NOVA SCOTIA & PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
11 days from Halifax to Halifax
Discover the heart of Canada's Atlantic seacoast on this wonderful vacation. Begin your escorted tour with a guided tour of Halifax before heading out along Nova Scotia's majestic coastline to explore quaint fishing villages, beautiful resorts, and fascinating historical sites. On Cape Breton Island, keep your camera ready as you embark on the Cabot Trail, one of the most scenic drives in the world. Experience Acadian culture and enjoy Cape Breton Highlands National Park, a landscape that strikingly resembles Scottish coastal regions. Spend two nights on Prince Edward Island with an island tour, time in the provincial capital of Charlottetown, and visits to Price Edward Island National Park and Green Gables farmhouse-setting for the popular Anne of Green Gables novel. Visit Annapolis Royal and take a tour of Port Royal Habitation, founded in 1605 and the earliest permanent settlement north of Florida. In your free time, consider an optional whale-watching cruise on the Bay of Fundy! On your way back to Halifax, stop in Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major fishing port, and Peggy's Cove, a charming fishing village. Your vacation ends in Halifax.
Day 1 Arrive in Halifax
(Fri.) Welcome to Halifax! At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.
Day 2 Halifax
(Sat.) A morning tour of Halifax led by a Local Guide includes a visit to CITADEL HILL with its early 19th-century star-shaped fort, the shady walks of the Public Gardens, and the harbor area. With the remainder of the day at leisure, why not enjoy a visit to the Maritimes Museum, which explains the area's seafaring past, or perhaps tour Alexander Keith's Brewery, which has been making the homegrown favorite since the early 1880s. (B)
Day 3 Halifax-Sherbrooke Village-Liscomb Mills
(Sun.) Take scenic Marine Drive north along the Atlantic shoreline through picturesque fishing villages. Visit SHERBROOKE VILLAGE, once a thriving gold-mining town, whose renovated buildings recall the boom years of the 1860s. Your overnight is the attractive riverside setting of Liscomb Mills. (B,D)
Special Feature: Your hotel is the Liscombe Lodge, one of Nova Scotia's Signature Resorts. Often referred to as the "Nature Lover's Resort," it is nestled along Nova Scotia's picturesque Marine Drive in one of the most beautiful riverside settings in Atlantic Canada.
Day 4 Liscomb Mills-Cabot Trail-Ingonish Beach
(Mon.) Via Canso Causeway, cross over to Cape Breton Island, one of the first footholds of European settlement in the New World. Then, travel along the CABOT TRAIL, considered one of the most scenic drives in the world. At the Acadian village of Cheticamp, check out the famous hand-hooked rugs. Proceed north along the coast, savoring magnificent vistas of the rocky shoreline and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Enter CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK, a landscape that strikingly resembles Scottish coastal regions. (B,D)
Special Feature: Your hotel tonight is the Keltic Lodge. Located on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with spectacular sunrises, Keltic Lodge commands a view like no other and beckons you to relax and enjoy the splendor of the Highlands.
Day 5 Ingonish Beach-Baddeck
(Tue.) Visit the ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL MUSEUM, where exhibits trace the achievements of the great inventor who spent his last years on Cape Breton. Then, travel to the fortress of LOUISBOURG NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE. Enjoy a personalized guided walking tour of New France's historic fortress town and visit the grand King's Bastion. Overnight in nearby Baddeck. (B,D)
Day 6 Baddeck-Pictou-Charlottetown
(Wed.) This morning, proceed south across the Strait of Canso to Pictou, known as the "Birthplace of New Scotland." It was here that the first boatload of Scottish Highlanders landed in Nova Scotia in 1773 aboard the Hector. At the attractively restored waterfront, see a replica of the vessel and visit the HECTOR HERITAGE QUAY. Then, board a FERRY that whisks you across the Northumberland Strait to Prince Edward Island. The next two nights are in Charlottetown, the provincial capital. (B)
Day 7 Charlottetown
(Thu.) A Platinum exclusive, this morning you get to CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE. Join a leisurely WALKING TOUR down some of Canada's greatest historic streets or participate in an OYSTER SHUCKING lesson, where you'll learn the art of opening oysters and enjoy a tasty treat. This afternoon, a guided tour of the island includes a drive to the fishing port of North Rustico Harbour to see the sand dunes and lovely beaches of PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND NATIONAL PARK and also visit GREEN GABLES farmhouse, the setting for the famous novel Anne of Green Gables. Tonight, enjoy a LOBSTER DINNER at a local restaurant. (B,D)
Day 8 Charlottetown-Digby
(Fri.) Drive across the 8-mile-long Confederation Bridge, then motor south to coastal Wolfville. Stop here to visit nearby GRAND-PRE NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK with its memorial church museum. American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow chose this setting for his famous poem Evangeline. Continue south to Digby, a popular Atlantic province summer resort. (B,D)
Special Feature: Your hotel for the next two nights is the Pines Resort, a world of casual elegance in the tradition of the grand hotels. Surrounded by breathtaking beauty, you will have an opportunity to enjoy the view, recreation, and internationally renowned cuisine in this Norman-style chateau.
Day 9 Digby. Annapolis Royal Excursion
(Sat.) A short drive along the coastal road to historic Annapolis Royal for a visit to 18th-century FORT ANNE, where a park ranger gives a fascinating account of this much-besieged fort. Then, a guided tour of nearby PORT ROYAL HABITATION; founded in 1605, it's the earliest permanent settlement north of Florida. This afternoon is at leisure; perhaps take an optional cruise into the Bay of Fundy on a whale-watching expedition. This evening, enjoy a private cooking demonstration while savoring local wines and appetizers. (B,D)
Day 10 Digby-Lunenburg-Western Shore
(Sun.) This morning we travel across Nova Scotia to the rugged southern shores, making a stop in Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During your free time here, explore the quaint Main Street, shop for souvenirs, or spend time at the Fisheries Museum to learn more about this major fishing port. Tonight, enjoy a beachfront farewell dinner and local entertainment, the perfect finale to your Maritimes vacation. (B,D)
Day 11 Western Shore-Peggy's Cove-Halifax
(Mon.) This morning, hugging the shoreline, we travel to PEGGY'S COVE, one of Canada's most charming fishing villages. We then continue to Halifax International Airport. Please schedule flights after Noon. The trip ends at the Marriott Harbourfront. (B)
Vacation Highlights:
INCLUDED FEATURES
Halifax: Sightseeing; visit Citadel Hill
Sherbrooke: Visit Sherbrooke Village
Cabot Trail: Sightseeing; visit Cheticamp and Cape Breton Highlands
Baddeck: Visit Bell Museum
Louisbourg: Tour of Fort Louisbourg
Pictou: Tour the Hector Heritage Quay
Charlottetown: Sightseeing; visit Green Gables; Prince Edward Island sightseeing; lobster dinner at a local restaurant; Choose Your Experience Enjoy a historical walking tour or an oyster-shucking demonstration
Digby: Visit Grand-Pre National Historic Park and Fort Anne; guided tour of Port Royal Habitation; private chef demonstration
Lunenburg: Sightseeing
Western Shore: Farewell dinner with entertainment
Peggy's Cove: Orientation tour
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
American breakfast daily (B); 7 three-course dinners (D), including a farewell dinner in Western Shore.
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Halifax Marriott Harbourfront (SF), Liscomb Mills Liscombe Lodge (F), Ingonish Beach Keltic Lodge (F), Baddeck Inverary Resort (BA), Charlottetown Delta Prince Edward (SF), Digby The Pines Resort (SF), Western Shore Oak Island Resort (MF)
Fall Foliage Departures:
Enjoy the spectacular fall colors on our special Fall Foliage departures: September 17-October 1 (if Mother Nature permits)
DEPARTURE DATES
June - October
PRICES
From approx $2,619 US per person based on double occupancy
Departures on or within the seasons shown will determine the price
