Coastal Treasures of the Canadian Maritimes
11 days, Halifax to Halifax
Itinerary
Day 1Halifax
Arrive at any time. Attend a welcome meeting in the evening. Afterwards, choose to have an optional dinner together as a group out in Halifax, the capital and largest city in Nova Scotia.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Halifax/Baddeck
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing to the charming town of Antigonish. Known for its rich Gaelic heritage, rolling countryside, and the nearby beaches of the Northumberland Shore, this is the perfect place to stop and explore. Lunch will be on your own at a local spot, or if the weather is nice, perhaps a picnic. Afterwards, walk one of the nearby hiking trails along Fairmont Ridge or along the beach and shore Pomquet Acadian trails. Travel onwards to Baddeck arriving in the evening. Dinner will be on your own.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Antigonish Town Visit & Hikes
Visit the town of Antigonish, home to St. Francis Xavier University and the oldest continuous highland games in North America. With deep Gaelic roots, this town is full of history and charm. Enjoy lunch on your own and some time to explore the area before hiking along either the Fairmont Ridge trail or Pomquet Acadian trail.
The Fairmont Ridge Hiking trails are up to 10km and have a 332m elevation gain. The trails overlook the harbour, and wind through old-growth forest and past brooks.
The Pomquet Acadian trail starts along a prominent headland and offers great views of St. George’s Bay and Pomquet Beach. You will begin atop a drumlin and wind through inland forests with 100-year-old pine trees before ending along the beach.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Baddeck
Enjoy a day of exploration in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The group will experience the craggy coastline while hiking and driving along the Cabot Trail and its scenic highway with sweeping ocean views. A box lunch will be had along one of the trails. Stop for walks through forests and along river canyons before ending with a beach visit near beautiful Ingonish and it's Caribbean coloured water. Return to Baddeck in the evening where dinner will be on your own. Perhaps find a place in town by the water and relax in the ocean breeze.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle as the group transfers between Baddeck and Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
Please note that the drive will be about 5 hours total. The drive to the national park will take about an hour and then the group will spend additional time driving along the scenic Cabot Trail. The drive back to the hotel will be about two hours.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park Visit
Cape Breton National Park is home a large portion of the scenic Cabot Trail. Considered one of the most beautiful drives in Canada, this 185-mile (298 km) loop road on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia is known for its dramatic coastal views, rugged landscapes, and access to the national park. Your visit here will consist of driving and exploring by foot on trails along this route. Encounter incredible views of the landscape, wildlife, and relaxing beaches. Hike along the Skyline Trailhead, sit down for a picnic lunch at McIntosh Brook Falls or Pleasant Bay Beach. And cap off the visit with a stop to Dingwall Beach or Green Cove for a short walk by the water.
Hiking Information:
Skyline Trail: 6.5km out and back with 290m elevation gain or 8.2km loop with 405m elevation gain. Duration: 2-3hrs.
McIntosh Brook: (possible walk to waterfall depending on lunch location) 1.7km. Duration: 30 minutes
Ingonish Visit
Pay a short visit to the small collection of villages that make up Ingonish. Located on the water and close to the national park, this is the perfect location to enjoy the outdoors. While your visit here may be short, you will have time to get a feel for the peaceful, laid-back atmosphere during the summer months while admiring views of the Atlantic.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 4Baddeck/Summerside
Enjoy some breakfast at the hotel before heading to Pictou. Known for its rich maritime history, this charming waterfront town has a strong connection to Scottish heritage. Experience the vibrant community spirit during free time. Choose to visit The Hector Heritage Quay. Lunch will be on your own in town before driving to Caribou to board the ferry to Prince Edward Island. From the port, drive to the picturesque seaside town of Summerside, where the group will spend the night. Dinner is at your leisure with the option to choose from a variety of local spots.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Pictou Visit
Spend some time exploring the quaint waterfront town of Pictou today. Discover some of its rich history as the "Birthplace of New Scotland" and enjoy walks along the coastline. Choose to visit different attractions in town like, The Hector Heritage Quay or simply relax by the water amid the daily small town life.
Private Vehicle
Enjoy a short 10-15 minute transfer to the ferry terminal from Pictou.
Ferry
Settle in and enjoy a ferry ride from Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
The Hector Heritage Quay
10CAD per personEnjoy an optional visit to The Hector Heritage Quay, one of Nova Scotia's major cultural tourist attractions. Here you will find a full-sized replica of the original Ship Hector, which brought the first wave of emigrants from Scotland to Nova Scotia in 1773. Learn about the lives and hardships of these early settlers and take a walk through the Interpretive Centre to learn about what it was like to spend 11 weeks at sea.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Day trip to Charlottetown from Summerside
Enjoy a full free day to partake in various optional activities available on Prince Edward Island. The group will travel together into Charlottetown and from there the choice is yours. Opt for an electric bike ride, historic walking tour, kayaking tour, or set off on some nearby trails. After lunch on your own you can choose to continue exploring the city, or travel with your CEO to the North Shore beaches of the island where you can swim and relax. Later, opt to join your CEO and group for an optional dinner at a local seafood restaurant.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Take advantage of a full free day on Prince Edward Island to partake in optional activities available from Charlottetown. From bike rides to kayaking and historic walking tours, there are plenty of options to choose from to make your day here as busy or laid-back as you choose.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Charlottetown Historic Walking Tour
25CAD per personGet to know the history of Charlottetown and learn more about Prince Edward Island's role in shaping Canadian history. Walk the area and hear about the island's first inhabitants while encountering cultural landmarks, architectural gems, and learning interesting facts from your local guide.
Electric Bike Rental - Charlottetown
80-100CAD per personChoose to rent an electric bike and explore for the day on your own, or book a tour and ride around Charlottetown with a guide.
Charlottetown Walking Food Tour
98CAD per personBook an optional walking food tour and stop at four local spots in downtown Charlottetown. Your guide will share some of the city's hidden gems and you will learn more about the island's history through food and drink. The walking distance will be 5km total with the stops along the route. The experience runs rain or shine, so please remember to dress accordingly.
Kayaking Tour - Charlottetown
55-75CAD per personExperience an optional kayaking excursion from Charlottetown. There are different options to choose from depending on skill level and confidence in the water.
Gin Distillery Tour
5-25CAD per personChoose to visit the Deep Roots Distillery which is located on a 10 acre apple orchard and offers scenic views of Prince Edward Island. From self-guided to guided tours, there are different options depending on your budget.
Lobster Fish and Feast Experience
110CAD per personTake in the beauty of Prince Edward Island's North Shore on a fishing excursion. Sail to oyster and mussel beds where the captain will explain a bit more about those industries. Then, continue to a lobster buoy where you will hook with the gaff and bring the bounty aboard the boat. From there, an experienced lobster fisher will guide the group through the process of hauling a lobster trap and all of the other steps taken to get your catch to the table. Finish off with a lobster roll picnic and enjoy the views from the boat.
*Please be aware this activity starts at 5pm.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Summerside/Saint John
In the morning drive across the curved 12.9km (8 mile) long Confederation Bridge. This bridge is the longest in the world crossing ice-covered water. Arrive to Hopewell Rock Provincial Park after stopping in Moncton to pick up lunch supplies. Enjoy a guided tour of Hopewell Rocks and witness its unique geological rock formations and a very cool perspective during low tide. Continue on to Fundy National Park, renowned for having the highest tides in the world. See for yourself during a 2-4km hike where you’ll experience views of the beach below from a cliff top balcony. Arrive to Saint John in the evening and have some dinner in town on your own.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle. You will be traveling over the curved, 12.9 km (8 mile) long Confederation Bridge. Stop in Moncton along the way to Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park.
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park Visit & Guided Tour
The massive tides of the Bay of Fundy have been working their magic and sculpting a masterpiece in Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick for thousands of years. Enjoy a visit to where over twenty free-standing sea stacks are sprinkled along 2km of rugged shoreline. Experience these icons on a walk down on the beach during low tide to witness these massive rocks from a different angle of the normally covered ocean floor. Have lunch here among the beautiful coastal scenery before traveling onwards.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Fundy National Park Visit
Witness the world's most dramatic tides in Fundy National Park. Located on the un-ceded territory of the Indigenous Mi'gmaq people on New Brunswick's east coast, the tides normally cover the area with 12m of water, or about a 4-story building. During your visit the group will venture inland on a trail that winds through Acadian forest up to a cliff overlook of the landscape below.
Distance: 2-4km.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Saint John to Digby/Anapolis
In the morning explore Saint John at your leisure. Gather again as a group for an Indigenous Storytelling Walk through the area. This guided experience allows travellers to connect with nature, local culture, and history through the unique Indigenous point of view. See locations in the area like Reversing Falls Lookout Point, the waterfront, and AREA 506 Container Village. Lunch will be at your leisure before boarding the ferry to Digby. Arrive in the early evening and find a cool local restaurant to have dinner on your own.
Free Time
Spend the morning exploring Saint John, Canada's first incorporated city on your own.
Indigenous Storytelling Walk
Discover the local history of the Wolastoqi and Mi’kmaq communities on a guided Indigenous Walk and storytelling experience. The group will walk along the harbour and the River Wolastoq. Past by archaeological sites and become more knowledgeable about stewardship of the earth and how we combine respect of the present while celebrating past traditions.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Digby/Anapolis
Take advantage of a full free day in the Digby/Anapolis area. Enjoy an optional visit to the National Historic Sites of Fort Anne, the first European Settlement in North America. Later you could opt to visit Bear River, artist galleries in town, shops, cafes, or perhaps choose to book an optional whale watching cruise. This evening, dinner will be on your own in town.
Free Time
Enjoy a full day of free time to experience the area of New Brunswick. Opt to tour historical sites, walk around downtown, or book a whale watching cruise a bit further away. There's plenty to see and do, and the chance to make your day as busy or relaxing as you'd like.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Visit Anapolis Area Historic Sites
Choose to join your CEO for an optional visit to the historic sites in the area. See Fort Anne, Canada's oldest National Historic Site and the first European Settlement in North America. There will also be an option to see Port Royal and Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. Annapolis Royal has over 135 registered heritage properties and a charming streetscape that is now a designated National Historic District.
Visit the Unincorporated Town of Bear River
Enjoy a visit to Bear River, the charming village on stilts. With 14-foot tides that refresh daily, the beauty of this place will captivate your creative spirit. Browse the many shops and galleries with art made by locals ranging from wood and pottery to watercolours.
Bay of Fundy Whale Watching
85CAD per personChoose to book the optional whale watching cruise and try to spot whales lifting from the water in the Bay of Fundy. You will head between 2 and 15 miles off shore to find these beautiful creatures who have migrated north from Florida and Georgia to their feeding grounds. This activity does need to be booked in advance. Please contact Petit Passage Whale Watch for more information.
*Please note your CEO will be providing road trip transportation to those travellers planning on doing this activity. The drive is about 35 minutes away from Digby. Other travellers will need to remain in town or Bear River if they choose to visit there.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Digby/Western Shore
Leave Digby in the morning and visit the town of Lunenburg for a guided walking tour. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best-preserved examples of a planned British Colonial settlement in North America. Grab lunch on your own at a local restaurant before free time to explore. Later, travel to Western Shore and get settled in at the hotel. Spend the evening enjoying the property’s amenities like the walking or bike trails, water activities, and pools. Have dinner on your own on site and choose to attend an evening bonfire with live music.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Historic Guided Walking Tour of Lunenburg
Enjoy a walking tour alongside a guide and learn about the history of Lunenburg. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved examples of a planned British Colonial settlement in North America. Walk the original layout of the town and discover the architectural heritage of the 18th and 19th-century buildings. Your guide will offer facts and a unique insider's perspective on this quaint town.
Free Time
Spend a few free hours in the town. Grab some lunch on your own at a cool local spot, and choose to visit the Fisheries Museum nearby.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Enjoy the resort property's amenities tonight in Western Shore. Choose to swim in the indoor or outdoor pool, try some water activities like kayaking or paddle boarding, and enjoy live music later in the evening.
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic Visit
Head to the waterfront and check out the different exhibits, boats, films, and history at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Western Shore/Halifax
Drive to Peggy’s Cove today for a walk around the fishing village, wharf, and lighthouse. This small rural community is located on the eastern shore of St. Margarets Bay with smooth rocks stretching down toward the water from the lighthouse. Afterwards, travel to Halifax and enjoy a CEO-led orientation tour. The remainder of the afternoon will be free and on your own. Join your group in the evening for an optional dinner together.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Peggys Cove Visit & Walk
Enjoy a visit and walk about Peggy’s Cove, a must-see location in Nova Scotia known for its beautiful coastal scenery and the iconic Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse. Walk around the charming fishing village with a long history that is still actively engaged in the trade. Spend time at the lighthouse perched on granite rocks that have been sculpted by the ocean, and which happens to be one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
CEO-led Orientation Tour of Halifax
Become acquainted with Halifax on a brief orientation tour with your CEO. Pass by the harbour and on the main streets downtown as you gain insight into the maritime history and natural beautiful of this waterfront city with the world's longest downtown boardwalk.
Free Time
Spend a few hours of free time in Halifax. Opt to visit a museum, walk around on the waterfront boardwalk, or enjoy the natural beauty of Point Pleasant Park.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Halifax
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.