodation to suit all styles of Cape Breton getaway.
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