Road Trip: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island

Discover the history of Nova Scotia and immerse yourself in its natural beauty during this tour. At the scheduled time, you will be picked up from your hotel by a shared vehicle. Travel across the scenic countryside to Peggy’s Cove. See the iconic lighthouse dating back to 1868 and soak in the coastal charm of this rural community. Next, visit the national historic site of Citadel Hill, where re-enactors dressed in period costume transport you back in time. The fort, situated in downtown Halifax, overlooks the harbor and offers gorgeous views of the water. Learn about how the daily life of soldiers and their families would have been here in the late 19th century. Later, drive through the downtown area passing by landmarks such as the Fairview Cemetery, the final resting place of over a hundred victims of the ill-fated Titanic. Pier 21, the country’s last surviving seaport immigration facility, and the Halifax Farmers Market also lie along this route. (Duration: half day; Time: 0900/1330 hrs; Shared activity & transfers; Depending on the weather condition, the timing and date of this activity may change at a very short notice)

Wind your way through North America’s best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement on this walking tour in Nova Scotia. Meet your guide at the Lunenburg Academy grounds on Kaulbach Street. Then set out to explore Old Town Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is packed with history. Admire elegant examples of 18th-century and Victorian architecture. Stroll through side streets lined with colorfully painted historic houses and see the tall ships moored off the port. Along the way, your expert guide will tell you stories and anecdotes about the city’s past. Learn about architectural quirks such as Lunenburg bumps and ship’s knees and discover fascinating folklore before you wrap up. (Duration: 1 hr; Time: 1000 & 1400 hrs; Seasonal: Apr 15 – Nov 15; Shared activity; No transfers; Starting point: Lunenburg Academy grounds, 97 Kaulbach Street; Meals are not included; Please note that this tour operates rain or shine)

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend exploring one or more of these attractions in the coastal Digby/Smith’s Cove region. At a convenient time, set off from the historic town of Lunenburg. Choose between two distinct routes based on your interests. If history and culture is what you seek, head down the coastal route across the Annapolis Valley. Journey past charming towns, stopping to take in views of the scenic landscape and the Bay of Fundy. At Annapolis Royal, one of the oldest European settlements in North America, soak in the rich history of the Nova Scotia region. You could visit Fort Anne National Historic Site, where stories of French, British, and Mi’kmaq heritage intertwine. Go on a stroll around the beautifully laid out Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. There is also Port-Royal National Historic Site, home to a reconstructed French settlement depicting life in the early 17th century. After, you could continue along Highway 101 enjoying the scenic drive along the Annapolis Basin to Digby/Smith’s Cove. Alternatively, travel along the inland route through the UNESCO-listed Kejimkujik National Park. Commune with nature as you pass through the ecologically diverse area. This region is rich in indigenous history and offers hiking trails and waterways for canoeing. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you drive through the backcountry and head west towards Digby. Once you reach your destination, relax by the waterfront and treat yourself to some fresh seafood dishes. (Duration: half day/full day; This is an unguided, independent activity; Entrance fees and transfers are not included; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Explore Digby at your own pace. Immerse yourself in the town’s heritage at the Admiral Digby Museum, which chronicles the region’s maritime history. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along Admirals Walk, passing charming storefronts and witnessing the ebb and flow of the tides as the scallop fleets pull in at the fisherman’s wharf. Embark on a boat tour for whale watching in the Bay of Fundy, where you’ll also have the opportunity to observe the dramatic tides up close. Capture breathtaking images of the sunset over the bay from Point Prim, home to one of three lighthouses in Digby. After an active day, unwind with a refreshing drink and indulge in a plate of the region’s famous scallops at one of the local restaurants.

Set sail on the nutrient-rich Bay of Fundy, in search of whales and other marine animals. Board your boat, and take in the surroundings as you glide amid the islands and passages. Keep an eye out for seabirds, porpoises and seals who feed in these waters. Then, enter the expansive bay to watch for whales such as the humpback, finback and minke. Along the way, the skipper and crew provide expert commentary on the area’s aquatic creatures. Humpbacks are known for putting up a show by breaching, rolling and arching their backs out of the water before diving to feed. Encounter minke whales, which travel in small pods of two or three, or the finbacks with their long spouts. As you return to port, spot a variety of seabirds including gulls, kittiwakes and eagles. (Duration: 2.5 hrs; Time: 1330 hrs (June 17-30), 1000/1330 hrs (Jul 1-14 & Sep 4-Oct 25), 1000/1330/1700 hrs (Jul 15-Sep 3); Shared activity; No transfers; Starting point: Market Wharf, Saint Andrews; Please arrive 45 mins prior to departure; Please bring jacket/sweater & rain gear; Depending on the weather condition, the timing and date of this activity may change at a very short notice)

Discover the town of St. Andrews, one of the most picturesque in the Maritimes! A seaside town that sits right by the US border, St. Andrews has a quaint, old-fashioned vibe and some beautiful architecture. Start the day with a visit to the Minister’s Island, once a retreat for William Cornelius Van Horne, builder of the Canadian Pacific Railway. If the tide is low, you can walk on the seafloor to get there and explore its miles of scenic trails and the Covenhaven, an Edwardian cottage with a towerlike stone bathhouse and chateau-style barn. Break for lunch at one of the town’s excellent seafood restaurants. The Chandler Room and the Clam Digger are popular favorites! Step back in time at the Ross Memorial Museum, an 1820s home belonging to a wealthy couple, and take a stroll through the Kingsbrae Garden, one of the most beautiful horticultural displays in Canada. Leisure lovers can go on a whale watching tour, sunbathe on Katy’s Cove or step into the Fundy Discovery Aquarium to see the different marine species inhabiting the Bay of Fundy. (Self-explore activity; No guide; No transfers; Entrance fees and meals are not included; Fitness level: easy)

Enjoy the unique experience of walking on the ocean floor at low tide in the Bay of Fundy, to take a closer look at the beautiful sandstone formations of Hopewell Rocks. At a suitable time, make your way to the Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park. Use the included tickets to enter and set out to explore. See the rocks and run your fingers along the rough striations on the giant flowerpot-like geological formations. Visit the interpretive center to gain insight into this natural phenomenon. You could treat yourself to a meal at one of the cafes and browse the gift shop. After, take in scenic vistas from the lookout deck. Alternatively, you could enjoy a short hike along the network of trails or head to the north end of the park to see the 300-year-old Acadian seawall. Cave exploration, sunbathing, and birdwatching are some other activities that you can pursue while you wait for the tide to turn. After a few hours, return to the spot with the rock formations to find them turned into low islands by the high tide. Kayaking among the rock formations is available for those interested. (Duration: full day; No guide, no transfers & no meals are included; Entrance tickets included; The ticket is valid for 2 visits to view low and high tides; Driving time from Moncton: 45 min; Fitness level: easy; Sturdy and washable footwear is recommended; Boot wash areas are available across the park)

Discover the prominent attractions of Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province. You will be picked up from your hotel in the downtown area in a shared vehicle. Begin with a scenic drive through the coastal city of Charlottetown where you will pass by some of its iconic landmarks. The Gothic- style Saint Dunstan’s Basilica with its stained glass windows, Province House National Historic Site and the Confederation Centre of the Arts are all on the route. Your guide will also point out Government House, the picturesque waterfront at the Victoria Park Boardwalk and the University of Prince Edward Island. At Queen Street, see the storefronts before you head to Anne of Green Gables Heritage Site, the 19th-century farm that inspired author Lucy Maud Montgomery. Visit the PEI Preserve Company, a riverside eatery specializing in house jams and regional specialties. At Cavendish Cliffs, take in the sight of the natural red sandstone formations, while Dalvay offers splendid ocean views. After, return to your hotel with lasting memories. (Duration: half day; Shared activity & transfers; Please dress in weather appropriate clothing and wear comfortable footwear)

Set sail aboard the Winstar and cruise to the UNESCO-listed Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve. Enjoy the beauty of Cape Breton from the comfort of your enclosed, double-decker vessel. As you traverse the water your captain and crew will tell you about Baddeck’s rich history including the early Mi’kmaq, French and British settlements. Cruise along the shoreline, go past Kidston Island and the surrounding villages of Washabuck, Boularderie Island and Kempt Head. Continue to the summer home of inventor Alexander Graham Bell, which is a National Historic Site. It is also the place of the British Empire’s first airplane flight, the Silver Dart. Gain insight into the work of Bell’s wife, Mabel Hubbard Bell, who worked with deaf children which gained her international fame. Finally, watch the captain feed a family of bald eagles who have their nests near the seaside. Observe this exciting spectacle before you head back to the pier. (Duration: 1.5 hrs; Seasonal: Jun 1-mid-Oct; Time: 1100/1400/1600/1830 hrs; Shared activity; Group size: min 10 ppl; No transfers; Starting point: end of Baddeck Community Wharf, Baddeck (landmarks: Bras d’Or Yacht Club & Old Freight Shed); Please bring windbreaker jacket/sweater & wear comfortable shoes; Depending on the weather condition, the timing and date of this activity may change at a very short notice)

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend visiting the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site in Baddeck, Nova Scotia. The site features artifacts donated by the Bell family’s personal museum, as well as memorabilia associated with Bell’s experiments. See the original hull of the HD-4, a hydrofoil boat that set a world marine speed record in 1919 when it posted speeds of more than 70 mph. Admire the full scale replica the AEA Silver Dart, which was the first controlled heavier-than-air craft flown in the British Empire. Browse the exhibits and documents that showcase Bell’s years of research on the transmission of speech and sound by wire and by light. Learn about his work in the field of deaf education and how it led to the invention of the telephone. Head up to the observation deck on the roof for views of the Bell family’s private Beinn Bhreagh estate, located across the bay. Take the White Glove Tour for a behind-the-scenes look at Bell’s genius and discover Mabel Bell’s innovative gardening practices in Mabel’s Gardens. (Duration: 1.5 hrs; This is an unguided, independent activity; Entrance fees, transfers and meals are not included; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Discover the Cabot Trail on this small-group, guided day trip. Known as one of the most iconic drives on the continent, this 186-mile scenic loop takes you along rugged coastlines and majestic mountains. Follow the winding roads and traverse the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, which offers some of the most mesmerizing scenery. While cruising past valleys, coastal headlands, green hills and boggy upland, gain insight into the indigenous Mi’kmaq, Acadian and Gaelic culture. Stop at the Wreck Cove General Store and the Cabot Trail sign. Continue up along the coast and enjoy the views. Next, from the entrance to Cape Smokey Picnic Park, go on an easy hike to the narrow peninsula separating two ocean bays. Meander through the forest, to the end of the promontory. Here, rest and watch seabirds soar overhead. Soak up splendid views of Cape Breton Island, before making your way to the car park. Finally, drive to the tiny settlement of White Point Harbor before returning to Baddeck. (Duration: full day; Time: 0900 hrs; Shared activity; No transfers; Starting point: Baddeck Visitor Centre, 454 Chebucto Street; Please report by 0845 hrs latest; Meals included: no; Please wear weather appropriate clothing & comfortable walking shoes; Depending on the weather condition, the timing and date of this activity may change at a very short notice)