Maritime Canada: Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island

Arrive in Halifax and transfer to our hotel situated in the downtown area where we’ll stay for three nights. Meet your guide and settle in. Our welcome dinner will take place on day 2.

Transfer to Peggy’s Cove, where we’ll enjoy a walk through the beautiful working fishing village and on the large rocks around Peggy’s Point Lighthouse – thought to be the most photographed lighthouse in the world.

Upon our return to Halifax, we’ll set off on a guided walking tour of downtown area. The city was founded by the British in 1749 and has an abundance of maritime history.

We’ll visit to Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and include admission to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. This evening our we will head to a local restaurant for a Welcome Dinner.

Distance: 8 miles (13km)

Today we’ll travel to the Annapolis Valley Cape Split Provincial Park, which protects cultural sites of significance to the Mi’kmaq indigenous people. See the natural wonder of the Bay of Fundy from the dramatic cliffs of Cape Split with views of iconic sea stacks, as we hike through mixed forests and coastal paths. We’ll then transfer to the pretty Hall’s Harbour, where the tides rise and fall up to 16 metres twice a day.

We’ll then head to a winery for a walk through the vineyard and stop for some all-important tastings. Back to Halifax for an overnight stay. Enjoy free time on the beautiful Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk and perhaps dine in one of the local restaurants.

Today, we’ll take a walk around Point Pleasant Park on the Halifax peninsula. This 185-acre park includes forest, trails, beaches, and military fortifications, built by the British Military to protect the area in 1796.

We’ll then head north to Truro and hike through Victoria Park. We’ll then visit the Fundy Discovery Site (tide times dependant). If we’re fortunate enough, we may witness the incredible spectacle of the Tidal Bore.

Transfer to Masstown Market for free time to find lunch. We will leave Nova Scotia and enter New Brunswick this afternoon. After checking in to our hotel, we’ll embark on a Shediac Bay Cruise and lobster dinner. Shediac is known as the "Lobster Capital of the World". Learn about the traditions of the local fisherman and taste fresh lobster in a beautiful setting.

Today we will learn more about the important ecosystems of New Brunswick. We visit the Irving Eco-Centre at La Dune de Bouctouche, developed to preserve and restore a 12km sand dune which creates a rare habitat for marine plants, animals and birds. We’ll walk across the 800m boardwalk, above the dunes and salt marsh, without endangering the sensitive ecosystems. After an included lunch we’ll visit the Homarus Eco-Centre, an interactive experience dedicated to the mysterious world of lobsters and the marine ecosystem. Overnight stay in Shediac.

Distance: 6.2 miles (10km)

Travel to beautiful Prince Edward Island via Confederation Bridge. Visit to Green Gables Heritage Place, where you can visit the historic home of Anne of Green Gables, the fictional character created by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Then, lunch on your own at Avonlea Village.

We’ll explore stunning coastal landscapes on a hike along the Confederation Trail to North Rustico. This seaside route offers a paved trail past the iconic red sandstone cliffs of Cavendish. To round off the day we’ll stop off at the Dunes Studio Gallery & Café to admire the beautiful gardens and art displays before checking in to our hotel in Cardigan for dinner and a restful evening.

Distance: 3.7 miles

This morning, we’ll head to the North Shore to hike Greenwich Dunes Trail in Greenwich Dunes Prince Edward Island National Park. The walk starts out on a gravel trail and carries us across floating boardwalks between the dunes before arriving at Greenwich Beach. We’ll then visit province capital, Charlottetown. Despite its modest size, it hosted the Charlottetown Conference of 1864, spurring the birth of Canada. Victoria Row has shops and restaurants, and nearby is the Gothic Revival St. Dunstan’s Basilica. After a walking tour there’ll be free time to explore, before we head back to our hotel in Cardigan.

Distance: 6.2 miles (10km)

We’ll walk along a beautiful old railway bed today on what is known as the Island Walk, taking us from Cardigan Junction to the pretty harbour town of Montague. On our arrival there is free time to explore and take lunch before an included admission and guided tour of Point Prim Lighthouse. Built in 1845, facing out into the Northumberland Straight, it’s the oldest on Prince Edward Island. We’ll head back to our hotel in the evening for a well-earned dinner.

Distance: 1.8 miles (3km)

Today we’ll leave Prince Edward Island on a ferry for Cape Breton, an island that forms the northeastern part of Nova Scotia. While en route to Sydney, we’ll stop in Baddeck to hike an inland trail in a beautiful, wooded area to Uisage Ban Falls. 

This afternoon we’ll arrive at our hotel in Sydney, the provincial town of Cape Breton. The former city was a major exporter of steel to England during both world wars.

Distance: 5 miles (8.2km)

Today we drive along the scenic Cabot Trail in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. We’ll stretch our legs and then begin the Skyline Trail, popular for its dramatic headland cliffs looking out over rugged coast where you might spot surfacing whales. Walking through the highlands you may see Canada’s famed wildlife such as bald eagles and moose.

This morning, we will visit the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site for a guided tour and some free time, before making our way back to Halifax for our last chance to explore this wonderful part of Canada. Perhaps soak up the lively atmosphere of the shops or visit one of the city’s museums. We will end our time together with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant downtown.

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.