Day 1 Halifax | Arrival
Arrive in Halifax and check in to your accommodations which is ideally located in the downtown core of this vibrant and cosmopolitan urban centre on the Atlantic Ocean. You may wish to add additional nights in Halifax or a city tour to your vacation package. Bursting with culture and rich history, Nova Scotia’s capital city has much to offer.
Day 2 Halifax to Annapolis Royal | 281 km/175 mi
Head south to Lunenburg, visiting Peggy’s Cove along the way. Peggy’s Cove is a small village with houses built right into the granite rock and a lighthouse overlooking the Atlantic. Old Town Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a lovingly restored Victorian town that begs you to wander and explore. Make a stop at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, renowned for its hiking trails and incredible canoeing on wilderness lakes and rivers. Arrive in Annapolis Royal, a quaint settlement housing Victorian mansion’s on the banks of the Bay of Fundy.
Day 3 Whale Watching Fishing Villages Exploring | 206 km/128 mi
Today drive along 95 km along the Digby Neck to experience a whale watching excursion in the nutrient rich waters of the Bay of Fundy. You will likely see finback and Minkes, humpbacks or even the rare North Atlantic right whale. Spend the afternoon exploring Annapolis Royal and Fort Anne. (Breakfast included)
Day 4 Annapolis Royal to Saint John | 113 km/70 mi + Ferry
Depart Annapolis Royal and drive to Digby to board the ferry to Saint John, world-famous for its Reversing Falls Rapids—the colossal, tidal tug-of-war between the Bay of Fundy and the St. John River. Twice daily at high tide, the powerful Fundy waters roar into the Saint John River. The titanic clash of natural forces causes the river to reverse direction. (Breakfast included)
Day 5 Saint John to Moncton | 212 km/131 mi
The highlight today is the scenic drive along the Bay of Fundy. Witness the power of the world’s highest tides at the Hopewell Rocks. Visit the informative Hopewell Rocks Interpretive Center and learn everything you need to know about the tidal phenomenon. Take a drive through Fundy National Park before reaching Moncton.
Day 6 Moncton to Charlottetown | 164 km/101 mi
Before leaving Moncton we suggest a stop at the Magnetic Hill where you can put the car in neutral to experience the illusion of being pulled up hill by a ‘magnetic force.’ Continue to Shediac, known as The Lobster Capital of the World for its lobster fishing, processing plants, live-lobster tanks and the famous Lobster Festival. Enjoy a lobster fishing cruise & dine on fresh lobster. Then follow the Confederation Bridge, the longest bridge in Canada, to Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Day 7 Charlottetown & Prince Edward Island | Exploring
Drive by red cliffs, white beaches, gently sloping sand dunes and green fields as you make your way to Prince Edward Island National Park. Before returning to Charlottetown, visit Green Gables Heritage Site, the alluring inspiration of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic Anne of Green Gables books. (Breakfast included)
Day 8 Charlottetown to Baddeck | 274 km/170 mi + Ferry
Depart Charlottetown taking Route 1 to Wood Islands Ferry crossing to Caribou, Nova Scotia. Drive the short distance to Pictou & visit Hector Heritage Quay, where a full scale replica of the Hector has been built using traditional ship building techniques. Depart Pictou and continue to Cape Breton via the Canso Causeway and onto Baddeck. This scenic village overlooks the beautiful Bras d’Or Lakes. (Breakfast included)
Day 9 Cabot Trail Touring | 296 km/184 mi
You’re off to experience one of the most stunningly picturesque drives in North America. The Cabot Trail winds around the rocky splendor of Cape Breton’s northern shore, ascending to the incredible plateaus of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Look-offs offer unforgettable vistas of Cape Breton’s rugged coastline so be sure to have your camera on hand.
Day 10 Baddeck to North Sydney 58 km/36 mi + Overnight Ferry to Argentia, Newfoundland | 16 Hr Duration
Today is at your leisure before this evenings overnight ferry crossing between North Sydney and Argentia.
Day 11 Argentia to St.John’s | 134km/83mi
Experience the rugged beauty of Newfoundland as you drive from the picturesque ferry port of Argentia to the lively city of St. John’s. Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring landscapes, encountering serene fishing villages, dramatic cliffside vistas, and dense forests. The journey culminates in vibrant St. John’s, a city brimming with history, culture, and distinctive colorful row houses. .
Day 12 St. John’s | Sightseeing
Start your day with a delightful exploration of St. John’s, taking in the sights and experiences this vibrant city has to offer. Begin by visiting ‘the Rooms’ museum and gallery, where you can immerse yourself in the rich history and artistic treasures of Newfoundland and Labrador. Next, drive up Signal Hill, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. Don’t forget to capture some memorable photos from this vantage point. Afterward, venture out to Cape Spear National Historic Site, the easternmost point in North America. Marvel at the rugged coastal beauty and soak in the historical significance of this remarkable location.
To continue your adventure, make your way to Quidi Vidi Village, a picturesque spot just 3 km from St. John’s. This charming fishing village has been featured in countless photographs, showcasing its quaint beauty and coastal charm. While you’re there, make a stop at Quidi Vidi Brewery, where you can savor a pint of Iceberg beer. This unique brew is made using iceberg water sourced directly from the shores of St. John’s, making it a truly refreshing and authentic local experience. (Breakfast included)
Day 13 St. John’s to Trinity | 269 km/167 mi
Today embark on your journey to the Bonavista Peninsula, known for its scenic and rugged coastlines. The peninsula also contains some of the oldest settlements in Newfoundland, particularly the towns of Bonavista and Trinity. Before settling in to your accommodation for the night, you may want to drive 20 minutes south of Trinity to New Bonaventure and visit the Random Passage Site. Constructed in 2000 for the filming of the international TV mini-series “Random Passage”, the site today provides the opportunity to step back in time and experience what life might have been like in a fishing outpost in the early 1800s. (Breakfast included)
Day 14 Trinity
Explore the enchanting village of Trinity with its restored white and
pastel coloured clapboard houses. Set along a dramatic coastline you will discover a sense of Newfoundland’s history and nature. Join the
Trinity Pageant, a walking theatre that meanders through the village enticing viewers to live the history of the area. If you’re feeling active, hike the short but steep 20-minute trail up Gun Hill behind the village for spectacular 360 degree views of the village and surrounding areas.
(Breakfast included)
Day 15 Bonavista Peninsula
Now that you have a sense of the area, venture to Port Rexton today and hike the Skerwink Trail. This very walkable trail will take you along the rugged coastline for a spectacular view of the surrounding villages set against the ocean. In the afternoon, head north to the town of Bonavista, where you can visit the Ryan Premises National Historic Site, a 19th century replica fish processing factory. In this small village you will also find the red and white striped Bonavista Lighthouse, and the Matthew Legacy, a replica of John Cabot’s ship which voyaged across the Atlantic to discover land in 1497. (Breakfast included)
Day 16 Trinity to Twillingate + Iceberg Watch Cruise | 309 km/192 mi
On your journey to Twillingate, your path takes you through the verdant Terra Nova National Park. Should you feel a call towards the natural world, pausing here will immerse you in sprawling coniferous forests, serene ponds, and an abundance of picturesque walking trails. Along the Trans Canada Highway, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the North Atlantic Aviation Museum in Gander. This treasure trove showcases Gander’s significant contributions to the evolution of transatlantic aviation, tracing history from the 1930s up to the Broadway sensation, ‘Come From Away.’ The display includes a piece of steel recovered from the World Trade Center Twin Towers. As you journey towards Twillingate, consider stopping at Boyd’s Cove to explore the Beothuk Interpretive Centre. Here, you can step back in time and discover an ancient Beothuk village, unearthed by archaeologists in the 1980s.Upon reaching Twillingate, grab your camera and prepare for an unforgettable maritime experience with the Iceberg Watch afternoon boat tour. This excursion offers a chance to capture images of towering icebergs, majestic whales, stunning sunsets, and myriad other breathtaking sights that the scenic island of Twillingate generously provides. (Breakfast included)
Day 17 Twillingate to Norris Point | 428 km/266 mi
Bound for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gros Morne National Park, words do not give the vistas justice. The park is populated by little villages, bare topped mountains, and forests inhabited by moose and caribou. (Breakfast included)
Day 18 Gros Morne National Park
Enjoy a day exploring all of Gros Morne National Park on your own viewing glacial valleys, intriguing rock formations, magnificent sea arches and numerous types of wildlife. Don’t miss the internationally known Tablelands, a rare outcrop of the Earth’s mantle pushed skyward half a billion years ago.
Day 19 Norris Point to Baddeck | 336km/208mi + Ferry
Experience a breathtaking journey from Norris Point to Port Aux Basques, dominated by coastal barren landscapes and forested mountains, ending with a midday ferry ride to North Sydney arriving early evening. As the ferry sails across the Cabot Strait, keep a close watch for whales and dolphins. White puffins and birds of prey that live on the spectacular cliffs can also be seen.
Day 20 Baddeck to Halifax | 357 km/222 mi
A full day for the return trip to Halifax along the scenic Bras d’Or Lakes Drive to the Canso Causeway to enter mainland Nova Scotia. At the community of Antigonish, travel southwest along Marine Drive to your destination.
