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Time stands still in the Canadian Maritimes... preserving a way of life that honors the land and sea - and a multitude of cultures. Halifax invites reflection with gracious Victorian parks and gardens. Fishing hamlets in Nova Scotia celebrate their rich seafaring heritage. Diverse cultural influences are chronicled in Lunenburg; at a Cape Breton museum dedicated to the Acadian celebration of La Mi-Careme; and at Gaelic College. Culinary specialties are on the menu from fresh lobster on Prince Edward Island to a "Kitchen Party" at the Keltic Lodge to lunch in the Hall of Great Whales at the New Brunswick Museum. This New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia tour immerses you in the lure and lore of this down-to-earth, mystical world of mountain lakes, eagles, whales, fishermen, and the sea.
Day 1 The best Nova Scotia tour begins in Halifax Meals D
Tour begins: The Prince George Hotel at 5:30 PM. A transfer is included upon arrival from Halifax Airport to The Prince George Hotel in the heart of downtown, within walking distance of the beautiful Public Gardens. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at the Citadel, a 19th-century fortress on a hilltop overlooking the city and the harbor, to mark the start of this engaging Nova Scotia tour.
Lodging: The Prince George Hotel
Day 2 A city and a village... this is Nova Scotia Meals B
Halifax is cosmopolitan and eclectic, with its eyes on the future and feet firmly in the past. Fresh sea air enhances its exhilarating mix of modern towers and colonial brick buildings, avenues lined with hip cafes, shops and galleries, surrounded by gracious Victorian parks and gardens. Drive less than an hour to Peggy's Cove - population 76 - a place on this Nova Scotia tour that is truly a world apart - a fishing village with a lighthouse overlooking St. Margaret's Bay. Nestled on a rocky coastline with stunning vistas, it is a magnet for artists and photographers. You'll also make a visit to Mahone Bay, a picture-postcard maritime town, en route to the fishing town of Lunenburg. Old Town Lunenburg was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as one of the best surviving examples of a planned British Colonial settlement in North America. This town once excelled at wooden shipbuilding, and its masterpiece was the Bluenose, a replica of which draws thousands of visitors each year. Return to Halifax this afternoon and dine on your own this evening; there are over 400 restaurants to choose from.
Lodging: The Prince George Hotel
Day 3 Historic Halifax & on to Moncton Meals B, D
Take a cruise on Halifax Harbour for a guided look at the city's significant landmarks and raucous privateering history. Explore the historic waterfront district on your own; find lunch possibilities in interesting places like Privateers Warehouse, where fortunes in plunder were made in centuries past. Later, embark on a journey through central Nova Scotia's beautiful and diverse landscape and on into New Brunswick. Arrive late afternoon in Moncton, "the crossroads of the Maritimes" on the Petitcodiac River. Your hotel is the Delta Beauséjour in the historic downtown area, where you'll enjoy dinner tonight.
Lodging: Delta Beauséjour
Day 4 Nature at Hopewell Rocks & St. John Meals B, L
Torrential tides and surface water carve towering rock formations out of the cliffs at Hopewell Cape; at low tide, they stand on the beach like sculptures in a vast outdoor gallery. View firsthand this land of giants to feel the awesome power that shapes these stones, tunnels through them, and covers them at a depth of 50 feet or more when the tide comes in. Drive on to Sussex, "the Covered Bridge Capital of Atlantic Canada," and pause for a photo-op at one of its picture-perfect covered bridges. Continue to St. John on the Bay of Fundy, surrounded by sheer cliffs and coves. Migrating whales frequent this area, and you'll get acquainted with their role in local history and culture at the New Brunswick Museum - and have lunch in the Hall of Great Whales, an incredible gallery that includes a life-size (in other words, humongous) model of a Right Whale. Take an interpretive walk through the history of New Brunswick at the museum before returning to Moncton for dinner and an evening on your own.
Lodging: Delta Beauséjour
Day 5 Landscapes of "Anne of Green Gables" Meals B, L
Cross the Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island, truly a storybook setting where you'll find yourself immersed in picturesque, inspirational scenes of Victorian farmsteads, green rolling fields, and red sand beaches reposing between seas and skies of vibrant blue. See the scenic fishing town of North Rustico ("Rossicot"), home to a thriving Acadian population. Visit the site ("the wondercastle of my childhood") where author Lucy Maud Montgomery created her beloved fictional orphan Anne Shirley - the house is a museum with rooms preserved as they were in 1908. Have lunch at a family restaurant in New Glasgow specializing in fresh lobster prepared the island way - a favorite among the locals. Today's final destination is Charlottetown, known as "The Birthplace of Canada" and the capital city of Prince Edward Island. Spend the next two nights at the Prince Edward Hotel overlooking the harbor, where there are many fine restaurants to choose from for dinner on your own tonight.
Lodging: Prince Edward Hotel
Day 6 Exploring PEI National Park Meals B, D
Spend the morning exploring the dunes at Prince Edward Island National Park, where you'll experience an ecology so fragile that a few wayward human steps could alter the future of the landscape forever. Return to Charlottetown for free time to lunch and explore on your own. There's a wealth of Victorian houses, a lively waterfront with a boardwalk, art galleries, museums and gorgeous scenery. Tonight, dine at the hotel at your leisure.
Lodging: Prince Edward Hotel
Day 7 Cape Breton Island & Bras d'or Lake Meals B, L, D
Ferry to mainland Nova Scotia, where you'll drive over a causeway to Cape Breton Island. Known to the French as "Isle Royale," this island changed hands between colonial powers several times, creating a unique culture that blends Acadian and Gaelic traditions. Journey through a dramatic landscape that echoes the Highlands and the great shoreline cliffs of Brittany in France; enjoy some panoramic views of the Canso Causeway at lunch today. Travel along the coast of Bras d'Or Lake, which is an inland sea ringed with cliffs and rolling mountains - it's a favorite fishing spot for bald eagles. Drive north to Ingonish and the Keltic Lodge, a Tudor-style château nestled on a cliff surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.
Lodging: Keltic Lodge
Day 8 A little walking, a little cooking... Meals B, L, D
Your day begins with a presentation by a naturalist who educates you on the indigenous wildlife, then the remainder of the day is spent as you please. There are a variety of optional activities at the historic lodge (some at an additional cost), including links golf, tennis, and whale watching; hike the beach or the nature trail, or perhaps enjoy some time at the spa. Prior to dinner this evening you'll get a good "taste" of what Nova Scotia cuisine is all about at a cooking demonstration; of particular note is the unique "oyster shucking" as demonstrated by a local resident.
Lodging: Keltic Lodge
Day 9 Behold the beauty of the Cabot Trail... then party time Meals B, L, D
Experience breathtaking coastal landscapes on the Cabot Trail, a serpentine highway that is one of the world's most exciting and scenic drives. The winding road is carved into the side of mountains along unforgettable ocean vistas, ascending to the plateaus of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Drive through a landscape rich in rugged barrens, waterfalls, cliffs, and panoramic views of canyons, highlands, and seacoast. You'll visit Chéticamp, an Acadian fishing community on the Cabot Trail, and Grand Etang, where you'll learn about La Mi-Careme, a Lenten celebration involving masks and disguises whose history dates back to the Middle Ages. The Centre de La Mi-Careme offers interactive exhibits about this annual event, as well as art and masks by local artisans. Return to the Keltic Lodge where this evening you'll take part in a unique, lively Cape Breton tradition - a "kitchen party" featuring local cuisine, spirits, tastings, and Celtic music.
Lodging: Keltic Lodge
Day 10 Learn about all things Gaelic Meals B, L, D
A highlight of this trip is today's visit to the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts at Englishtown, where you'll learn about Nova Scotia's Scottish Gaelic culture. Watch a kilt-making demonstration, and learn a little Gaelic - through song - while learning about the fabric milling tradition. Have lunch along the Causeway before making the return trip to Halifax. Join us this evening at The Prince George Hotel for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner.
Lodging: The Prince George Hotel
Day 11 The journey concludes Meals B
This New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia tour ends in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Fly home anytime. Individual transfers are available from The Prince George Hotel to Halifax Airport. Allow three hours for check-in.
Tour Value Includes:
Attend a private reception and dinner at The Citadel, the 19th-century fortress in the center of Halifax, and a treasured national landmark
A "Kitchen Party" at the Keltic Lodge, a Cape Breton tradition that includes a taste of local cuisine, lively Celtic music, and a wee taste of the spirits
Cruise of Halifax Harbour to explore its unique features and dramatic history
Visit Gaelic College for a look at Scottish influences on Cape Breton Island; learn a little Gaelic, and see a demonstration in the art of kilt making
Visit a museum on Cape Breton dedicated to La Mi-Careme, an Acadian celebration of masks, disguises, and dancing that reaches back to the Middle Ages
Lunch in the Hall of Great Whales at New Brunswick Museum in St. John, a gallery dedicated to the giant creatures that roam the Bay of Fundy
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
23 meals (10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners); service charges, admission fees, taxes and porterage
Inclusive Prices
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach and ferry transportation, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, porterage, and the services of your Tour Director, local guides and drivers are included. Transportation from Halifax Stanfield International Airport to The Prince George Hotel is included, regardless of the time you check out of the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to your departure date. Transportation from The Prince George Hotel to Halifax Stanfield International Airport is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports may be shared with other tour guests.
Hotel Accommodations
- The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms with a rollaway cot where available and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals
- Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tour Director
- Canadian Maritimes is conducted by a Tour Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tour Director is a professional, fully trained employee.
Gratuities Included
- All gratuities for restaurant and hotel staff and local guides are included.
No Options Sold
- Your Tour Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
Not Included
Transportation to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours
- To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. Airport transfers are included for these extended stays as described above under Inclusive Prices. If you wish to spend additional nights, please discuss it with your reservations sales consultant or travel agent when you book your tour.
Luggage Responsibility
- Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Travel Protection Product that will be offered at time of booking for more information.
Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:
Pack at least one change of clothing in your carry-on bag
Split your items between your suitcase and a traveling companion's suitcase
Do not pack any vital medications or valuables in your checked luggage
Confirm that your luggage is checked and tagged to your final destination at airport check-in
Place your luggage claim tags in a secure place for your flight
File a claim for any missing luggage immediately before leaving the baggage claim area
Secure a case number and contact information for follow-up communications
Make certain that the airline has your onward itinerary
Your Tour Director will assist you with airline and other carrier communications, but has no inside contacts to guarantee or expedite recovery of lost luggage. All recovery costs, including the communication costs, are your responsibility. Check your travel protection details for covered expenses.
Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual train and airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Tour Director Gratuities
- The customary gratuities for the Tour Director and driver are not included. We ask that any gratuities be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Overnight Accommodations:
Nights 1 - 2 & 10: The Prince George Hotel - Halifax, Canada
Located in the heart of downtown Halifax, The Prince George Hotel is connected to the Halifax Metro Center and via the "Downtown Link" indoor pedway to shopping malls and Casino Nova Scotia. Gracious guest rooms with mahogany furniture welcome guests with 250-thread-count sheeting and a cozy duvet, 32-inch LCD flat-screen TV, complimentary high-speed Internet access and wireless connectivity, coffee maker with a supply of tea and coffee, AVEDA bath amenities, hairdryer, iron and ironing board and a mini-fridge. Pump up or wind down in the Fitness Center or at the indoor swimming pool. The hotel's restaurant, Gio, surrounds you with the warmth of wood and the fun of funky objets d'art as you dine on cuisine created by a marvelous team of professional chefs who take great pride in their work.
Nights 3 - 4 : Delta Beauséjour - Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
The Delta Beauséjour is located in the heart of Moncton, which itself is the geographic center of the Maritimes. Comfortable guest rooms feature complimentary high-speed Internet access, coffee maker, min-fridge, iron / ironing board, 27-inch TV, June Jacobs's bath amenities, a curved shower rod allowing more space in the shower and a hairdryer. Swim in the indoor mineral water pool surrounded by windows that frame great views or enjoy a workout in the fully equipped Fitness Centre. Executive chef Stefan Müller, who presides over the award-winning Windjammer Dining Room, has prepared meals for the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, President George H.W. Bush and French heads of state and has earned the CAA Four Diamond Award for excellence in dining every year since 1992.
Nights 5 - 6 : Prince Edward Hotel - Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Located in the heart of Old Charlottetown, the comfortable Prince Edward Hotel is just steps away from the many shops at Peake's Wharf and the delightful winding boardwalk. Guest rooms offer such popular amenities as irons and boards, complimentary coffee and tea, bathrobes and a hair dryer. Leisure options include a heated indoor swimming pool and exercise facilities. The Selkirk Lounge awaits for pre-dinner cocktails or specialty coffees and liqueurs to cap the evening.
Nights 7 - 9 : Keltic Lodge - Ingonish Beach, Cape Breton Island, Canada
Keltic Lodge is a Tudor-style château in Ingonish, situated in a stunning oceanfront location that evokes images of the famed Scottish highlands in the midst of Cape Breton Highlands. Perched high on a cliff surrounded by the Atlantic with views of Cape Smokey, it's hard to imagine a more idyllic spot; charmingly decorated guest rooms are cozy havens. Air-conditioned guest rooms offer amenities such as a coffee maker, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, cable TV and a direct-dial phone. There's a lot to do here, from swimming in the outdoor heated pool, tennis, the pleasures of fresh and saltwater swimming beaches, an 18-hole Stanley Thompson golf course and an AVEDA spa - even mountain biking and sea kayaking! Àrdan Rùm Restaurant and Bar offers spectacular vistas and a menu with a focus on local ingredients and the seafood of the Maritimes. End a delightful day in front of the fireplace in the Highland Sitting Room, savoring your favorite beverage and nightly entertainment with a Celtic flair.
Special accommodations note for Canadian Maritimes:
The islands featured on this Canadian Maritimes trip, particularly Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, are some of the most scenic - yet remote - destinations in Canada. The hotels included on this trip, such as the Keltic Lodge, were primarily selected for their location; they put guests right in the heart of the best places to visit. Seasonal travel in the Canadian Maritimes means that a few of your accommodations on this trip will not compare to hotels from this tour operator in other locations. We find - and expect you will find - that these hotels provide exceptional access to remote scenic treasures of the Maritimes, despite a few inconsistencies with the standards of other tour operator accommodations.
Departure Dates:
June - September
Prices
From approx $3,650 US
per person based on double occupancy
Departures on or within the seasons shown will determine the price
To book or for more
information please complete the
INQUIRY
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