Day 1 - Sunday, July 13
Today we will travel from our home airport and fly to our US Airport (usually Philadelphia or Boston) to spend the night at our airport hotel before catching our direct non-stop flight to Nova Scotia tomorrow.
Day 2 - Monday, July 14: Halifax, Nova Scotia (D)
Welcome to Nova Scotia! Arrive in Nova Scotia’s seaport capital, Halifax. The heart of Halifax is perfect for exploring, with tree-lined streets, international restaurants, sidewalk cafes, galleries and museums. The world’s second largest natural harbor creates a wonderful backdrop to while away a few hours and entertains ship traffic from every corner of the globe. We will visit the fabulous Maritime Museum where you will be introduced to the history of Halifax and all of the Maritimes. At the museum we will also learn the remarkable history of the victims of the Titanic that were brought to Halifax. From here we will visit the Fairview Lawn Cemetery where the victims of the Titanic disaster lay buried. We will check into our hotel for the next two nights and enjoy dinner together.
Day 3 - Tuesday, July 15: Peggy’s Cove & Lunenburg (B, D)
We will enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the hotel this morning. We will visit Peggy’s Cove where the graceful lighthouse sits high upon the smooth wave-worn granite of the coast. The tiny harbor below the lighthouse is a masterpiece of seasoned fish sheds and colorful fishing boats, making it one of the most photographed places in Canada. Following lunch on our own, we have a very special treat as we tour further down the southern shore to the Old Town Lunenburg, which is one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Seventy percent of the original colonial buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries will greet us with their colourful façades. We will have a walking tour of Old Town Lunenburg’s distinctive waterfront with its colourful buildings and listen for salty tales of seafaring and rum-running and discover acharming town filled with amazing restaurants, distilleries, breweries, artisans and unique shops. Dinner is included this evening.
Day 4 - Wedensday, July 16: Evangeline Trail and Saint John (B, D)
We will head to the ferry terminal in Digby for our crossing of the Bay of Fund to Saint John, New Brunswick. On the way we will learn about the mass deportation of the Acadian people when we visit the Grand Pre National Historic Site. We will continue along the Evangeline Trail, made famous by Longfellow's poem of the same name. It tells the story of the of the Acadian people in the mid 1700's as the British exiled all French speaking people from Nova Scotia. We will board the Fundy Rose ferry for our crossing of 2+ hours and have dinner on board ship. Once we arrive in Saint John, we will check into our hotel for one night.
Day 5 - Thursday, July 17: The Bay of Fundy & Hopewell Rocks (B, D)
Today we will enjoy touring along the Bay of Fundy as we travel from Saint John to Moncton. Before leaving Saint John, we will visit the location of the incredible Reversing Falls, a unique phenomenon where the rising tide of the Bay of Fundy overcomes the 418-mile-long Saint John river as it attempts to empty into the Bay of Fundy at high tide. At that time, the rising tide is more powerful than the great river and forces the river to run backward upon itself, preventing it from emptying into the Bay of Fundy. Leaving Saint John, we will follow the shoreline and travel along a new scenic route. In 2021, the Province of New Brunswick and the Canadian Federal Parks completed the incredible project known as the Fundy Trail. It began in 1995 with construction of a hiking trail that hugs the very hilly and rocky coastline for 22 miles. It then expanded to include a biking trail running parallel to the hiking trail and finally in 2021 the opening of a road for vehicular traffic. From the high position of our motorcoach, we will have excellent views and some stops at overlooks to really appreciate this magnificent drive. The route will then take us through the Fundy National Park and to the great highlight of the entire tour and the Maritime’s most famous geological feature - The Hopewell Rocks, in the Bay of Fundy. Here you will walk on the ocean floor at low tide, and learn about the region’s natural history. We’ll discover why it was voted one of the two North American finalists in a global competition to choose the world’s top natural wonders, in good company with the Grand Canyon! This is fitting, as the 100 billion tons of sea water that flow in and out of the Bay of Fundy twice a day, every day of the year, and rise an incredible 48 feet, could fill the Grand Canyon! Tonight, we will have dinner in Moncton.
Day 6 - Friday, July 18: The Acadian Coast (B, Lobster D)
Following breakfast this morning we will tour the Acadian Coast which is the shoreline that overlooks Prince Edward Island on the Northumberland Strait. Our day will begin at the recreated Acadian Village of Le Pays de la Sagouine in Bouctouche. Here we will experience Acadian village life and be entertained by their family spirit at a Kitchen Party, the traditional gathering of Acadian people in each other’s homes. We will continue to the Irving Eco-Centre and the Dunes of Bouctouche. We can enjoy the view across the dunes and even stroll along the miles-long boardwalk, where we can easily take a side path down to the water and get our feet wet! Then we will head to the resort town of Shediac, New Brunswick, “lobster capital of the world”. Group photo opportunity with the largest lobster in the world! Our friends at Shediac Bay Cruises will take us on a memorable 2 ½ hour lobster dinner educational cruise. “Lobstertales,” as they are locally known, offers the most experiential and educational lobster stop anywhere! Get up close and personal with Captain Ron Cormier, help the crew pull in traps, hear the history and significance of lobster fishing in the region, then learn how to cook, crack and eat your lobster - the New Brunswick way! (BBQ chicken and vegetarian substitutes offered). Following dinner, we will return to our hotel.
Day 7 - Saturday, July 19: Prince Edward Island (PEI) (B, D)
Following breakfast this morning we will cross the incredible Confederation Bridge, which spans 9 miles of the Northumberland Strait and connects New Brunswick to PEI. We will enjoy touring the island on our way to its beautiful capital of Charlottetown. You will learn what makes this capital city such a historic gem. We’ll see why it’s also a vibrant urban centre that dances to a beat all its own. Canada was born (or perhaps more accurately, was conceived) here when the Fathers of Confederation met at Province House in 1864 to plot out the creation of Canada. We will have a walking tour of the town before checking into out hotel for two nights. Dinner is included this evening.
Day 8 - Sunday, July 20: Anne’s Land (B,)
Today, after breakfast, we will enjoy a full day on this delightful island experiencing all the things residents and visitors alike find so endearing. We will enjoy “Anne’s Land,” includiong a visit to the Prince Edward Island Preserve Company, one of the most popular stops in Prince Edward Island, the beautiful setting alone will impress you. We will have time have time for lunch on our own before continuing to the northern coast of PEI. Over the last century, millions of readers from around the world have come to know and love Anne of Green Gables™, and Prince Edward Island is where devotees come to celebrate her. Those who love the books or the TV miniseries make their way to Green Gables in pilgrimage-like fashion to visit the many sites that pay tribute to their favourite red-haired heroine and her creator, Lucy Maud Montgomery. While Anne may be the principal attraction for many, Green Gables Shore has more beauty and mystique up its sleeve. The region is a spectacular piece of Prince Edward Island’s acclaimed scenic landscape composed of red sandstone cliffs, white sand beaches and rolling farm fields. Some of the classic coastline has been protected in the PEI National Park which hugs the central north shore. Dinner will be on our own this evening to enjoy downtown Charlottetown.
Day 9 - Monday, July 21: PEI to Halifax (B, D)
This morning, following breakfast, we head to the eastern part of PEI, where we will board the 75-minute ferry to return to Nova Scotia. On the way to the ferry, we will visit the Point Prim Lighthouse overlooking the Northumberland Strait. If we’re feeling up to it, we can climb the stairs to the top for a gorgeous overlook. Or just enjoy the grounds and take a walk along the shoreline. Once we land in Nova Scotia it is a short 2-hour drive back to Halifax. This will give us time for more touring of Halifax including the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, which was the reason for the British founding the city at this location as a natural defense to the harbor. After checking into our hotel, we will enjoy our farewell inner in Halifax.
Day 10 - Tuesday, July 22: Departure Home (B)
This morning, following breakfast, we will make our way back to the airport and our flights home taking with us many fond memories of the World Next Door.
TOUR COST PER PERSON - All land and air arrangements:
Per person paying passengers
30+ paying passengers
Double: TBA
Single: TBA
Triple: TBA