Landscapes Of The Canadian Maritimes

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Upon arrival, transfer independently to the Marriott Harbourfront, Halifax. The rest of the day is yours to explore Halifax as you please, before meeting your Travel Director and starting your Insight Vacation escorted tour tomorrow evening.

You will have some more free time today before meeting up with the rest of your tour group for a welcome reception and dinner. Halifax is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and the largest city in the Atlantic Provinces, yet small enough to visit the city on foot. If you have the time, we recommend a visit to the Halifax Citadel. The present Citadel, completed in 1856, is officially called Fort George, named after Britain’s King George II. Its distinctive star shape is typical of many 19th-century forts built by the British military and gave the garrison sweeping arcs of fire.

Delve into Halifax’s nautical history at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, where your Local Expert will engage you in stories of key historic events, including the Halifax Explosion and the tragic sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Join a Local Expert for an informative exploration of eclectic Halifax. This afternoon, enjoy an Insight Choice between a visit to the Maud Lewis Gallery, or the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.

Journey to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg. Experience one of the best surviving examples of a planned British Colonial settlement in North America, before meeting a Local Expert for a walking tour. Hear tales of the fishing industry’s impact on the region before visiting scenic Peggy’s Cove, a small rural community located on the eastern shore of St. Margarets Bay. You’ll end the day by heading back to Halifax for the evening, followed by a Highlight Dinner with live music in the heart of the city, at Le Bistro by Liz, a local favourite.

In the evening, on the way to Cape Brenton Island, you’ll stop at a local craft distillery and learn about the family production techniques that trace back 300 years. Enjoy a tour and a tasting of four samples as well as a small cocktail. Experience warm hospitality and Cape Breton-style home cooking at your waterfront hotel, featuring tempting seafood favourites and hearty dishes that are sure to satisfy you. Continue your night with traditional music and song at a Ceilidh, a Celtic Evening where you’ll enjoy a night of Acadian hospitality and entertainment.

Head back to school as you immerse yourself in a unique experience at The Gaelic College, devoted to the study and preservation of the Gaelic and Celtic cultures. Learn about the tradition of fabric milling and see a kilt-making demonstration in action.  Enjoy a relaxing drive along the Cabot Trail, a world-famous scenic highway, which runs along coastal borders on both sides of Cape Breton Highlands National Park, as well as crosses highlands that offer remarkable views. 

In the morning, embark on an insightful visit to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. Ferry across the Northumberland Strait to magical Prince Edward Island and quaint Charlottetown, where you’ll spend the next three nights. This little city is a nautical dream, with its colourful fisherman’s cottages and picturesque harbour. The city is also known for hosting the famous Anne of Green Gables musical every year.

Discover picturesque Prince Edward Island with a Local Expert before heading on to Cavendish. Here you’ll visit the Green Gables House, the fabled home that provided inspiration for L.M. Montgomery’s children’s classic, “Anne of Green Gables.” Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit the Abegweit Mi’Kmaw Nation, an Indigenous community located east of the city.
You’ll be met by your local Knowledge Keeper who will welcome you to the community, before introducing you to the Seven Sacred Teachings and how they guide the Miꞌkmaq people. Be among the select first to gain an insight into ceremonies and teachings that have traditionally only been available to community members. 

Head for the quaint seaside fishing village of Georgetown in eastern Prince Edward Island. Meet a local fisherman who will regale you with tales of life at sea and teach you all about the area’s lobster and mussel industry. Enjoy a delicious Highlight Lunch at the Historic Georgetown Inn featuring delicious Island blue mussels and lunch made with local products. A visit to a maritime province wouldn’t be complete without a lighthouse tour – after lunch, head out to the first lighthouse on Prince Edward Island and end your day with a tasting at Rossignol Winery, the first winery on Prince Edward Island specializing in table and fruit wines. 

Journey to New Brunswick where you will cruise the waters of Shediac Bay onboard a lobster boat (weather permitting) and get a glimpse into the fascinating world of these sea creatures, as well as the lobster industry. You’ll also indulge in a delicious seafood Highlight Lunch with wine before traveling on to Hopewell Rocks shores of the bay where you’ll meet your Local Expert, ultimately making your arrival in the fun hub city of Moncton.

Travel along the Fundy Trail Parkway, which hugs the coast with stunning views in every direction. With its final portion completed in 2020, the Fundy Trail Parkway provides a coastal access network from Alma to St Martin complete with hiking trails, beaches, scenic lookouts, and an Interpretive Centre. Afterward, head to the Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa, which overlooks the Bay of Fundy, known for its incredible tides.

Begin your day by embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime whale-watching cruise (weather permitting) on the Bay of Fundy. Move on to the historic town of Annapolis Royal where you’ll take a stroll with a costumed interpreter and discover a cultural mosaic of history before returning to your spa resort in Digby. In the evening, meet a former scallop fisherman for a culinary demonstration and Celebration Dinner featuring the highly prized seafood. Considering the economic impact the scallop industry has in Digby, there is no better place to learn firsthand from a local expert and no better place to enjoy a fresh, sea-to-table scallop dinner.

Today you will make your way back to Halifax, where you will be transferred to Halifax International Airport for your flight back to the UK. Alternatively, you may choose to extend your stay in Nova Scotia.