The capital of Nova Scotia and the gateway to the province, Halifax is nestled on the southern coast in a delightful location catching the sea breeze. Situated on the world’s second-largest harbour, the city is littered with green spaces and flanked by provincial parks, while the compact downtown area is dominated by Citadel Hill National Historic Monument, a unique star-shaped fort. The city has a colourful background of warring colonialists alongside tragic tales of sinking ships — including being the closest city to where the Titanic sank in 1912. A number of historic buildings and museums enable visitors to learn about the interesting cultural and maritime history, while a thriving arts and culture scene, somewhat buoyed by a relatively high student population, reveals Halifax’s more modern side.