Landscapes of the Canadian Maritimes

Blend the best of land and sea on this 12-day guided tour of Canada. Explore the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax with a Local Expert, who will tell you the tale of the city’s most historic moment: the 1912 sinking of the Titanic. See the fabled home that inspired L.M. Montgomery’s children’s classic, ‘Anne of Green Gables.’ Watch for bald eagles as you travel one of the world’s most scenic routes, Cabot Trail. Board a lobster boat in New Brunswick for an up-close-and-personal look at lobster fishing, then indulge in a decadent lobster lunch. Later, cruise the Bay of Fundy on a whale-watching expedition, where you can see humpback, minke and fin whales.

Itinerary

Welcome to Halifax

A mix of sea breezes and cultural charms, Halifax is a quintessential maritime destination evident in its waterfront, historic sites and ongoing maritime activities. Learn how it became a maritime destination due to its strategic natural harbour, making it a crucial naval and trading hub. Relax at your downtown hotel next to the waterfront. Perhaps get out and explore this capital city, home to five National Historic Sites including The Halifax Citadel, Georges Island, Fort McNab, York Redoubt and the Prince of Wales Tower. This evening, meet your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner.

Sightseeing and Relaxation in Halifax

From British rule to naval battles, Halifax is a historical haven. Kick off your Canada guided tour and delve into the city’s nautical history at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic where your Local Expert shares stories of key historic events. Learn about the Halifax Explosion in 1917, the world’s largest man-made explosion prior to Hiroshima, and the tragic sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Your Local Expert then reveals eclectic Halifax before an afternoon of Insight Choice. Visit the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site exploring the history of the fortress and the soldiers who were stationed there. Art lovers will want to explore the Maud Lewis Gallery to see the artist’s famous carefully restored painted house. Or, choose to visit to the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, historically the nation’s primary immigration gateway, shedding light on Canada’s intricate relationship with the immigration process.

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 best surviving examples of a planned British Colonial settlement in North America. Gain insights into the fishing industry’s impact 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. Margarets Bay and the site of Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, an iconic Canadian image.

Cape Breton Island and Blooming Baddeck

The legends & traditions of the Mi’kmaq people will inspire the mind of any curious traveller. At Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on your Canada guided tour as interpreters share insights into history and culture as they weave stories relating artefacts to a way of life, cosmology and a changing relationship with European settlers. Further your discovery this afternoon on a guided cruise across Bras d’Or Lake, spotting iconic lighthouses, a bird estuary and historic properties, including the mansion of Alexander Graham Bell. After a big day of exploring, experience warm hospitality and Cape Breton-style home cooking at your waterfront hotel, featuring tempting seafood favourites and hearty dishes that will satisfy you. Continue your night with traditional music and song at a Ceilidh, a Celtic Evening full of Acadian hospitality and entertainment.

The Natural Beauty of the Cabot Trail

Gaelic and Celtic cultures are revealed over a unique experience at The Gaelic College, devoted to the study and preservation of these rich cultures. At this school offering traditional arts, including Cape Breton fiddle, piano, guitar, step-dancing, and piping, highland dancing, weaving and Gaelic language, you have the opportunity to learn about the tradition of fabric milling and get up close and personal watching a kilt-making demonstration in action. After this one-of-a-kind learning experience, drive along the Cabot Trail, a world-famous highway running along coastal borders on both sides of Cape Breton Highlands National Park and crossing highlands. With views of dramatic cliffs and mountains abound passing charming coastal villages, you’ll love reflecting on another grand day of hand-picked sights.

Baddeck and Charlottetown

Go behind the scenes on your Canada-guided tour with a Local Expert at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site to discover the stories behind the inventor of the telephone and one of history’s most influential members. Ferry across the Northumberland Strait to Prince Edward Island and quaint Charlottetown, where you’ll spend the next three nights. In this nautical gem, colourful fisherman’s cottages and picturesque harbour. Your hotel, The Delta Prince Edward, is Charlottetown’s only waterfront hotel and just steps away from enticing shops and restaurants.

Prince Edward Island Sightseeing

No trip to Prince Edward Island is complete without a visit to Green Gable’s Heritage Place including the Green Gables House, the fabled home that provided inspiration for L.M. Montgomery’s children’s classic, ‘Anne of Green Gables’. With your Local Expert, discover the cliffs, wind-whipped dunes and Covehead lighthouse of Prince Edward Island National Park before heading to Cavendish. This afternoon is free to explore Charlottetown at your leisure. Perhaps tour the Victorian Beaconsfield Historic House and feel like you’ve entered Downton Abbey. Or, visit nearby Victoria Park’s boardwalk taking you past the Prince Edward Battery and the Victoria Floating Dock and Brighton Beach lighthouse.

Flavours of Charlottetown

The flavours of Prince Edward Island will delight your palate today in the quaint seaside fishing village of Georgetown. Meet a local fisherman and exceptional storyteller who will regale you with tales of life at sea and teach you all about the area’s lobster and mussel industry. Then, taste the flavours over a delicious Highlight Lunch of island blue mussels cooked fresh by the fisherman. A visit to a maritime province wouldn’t be complete without a lighthouse tour. Head out to the first lighthouse on Prince Edward Island, Point Prim, and end your day with a tasting at Rossignol Winery, the first winery on Prince Edward Island specialising in table and fruit wines.

The 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, spanning eight miles, is the longest bridge in the world over ice-covered waters. With the waters of Shediac Bay as your playground, board a lobster boat (weather permitting) for insights into the fascinating world of these sea creatures and the lobster industry. Further, your discovery is indulging in a delicious lobster Highlight Lunch as you cruise the waters of the bay, taking in the scenery and warm Acadian hospitality. Your coastal exploration continues at Hopewell Rocks on the shores of The Bay of Fundy, where you’ll meet your Local Expert, who will introduce you to the bay, one of seven wonders of North America boasting the highest tides on Earth because of its specific shape. This remarkable tidal range shapes the area’s landscape and creates a rich ecosystem. Conclude this day of your Canada guided tour, arriving in the fun hub city of Moncton.

Lively Moncton to Digby

Embark on a coastal drive on the Fundy Trail Parkway, nestling you between the greens of the forest and the blues of the coast with stunning views in every direction. This important thoroughfare, completed in 2020, connects Alma to St Martin lined with hiking trails, beaches, overlooks and an Interpretive Centre. Take to the water crossing the Bay of Fundy from St. John to Digby by ferry (seasonal). Breathe in fresh salt air from the outdoor area and keep a keen eye on the Bay of Fundy for whales and other marine life. Arrive at the Digby Pines Golf Resort and 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 treat yourself to a service in their spa featuring sustainable and green practices to create natural, organic and Biodynamic products.

Delightful Digby and Annapolis Royal

The Bay of Fundy conjures up images of a rugged coastline and high tides. Explore it for yourself on a once-in-a-lifetime whale watching optional cruise (weather permitting) in search of rare whale species while learning about these majestic sea mammals. In the historic town of Annapolis Royal, join a Local Expert and costumed interpreter for a stroll in the National Historic District learning about the cultural heritage of Annapolis Royal before returning to your spa resort in Digby. In the evening, meet a former scallop fisherman for a culinary demonstration, and Celebration Dinner of your Canada-guided tour featuring the highly prized Digby scallops over a fresh, sea-to-table scallop dinner.

Farewell Halifax

It’s time to wave goodbye to Halifax and your fellow travellers as your trip ends. A complimentary Airport transfer will be made at Halifax International Airport at 12:00 pm, followed by a stop at the Marriott Harbourfront Halifax for guests wishing to extend their stay.