Atlantic Discovery: Self Drive Holiday around Nova Scotia

Atlantic Discovery

from £1705 excluding flights

10 nights
Jun-Sep

Tailor-made
Canada
Self Drive

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Highlights

canada prince edward island covehead harbour lighthouse istk

Explore Prince Edward Island’s rolling hills and red sand beaches

canada nova scotia cabot trail winding road istk

Drive the stunning Cabot Trail around Cape Breton

Cruise in search of humpbacks, minkes and right whales

Wander around the picturesque town of Lunenburg

Visit Canada’s birthplace at Charlottetown

Stroll through the village of Peggy's Cove with its famous lighthouse

Why this trip...

Explore at leisure

With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

Well-researched route

We've put our years of experience into creating this well-paced itinerary that includes the places we know you'll enjoy

Tailor made

This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe

Overview

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 with the collection of your rental car and 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.

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.

Cape Breton Highlands and the Cabot Trail

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.

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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.

Accommodation Options

With a wide choice of accommodation in Canada, we can mix and match different grades and styles to suit your personal preference – from motels and hotels to design properties and wilderness lodges in stunning locations.

Discuss your options with our Travel Specialists

Prices and Departures

Price from £1705 excluding flights

Airfares start from around £550 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
Intermediate car hire including unlimited mileage, 2nd driver, loss damage waiver and third-party liability
7 breakfasts
Whale watching cruise on the Bay of Fundy
Historic Sites Pass including admission to Alexander Graham Bell Historic Site, Fort Anne, Fortress of Louisbourg, Grand-Pre, Halifax Citadel, Port-Royal, Kejimkujik, Green Gables House and Prince Edward Island National Park
Ferry from Woods Island to Caribou
24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
No surcharge guarantee
Full financial protection

Prices

This itinerary starts from around £1,705 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, and rental of an intermediate vehicle.

Prices may vary depending on departure date and booking date, as well as any changes to the included components. The final cost of a tailored holiday will be based on the level of accommodation, size of vehicle, included activities, travel season, and how far in advance it is booked. We will confirm the exact price for your holiday in your individual quotation, based on your chosen travel dates and inclusions.

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Atlantic Discovery

Highlights