Scenic Shores
Arriving in Halifax, you will dip into the rich heritage of Canada's oldest and most culturally diverse city. In 1749, approximately 2500 settlers created Canada's first permanent British town here on the scenic shores of the world's second largest natural harbor. Our tour of Halifax will include the historic waterfront studded with intriguing shops, monuments, a still-running 1767 naval clock and Canada's oldest shipping warehouses. The imposing stone Citadel is an excellent example of a 19th-century fort complete with a defensive ditch and ramparts.
Celtic Spirit
Our next stop is Cape Breton Island, an isle of living history, Celtic spirit and magnificent scenery. For the next two nights we will be graciously housed in the 1850s Inverary Inn overlooking the sparkling Bras d'Or Lake. After visiting the Alexander Graham Bell Museum with the world's largest collection of his artifacts and inventions, you can relax at the inn, enjoy a dip in the pool or visit the spa. Its waterfront restaurant specializes in fresh lobster and other seafood, and its Thistledown Pub is a friendly place to dance until dreamtime.
Bell said, "I have seen the Canadian and American Rockies, the Andes and the Alps and the highlands of Scotland, but for simple beauty, Cape Breton outrivals them all." We will see what inspired him on our full-day trip down the famous Cabot Trail. This road loops around the northern tip of the island and passes through many charming communities, each with breathtaking scenery and unforgettable hospitality. We experience the scenic nooks and crannies of this remarkable landscape, enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch and even watch for whales.
A Prince of an Island
We take a ferry to Prince Edward Island and step back in time at the Anne of Green Gables house. We walk through pastoral scenes that inspired her to write the beloved story about the red-haired orphan Anne. We tour Charlottetown, settled by the French, Scottish, English and Irish, and explore the island's marvelous beaches and woodlands. A highlight of our visit is a tasty lobster dinner.
A musical performance at the Confederation Center for the Arts showcases Canada’s finest entertainers. See a performance of Anne of Green Gables or another fine show.
The Bay of Fundy
Leaving the island on the nine-mile long Confederation Bridge, we cross into New Brunswick, a province with a rich heritage and scenic wonders. The drive along the Bay of Fundy showcases the province's most popular and intriguing attractions, the Hopewell Rocks. Here, the power of the Bay of Fundy tides can be witnessed. Curious rock formations have been sculpted by the massive tides. Known as the world's largest flower pots, the "pots" can be viewed from three hours before low tide and to three hours after.
Fundy National Park was established in 1948. It encapsulates the history of the Fundy Shore in New Brunswick of when early settlers struggled to eke out a living from the stony soil, and shipbuilding was in its heyday.
Peggy's Cove and Halifax
No visit to Nova Scotia is complete without a stop at the charming fishing village of Peggy’s Cove. This sleepy town numbers no more than one hundred residents and surrounds a narrow ocean inlet. It is famous for its massive weathered granite rocks, its beautiful ocean waters and its crowning feature, Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse. Enjoy some leisure time here for a little shopping, and taking pictures of the “world’s most photographed fishing village.” Later, travel back to Halifax for a farewell dinner. Our catch of the day includes memorable vistas and ocean breezes.
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