15 night Self Drive Itinerary – “Secrets” of The Maritimes

Included

• Document Pack Includes: Travel Wallet, Full Itinerary, Vouchers, Driving Directions, Maps & Supporting Literature
• 15 Nights Accommodations
• Midsize Car Rental for Duration (unlimited kms, CDW insurance, airport fees, one additional driver & taxes)
• Halifax City Tour
• Digby to Saint John ferry incl vehicle charge

Day 1 – Halifax

Arrive Halifax and pick up your rental car. Welcome to Nova Scotia’s provincial capital, this attractive city is a 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. Overnight Halifax

Day 2 – Halifax

This morning enjoy a city tour and take in the sights of Citadel Hill, Halifax Harbour, Historic Properties, Bedford Basin, Point Pleasant Park and much more. Afternoon at leisure to explore the city further.  Visit Alexander Keith’s Nova Scotia Brewery, one of the nearby malls, enjoy a Harbour Tour or take the ferry over to the city of Dartmouth.  A visit to the excellent Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is a must!   See the unique collection of the memorabilia collected after the tragic Titanic disaster. Overnight Halifax.

Day 3 – Halifax/Kejimkujik National Park

Depart Halifax and drive the south shore along the Lighthouse Route. En route visit Peggy’s Cove, a picturesque fishing village surrounded by bare granite and coastal barrens and home to the most visited lighthouse in Nova Scotia. Continue on to Lunenburg, a unique town in terms of architecture and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunenburg is the birthplace of the famous Bluenose, built in 1921. Be sure to take a “Trot in Time” on horse and buggy – a 35 minute journey from the waterfront area through the streets to view the beautiful town of Lunenburg.  Drive north into the Kejimkujik National Park, a spectacular inland National Park with walking trails to suit all levels and some of the best canoeing in Atlantic Canada. Overnight Kejimkujik National Park.

Day 4 – Kejimkujik National Park/Digby

This morning explore further the delights of this beautiful park. Visit the excellent visitor centre, which houses replicas of the native tools found, by archaeologists dating back 4500 years ago. Depart Kejimkujik and drive north to Digby. Digby boasts spectacular views of the Annapolis Basin and is also the ferry gateway to New Brunswick. Overnight Digby.

Day 5 – Digby/Fundy National Park

Board the ferry, a crossing of approximately 3 hours over to Saint John, New Brunswick. Saint John is New Brunswick’s largest city and is steeped in history with lots to see and do. Places to visit include Carleton Martello Tower National Historic Site, the old city market, Loyalist House, the New Brunswick Museum and probably the most famous – the Reversing Falls. Continue on along the spectacular Fundy Coastal Drive via St. Martins, a scenic fishing village with a famous shipbuilding heritage and spectacular red cliffs and caves. This route then takes you inland via Sussex and then on to the Fundy National Park. The Fundy National Park has 206 square kilometres of steep coastal cliffs, forest clad hills, deep rich valleys and rolling meadows. Overnight Fundy National Park.

Day 6 – Fundy National Park

Day at leisure to explore this magnificent park. The park is renowned for its hiking trails, with over 104 kms of trails to choose from, ranging from easy 1/2 km loops to a demanding 50 km circuit around the park. The park is a haven for bird watchers, golfers, cyclists, canoeists and naturalists. If time permits visit Cape Enrage Lighthouse and Mary’s Point Bird Sanctuary located nearby. Overnight Fundy National Park.

Day 7 – Fundy National Park/Summerside

Depart Fundy National Park and drive via the fascinating Hopewell Rocks where you can walk on the ocean floor and witness the highest tides in the world. Continue along the Acadian Coastal Drive via Sackville and Port Elgin and onto the Confederation Bridge. Upon entering PEI, visit Gateway Village which is located conveniently at the foot of the dramatic Confederation Bridge. A unique adventure awaits as you experience the legends of the land, sea and people.   Continue along the Red Sands Shore north to Summerside.  Rich in heritage and the stately homes grace the downtown residential core were once home to many a wealthy shipbuilder.  Visit Spinnakers Landing, with an attractive waterfront area that has a lively boardwalk it allows visitors to shop and dine beside the ocean.  Overnight Summerside.

Day 8 – Summerside/Charlottetown

Depart Summerside and continue along the Green Gable Shore in pilgrimage-like fashion to visit the many sites that pay tribute to everyone’s favourite red-haired heroine and her creator, Lucy Maud Montgomery.  Enroute visit Kensington and visit the Kensington Railyards and welcome centre and maybe the Haunted Mansion.   Continue on to Indian River and visit St. Mary’s Church, the largest wooden church on the Island.   Further along visit Anne of Green Gables Museum in Park Corner before driving to Cavendish the home of Anne of Green Gables. Visit Avonlea – the village of Anne of Green Gables and the Green Gables L.M. Montgomery’s Cavendish National Historic Site.  Make you way to Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island. Overnight Charlottetown.

Day 9 – Charlottetown

Today explore the city of Charlottetown retracing the steps of the Fathers of Confederation.  Why not take a Guided Walking Tour – you will be guided by “The Fathers and Ladies of Confederation”. Be sure to visit Founders’ Hall – Canada’s Birthplace Pavilion or the National Historic Street called Great George.  Just steps away from Province House, is Victoria Row – it is here that “Anne of Green Gables – The Musical” has been delighting audiences for 47 years.  Maybe, take a boat cruise that will take you onto the waters of Hillsborough Bay for a sailor’s view of the city.  Visit attractions further afield, such as the Fort Amherst-Port-La-Joye National Historic Site, which is located near Charlottetown Harbour and Victoria-by-the-sea, a storybook village with the soul of this historic fishing village that has been revitalized by the many artists and other creative people who call it home.  This area offers a wide scope of activities including, kayaking, crafts, shopping and live theatre – all within walking distance. Overnight Charlottetown.

Day 10 – Charlottetown/Tatamagouche

Depart Charlottetown and continue on through the Points East Coastal Drive South to Wood Islands ferry terminal. Take the NFL ferry across to Caribou, Nova Scotia – a short scenic crossing of only 75 minutes (payable locally). On arrival follow the Northumberland Shore to Tatamagouche. Tatamagouche is a vibrant community where meeting of old and new is in harmony and old Victorian homes and businesses mix with modern homes and facilities. Overnight Tatamagouche.

Day 11 – Tatamagouche/Baddeck

Depart Tatamagouche heading east continuing along the Northumberland shore via New Glasgow, the largest community along the Sunrise Trail. Continue on to Cape Breton via the Canso Causeway and on to 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 named after him. Overnight Baddeck.

Day 12 – Baddeck

Depart Baddeck and take time to explore the western shore of Cape Breton Island along the Ceilidh Trail. Highlights include the Provincial Parks at Long Point and Port Hood and Margaree Harbour, where you can take a nature cruise of the area. Continue on and follow the famous Cabot Trail, one of the most spectacular drives in all of Canada. The trail winds around the rocky splendor of Cape Breton’s northern shore, ascending to the incredible plateaus of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The park has 26 hiking trails ranging from 20-minute short walks to challenging hikes through stunning mountain and coastal landscapes. Return to Baddeck. Overnight Baddeck.

Day 13 – Baddeck

Depart Baddeck and explore the scenic Bras d’Or Lake – a pristine inland sea carved from the dramatic northern extremity of the Appalachian mountain range during the last ice age.  The lakes are a salt-water lake system that covers over 1,165 square kilometres in the middle of Cape Breton.  The stunning Bras d’Or Lakes Scenic Drive takes you around much of the shoreline by way of many of the island’s lesser travelled scenic roads.  Highlights enroute include Iona and the Highland Village, the town of St. Peter’s, Waycobah – a Mi’kmaw First Nation Reserve, Big Pond – home of Rita MacNeil and more!  Continue back to Baddeck.  Overnight Baddeck.

Day 14 – Baddeck/Louisbourg

Depart Baddeck via Glace Bay, home of the Miners Museum and Marconi National Historical Site. Glace Bay is the beginning of the Marconi Trail, named after Guglielmo Marconi the Italian inventor who sent the first transatlantic wireless message from here. Follow the trail to Louisbourg, home to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, the largest historical reconstruction in North America. Overnight Louisbourg.

Day 15 – Louisbourg/Liscomb Mills

From Louisbourg drive to the Canso Causeway and continue along Marine Drive, which follows the Eastern Shore. You will drive through Guysborough – an inviting town with distinctive architecture overlooking Chedabucto Bay. Guysborough Harbour is home to “Wilma the Beluga Whale” – a resident for several years! You will then drive through many picturesque villages and communities including Canso – once an important French fishing station, and Goldboro – once the best goldmining district in the province, to name a few. A visit to Sherbrooke Village is a must! This living history museum is a re-enactment of village life in old Nova Scotia. Overnight Liscomb Mills.

Day 16 – Liscomb Mills/Halifax

Depart Liscomb Mills and take a leisurely drive back to Halifax. En route visit Musqodoboit Harbour & Valley – a haven for nature lovers, and Martinique Beach – the longest beach in the province. Drop off your rental car in Halifax on arrival.

Packages

Tools