NovaScotia
5
Day Itinerary •
Canada
Five days in Nova Scotia gives you the complete extraordinary sweep of Canada's ocean province, from the UNESCO streetscapes of Lunenburg and the pilot whales of Pleasant Bay through the world's highest tides in the Bay of Fundy and the unspoiled Eastern Shore Marine Drive to the extraordinary inland sea of the Bras d'Or Lake and the Gaelic heritage museums of Cape Breton Island. This route covers the complete Nova Scotia experience from the famous lighthouse at Peggy's Cove and the Cabot Trail cliff drive through the Annapolis Valley wine country, the sea kayaking archipelago of the Eastern Shore and the Alexander Graham Bell museum at Baddeck to the densest bald eagle population in eastern Canada on the shores of the Bras d'Or Lake. Five extraordinary days in Canada's finest maritime province.
Best Time To Visit
June to October
Getting There
Fly into Halifax (YHZ)
Getting Around
Car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 165 to 460 CAD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, coastal and forest 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
THE EASTERN SHORE AND CANSO
MORNING
THE MARINE DRIVE AND THE EASTERN SHORE
The Marine Drive along Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore is the most extraordinary and least visited coastal route in the province, its extraordinary fishing villages of Sheet Harbour, Tangier and Spry Bay, the remarkable Liscomb River salmon pools and the extraordinary Ship Harbour tidal lagoon giving the finest unspoiled coastal driving in Atlantic Canada. The road from Dartmouth to Canso covers 340km of extraordinary coastline. Entirely free. Drive/Travel: 2 hours drive
MIDDAY
SHERBROOKE VILLAGE, THE FINEST LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM IN ATLANTIC CANADA
Sherbrooke Village on the St Marys River is the most extraordinary living history museum in Atlantic Canada, its extraordinary 25 restored historic buildings staffed by interpreters in period costume recreating life in the 1860s to 1890s gold rush era, the remarkable working blacksmith, printshop and boatbuilder and the extraordinary river salmon pools. Entry approx 14 CAD. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
CANSO AND THE MOST REMOTE TOWN IN NOVA SCOTIA
Canso on the extreme eastern tip of the Nova Scotia mainland is the most extraordinary and least visited heritage town in the province, its extraordinary Grassy Island National Historic Site accessible by boat, the site of the 18th-century fishing settlement destroyed by the French in 1744 and the remarkable Canso Islands giving the finest remote coastal experience in Nova Scotia. Grassy Island boat approx 10 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Tangier Harbour on the Eastern Shore is the finest sea kayaking base in Nova Scotia, its extraordinary maze of rocky islands, tidal channels and seal colonies accessible by guided kayak tour from Coastal Adventures. The overnight island camping tours through the Eastern Shore archipelago are the finest wilderness paddle
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hen of the Wood, Sheet Harbour Outstanding Eastern Shore breakfast at the finest cafe on the Marine Drive. | Lunch: St Marys River Smokehouse Outstanding smoked Atlantic salmon lunch at the finest smokehouse on the Eastern Shore. | Dinner: Wharf Restaurant, Canso Outstanding remote Nova Scotia seafood at the most characterful restaurant on the Eastern Shore.
DAY 5
CAPE BRETON ISLAND HIGHLANDS AND THE BRAS D'OR LAKE
MORNING
THE BRAS D'OR LAKE, THE FINEST INLAND SEA IN CANADA
The Bras d'Or Lake on Cape Breton Island is the most extraordinary inland sea in Canada, a 1,100 square kilometre brackish tidal lake almost entirely enclosed within the island, its extraordinary sailing culture, the remarkable Mi'kmaw Nation heritage and the extraordinary bald eagle population, the densest in eastern North America, making it the finest hidden destination in Cape Breton. The Wagmatcook Cultural Centre gives the finest Mi'kmaw heritage experience in Nova Scotia. Entry approx 8 CAD. Drive/Travel: 2 hours drive
MIDDAY
BADDECK AND THE ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Baddeck on the Bras d'Or Lake is the most extraordinary small town in Cape Breton, its remarkable Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site where Bell lived from 1886 and conducted experiments including the first powered flight in Canada in 1909, the extraordinary collection of original Bell artefacts and the fine view of the lake from the museum making it the finest heritage town in Nova Scotia. Museum approx 8 CAD. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE IONA HIGHLAND VILLAGE AND THE CAPE BRETON GAELIC HERITAGE
The Highland Village Museum at Iona above the Bras d'Or Lake is the most extraordinary Scottish Gaelic heritage site in North America, its extraordinary collection of 11 historic buildings recreating Cape Breton's Highland Scottish settlement from 1750 to the 1920s, the remarkable Gaelic language living heritage and the extraordinary view over the lake. Entry approx 14 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Englishtown ferry crossing from the Cabot Trail to the Englishtown peninsula is the shortest cable ferry in Canada at 300 metres, saving 45 minutes of driving around St Anns Harbour. The extraordinary view of the St Anns Bay from the ferry deck and the Giant MacAskill Museum at Englishtown
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Telegraph House, Baddeck Outstanding Cape Breton breakfast at the historic inn where Alexander Graham Bell stayed on his first visit. | Lunch: Baddeck Lobster Suppers Outstanding Cape Breton lobster supper at the finest community lobster hall in Nova Scotia. | Dinner: Inverary Resort, Baddeck Outstanding Cape Breton dinner with the finest Bras d'Or Lake view at the best resort on the water.
Where To Stay
Halifax, Night 1 The Muir Hotel. 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. Approx 120 to 220 CAD per night. Eastern Shore, Night 4 Liscombe Lodge or Marine Drive B&B. Approx 100 to 200 CAD per night. Baddeck, Night 5 Inverary Resort. Approx 150 to 300 CAD per night.
Top Tips
1. Tangier sea kayaking: book Coastal Adventures ahead for the Eastern Shore archipelago overnight tour.
2. Meat Cove campground: no reservations. Arrive before 3pm in summer. Bring everything, there are no services.
3. Sherbrooke Village: go on a weekday. The gold panning demonstration and boatbuilder are extraordinary.
4. Bras d'Or bald eagles: the concentration is finest in August. The Whycocomagh Provincial Park trail is best.
5. Alexander Graham Bell museum: the original tetrahedral kite and HD-4 hydrofoil models are extraordinary.
6. Ovens Natural Park: take the rowboat into the sea cave at low tide. The placer gold pan is free to borrow.
Total Budget
165 to 455 CAD/day