Enjoy a leisurely journey around charming Nova Scotia and Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island, following a circular route from Halifax. With picturesque fishing villages, scenic hiking trails and fabulous seafood, the Maritime Provinces are the ideal setting for a relaxing self-drive holiday.
From historic Halifax travel south, taking in remote lighthouses and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Town Lunenburg. Enjoy a whale watching excursion with the chance to see fin, minke and humpback whales and marvel at the world’s highest tides in the Bay of Fundy. During your journey you’ll have the chance to learn more about the history of this fascinating corner of Canada, which has been influenced by Acadian, French and Celtic settlers.
Explore Prince Edward Island, perhaps best known for being the home of the fictional character Anne of Green Gables. It’s also home to historic Charlottetown, and the newly opened Island Walk which provides 700kms of easy, well maintained hiking trails that circle the entire island. A stroll along a short section may reveal red sandy beaches, rolling farmland, rural villages and panoramic sea views.
Your holiday ends with a scenic drive around Cape Breton’s renowned Cabot Trail. The Cabot Trail is just under 300kms in length and follows the coastline of northern Nova Scotia. Tiny fishing villages, local galleries and quirky museums hug the coast, whilst the Cape Breton Highlands National Park stretches right across the island from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Atlantic Ocean, offering numerous hiking opportunities amongst lakes and forests.
Itinerary
Your self-drive adventure begins a scenic drive to the beautifully restored Victorian town and UNESCO World Heritage site, Lunenburg. Along the way make a stop at Peggy’s Cove’s, a picturesque lighthouse overlooking the Atlantic.
Cross the peninsula via Kejimkujik National Park, renowned for its hiking trails and scenic canoeing on its lakes and rivers. Here, Park interpretive staff lead walking tours and talk about the natural history of the area, including the Mi’kmaq petoglyphs. Continue along to Annapolis Royal.
Drive along the coastal Digby Neck and enjoy a whale watching excursion on the Bay of Fundy. Species of whale you may spot include finback, minkes, humpbacks or even the rare North Atlantic right whale. Spend the remainder of the day exploring Annapolis Royal and the historic Fort Anne.
On the way to Wolfville, we recommend that you make a stop at the Grand-Pré National Historic Site. The site commemorates the Grand-Pré area of as a centre of Acadian settlement from 1682 to 1755, and the British deportation of the Acadians. Be sure to visit Domaine de Grand Pré, which is home to a fantastic winery.
You will cross the 13km long Confederation Bridge as you head over to Prince Edward Island today.
Spend time exploring Charlottetown, where you can visit the Province House National Historic Site, the scene of meetings that led to the formation of Canada as a country back in 1867.
Venture further afield today with a visit to Prince Edward Island National Park on the island’s north shore. The park is home to Green Gables, the fictional home of Anne, the character created by Canadian writer Lucy Maud Montgomery. Here you will also find prolific birdlife, scenic hiking trails, and rolling coastal landscapes, featuring salt marshes, sand dunes, headlands and deserted beaches.
Depart Charlottetown for the Wood Islands ferry crossing to Caribou. Continue to Cape Breton Island, a little piece of Scotland in North America, for a 3-night stay in Baddeck.
Allow a full day to drive the scenic Cabot Trail loop around Cape Breton Island today, as you will want to allow plenty of time to stop and hike or take in the views. There are 28 beautiful hiking trails in Cape Breton National Park between Cheticamp and Ingonish, offering stunning views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Cape Breton Highlands. Points of interest along the way include the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre, Glenora Distillery and the Acadian Cultural Centre & Museum.
Today you will discover the Fortress of Louisbourg which is a living museum and the largest historical reconstruction in North America of a 1700’s French garrison town. Costumed interpreters re-enact daily life from the French colonial period including sampling the food or even take part in a mock battle. Back in Baddeck the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site is also well worth a visit, a museum dedicated to the life and inventions of this fascinating man who spent his summers here on the shores of the Bras d’Or.
Enjoy a leisurely day driving along the scenic shore of the Bras d’Or Lakes and across the Canso Causeway, travel southwest along Marine Drive back to Halifax.
Prices & departures
What's Included
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Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
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Car hire including unlimited mileage, 2nd driver, loss damage waiver and third-party liability
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Whale watching cruise on the Bay of Fundy
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Ferry from Woods Island to Caribou
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Historic Sites admission to the following; Alexander Graham Bell, Fort Anne, Fortress of Louisbourg, Grand-pré, Halifax Citadel, Kejimkujik (Day use only), Port Royal, Green Gables House & Prince Edward Island National Park
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24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
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No surcharge guarantee
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Full financial protection
From £1705 Excluding Flights
10 Nights
Jun-Sep
Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.
Make this trip yours
Every destination and itinerary you see here can be adapted to suit you – so reach for that bucket list and start imagining your next adventure here.
Rosie
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Whale species spotted in the St Lawrence River
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Sea turtles snorkelled with
We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.
Experts with real experience
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Rosie
Travel Specialist
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Eric
Travel Specialist
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Lauren
Travel Specialist
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Dawn
Head of Customer Experience
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Gary
Travel Specialist
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Darren
Travel Specialist
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Jenna
Travel Specialist
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Doug
Travel Specialist
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Kieran
Travel Specialist
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Phoebe
Travel Specialist
