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Big and Little Tancook, the seemingly lost-in-time islands at the mouth of Mahone Bay, are little-known gems, even within Nova Scotia. Unlike other nearby islands, the Tancooks aren't populated with the summer homes of the rich and famous. Residents fish or work on the William G. Ernst ferry, which runs daily between Chester and the islands.

The hour-long ferry ride, during which passengers can sometimes see minke whales and porpoises playing, makes it easy for day trippers to wander country roads, bird-watch, picnic, swim and hike. Little Tancook (pop. 35) has no services. "That's a completely different world," says Farrar. "The roads are grass, and there are few vehicles." But Big Tancook (left; pop. 125) has a café in summer, a co-operative gift shop called the Popplerock and the recently opened Backalong Bed & Breakfast.

Farrar says visitors who do make the trip are never disappointed. "It's a day off from the mainstream; a getaway from the normal routine."

— Shelley Cameron-McCarron

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THINK "ALIEN," and images of little green men from Mars may come to mind. But the Montréal Science Centre is hosting an exhibit that suggests what real aliens may look like or whether they even exist.

The exhibit, which runs from April 10 to Sept. 1, debunks the human-like alien archetype of science fiction and uses scientists' best predictions to paint a picture of what form life on other planets might take. Visitors can explore extreme conditions here on Earth where unusual life forms have adapted and endured and could resemble extraterrestrial life.

"Sometimes they're very primitive forms of life - bacteria or single-celled organisms - but they're still present," says Louise-Julie Bertrand, head of exhibitions. "Because life exists in extreme conditions here on Earth, it's not crazy to think life could live in other extreme conditions in space."

The Science of Aliens exhibit includes large interactive landscapes that simulate the conditions conducive to life on other planets, along with information on human attempts to reach such planets and communicate with our celestial neighbours through programs such as the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI).

"The universe is so vast. There are so many stars, so many planets," says Bertrand. "I would be very surprised if Earth were the only place where life can be found."

For details, visit www.montrealsciencecentre.com or call (877) 496-4724.