Day 1 - Arrive in Halifax
Upon arrival in Halifax either pick-up your rental car at the airport or transfer independently to your downtown hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure to explore this beautiful port city. The Halifax Region is the gateway to Atlantic Canada. Nova Scotia's capital city is vibrant and cosmopolitan with a rich seafaring past. Metropolitan Halifax boasts a variety of fine restaurants, exciting nightlife, museums, historic sites and shopping. Visit Pier 21 National Historic Site (included), Canada's last remaining immigration shed with interactive displays, 4-D film and more, and Halifax Citadel National Historic Site (included), where period-costumed soldiers re-enact British Military life in the 1800s and the thunderous boom of the noon-day cannon is heard 365 days a year.
Moderate: Overnight Delta Halifax
Superior: Overnight Westin Nova Scotian - Standard room
Deluxe: Overnight Westin Nova Scotian - Premium Harbour view room (includes breakfast buffet)
Day 2 - Halifax to Western Shore via Lighthouse Route
This afternoon, depart Halifax Today's journey will take you along the Lighthouse Route with your first stop at Peggy's Cove, one of the most photographed places in Canada. The graceful lighthouse sitting high upon the smooth wave-worn granite of the coast now does duty as a Canada's only post office in a lighthouse. The Lighthouse Route journeys through a landscape of coastal beauty and historic charm. Follow shoreline roads past rugged wave-carved headlands and tranquil island-studded bays where legends of the sea come alive in historic towns and weathered fishing villages. From Peggy's Cove continue your leisurely drive to the Oak Island Resort nestled on the picturesque South Shore of Nova Scotia, offering breathtaking views of Mahoney Bay and legendary Oak Island.
Moderate: Overnight Oak Island Resort - Standard room
Superior: Overnight Oak Island Resort - Junior Suite
Deluxe: Overnight Oak Island Resort - 1 Bedroom Suite
Day 3 – A Day in Lunenburg
Today, drive to Lunenburg, where the colourful waterfront, narrow streets and captivating architecture radiate the flavour of the towns' seafaring heritage. Lunenburg is home to Nova Scotia's famous racing schooner, Bluenose, the ship on the Canadian ten-cent piece. The town was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995. In Lunenburg, enjoy a 1 hour guided walking tour followed by lunch at The Old Fish Factory, overlooking Lunenburg Bay, and visit the world-class Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic (included). The Museum commemorates the fishing heritage of the Atlantic coast of Canada. Housed in brightly painted red buildings, with floating vessels at wharf side, the Museum offers a host of attractions.
Moderate: Overnight Oak Island Resort - Standard room
Superior: Overnight Oak Island Resort - Junior Suite
Deluxe: Overnight Oak Island Resort - 1 Bedroom Suite
Day 4 - Western Shore to Digby
Today you as you cross the province of Nova Scotia to the town of Digby. Travel the scenic Kejimkujik Scenic Drive interior route where you will pass lush forests and lakes on your way to the lush Annapolis Valley famed for its buildings, orchards, and annual blossom festival. Discover the amazing scenic inland wilderness country which abounds with wildlife. Visit Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, for a nature walks through woodlands and along waterways once used by the native Mi'kmaq. Your final destination is the town of Digby overlooks the magnificent Annapolis Basin and the Digby Gut, which opens out into the Bay of Fundy. Digby is home port of one of North America's largest scallop fleets and the colourful scallop-draggers can be viewed at the floating marina on the waterfront which is also lined with shops, cafes and restaurants.
Moderate: Overnight Digby Pines Resort & Spa - Resort or Cottage Room (including breakfast)
Superior: Overnight Digby Pines Resort & Spa - Resort or Cottage Room (including breakfast)
Deluxe: Overnight Digby Pines Resort & Spa - Junior Suite (including breakfast)
Day 5 - Digby to St. Andrews-by-the-Sea
Depart Digby and enjoy the 3 hour Bay of Fundy ferry crossing (not included) to Saint John, New Brunswick. Sailings are three-times daily through the summer months and reservations are recommended. On arrival in Saint John, travel west along the coast to the town of St. Andrew's by-the-Sea, one of the oldest and loveliest towns in the Maritimes.
Moderate: Overnight Fairmont Algonquin - Fairmont Room
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Algonquin – Studio Room
Deluxe: Overnight Kingsbrae Arms – Luxury Suite (including continental breakfast)
Day 6 - Day at Leisure in St. Andrews by-the-Sea
Today is at leisure to explore all that St. Andrews has to offer. St. Andrews is truly a unique place. Considering its relatively small population, this wonderful town boasts a public art gallery, a community college, a world class golf course and numerous other amenities often associated with larger centers. Founded in 1783, the town still retains much of its old world charm. The active and adventurous will find a wealth of adventure in St. Andrews. From seaside golf and whale watching, to sea kayaking and scuba diving, there is something for everyone. The shops of St. Andrews offer a diverse selection of goods from local woolens and hand-knits to specially selected gifts from the Maritimes and beyond. Visit the numerous galleries for outstanding arts and crafts in a variety of media including pottery, floor cloths, hand-blown glass and painting.
OPTIONAL TOUR:
Tall Ship Whale Adventure (Mid June to Early Oct) Enjoy a 3.5 hour quiet wind-power sailing with the whales of the Bay of Fundy aboard the Tall Ship Cory. The Cory travels across Passamaquoddy Bay, viewing seals that may be sunning themselves on rocks if the tide is low and swimming nearby if the water is high, until she reaches the playground of the whales, the rich feeding grounds that entice the whales to this region year after year. Once among the islands porpoise and sometimes white sided dolphins will often approach the boat to enjoy some boat wake surfing. A variety of bird life will be seen, occasionally including puffins. The Cory shall visit the home of the nesting bald eagles. At different times you will see them leave the nest to shop for dinner and return to feed it to their young. Eventually the young will emerge and make test flights. All the while you are keeping a sharp lookout for minke and finback whales and if it is into August and September, humpback whales. The boat permits standing and walking freely around.
Zodiac Whale & Nature Adventure (May to October) - Travel aboard a 24 foot rigid hulled Zodiac Hurricane™ and experience the wonders of the Bay of Fundy. After donning your floatation suite and a short briefing, you will embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Once underway, you will be weaved among the bays and channels of the West Isles. Rugged beauty and diverse bird and marine life surround you. The world's highest twice daily tides stir up a bounty of food in local waters, which attracts several species of migratory whales. These include the Minke (12-30ft), the Finback (35-75ft) and Humpbacks (30-50ft), the clowns of the sea and the North Atlantic Right Whale, the rarest whale in the world. You will have an excellent chance of sighting one or more of any of these species on your tour. In addition to the whales, you will likely encounter Harbour seals, Harbour Porpoises, Atlantic Puffins, Bald Eagles, Razorbill Auks, Black Guillemots and other pelagic sea birds.
Moderate: Overnight Fairmont Algonquin - Fairmont Room
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Algonquin – Studio Room
Deluxe: Overnight Kingsbrae Arms – Luxury Suite (including continental breakfast)
Day 7 - St. Andrews by-the-Sea to Fredericton / Kings Landing Historical Settlement
This morning you will depart historic St. Andrews-By-the-Sea and drive to Fredericton, New Brunswick's riverfront capital city. You will travel into river country along one of NB's most superb touring routes, so prepare yourself for some spectacular scenery. This route is home to covered bridges and rolling farmland. Just outside of Fredericton, nestled on the banks of the majestic St. John River, visit award-winning Kings Landing Historical Settlement (included). This living museum re-creates life in rural New Brunswick in the 1800s. As the largest living history village in eastern Canada, Kings Landing boasts over 70 historic buildings, 120 costumed interpreters and 75,000 artifacts. Take your turn at churning butter, pitching hay or forging a nail or settle in for a performance at a barn-style theatre, and step back in time and experience the cultural adventure of a lifetime! Other city highlights include the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, home to one of Salvador Dali's most famous masterpieces, Christ Church Cathedral, Old Government House and The Historic Garrison District.
Note: Kings Landing Historical Settlement is open from Early June – Early October. If Kings Landing is not open, the admission will be removed from your package.
Moderate: Overnight Holiday Inn Hotel & Resort
Superior: Overnight Delta Fredericton - Delta room
Deluxe: Overnight Delta Fredericton - Signature room (includes continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 8 - Fredericton to Cavendish / Lobster Tales Tour
This morning your journey will continue towards the eastern coast of the province to Shediac, known as the Lobster Capital of the World and home to the finest saltwater beaches in eastern Canada. This morning you will cruise into complete lobster discovery! Let experienced fishers put you into the action hauling in real lobster traps, learn about the lobster, the fishery, the proper way to cook, observe a cracking demonstration, and finally, savour a freshly cooked mouth-watering lobster lunch on board. Sit back, relax and enjoy the seascape with cool refreshment by your side and our down home Acadian hospitality. From Shediac, travel to Cape Tourmentine where you will cross the Confederation Bridge 'the longest continuous multi-span bridge in the world', the bridge will take you to Prince Edward Island. Continue your journey to Cavendish, located on the western shore of a 40-kilometre expanse of environmentally-protected, dune-edged beaches. The beach continues to attract thousands of visitors from around the world each year to its Gulf stream warmed waters, but the beach is just the beginning.
Note: Lobster Tales Tour is available from Mid June to Mid September. If traveling outside these dates, the tour will be removed from your package.
Moderate: Overnight Cavendish Motel
Superior: Overnight Shining Waters Country Inn - Luxury Queen Suite
Deluxe: Overnight Shining Waters Country Inn - Gatehouse Suite
Day 9 - PEI Exploring / Cavendish to Charlottetown
Spend the day exploring the province, everything is within close proximity. Visit the Green Gables House - this old farm site inspired L.M. Montgomery's first novel, Anne of Green Gables, published in 1908. View rolling farmlands, stunning seascapes, tiny villages and bustling harbours along the Blue Heron Drive, which leads to some of the Island's most picturesque views and passes through PEI National Park region. Discover some of the best natural features in Prince Edward Island National Park, where miles of white sand beaches present a coastline of fragile beauty. The park protects the strips of sand and delicate dunes, and offers extensive interpretive programs to explain to visitors the natural, cultural and historic landmarks found within the boundaries of the park. The afternoon is at leisure to explore the capital city, where visitors can enjoy music events, theatre productions, heritage activities and shopping.
Moderate: Overnight Best Western Charlottetown
Superior: Overnight Rodd Charlottetown
Deluxe: Overnight Delta Prince Edward – Premier Harbour view Room
Day 10 - Charlottetown to Baddeck
This morning you will leave Charlottetown and travel to Wood Islands where you will board a ferry (not included) to Caribou on the mainland. Relax and enjoy the beauty of the sea and the sky during your 75 minute ride. From Caribou, you will travel a short distance to Pictou where you will have some time to explore the Hector Heritage Quay. Located on the beautiful Pictou waterfront, the Hector Heritage Quay offers unique insight into the journey of early Scottish settlers to Nova Scotia, and their arrival in Pictou. Continue to Cape Breton Island, a little piece of Scotland in North America with magnificent highland scenery that surrounds Bras d'Or Lake, and drive to the delightful resort community of Baddeck. A fascinating museum here is dedicated to the life and works of Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone.
Moderate: Overnight Inverary Resort
Superior: Overnight Auberge Gisele's Inn - Standard room
Deluxe: Overnight Auberge Gisele's Inn - Suite
Day 11 - Cabot Trail Exploring
Spend today exploring the world famous Cabot Trail - a coastal highway described as one of the most spectacular drives in North America. The Cabot Trail winds through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, a 950 km² (366 sq. mi.) wilderness area that is home to a variety of wildlife and landscape. Some places of interest to stop at today include: Cheticamp, a busy fishing village with a thriving Acadian culture, where you will often hear the lively sounds of Acadian French being spoken and in the restaurants, you can sample typical Acadian food Pleasant Bay, a working fishing village where you find the fascinating Pleasant Bay Whale Interpretive Centre. Enjoy outdoor recreational activities that include hiking, deep-sea fishing, whale watching, bicycling and sea-kayaking St. Ann's, home of the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts, the only one of its kind in North America. In the evening return to the town of Baddeck.
Moderate: Overnight Inverary Resort
Superior: Overnight Auberge Gisele's Inn - Standard room
Deluxe: Overnight Auberge Gisele's Inn - Suite
Day 12 - Baddeck to Louisbourg / Fortress of Louisbourg / Lobster & Crab Boil Dinner
From Baddeck drive to Louisbourg, a community that has been welcoming visitors for over 250 years and it home to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historical Site. En route, stop in Glace Bay where you can experience life in a coal mine first-hand at the Miner's Museum, one of the region's most popular attractions or visit the Marconi National Historic Site which marks the place from which Guglielmo Marconi and his team of engineers and scientists sent the first wireless transatlantic signal in 1902. From here continue on to Louisbourg, home to the largest historical reconstruction in North America. Spend the afternoon exploring The Fortress of Louisbourg national Historic Site (included), covering some 6,700 ha (16,549 acres), one of the largest national historic sites in Canada and one of the largest historic reconstructions in North America. The Fortress is a faithful re-creation of a town 250 years ago, with impressive walls and majestic gates, quaint homes and formal gardens, comfortable inns and lively taverns. Costumed animators re-create the lives and activities of Fortress residents.
This evening enjoy a tantalizing evening of lobster and crab boils, story-telling and Linda's “Louisbourg tales" in the owners private beach house overlooking the mighty Atlantic ocean. The beach house is the perfect venue for a relaxing, flavour-filled evening. Know how to crack a lobster' If not, they'll be glad to show you. Tom steams our main courses outside just before we sit down to eat and we serve them up Cape Breton style - on newspaper! Stay after dinner for a sing song or a walk on the beach and enjoy the wonders of our salty ocean breezes and the majestic view of the 18th century Fortress.
Note: Fortress of Louisbourg is completely open from June 1 - September 30. During the month of May, access to the site is by guided tour only with no on-site services. October services from the 1st to the 15th include food services and access to some period buildings with costumed interpreters, demonstrations and exhibits. If traveling in May, we can include a Personal Guide Service at an extra charge.
Moderate: Overnight Point of View Suites - Non view Suite (breakfast & dinner included)
Superior: Overnight Point of View Suites - Ocean view Suite (breakfast & dinner included)
Deluxe: Overnight Point of View Suites - Ocean view Suite (breakfast & dinner included)
Day 13 - Louisbourg to Liscomb Mills / Sherbrooke Village Museum
From Louisbourg travel along the Fleur-de-lis Trail which traces the shores of beautiful Isle Madame, passing through charming Acadian Communities, then follows one of Nova Scotia's most unspoiled and beautiful stretches of Atlantic coastline. Travel to St. Peter's, known as the Gateway to the Bras d'Or Lakes" to Antigonish via the Canso Causeway. Continue to Sherbrooke, and visit Sherbrooke Village Museum (included), the former picturesque lumbering and shipbuilding community which looks as it did 100 years ago, before gold mining transformed it into a boom town. From here, travel a short distance to Liscombe Lodge, the nature lover's resort, situated in a tranquil riverside setting along Nova Scotia's beautiful Eastern Shore.
Note: Sherbrooke Village Museum is open from June 1 - October 15. If Kings Landing is not open, the admission will be removed from your package.
Moderate: Overnight Liscombe Lodge (includes breakfast buffet)
Superior: Overnight Liscombe Lodge (includes breakfast buffet)
Deluxe: Overnight Liscombe Lodge (includes breakfast buffet)
Day 14 - Liscomb Mills to Halifax
Today you will depart Liscombe Lodge and begin your 2.5 hour (170 km/95 mile) journey back to Halifax, you will follow the Marine Drive route through a land of pristine coastal beauty, quiet shoreline roads, romantic seaside villages, where the past is a colourful part of everyday life. You may wish to make a stop at the Memory Lane Heritage Village in Lake Charlotte, which offers a nostalgic look at life in the 1940's, and at the Fisherman's Life Museum in Jeddore, where guides in period costume recreate the simple yet powerful daily life of coastal fishing communities. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy your last night in Halifax. Nova Scotia's capital city is vibrant and cosmopolitan with a rich seafaring past. Metropolitan Halifax boasts a variety of fine restaurants, exciting nightlife, museums, historic sites and shopping.
Moderate: Overnight Delta Halifax
Superior: Overnight Westin Nova Scotian - Standard room
Deluxe: Overnight Westin Nova Scotian - Premium Harbour view room (includes breakfast buffet)
Day 15 - Depart Halifax
Today transfer to the Halifax International Airport to drop off your car rental in time for your onward or homeward flight.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 14 nights accommodation, room tax & any mandatory service charges
- 15 day Full size rental car including unlimited mileage LDW, GST, personal accident insurance, personal effects coverage, provincial tax, PVRT, additional authorized operator fee
- Pier 21 Historical site, Halifax, NS
- Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Halifax, NS
- 1 hour Guided Walking Tour of Lunenburg, lunch and admission to the Fisheries of the Atlantic Museum admission, Lunenburg, NS (SUBSTITUTION: If not operating, it will be substituted with a dinner at the Resort)
- Kings Landing Historical Settlement, Fredericton, NB (SUBSTITUTION: If Kings Landing is not open, it will be removed from your package)
- Lobster Tales Tour including lobster lunch, (SUBSTITUTION: If Lobster Tales is not operating, it will be removed from your package)
- Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, Louisbourg, NS
- Breakfast at the Point of View Suites in Louisbourg
- Lobster & Crab Bake Daily at the Point of View Suites in Louisbourg
- Sherbrooke Village Museum, Sherbrooke, NS (SUBSTITUTION: If Sherbrooke Village Museum is not open, it will be removed from your package)
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Car Rental: refueling service charge, parking, gas, ferry & highway tolls, bridge tolls, baby seats, additional driver taxes and credit card security deposit
- Meals not listed as included
- National Park admission fees
- Admissions not listed as included
- Gratuities
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)