Fly Drive Canada

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Halifax. Upon arrival, collect your rental car and proceed to your hotel, located in the heart of town, where you will spend the next three nights.

We allowed two full days to explore this true maritime city. Explore the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, in the heart of Halifax’s historic waterfront, to immerse yourself in Nova Scotia’s rich maritime heritage. Get a terrific view of the city from the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and visit York Redoubt National Historic Site, a 200-year-old fortification overlooking Halifax Harbour.

Today you head south to Lunenburg, visiting Peggy’s Cove along the way. Peggy’s Cove is a small village with a house built right into the granite rock and a lighthouse overlooking the Atlantic. This iconic lighthouse is the most photographed spot in Nova Scotia and you’ll understand why when you visit for yourself. Old town Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a lovingly resorted Victorian town that begs you to wander and explore. It is a walking town, with everything centrally located. Stroll past the colourful heritage properties (in case you’re wondering, Nova Scotia’s fishing towns often painted their homes bright colours so as to be easily seen from the water), visit the many gift and artisan shops scattered throughout the town or enjoy an ice cream along its boardwalk.

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. The park interpretive team offer outings on foot to reveal the natural history of the area, including the Mi’Kmaq petroglyphs. Next, you take the short journey to Digby, where a whale watching experience from Digby Neck into the nutrient-rich waters of the Bay of Fundy should be a priority. You will likely see Finback and Minkes, Humpbacks or ever the rare North Atlantic right whale. The rest of the evening is yours to explore Digby or relax at your pretty hotel which overlooks the bay.

Today you will make the short journey to Annapolis Royal a quaint seaside town steeped in heritage and tradition that holds a unique spot in Nova Scotian and Canadian history. Long before the arrival of the Europeans, this area held special meaning for the Mi’kmaq, the indigenous people who were the sole occupants of Canada’s Maritime Provinces for thousands of years. We recommend a trip to the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens which has been recognized as a ‘Top 5 North American Garden Worth Traveling For’. You may even take time to discover Champlain’s settlement at Port-Royal National Historic Site, or visit the nearby Melanson Settlement National Historic Site. There is also a great market area which is well worth a stroll.

You may choose to add an extra night in Annapolis Royal so you can explore Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site which is just a 40 minute drive inland. Visitors head to the Park to paddle, hike, connect with nature and learn of the Mi’kmaw culture. When the sun sets, the skies over Kejimkujik reveal a beautiful panorama of tens of thousands of stars in Nova Scotia’s only Dark Sky Preserve. Rock engravings known as petroglyphs, traditional encampment areas, and canoe routes attest to the presence of the Mi’kmaw people for thousands of years.

Your final stop will be at Wolfsville, but be sure to take time to stop at the Grand-Pre National Historic Site en route. It commemorates the Grand-Pre area being a centre of Acadian settlement from 1682 to 1755 and the Deportation of the Acadians, which began in 1755 continuing until 1762. Whilst in this area we recommend taking a tour of one of the nearby wineries such as L’Acadie Vineyards, Gaspereau Vineyards, Domaine de Grand Pré Winery or Muir Murray Estate Winery. Taste the wines produced from unique varietals such as Marechal Foch, L’Acadie Blanc, and Leon Millot.

This morning take the short ride back to Halifax Airport, return your rental car and check-in for your flight back to the UK.