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Map of Best of the Canadian Maritimes including Canada

Highlands, islands, wild tides and good times in the Maritimes

Experience the charms of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island on an 11-day exploration of Canada’s Maritime provinces. Discover the rocky shores of Peggy’s Cove and the Skyline Trail of Cape Breton. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lunenburg, shop for locally made Mi’kmaq arts and crafts, get to know historic Charlottetown and visit the home of Anne of Green Gables. Enjoy dinner on board a working lobster boat, and meet with a Mi’kmaq guide. You’ll soon see why this corner of Canada is so beloved by all who visit.

Start
Halifax, Canada
Finish
Saint John, Canada
Destination
Canada
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
SESMC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Walk the stunning coastal trails of Cape Breton Highlands National Park and follow the Skyline Trail mountain pass out to sweeping sea views.

  • Meet a Prince Edward Island fisherman and enjoy a traditional lobster and mussel dinner on his private property along the shore.

  • Meet with a Mi'kmaq guide at Lennox Island to learn how to make bannock and listen to traditional stories.

  • Hear the stories behind “Anne of Green Gables” with a walking tour through Cavendish, where L.M. Montgomery drew her inspiration.

  • Cruise the waters of Shediac Bay on board a lobster boat, with a hands-on demonstration of lobster fishing and a delicious, locally caught lunch.

Is this trip right for you?

  • There are a few opportunities for easy hikes, so having sturdy footwear is recommended.

Abegweit Mi'Kmaw Nation Experience, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Cabot Trail, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada
Anne of Green Gables Museum, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Man enjoying the houses made of bottles, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Aerial view of Flowerpot rocks in Funny National Park, New Brunswick, Canada
Fishing village and boats, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Aerial view of Citadel Hill, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Itinerary
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Welcome to Halifax! Your tour starts today with a welcome meeting at 10am before you head to historic Lunenburg on the South Shore, one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore Mahone Bay and nearby Blue Rocks on a leader-led walking tour and learn about this old fishing community that’s become a hub for artists and photographers. Enjoy some free time exploring the old town centre, which is a National Historic Site of Canada. And since Lunenburg was a rum-running town in the days of Prohibition, make sure you take the time to sample of the local brews. Head back to Halifax in the late afternoon and meet later in the evening for an optional dinner if you wish.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lunenburg - Guided walking tour
  • Lunenburg - Mahone Bay & Blue Rocks
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 2.5 hours.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Take a trip to famous Peggy’s Cove, a picturesque fishing village that is one of the most photographed places in all of Canada – for good reason! Rocky outcrops, the crashing Atlantic, colourful fishing boats and that famous red-tipped lighthouse are what you expect to see on Maritimes postcards. Follow your local leader along the Peggy’s Cove Rock Walk, which meanders along the barren coastline that glaciers created some 12,000 years ago. Grab lunch in the village (your own expense) – perhaps a creamy seafood chowder or fresh lobster roll.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Peggy’s Cove – Rock Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 1 hour.

Today you will drive from Halifax to Baddeck, but not without a stop at the excellent Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Center. Located in the heart of a development owned by Millbrook First Nation, it tells the story of the Millbrook Mi’kmaq and the important role they played and continue to play in the Maritimes. Don’t miss the gift shop which sells beautiful traditional arts and crafts. On arrival in Baddeck, relax and settle into your hotel for the next two nights.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Millbrook - Mi'kmac Cultural & Heritage Centre
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 4 hours.

Today offers a big day of discovery and adventure. Start with a visit to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site to gain insight into the life and work of this inventor, scientist, and teacher who is arguably best known for inventing the telephone. Then drive along the Cabot Trail and stop for a leisurely hike within Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The Skyline Trail is the park’s signature hike, which leads out to spectacular sweeping views over the sea. If it’s a nice day for driving, your leader will take you further along the Cabot Trail – a 4 hours’ drive, but with plenty of beautiful stops along the way. Enjoy a picnic lunch while you’re out along the trail before returning to Baddeck for the night.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cape Breton Highlands National Park – Hike
  • Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site (Entrance Fee)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 5 hours.

Drive from Baddeck to Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island and the smallest provincial capital in the country. It’s the perfect destination to explore on foot when you arrive in the late afternoon. Stroll alongside the picturesque harbour or take in the leafy parks and Victorian-era streets lined with gabled houses. Tonight you may like to join your group for an optional dinner and toast your adventure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Charlottetown - Leader-led orientation walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 5 hours.

An orientation meeting will take place at 10am this morning to welcome any new travellers joining you for the next leg of your journey, then head out with your leader for a walking tour of the town. Finish with a tasting at Upstreet Brewing – a fellow B Corp business that brews a mix of classic, seasonal and experimental craft beers. Your afternoon is free to wander on your own before regrouping in the evening for a truly special dinner. Head out along the stunning Points East Coastal Drive (approximately 45 minutes) to meet a local fisherman and enjoy a traditional lobster and mussel boil on his private property.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Points East Coastal Drive – Mussel and Lobster Shore Boil
  • Charlottetown-Leader Lead Walking Tour
  • Charlottetown – Upstreet Craft Brewing Beer Tasting
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
As this is a combination trip, the travellers in your group may change today.

There will be a welcome meeting at 10am to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and meet travellers joining you. It’s important that you attend the meeting as your leader will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Drive from Charlottetown to the Greenwich section of Prince Edward Island National Park, home to a rare parabolic dune system as well as miles of pristine white sand beaches. Located along the famous Points East Coastal Drive, Greenwich is the perfect place to discover the small towns, beaches and wildlife that make Prince Edward Island so unique. As you walk the dune trail and dip your toes in the surf, look out for rare coastal plant species and a variety of seabirds.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Prince Edward Island National Park
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 2 hours.

This morning visit Lennox Island First Nation to meet with a Mi'kmaq guide for a tour of the cultural center and St. Anne church. Immerse yourself in Mi'kmaq culture and history, and learn the traditional way of preparing bannnock at a campfire. Settle in with a cup of tea and soak up the stories about life on Lennox Island. Then drive to nearby Cavendish where L.M. Montgomery famously drew her inspiration for the “Anne of Green Gables” novels. Visit Green Gables Heritage Place and explore the area on a walking tour (with a focus on Anne, of course!). Then, check out the very cool Bottle Houses – a village of buildings, including a tavern, a chapel and gift shop, that are literally made out of thousands of bottles. At spectacular Thunder Cove Beach the sandstone cliffs, sea stacks and caves make for an otherworldly landscape that most visitors to Prince Edward Island totally miss. Spend the night in the coastal city of Summerside.
Accommodation
  • Inn (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cavendish – Bottle House Leader Led Tour
  • Thunder Cove Beach
  • Cavendish – Green Gables Heritage Place
  • Lennox Island First Nation Experience
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 2 hours.

Enjoy a free morning exploring Summerside on your own. You may want to check out the local museums, galleries and cultural centres, or you can just wander through the neighbourhoods of historic homes. Then get your sea legs ready! Today you’re cruising the waters of Shediac Bay on a working lobster boat with local fishers. Get a hands-on demonstration of lobster fishing and enjoy a delicious freshly caught lunch on board. After lunch, drive to Moncton and your hotel for the night.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Summerside – Lobster Boat Cruise with Lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 1.5 hours.

Cross over into New Brunswick and make your way to the postcard-perfect Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park. Arrive for low tide and join a naturalist guide for a walk right out onto the sea floor and get up close to the towering sandstone formations known as the Hopewell Rocks, or Flowerpot Rocks. When the tide comes in, waters in the bay can reach up to 16 metres, so a trip here is all about timing and your local leader will make sure you get the most out of your visit. In the afternoon, take a quick detour to spectacular Cap Enrage with its charming lighthouse before continuing on to explore Fundy National Park. Then it's a short drive onwards to the historic seaport city of Saint John, where you’ll stay for the night.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park - Walk
  • Bay of Fundy - Fundy National Park
  • Bay of Fundy - Cap Enrage
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 3.5 hours.

Your tour ends today, and you are free to leave at your leisure. Or, if you like, stick around and explore the city of Saint John and more of the Maritimes on your own.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Inn (1 night), Lodge (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Lunenburg - Guided walking tour
  • Lunenburg - Mahone Bay & Blue Rocks
  • Peggy’s Cove – Rock Walk
  • Millbrook - Mi'kmac Cultural & Heritage Centre
  • Cape Breton Highlands National Park – Hike
  • Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site (Entrance Fee)
  • Charlottetown - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Points East Coastal Drive – Mussel and Lobster Shore Boil
  • Charlottetown-Leader Lead Walking Tour
  • Charlottetown – Upstreet Craft Brewing Beer Tasting
  • Prince Edward Island National Park
  • Cavendish – Bottle House Leader Led Tour
  • Thunder Cove Beach
  • Cavendish – Green Gables Heritage Place
  • Lennox Island First Nation Experience
  • Summerside – Lobster Boat Cruise with Lunch
  • Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park - Walk
  • Bay of Fundy - Fundy National Park
  • Bay of Fundy - Cap Enrage

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Best of the Canadian Maritimes trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1.Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 10am. Please make your own way to the Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
2.Check out of the hotel is at 10am. If you could like to spend more time in Saint John we can happily request you additional nights - please speak to your booking agent.
3.A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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