Holidays in Atlantic Canada

Atlantic Canada is the collective name for the four provinces that sit on Canada’s eastern Atlantic seaboard. It’s comprised of the three ‘maritime provinces’ – Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador, the most easterly province of the group. These provinces provide a coastal wonderland of sweeping beaches, local characters, a rich and varied history of tradition and culture and some of the finest seafood you’ll find anywhere on the planet.

Nova Scotia

This coastal province is blessed with more than 13,000 km of coastline, more than 150 lighthouses, including Peggy’s Cove (the most photographed lighthouse in Canada), three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is only a 6-hour flight from the UK.

Halifax is the vibrant, cultural capital and perhaps one of Canada’s best kept secrets. It’s the perfect place from which to start your Atlantic Canada adventure. Start with a visit to Pier 21, Canada’s Museum of Immigration, then meander through the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market. In the Bay of Fundy, you can marvel at the highest tides in the world whilst a visit to the colourful UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Town Lunenburg will immerse you in a charming town of artisans, wonderful restaurants, and unique shopping, whilst hearing traditional salty seafaring tales. For those who love a good road trip then look no further than Cape Breton Island, home to the scenic Cabot Trail.

Prince Edward Island

Although Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island is packed with attractions and sits perfectly alongside a holiday to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The island is linked to the former by ferry and the latter by the Confederation Bridge. Known for its vivid colours and gentle landscapes, Prince Edward Island is the perfect spot to meander through quaint villages, sample luscious seafood and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of its long, sandy beaches. This is a place where time seems to slow down. Follow the 250-mile-long Confederation Trail, visit the Province House National Historic Site, birthplace of the Canadian Confederation, and immerse yourself in the land of Anne of Green Gables.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is a pleasing blend of French Arcadian, British, Scottish, Irish and First Nations cultures that sits amidst a landscape of 400-million-year-old mountains, peaceful river valleys and stunning wilderness. Experience the highest tides in the world at the Bay of Funday and Hopewell Rocks, where at low tide you can walk on the ocean floor. Head out to sea on a whale watching tour on the Bay of Fundy, the perfect spot to see finback, minke and humpback whales. Spend time in the vibrant city of Saint John and the more genteel atmosphere of Fredericton, the provincial capital. Stretching along the Arcadian Coast you’ll find the Kouchibouguac National Park where thickly wooded forest leads down to colourful salt marshes and golden ocean beaches.

Halifax

Day 1 

Arrive in Toronto and make your own way to your hotel.

Day 2

Spend the day exploring Toronto, visit the CN Tower, take a harbour cruise

Day 3

Time for more exploring, visit Casa Loma, The Hockey Hall of fame and maybe an ice hockey game.

Day 4

Return back to the UK 

Charms & Treasures of the Maritimes

Day 1

Arrive in Halifax, pick up your car and make your way to your hotel. This city is a bustling hub of galleries, shops, museums, restaurants, and sidewalk cafes around the waterfront area.

Day 2

Depart Halifax and follow the south shore along the Lighthouse route and visit Peggy’s Cove, a picturesque fishing village, home to Nova Scotia’s most visited lighthouse. Continue to Mahone Bay, a relaxing seaside town renowned for its quiet beauty. Finally arrive in Lunenburg, a UNESCO world heritage site. Whilst here visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and the Lunenburg Marine Park.

Day 3

Depart Lunenburg and drive north to Kejimkujik National Park, a spectacular inland National Park with walking trails and some of the best canoeing in Atlantic Canada. Depart Kejimkujik and drive north at Annapolis Royal and enjoy the spectacular views of the Annapolis Basin.

Day 4

Depart Annapolis Royal and drive to the port at Digby and board the ferry, a crossing fo approximately 3 hours over to Saint John, New Brunswick. Depart Saint John and drive along the Fundy Coastal Scenic Route to St. Andrews, one of Canada’s most beautiful seaside resorts. Amongst the activities available is a nature cruise. Expect to see in season whales, porpoise, seals, seabirds and bald eagles.

Day 5

Depart St Andrews and take a leisurely drive along the Fundy Coastal Drive to Saint John. Saint John is steeped in history with lots to see and do. With the most famous attraction the reversing the falls. Continue along the coastal drive to Fundy National Park.

Day 6

Day at leisure to explore the magnificent Fundy National Park.  Home of Hopewell Rocks. Twice each day the highest tides in the world flood the beach, and twice each day you can explore the floor of the Bay of Fundy at low tide. Created over thousands of years by the Bay of Fundy’s awesome tidal forces, these rock formations are a natural wonder not to be missed!

Day 7

Dive along the Acadian Coastal Drive via Sackville and Port Elgin and onto Confederation Bridge. You have now arrived in Prince Edward Island. Visit Spinnakers Landing, hich has an attractive waterfront area. Continue along Green Gable Shore and be sure to stop in Cavendish, home of Anne of Green Gables. Make your way to Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island.

Day 8

Explore Charlottetown retracing the steps of the Fathers of Confederation.

Day 9

Depart Charlottetown and continue on through the Points East Coastal Drive South to Wood Islands ferry terminal. Take the ferry across to Caribou, Nova Scotia. On arrival drive east along the Sunrise Trail to the historic town of Pictou – known as the birthplace of New Scotland.

Day 10

Depart Pictou and continue your drive to Cape Breton via the Canso Causeway and to Baddeck. This scenic village overlooks the beautiful Bras D’Or Lake and the most notable resident historically was Alexander Graham Bell.

Day 11

Follow the famous Cabot Trail clockwise, one of the most spectacular drives in all of Canada. Drive the ceilidh Trail to the French Acadian community of Cheticamp. Continue on the Cabot Trail to the incredible plateaus of Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Day 12

Depart Baddeck and continue to Louisbourg. Home to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, the largest reconstruction in North America. Be sure to visit Sydney and the Louisbourg Railway Museum.

Day 13

Continue your drive along the Canso Causeway. Drive along the eastern shore and follow marine drive route where you will experience rugged coastlines, tranquil bays and beaches, unspoiled forest fauna and crystal clear lakes and streams. Continue to Charlos Cove, a delightful community that was settled in 1760.

Day 14

A visit to Sherbrooke Village is a must this morning. This living history museum re-enacts village life in old Nova Scotia. En route to Halifax visit Martinique Beach, the longest beach in the province.

Day 15

Enjoy the morning exploring Halifax before returning your car and departing Halifax.

Discover the Bay of Fundy

Day 1

Arrive in Halifax and pick up your car rental before making your way to your accommodation. Spend the afternoon exploring what the city has to offer

Day 2

Depart Halifax and head north to Digby for the 3 hour ferry crossing to Saint John, New Brunswick largest city, with lots of attractions. The Carelton Martello Tower National Historic Site, the old city market and the most famous reversing the falls. Depart Saint John and continue to St Andrews.

Day 3

Enjoy a nature cruise departing from St Andrews. Expect to see in season whales, porpoise, seals, seabirds and bald eagles. Spend the remainder of the day finding out more about the area.

Day 4

Depart St Andrews and drive along the Fundy Coastal Drive explore the scenery as you go before arriving in Funday National Park.

Day 5

Funday National Park is renowned for its hiking trails with over 104 kms of trails to choose from, ranging from easy ½ km loops to more demanding. The park is a haven for bird watchers, golfers, cyclists, canoeists and naturalists.

Day 6

This morning you will visit Hopewell Cape – home of Hopewell Rocks. Twice each day the highest tides in the world flood the beach, and twice each day you can explore the floor of the Bay of Fundy at low tide. Created over thousands of years by the Bay of Fundy’s awesome tidal forces, these rock formations are a natural wonder not to be missed! Continue along the spectacular eastern seashore – an area known as The Lobster Capital of the World.

Day 7

Today at leisure to explore further ensuring you take a drive north to Bouchouche to see “Le Pays de la Sagouine” an eclectic reproduction of an Acadian village. Back in Shediac take a lobster tour and finish with a lobster meal.

Day 8

Depart Shediac and drive back to Nova Scotia. Continue your drive to Truro and then back to Halifax.

Day 9

Explore Halifax further perhaps by taking the ferry over to Dartmouth or visiting the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic before dropping off your rental car at Halifax Airport.