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Peggy's Cove Lighthouse

Treasures & Lighthouses of Nova Scotia

12-day tailor-made self-drive from £2,435 pp incl. flights

Summary

Short description

Stunning landscapes, spectacular wildlife and storybook lighthouses

Highlights

  • Explore the history and culinary scene of Halifax
  • Admire the beautiful Peggy's Cove Lighthouse
  • Follow the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Route between Lunenburg and Yarmouth
  • Experience whale watching from Brier Island
  • Enjoy entry to historic sites around Nova Scotia

In Brief

  • 2 Nights Halifax
  • 1 Night Lunenburg
  • 2 Nights Annapolis Royal
  • 1 Night Wolfville
  • 1 Night Pictou
  • 2 Nights Baddeck
  • 1 Night Liscomb Mills
  • 1 Night Halifax

About

Recommended for:
History & culture | Natural world | Self-drive | Wildlife

Stunning landscapes, spectacular wildlife and storybook lighthouses – this spectacular region is perhaps the crown jewel of Canada’s eastern seaboard. See it all on a curated self-drive tour of the region's national parks. It all begins with in Halifax with your hire car to explore at your own pace. Then, let ultra-scenic drives bring you to pretty waterside towns and villages, glorious coastlines and wildlife-filled national parks.

Day by day itinerary

Days 1-2
Halifax

Relax with included airport lounge access before your flight to Halifax, collect your rental car and head for your overnight accommodation, a trio of heritage townhouses, cleverly combined to create a boutique hotel and downtown retreat in the heart of Halifax.

Explore the city with its bustling hub of art galleries, shops, museums, restaurants, sidewalk cafes and vibrant nightlife centred around the picturesque waterfront. Officially founded in 1749 the history dates back even further, to times of the Mi’kmaq natives, European fishermen and the early Acadians, who came long before the British. You can enjoy an included visit to the Halifax Citadel Fort and enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Stay: The Halliburton, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Superior)

Meals: B

Day 3
Halifax > Peggy's Cove > Lunenburg

Take the scenic Lighthouse Route along the coast and you’ll pass through Peggy’s Cove, a small fishing village with houses built right into the granite rock and where you can visit one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country. The road hugs the coastline until it reaches the town of Lunenburg. A UNESCO world heritage site where a rabble of red-painted wooden houses covers the hillside, and shops and galleries line the narrow streets of the old Victorian town.

Stay: Blue Nose Inn, Lunenburg (Superior)

Day 4
Lunenburg > Annapolis Royal

Today either continue along the Lighthouse Route to Yarmouth or cross the peninsula and make a stop at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, renowned for its hiking trails and incredible canoeing on wilderness lakes and rivers. Park interpretive staff conduct outings on foot to reveal the natural history of the area, including Mi’kmaq petroglyphs. Whichever route you choose, you will continue to Annapolis Royal.

Stay: Hillsdale House, Annapolis Royal (Superior)

Meals: B

Day 5
Brier Island whale watching

After breakfast drive the Digby Neck to experience a whale watching excursion in the nutrient rich waters of the Bay of Fundy. You will likely see Finback and Minkes, Humpbacks or even the rare North Atlantic right whale, plus passing close to Brier Island Lighthouse with its characteristic red and white bands. Return to Annapolis Royal and spend the afternoon exploring the historic sites of Fort Anne, and Port-Royal, conveniently located close to the Victoria Beach Lighthouse which guards the Bay of Fundy.

Stay: Hillsdale House, Annapolis Royal (Superior)

Meals: B

Day 6
Annapolis Royal > Wolfville

After breakfast, make time to stop at the Grand-Pré National Historic Site, commemorating Grand-Pré area as a centre of Acadian settlement from 1682 to 1755 and the Deportation of the Acadians, which began in 1755 and continued until 1762. Also the Domaine de Grand Pré is a fantastic winery for tastings, and degustation, including a range of still and sparkling wines, plus its famous Novados Apple Brandy, a particular favourite.

Stay: Tattingstone Inn, Wolfville (Superior)

Meals: B

Day 7
Wolfville > New Glasgow

From Wolfville drive north via Truro to the historic town of Pictou - known as the birthplace of New Scotland. It was here that the province's first Scottish Highlanders landed on the ship ‘Hector’ in 1773. Pictou boasts an award-winning waterfront development that includes the Hector Heritage Quay, where a full scale replica of the Hector has been built using traditional ship building techniques, your overnight accommodation is in the neighbouring town of New Glasgow, where your clapperboard townhouse looks out overlooking the East River of Pictou.

Stay: Riverside Inn, New Glasgow (Superior)

Days 8-9
New Glasgow > Baddeck

Depart New Glasgow and continue to Cape Breton via the Canso Causeway and onto Baddeck. This scenic village overlooks the beautiful Bras d'Or Lakes and the most notable resident historically was Alexander Graham Bell - you can visit the National Historic Site and museum named after him. 

Next morning depart Baddeck and continue to explore Cape Breton Island. Continue on towards Sydney & Glace Bay. Take time to visit the Miners Museum and Marconi National Historic Site. From Glace Bay follow the Marconi Trail to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, the largest historical reconstruction in North America and the town of Louisbourg. Hear the cannons and muskets fire, watch the changing of the guard and meet the villagers at this meticulously preserved and recreated French fortification of over 250 years ago. Return to Baddeck in the afternoon.

Stay: Inverary Resort, Baddeck (Superior)

Day 10
Baddeck > Liscomb Mills

From Baddeck head west and off Cape Breton Island. Be sure to visit the communities en route including Guysborough - an inviting neighbourhood with distinctive architecture overlooking Chedabucto Bay and Sherbrooke Village – a typical Nova Scotian Village from the 1860’s where most of the interpreters are dressed in period costume. Continue on to Liscomb Mills where you can relax and enjoy your surroundings. You can choose from many outdoor activities such as sea kayaking, and harbour tours.

Stay: Liscombe Lodge, Liscomb Mills (Superior)

Day 11
Liscomb Mills > Halifax

After breakfast spend more time exploring Liscomb Mills before taking a leisurely drive back to Halifax, enroute visit Musquodoboit Harbour and Valley - a haven for nature lovers, and Martinique Beach, the longest beach in Nova Scotia. Back in Halifax perhaps take time to visit the award winning Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, or the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic on the waterfront. Your adventures conclude with a final night back in the boutique comfort of The Halliburton.

Stay: The Halliburton, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Superior)

Day 12
Halifax > UK

This morning, drop your car back at the airport and prepare for your day flight back to the UK


Map

Pricing

Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.

Accommodation rating: Superior

12-day tailor-made self-drive
from £2,435 pp incl. flights

Superior

03 - 20 Jun 2024

from £2,435 pp. incl. flights

21 Jun - 30 Sep 2024

from £2,765 pp. incl. flights

Validity: June to October

Includes

  • Complimentary UK airport departure lounge access
  • Return flights between UK and Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 11 nights accommodation - meal inclusions where stated
  • 12 days car hire in an Intermediate vehicle with GPS
  • Free entry to Peggy's Cove lighthouse and surrounding rocks
  • Whale watching excursion at Brier Island
  • Complimentary Historic Site admission to below historic sites

Halifax Citadel, Halifax

Alexander Graham Bell Museum, Baddeck

Fort Anne Historic Site, Annapolis Royal

Grand-Pre Historic Acadian monument

Fortress of Louisbourg Historic Site, representing French colonial life between 1713 and 1758

Kejimkujik National Park

Port-Royal, Annapolis Royal, a reconstruction of a French settlement

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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