13 Day Maritime Charms

Day 1: Halifax

Welcome to Nova Scotia's provincial capital, this attractive city is a bustling hub of art galleries, shops, museums, restaurants, sidewalk cafes and vibrant nightlife centered around the picturesque waterfront.

Overnight: Halifax

Day 2: Halifax Sightseeing

This morning enjoy the Halifax highlights tour, take in the sights of Halifax historic properties, Spring Garden Road, Province House, the Old Town Clock and much more.

Overnight: Halifax

Day 3: Halifax — Lunenburg (1½ hours)

Drive the south shore today along the Lighthouse Route. En route visit Peggy's Cove, a picturesque fishing village surrounded by bare granite and coastal barrens. Continue on to Mahone Bay, a relaxing seaside town re-known for its quiet beauty and internationally known churches. Visit Lunenburg, a unique town in terms of architecture and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight: Lunenburg

Day 4: Lunenburg — Digby (2 hours)

Continue your drive north to Kejimkujik National Park. Visit the excellent visitor centre, which houses replicas of the native tools found by archaeologists dating back 4500 years ago. Continue your drive to Annapolis Valley, which boasts spectacular views of the Annapolis Basin, before continuing on to the Digby Area.

Overnight: Digby

Day 5: Digby — Saint John (Ferry)

Take the short drive to Digby. Board the ferry to Saint John, New Brunswick. Places to visit include Carleton Martello Tower National Historic Site, the old city market, Loyalist House, the New Brunswick Museum and the Reversing Falls.

Overnight: Saint John, NB

Day 6: Saint John — St. Andrews by-the-Sea (1 hour)

Travel west along the Fundy Coastal Drive. This dramatically scenic drive introduces you to the Bay of Fundy, one of the Marine Wonders of the World. Arrive in St. Andrews, one of Canada's most beautiful seaside resorts.

Overnight: St. Andrews by-the-Sea

Day 7: St. Andrews by-the-Sea — Fredericton (2 hours)

Continue north on the River Valley Scenic Drive on to Fredericton, New Brunswick's picturesque capital city noted for its heritage and culture. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring Fredericton and its attractions. Places to visit include City Hall, Christchurch Cathedral, the Historic Military Compound, Old Government House and the Kings Landing Historical Settlement.

Overnight: Fredericton

Day 8: Fredericton — Fundy National Park (2 hours)

Depart Fredericton and join the spectacular Fundy Coastal Drive via Sussex, a quaint town nestled in the beautiful countryside of New Brunswick, and perhaps visit the excellent Agricultural Museum. Continue eastbound to the Fundy National Park - 206km.sq of steep coastal cliffs, forest clad hills, deep rich valleys and clear, rolling meadows.

Overnight: Fundy National Park

Day 9: Fundy National Park — Charlottetown (3 hours)

Depart Fundy National Park and drive to Moncton and follow the Acadian Coastal Drive to the dramatic Confederation Bridge, your gateway to Prince Edward Island. Continue along to Cavendish to visit the many sites that pay tribute to everyone's favourite red-haired heroine and her creator, Lucy Maud Montgomery. Cavendish is the home of Anne of Green Gables. Visit Avonlea, the village of Anne of Green Gables and the Green Gables Heritage Site. Then onwards to Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island.

Overnight: Charlottetown

Day 10: Charlottetown — Pictou (3 hours)

Drive southeast through the Points East Coastal Drive and visit the Point Prim Lighthouse before continuing on to the Wood Islands ferry terminal. Board the NFL Ferry, a crossing of approximately 75 minutes, which takes you over to Caribou, Nova Scotia (payable locally). Drive east along the Sunrise Trail to the historic town of Pictou.

Overnight: Pictou

Day 11: Pictou — Baddeck (2 hours)

Depart Pictou and continue to Cape Breton via the Canso Causeway and on to Baddeck. This scenic village overlooks the beautiful Bras d'Or Lakes and the most notable resident historically was Alexander Graham Bell. You may visit the National Historic Site named after him.

Overnight: Baddeck

Day 12: Baddeck — Louisbourg (1½ hours)

Depart Baddeck via Glace Bay, home of the Miners Museum and Marconi National Historical Site. Follow the trail to Louisbourg, home to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, the largest historical reconstruction in North America.

Overnight: Louisbourg

Day 13: Louisbourg — Halifax (5 hours)

Depart Louisbourg and take a leisurely drive back to Halifax. En route visit Musqodoboit Harbour & Valley, a haven for nature lovers, and Martinique Beach, the longest beach in the province.