The Maritimes: Nova Scotia
Overview
Discover the highlights of Atlantic Canada on this week-long journey through Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Explore charming fishing villages, the iconic Peggy's Cove, the UNESCO-listed Old Town Lunenburg and the breathtaking Cabot Trail. Experience Cape Breton’s rich culture, local music and Mi’kmaq craftsmanship before ending your adventure on Prince Edward Island.
Format
Trip Highlights
Destinations that include planned activities and/or overnight stays.
- Canada
- Halifax
- Lunenburg
- Peggy’s Cove
- Baddeck
- Cape Breton
- Charlottetown
- Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Cabot Trail, Sydney, Cape Breton, Canada
Inclusions
- Flight to Halifax, return from Charlottetown, P.E.I. (If the Flight and Hotel option is chosen)
- 6 nights of accommodation
- 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
- Professional English-speaking tour director, starting from Day 2
- Transportation by van as of Day 2
- City taxes
- More Moments Activities Included:
- Halifax - Leader-led orientation walk
- Lunenburg - Mahone Bay & Blue Rocks
- Lunenburg - Guided walking tour
- Peggy's Cove visit
- Millbrook - Mi'kmaq Cultural and Heritage Centre
- Baddeck - Celtic music ceilidh
- Cape Breton Highlands National Park - Hike
- Cape Breton Island - Oyster experience
- Charlottetown - Leader-led orientation walk
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart for Halifax, Nova Scotia
Upon arrival in Halifax, you'll make your own way to the hotel. Meet your group and local leader at 5 PM for a welcome meeting, then head out for a leader-led orientation walk.
More Moments Activities Included
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Halifax - Leader-led Orientation Walk
As a major business centre, the city is known for its maritime history and hilltop citadel, a star-shaped fort that was completed in the 1850s.
Day 2
Halifax: Visit
After breakfast, you'll head off on your full-day visit to historic Lunenburg on the South Shore.
Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.
More Moments Activities Included
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Lunenburg - Mahone Bay and Blue Rocks
Visit the UNESCO-listed town of Lunenburg, one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a World Heritage Site.
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Lunenburg - Guided walking tour
Explore nearby Mahone Bay and Blue Rocks on a guided walk, learning about their fishing heritage and thriving arts scene. Enjoy free time to wander the historic town centre, a National Historic Site of Canada, and perhaps sample some local craft beverages inspired by the region’s rum-running past.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 3
Halifax: Visit
Journey to Peggy’s Cove, one of Canada’s most iconic and photographed fishing villages. Enjoy free time for lunch ($) in the village, with local favourites such as seafood chowder or a fresh lobster roll. The afternoon is yours to discover and soak up some local history.
More Moments Activities Included
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Peggy's Cove
Admire the rugged coastline, colourful fishing boats, crashing Atlantic waves and the famous, red-topped lighthouse as you stroll along the Peggy’s Cove Rock Walk, shaped by glaciers over 12,000 years ago.
($) Optional Activities
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Museum Visit ($)
Visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration or the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to learn more about the region’s rich history.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 4
Halifax - Baddeck: Visit
Today, you’ll drive from Halifax to Baddeck, stopping at the Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Centre along the way. Upon your arrival in Baddeck, enjoy the afternoon at your own pace.
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
More Moments Activities Included
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Millbrook - Mi'kmaq Cultural & Heritage Centre
Located on lands owned by Millbrook First Nation, the cultural centre shares the story of the Millbrook Mi’kmaq and their enduring contributions to the Maritime provinces. Be sure to browse the gift shop, featuring a selection of traditional Indigenous arts and crafts.
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Baddeck - Celtic music ceilidh
This evening, enjoy dinner with your group before experiencing a traditional Cape Breton ceilidh, where local musicians bring the region’s rich Scottish heritage to life through music and storytelling.
($) Optional Activities
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Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site ($)
Learn more about the inventor, scientist and educator renowned for developing the telephone.
Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5
Baddeck: Visit
Today, you’ll drive along the Cabot Trail for a leisurely hike within Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
More Moments Activities Included
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Cape Breton Highlands National Park - Hike
Set out on the Skyline Trail, Cape Breton Highlands National Park’s signature hike, where spectacular coastal vistas await. If conditions are favourable, continue along the scenic Cabot Trail, with plenty of picturesque stops along the way.
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Cape Breton Island - Oyster experience
Enjoy a picnic lunch before visiting an oyster hatchery in South Harbour for an authentic local experience. Learn how oysters are cultivated, try your hand at shucking, and savour freshly harvested oysters straight from the source.
Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6
Baddeck - Charlottetown: Sightseeing
After breakfast, depart from Baddeck to Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island and the smallest provincial capital in the country. Discover the area at your own pace before meeting the group for dinner.
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
More Moments Activities Included
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Charlottetown - Leader-led orientation walk
Head downtown and explore on foot when you arrive in the late afternoon.
Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7
Charlottetown
After breakfast, make your own way to the airport and board your flight home.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Accommodations
Where you'll stay
Comfort Accommodation
Location
Hotel
Room details
Unless otherwise indicated, guests will stay in a Standard Room at all hotels during the trip.
Room occupancy: Maximum 2 people
Ideal for
Guided tours
Let us show you around. Tour packages include (varies by tour):
- Round-trip flight with Air Canada
- Private airport transfers
- Hotel accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Train transportation
- Motorcoach transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel luggage service
- Experienced guide throughout
- Aeroplan® points
Important Information
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- May 23 & 30, 2027
- June 06, 13, 20 & 27, 2027
- July 04, 11, 18 & 25, 2027
- August 01, 08, 15, 22 & 29, 2027
- September 05, 12, 19 & 26, 2027
- October 03, 2027
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Not Included
- Airport Transfers
- Tips
- Meals & drinks, unless noted
- Additional activities and excursions
- Personal expenses
- Travel and medical insurance
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- The More Moments activities/excursions mentioned in the itinerary are all included in the package but may be rescheduled to take place on an earlier or later day or replaced with an alternate option depending on availability, weather, seasonality and operational reasons beyond the supplier’s control.
- This itinerary includes Out & About suggestions for activities that are not included in your package but are great tips for places to visit and things to do.
- Optional activities may be purchased locally with your tour leader.
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Car/Van: Ford Transit E350 - 15-seater van or similar
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- The sequence of the itinerary may be altered for reasons beyond the supplier’s control, such as accommodation availability, weather and national events.
- Excursions, optional tours, activities and other experiences booked through Air Canada Vacations as optional services are non-refundable and non-transferable once confirmed. Changes, cancellations or failure to participate will not qualify for a refund or credit.
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Maximum group of 12 people
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15 years old and up