Best of the Canadian Maritimes

Welcome to Nova Scotia! Your adventure starts today in Halifax, with a welcome meeting at 5 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Halifax is an Atlantic Ocean port in eastern Canada and the provincial capital of Nova Scotia. A major business centre, the city is known for its maritime history and hilltop Citadel – a star-shaped fort that was completed in the 1850s. After your meeting, head out for an orientation walk with your leader to get your bearings, then maybe join your group for a welcome dinner to get to know each other.

Today, head to historic Lunenburg on the South Shore – one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore Mahone Bay and nearby Blue Rocks on a leader-led walking tour and learn about this old fishing community that’s become a hub for artists and photographers. Enjoy some free time exploring the old town centre, which is a National Historic Site of Canada. And since Lunenburg was a rum-running town in the days of Prohibition, make sure you take the time to sample of the local brews. Head back to Halifax in the late afternoon and maybe meet later in the evening for dinner. (B)

Take a trip to Peggy’s Cove – a scenic fishing village that’s one of the most photographed places in all of Canada – for good reason! Rocky outcrops, the crashing Atlantic, colourful fishing boats and a classic, red-tipped lighthouse are what you’d expect to see on Maritimes postcards. Follow your local leader along the Peggy’s Cove Rock Walk, which meanders along the barren coastline that glaciers created some 12,000 years ago. After, maybe grab lunch in the village – perhaps a creamy seafood chowder or fresh lobster roll. This afternoon, you have the option to head to the Canadian Museum of Immigration or the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, soaking up some local history. (B)

Today, you’ll drive from Halifax to Baddeck, stopping at the Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Center along the way. Located in the heart of a development owned by Millbrook First Nation, the center tells the story of the Millbrook Mi’kmaq and the important role they played and continue to play in the Maritimes. Don’t miss the gift shop, which sells beautiful traditional arts and crafts! When you arrive in Baddeck, you’ll head out for dinner with your group, then enjoy a local ceilidh performance – a traditional gathering with Scottish roots, where musicians come together to play Cape Breton music. (B/D)

Today, you’ll drive along the Cabot Trail for a leisurely hike within Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The Skyline Trail is the park’s signature hike, which leads out to spectacular sweeping views over the sea. After completing your hike, continue your journey with a truly local experience at an oyster hatchery in South Harbour. Gain hands-on knowledge as you discover how oysters are grown, then try your hand at shucking them. Of course, you'll also have the chance to enjoy the fruits of your labor by tasting some fresh, locally grown oysters. If it’s a nice day for driving, your leader will take you further along the Cabot Trail – a 4 hours’ drive, but with plenty of beautiful stops along the way. Enjoy a picnic lunch while you’re out along the trail before returning to Baddeck for the night. (B/L)

If you’re an early riser, you can opt to start the day with a visit to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site to gain insight into the life and work of the inventor, scientist and teacher best known for inventing the telephone. Then, drive from Baddeck to Charlottetown – the capital of Prince Edward Island and the smallest provincial capital in the country. Perhaps head downtown and explore on foot when you arrive in the late afternoon. Stroll alongside the picturesque harbour or take in the leafy parks and Victorian-era streets lined with gabled houses. Tonight, join your group for an included dinner and toast your adventure. (B/D)

An orientation meeting will take place at 10am this morning to welcome any new travellers joining you for the next leg of your journey, then head out for a leader-led walking tour of the town. Your afternoon is free to wander on your own before regrouping in the evening for a special dinner. Head out along the stunning Points East Coastal Drive to meet a local fisherman and enjoy a traditional lobster and mussel boil on his private property. (B/D)

Drive from Charlottetown to the Greenwich section of Prince Edward Island National Park – home to a rare parabolic dune system and miles of white sand beach. Located along the famous Points East Coastal Drive, Greenwich is the perfect place to discover the small towns, beaches and wildlife that make Prince Edward Island so unique. As you walk the dune trail and dip your toes in the surf, look out for rare coastal plant species and a variety of seabirds. Then, you’ll visit Skmaqn-Port la Joye-Fort-Amherst National Historic Site for views of Charlottetown’s harbour. This site commemorates the first permanent European settlement on the island! After, carry on to a local, family-run and family-owned winery for a tasting of their favourite drops. (B)

This morning, say goodbye to Charlottetown and start the drive towards Summerside, stopping at a few viewpoints along the way. Stop in Cavendish, where L.M. Montgomery famously drew her inspiration for the ‘Anne of Green Gables’ novels. Visit Green Gables Heritage Place and explore the area on a walking tour (with a focus on Anne, of course!). After, you’ll stop for an optional lunch at Cape Tyron Lighthouse before continuing to Lennox Island. Here, you’ll visit Lennox Island First Nation to meet with a Mi'kmaq guide for a tour of the cultural centre and St. Anne church. Learn about Mi'kmaq culture and history, as well as the traditional way of preparing bannock (quick bread) at a campfire. Settle in with a cup of tea and soak up the stories about life on Lennox Island. Then, check out the Bottle Houses – a village of buildings, including a tavern, a chapel and gift shop, that are literally made out of thousands of bottles. Tonight, you’ll spend the night in the coastal city of Summerside. (B)

Enjoy a free morning exploring Summerside at your own pace. You may want to check out the local museums, galleries and cultural centres, or you can just wander through the neighbourhoods of historic homes. Then get your sea legs ready! Today you’re cruising the waters of Shediac Bay on a working lobster boat with local fishers. On the way to the bay, you’ll stop in Shediac Town – the ‘Lobster Capital of the World’ – to see the giant lobster. Then, get a hands-on lobster fishing demonstration and enjoy your delicious freshly caught lunch on board. After lunch, drive to Moncton and your hotel for the night. (B/D)

Cross over into New Brunswick and make your way to the postcard-perfect Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park. Arrive for low tide and join a naturalist guide for a walk right out onto the sea floor and get up close to the towering sandstone formations known as the Hopewell Rocks, or Flowerpot Rocks. When the tide comes in, waters in the bay can reach up to 16 m, so a trip here is all about timing and your leader will make sure you get the most out of your visit. In the afternoon, take a quick detour to spectacular Cap Enrage with its charming lighthouse before continuing on through Fundy National Park. Tonight, you’ll stay in the historic seaport city of Saint John. When you arrive, head out for dinner with your group and cheers to an awesome adventure! (B/D)

With no further activities planned, your trip ends today and you’re free to leave at any time. Or, if you like, stick around and explore the city of Saint John and more of the Maritimes on your own. If you need help with booking additional accommodation, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time. (B)