Halifax: My Maritime Marvel

We docked right downtown and walked the entire harbor boardwalk before 9 a.m. — past fishing boats, bagpipers, and people commuting on scooters like it was normal. The air smelled like salt and donuts (Tim Hortons is religion here).

First stop: Citadel Hill. The noon gun still fires every day — we timed it perfectly and the boom rattled our ribcages. The young guides in period uniforms are hilarious and actually know their stuff. Then down to the Maritime Museum — the Titanic exhibit is sobering; they have the only surviving deck chair and little kid shoes that make you tear up.

Lunch was the famous Halifax donair at King of Donair — spiced meat, sweet garlic sauce, tomatoes, onions wrapped in pita. Messy, glorious, and better than any late-night kebab I've ever had. Afternoon was a lazy wander through the Public Gardens (peak Victorian charm) and a pint at Alexander Keith's brewery tour — the "historical characters" are actors who sing sea shanties and pour you beer like it's 1863.

The pros: super walkable, genuinely friendly people, and great seafood.

The cons: weather can turn in ten minutes — we went from sun to sideways rain in one afternoon.

Practical tips: The boardwalk is 3 km end-to-end — perfect for stretching sea legs. Brewery tour books up — reserve online if possible.