Experience the majesty of the Canadian coast on a 12-day tour
Combine the best of land and sea on this 12-day tour of Canada. Visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax with a local expert who will tell you the story of the city’s most historic moment: the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. See the legendary house that inspired LM Montgomery’s children’s classic Anne of Green Gables. Watch for bald eagles on one of the most scenic drives in the world, the Cabot Trail. Hop aboard a lobster boat in New Brunswick for an up close and personal look at lobster fishing, then treat yourself to a decadent lobster dinner. Later, cruise the Bay of Fundy on a whale-watching expedition where you can spot humpbacks, minke whales and fin whales.
Day 1
Welcome to Halifax
Combining sea breezes and cultural delights, Halifax is the quintessential maritime destination, as evidenced by its waterfront, historic sites and current maritime activities. Learn how it became a maritime destination thanks to its strategic natural harbor, making it an important naval and commercial center. Relax in a hotel in the city center next to the waterfront. Maybe get out and explore this capital, home to five National Historic Landmarks, including Halifax Citadel, George Island, Fort McNab, York Redoubt and Prince of Wales Tower. This evening, meet your Tourism Director for a welcome dinner.
Day 2
Sightseeing and recreation in Halifax
From British rule to naval battles, Halifax is a haven of history. Begin your tour of Canada and delve into the city’s maritime history at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, where your local expert will share stories of key historical events. Learn about the Halifax bombing in 1917, the world’s largest man-made explosion before Hiroshima and the tragic sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Then your local expert reveals eclectic Halifax ahead of Insight Choice day. Visit the Halifax Citadel National Historic Landmark, exploring the history of the fort and the soldiers who lived there. Art lovers will want to check out the Maud Lewis Gallery to see the artist’s famous, painstakingly restored painted house. Or visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, historically the country’s main immigration gateway, shedding light on Canada’s complex relationship with the immigration process.
Day 3
Historic Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg conjures up images of brightly painted houses and a picturesque waterfront. Join a local expert for a walking tour of one of the finest surviving examples of planned British colonial settlement in North America. Get an insight into the impact of the fishing industry on the region at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic before visiting Peggy’s Cove, a small rural community located on the eastern shore of St. Margaret’s Bay and home to Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, an iconic Canadian icon.
Day 4
Cape Breton Island and blooming Baddeck
The legends and traditions of the Mi’kmaq people will inspire the mind of any curious traveler. At the Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Centre, join us on a tour of Canada as interpreters share insights into history and culture, weaving together stories, related artifacts with lifestyles, cosmology and the changing relationship with European settlers. Further your discoveries this afternoon on a guided cruise of Bras d’Or Lake, spotting iconic lighthouses, the Bird Estuary and historic sites including the Alexander Graham Bell Mansion. After a long day of exploring, experience warm hospitality and home-style Cape Breton cuisine at your waterfront hotel, featuring tempting seafood favorites and hearty dishes that are sure to satisfy. Continue your night with traditional music and song at the Ceilidh, a Celtic evening full of Acadian hospitality and entertainment.
Day 5
The natural beauty of the Cabot Trail
Gaelic and Celtic cultures are revealed during a unique experience at Gaelic College dedicated to the study and preservation of these rich cultures. Offering traditional arts including Cape Breton fiddling, piano, guitar, tap and piping, highland dancing, weaving and Gaelic, this school has the opportunity to learn about the fabric milling tradition and watch a kilt-making demonstration at actions After this unique educational experience, drive the Cabot Trail, a world-renowned highway that runs along the coastal borders on both sides of Cape Breton Highlands National Park and crosses the highlands. With views of impressive cliffs and mountains, past charming coastal villages, you’ll enjoy reflecting on another grand day of your chosen sights.
Day 6
Baddeck and Charlottetown
Go behind the scenes on your tour of Canada with a local expert at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site to learn the stories of the inventor of the telephone and one of the most influential members in history. Take a ferry across the Northumberland Channel to Prince Edward Island and quaint Charlottetown, where you’ll spend the next three nights. This pearl of the sea has colorful fishing cottages and a picturesque harbor. Your hotel, The Delta Prince Edward, is Charlottetown’s only waterfront hotel, just steps away from attractive shops and restaurants.
Day 7
Overview of the sights of Prince Edward Island
No trip to Prince Edward Island is complete without a visit to Green Gable’s heritage site, including House of Green Roofs, the legendary home that inspired LM Montgomery’s children’s classic Anne of Green Roofs. Discover the cliffs, windswept dunes and Covehead Lighthouse of Prince Edward Island National Park with your local expert before heading to Cavendish. Charlottetown is free to explore at your leisure this afternoon. Perhaps visit Beaconsfield’s historic Victorian house and feel like you’ve stepped into Downton Abbey. Or visit the nearby Victoria Park promenade, which takes you past Prince Edward Battery, Victoria Dock and Brighton Beach Lighthouse.
Day 8
Flavors of Charlottetown
The flavors of Prince Edward Island will delight your taste buds today in the quaint seaside fishing village of Georgetown. Meet a local fisherman and exceptional storyteller who will regale you with tales of marine life and teach you all about the local lobster and mussel industry. Then savor the flavors over a delicious, vibrant lunch of island blue mussels, prepared fresh by the fisherman. A visit to the Maritime Province would not be complete without a tour of the lighthouse. Head to Prince Edward Island’s first lighthouse, Point Prim, and finish your day with a tasting at Rossignol Winery, Prince Edward Island’s first winery specializing in table and fruit wines.
Day 9
Tides of Hopewell Rocks
A highlight awaits this morning as you cross the Confederation Bridge. This engineering feat connects Prince Edward Island to the mainland and, at eight miles long, is the world’s longest bridge across ice-covered waters. With the waters of Shediac Bay your playground, board a lobster boat (weather permitting) for a glimpse into the fascinating world of these sea creatures and the lobster industry. Further your discoveries as you enjoy a delicious lobster lunch as you cruise the waters of the bay, enjoying the scenery and warm Acadian hospitality. Your coastal exploration continues at Hopewell Rocks on the Bay of Fundy, where you’ll meet your local expert to introduce you to the bay, one of the Seven Wonders of North America, boasting the highest tides on Earth due to its unique shape. This magnificent tidal range not only shapes the landscape of the area, but also creates a rich ecosystem. End this day of your Canada tour by arriving in the fun-filled downtown Moncton.
Day 10
Lively Moncton – Digby
Embark on a coastal drive along the park’s Fundy Trail, nestled between the green of the forest and the blue of the coast, with stunning views in all directions. Completed in 2020, this major thoroughfare connects Alma to Saint-Martin and features hiking trails, beaches, viewpoints, and an interpretive center. Take to the water by crossing the Bay of Fundy from St. John’s to Digby on the ferry. Breathe in the fresh, salty air from the outdoor deck and keep a close eye on the Bay of Fundy for whales and other marine life. Arriving at Digby Pines Golf Resort & Spa overlooking the Bay of Fundy since 1929, known for its incredible tides. Grab a local craft beer or wine at the 19th Hole restaurant overlooking the Stanley Thompson-designed course, or indulge in a pampering treatment at their spa featuring sustainable and sustainable methods to create natural, organic and biodynamic products.
Day 11
Magnificent Digby and Annapolis Royal
The Bay of Fundy conjures up images of jagged coastlines and tides. Explore it for yourself on a once-in-a-lifetime (weather permitting) whale watching cruise in search of rare whale species while learning about these majestic marine mammals. In historic Annapolis Royal, join a local expert and costumed interpreter for a stroll through the National Historic District, learning about Annapolis Royal’s cultural heritage before returning to your spa resort in Digby. In the evening, meet a former scallop fisherman for a cooking demonstration and dinner celebration of your highly prized Digby’s Canada Scallop Tour for a fresh scallop dinner.
Day 12
Goodbye, Halifax
It’s time to wave goodbye to Halifax and your fellow travelers as your journey comes to an end. At 12:00 p.m., there will be a complimentary airport transfer from/to Halifax International Airport, after which guests wishing to extend their stay will be staying at the Marriott Harbourfront Halifax.
