NovaScotia
3
Day Itinerary •
Canada
Three days in Nova Scotia reveal the most extraordinary combination of UNESCO heritage, dramatic tidal landscapes and wild coastal scenery in Atlantic Canada. The lighthouse at Peggy's Cove, the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, the cliff-edge Cabot Trail drive through Cape Breton Highlands National Park with its pilot whale watching, and the world's highest tides in the Bay of Fundy are all within reach of a Halifax base. This route moves from the Halifax waterfront and the iconic lighthouse at Peggy's Cove through the extraordinary Cabot Trail along Cape Breton's wild northwest coast to the Hopewell Rocks and the oldest settlement in Canada at Annapolis Royal. Three days across the finest province in Atlantic Canada.
Best Time To Visit
June to October
Getting There
Fly into Halifax (YHZ)
Getting Around
Car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 165 to 445 CAD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, coastal walking
DAY 1
HALIFAX AND PEGGY'S COVE
MORNING
HALIFAX, THE FINEST CITY IN ATLANTIC CANADA
Halifax is the most extraordinary city in Atlantic Canada, its extraordinary waterfront boardwalk of 4km, the remarkable Historic Properties of 19th-century granite warehouses, the extraordinary Citadel National Historic Site on its hill above the harbour and the remarkable Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 where one million immigrants entered Canada between 1928 and 1971 making it the finest city in the Maritime provinces. Citadel approx 12 CAD, Pier 21 approx 18 CAD. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
PEGGY'S COVE, THE MOST PHOTOGRAPHED LIGHTHOUSE IN CANADA
Peggy's Cove is the most extraordinary fishing village in Canada, its iconic red and white lighthouse perched on smooth granite boulders above the Atlantic, the extraordinary village of colourful wooden houses and the remarkable monument to Swissair Flight 111 which crashed nearby in 1998 making it the finest coastal destination in Nova Scotia. The granite boulders at the lighthouse are extraordinary in all seasons and at any tide. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE SOUTH SHORE AND LUNENBURG, A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE TOWN
Lunenburg is the most extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage town in Canada, its extraordinary collection of 18th and 19th-century wooden buildings in bright colours, the remarkable Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic aboard the schooner Theresa E. Connor and the extraordinary Bluenose II schooner replica making it the finest historic town in Nova Scotia. The town has been continuously inhabited since 1753. Museum approx 15 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Ovens Natural Park south of Lunenburg contains sea caves carved into the slate cliffs by the Atlantic, accessible by rowboat from the park beach. The extraordinary Gold Rush history, placer gold still found in the cove and the cave accessible at low tide by rowing make it the finest
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Lunette, Halifax Outstanding Halifax breakfast at the finest independent cafe on the waterfront. Local Nova Scotia honey. | Lunch: The Lobster Pound, Peggy's Cove area Outstanding fresh lobster roll at the finest seafood shack on the South Shore. | Dinner: The Fleur de Sel, Lunenburg The finest restaurant in Lunenburg. Outstanding Nova Scotia seafood. Book ahead.
DAY 2
THE CABOT TRAIL, THE FINEST COASTAL DRIVE IN EASTERN CANADA
MORNING
THE CABOT TRAIL AND CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK
The Cabot Trail is the most extraordinary coastal driving route in eastern Canada, its 298km loop around the northern tip of Cape Breton Island passing extraordinary cliff-edge ocean viewpoints, the remarkable French Acadian village of Cheticamp, the extraordinary Cape Breton Highlands National Park with moose grazing roadside and the magnificent descent to Pleasant Bay with its pilot whale watching giving the finest single day drive in Atlantic Canada. Park pass approx 10 CAD. Drive/Travel: 3 hours drive
MIDDAY
THE SKYLINE TRAIL AND THE FINEST COASTAL HIKE IN NOVA SCOTIA
The Skyline Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park is the most extraordinary coastal hike in Nova Scotia, its extraordinary 9km loop through boreal forest emerging onto a headland boardwalk 300 metres above the Gulf of St Lawrence with the finest sunset viewpoint in Atlantic Canada. Bald eagles, moose and pilot whales are all visible from the trail. Entry with park pass. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
PLEASANT BAY AND THE PILOT WHALE WATCHING
Pleasant Bay on the northwest coast of Cape Breton is the finest whale watching destination in Atlantic Canada, its extraordinary resident pod of pilot whales feeding in the Gulf of St Lawrence within sight of the Cabot Trail and the remarkable whale interpretive centre giving the finest cetacean experience in Nova Scotia. Whale watching boat tours approx 35 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Meat Cove campground at the northern tip of Cape Breton, accessible only by a dirt road beyond Capstick, is the most remote campground in Nova Scotia. The extraordinary clifftop views over the Atlantic and the pilot whale feeding grounds visible from the campsites make it the finest hidden spot
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cabot Trail bakery, Baddeck Outstanding Cape Breton breakfast before the trail drive. Local oatcakes and strong Cape Breton tea. | Lunch: Rusty Anchor, Pleasant Bay Outstanding fresh seafood at the finest restaurant on the northwest Cabot Trail. Local lobster and crab. | Dinner: Chanterelle Inn, North River The finest inn restaurant on Cape Breton. Outstanding local mushrooms and Nova Scotia lamb.
DAY 3
THE ANNAPOLIS VALLEY AND THE BAY OF FUNDY
MORNING
THE BAY OF FUNDY, THE HIGHEST TIDES IN THE WORLD
The Bay of Fundy has the highest tidal range in the world at 16 metres, twice daily emptying and filling a volume of water greater than the combined flow of all freshwater rivers on earth. The extraordinary tidal bore at Truro, the remarkable Hopewell Rocks sea stacks accessible on the ocean floor at low tide and the extraordinary Cape Split trail above the tidal bore give the finest tidal experience on the planet. Hopewell Rocks approx 12 CAD. Drive/Travel: 2 hours drive
MIDDAY
ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, THE OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY INHABITED SETTLEMENT IN CANADA
Annapolis Royal is the most extraordinary historic town in Nova Scotia, its extraordinary Fort Anne National Historic Site, the oldest national historic site in Canada, its remarkable Historic Gardens and the extraordinary tidal power generating station, the only operational tidal power plant in North America, making it the finest small town in the Annapolis Valley. Fort Anne entry approx 8 CAD. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
THE ANNAPOLIS VALLEY WINE ROUTE AND THE GASPEREAU VALLEY
The Annapolis Valley is the most extraordinary wine country in Atlantic Canada, its extraordinary L'Acadie Blanc and Tidal Bay appellation wines produced in the unique microclimate between the North and South Mountain ridges. The Gaspereau Vineyards and Domaine de Grand Pre are the finest producers in Nova Scotia. Wine tastings from approx 10 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Cape Split trail above the Bay of Fundy gives the finest clifftop view in Nova Scotia, the 13km return hike through mixed Acadian forest emerging at a 75-metre cliff above the tidal rip where the bay narrows. The tidal current visible below is the most powerful in Canada. Entirely
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Sissiboo Coffee Roaster, Weymouth Outstanding Annapolis Valley breakfast at the finest specialty coffee roaster in the valley. | Lunch: Annapolis Royal Farmers Market Outstanding Maritime market lunch. Fresh rappie pie, dulse and local charcuterie on Friday mornings. | Dinner: Domaine de Grand Pre, Gaspereau Outstanding wine estate dinner at the finest Nova Scotia winery. Local grape and orchard menu.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Halifax, Night 1 The Muir or Hotel Halifax. Approx 180 to 400 CAD per night. Cabot Trail, Night 2 Chanterelle Inn or Keltic Lodge. Approx 150 to 350 CAD per night. Annapolis Royal, Night 3 Garrison House Inn or Hillsdale House. Approx 120 to 220 CAD per night.
Top Tips
1. Hopewell Rocks: check tide tables at pc.gc.ca before driving. The ocean floor walk is only possible at low tide.
2. Cabot Trail clockwise: drive north on the west side for cliff-edge views. The descent to Pleasant Bay is extraordinary.
3. Peggy's Cove at dawn: arrive before 7am. The lighthouse before the tour buses is one of the finest sights in Canada.
4. Lunenburg Saturday market: the finest farmers market in Atlantic Canada. Local smoked fish and Lunenburg sausage.
5. Bay of Fundy tidal bore at Truro: check the tidal bore schedule online. The bore passes twice daily, 12 hours apart.
6. Nova Scotia lobster: eat it at a community lobster supper hall. The finest lobster in the world at approx 35 CAD.
Total Budget
165 to 440 CAD/day