Summary
Short description
A road trip exploration of Nova Scotia's beautiful and historic coastlines
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Highlights
- Halifax City Tour with a visit to the Canadian Immigration Museum at Pier 21
- Whale watching experience from Digby Point
- The Cabot Trail - one of the most spectacular drives in all of Canada
- The Marconi Trail to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
In Brief
- 2 Nights Halifax
- 2 Nights Lunenburg
- 1 Night Yarmouth
- 2 Nights Annapolis Royal
- 1 Night Wolfville
- 1 Night Tatamagouche
- 2 Nights Baddeck
- 1 Night Louisbourg
- 1 Night Charlos Cove
- 1 Night Liscomb Mills
- 1 Night Halifax
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
History & culture | Natural world | Self-drive
Coastal beauty, stunning landscapes, gingerbread houses and storybook lighthouses give this Atlantic province its own distinctive identity and it has truly become the crown jewel of Canada’s eastern coast - see it all on this curated self-drive tour. It all begins with a guided tour of historic Halifax before you pick up your hire car to explore the stunning Nova Scotia coast. Let ultra-scenic drives bring you to pretty waterside towns and villages before you pause for an included whale-watching experience off beautiful Brier Island.
Day by day itinerary
Days
1-2
Halifax
Arrive in Halifax, the provincial capital of Nova Scotia and make your way to your hotel. Halifax is an attractive city bustling with galleries, shops, museums, restaurants, pavement cafes and vibrant nightlife. You'll spend two nights here and on your second morning we've included a city tour which takes in many of the historic buildings, a visit to the Alexander Keith Brewery and the superb Maritime Museum is also recommended. At Pier 21 you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration, now an National Historic Site which was the gateway for over one million migrants between 1928 and 1971.
Stay: The Halliburton, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
3-4
Lunenburg
Collect your rental car and start the drive south along the Lighthouse Route, a visit to Peggy's Cove is a must, this picture-perfect fishing village is home to Nova Scotia's most visited lighthouse. Continue via Mahones Bay, an equally pretty seaside town to Lunenburg, the regions only UNESCO World Heritage Site and widely regarded as one Canada's most beautiful towns. Set between the harbour and soaring hills Lunenburg is a town of charming painted houses constructed during the 18th and 19th centuries and characterised by the 'Lunenburg Bump' a distinctive 5-sided dormer window above the front door. You'll spend two nights here so there's plenty of time to explore. The town was originally established in 1753 and much of the planned settlement is preserved today - the Mi'kmaq and Arcadians were the earliest settlers.
Stay: Mariner King, Lunenburg (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
5
Yarmouth
Make an early start from Lunenburg and continue your journey along the Lighthouse Route to Liverpool. Known as the Port of Privateers, Liverpool sits on the mouth of the beautiful Mersey River and has a rich and colourful history, there are over 31 historic sites to be seen and all can be reached on foot. From Liverpool you'll continue on this scenic route revealing beautiful bays and charming fishing villages to Shelburne. From here it's onwards to Yarmouth, once the second largest seaport in Canada, Yarmouth dates back to the Viking era and is home to the Yarmouth Lighthouse at Cape Forchu.
Stay: Churchill Mansion (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
6-7
Annapolis Valley
From Yarmouth follow the Evangeline Trail entering the world of the 17th Century French pioneers. This coastal route takes you along the shoreline of the magnificent Bay of Fundy and a landscape teaming with wildlife, birds and wild flowers. From here continue to Digby, gateway to the Bay of Fundy and New Brunswick. Here in the Annapolis Valley you are in the heart of wine country and the local vineyards are well worth a visit. We have included a whale watching experience from Digby Neck, which is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Afterwards we highly recommend a visit to the Kejimkujik National Park, a spectacular inland park with over 100km of trails and an excellent visitor's centre then continue on to Annapolis Royal and spend the night there.
Stay: Queen Anne Inn, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
8
Wolfville
This charming university town in the verdant Annapolis Valley lies in the heartland of Acadia and is home to some wonderful shops, boutiques and fine dining. A tour of the Grand Pre Winery is recommended where you can taste the wine, learn about the grapes and visit the wine shop where you will find plenty of local art and crafts and learn how this superb winery uses only 100% Nova Scotia grown apples and grapes.
Stay: Victoria's Historic Inn (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
9
Tatamagouche
From Wolfville follow the Glooscap Trail to Truro, in the heart of the province. Truro's location at the tip of the Bay of Fundy makes it an excellent viewing area for the 'Tidal Bore'. Continue along the Sunrise Trail to Tatamagouche.
Stay: Train Station Inn (Standard)
Meals: B
Days
10-11
Baddeck and The Cabot Trail
From Tatamagouche carry along the Sunrise Trail to Pictou, known as the birthplace of New Scotland it was here that the first Scottish Highlanders landed in 1773. Leaving Pictou behind travel to Cape Breton via the Canso Causeway and onwards to Baddeck, a scenic village overlooking the beautiful Bras d'Or Lakes. You'll have two nights based in Baddeck enabling you to follow the famous Cabot Trail in a clockwise direction. This is regarded as one of the most spectacular drives in Canada and will take you through the French Acadian community of Cheticamp, the rocky splendour of Cape Breton's Northern shore and up in to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park which offers a range of walking trails to explore through stunning mountain and coastal landscapes before returning to Baddeck.
Stay: Lynwood Inn (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
12
Louisbourg
Explore Cape Breton Island and then continue on to Sydney and Glace Bay, the Miner Museum and the Marconi National Historic Site are worth a visit before following the Marconi Trail to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site.
Stay: Louisbourg Harbour Inn (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
13
Charlos Cove
Explore the rugged Eastern Shore coastline which is filled with tranquil bays and beaches, unspoilt forests and crystal clear lakes. Your home for the night is Charlos Cove, a community first settled in 1760 and named after one of the very first Acadian settlers - Charles Richard.
Stay: Seawind Landing Country Inn (Standard)
Meals: B
Day
14
Liscomb Mills
Follow the coastal route to Liscomb where you can choose from an abundance of outdoor activities such as kayaking, harbour tours and canoeing, or if you prefer, make the short drive to Sherbrook Village, a typical Nova Scotian village from the 1860's where interpreters dress in period costume.
Stay: Liscombe Lodge (Standard)
Meals: B
Day
15
Halifax
Make the leisurely drive back to Halifax, via the Musquodoboit Harbour & Valley, a haven for nature lovers.
Stay: The Halliburton, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
16
Depart for UK
There is time to explore Halifax before returning your car to the airport and boarding your overnight flight back to the UK arriving on day 17.
Day
17
Arrive UK
On arrival in the UK continue with your onward journey.
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
17-day tailor-made self-drive from £2,505 pp incl. flights
Superior
Low Season
from £2,505 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £2,560 pp. incl. flights
Valid for travel: May – October
Includes:
- Complimentary UK airport departure lounge access
- Return international flights
- 15 nights accommodation with daily breakfast
- 13 days' car rental
- Halifax City Tour including the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
- Whale watching experience at Brier Island
- Full driving directions with maps
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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