Our family has recently cancelled a family trip to Israel which would have been leaving in early August...due to safety and other concerns. We're now faced with the dilemma of finding a resort type vacation to book in the next few weeks. Anyone know of any lesser known "gems", preferably in Eastern Canada? I'm brand new to this site, and look forward to sharing experiences, too...
thnks in advance for any thoughts...

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Steve

Pretty much all of eastern Canada, much like western Canada, is a "gem" IMHO! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

I'm headed out to Nova Scotia again and I loved it there in the past!

Try the Pictou Lodge:

http://www.destination-ns.com/default.asp?frame=/common/property/template.asp%3FDirectoryID%3D2992

The location is an excellent jumping off point for just about everything in the Maritimes. Pictou is about 5 hours from Fredericton, Baddeck (Cabot Trail) or Louisburg, and Yarmouth, putting you pretty much in the center of the region.

Lobster season is over, but the weather is still fantastic, and the Northumberland Stait has the warmest beaches north of the Carolinas.

thx doc and AC*SE. BB talk is very new to me and I appreciate the responses! AC*SE, I will look at the Pictou resort website, you so kindly provided...looks interesting. one question, though...is the *** rating for real? that's usually a risky endeavour in my experience...

The *** ratings are based on tables of amenities, which are usually geared towards business hotels.

The Lodge does not have a concierge, or a business centre, and loses a star for that.

However, there is absolutely no problem with the accomodations or the dining room.

thanks, I'll check it out.

You could also look at the Algonquin in St. Andrews, New Brunswick.

Couldn't find a home page for it, but here's a review:

http://fabuloustravel.com/globe/algonquin/algonquin.html

A late reply, but perhaps of use to someone.

I recommend any of the Province-owned resorts in Nova Scotia: the Digby Pines in Digby, the Keltic Lodge in Cape Breton, and the Liscomb Lodge. Data on all of these (and lots of other places in Nova Scotia) is in http://explore.gov.ns.ca

Keltic is my personal favourite, because it's well away from anything else, off on its own peninsula, with the sea on three sides.

For others interested in Nova Scotia too...
We ended up going to Pictou Lodge...a beautiful location and nice spot, great service, great dining, and quite central if you want to do a lot of day trips to PEI and surrounding Nova Scotia. A little far to do Cape Breton from (a separate trip, in my mind), but easy trip to Halifax and surrounding trails. One minor complaint...when the breeze comes from across the bay, you get a slightly unpleasant smell from the enormous Kimberley Clark paper mill...didn't bother us much, but might bother others.

go to fairmont.com to find the Algonquin

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GRETINGS FROM MONTREAL
AC/ ELITE - HILTON/DIAMOND- STARWOOD/PLATINUM