Atlantic Provinces - suggested route

The closest Canada gets to the UK both in distance and in the sense of heritage. There are strong Celtic links as well as Arcadian; musical traditions meld with spectacular scenery; tremendous wildlife viewing particularly of whales and moose not to mention the icebergs off the Newfoundland and Labrador coast encourage us across the Atlantic.

You should allow at least 2 weeks to make the most of visiting Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. If you wish, you can easily add an extension to take in Newfoundland and Labrador.

DAY 1 - Halifax

Arrive into Halifax and overnight. The city is a bustling hub of art galleries, shops, museums, restaurants, sidewalk cafes and vibrant nightlife centre don the picturesque waterfront. Take in the sights of Citadel Hill, Halifax Harbour and Bedford Basin or visit the excellent Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

DAY 2 - Halifax to Kejimkujik National Park (138 miles)

Pick up your vehicle and drive along the Lighthouse Route, visiting the rocky shores of Peggy’s Cove, Canada’s most photographed lighthouse. Continue to pretty, waterfront Lunenburg, and into Kejimkujik, a spectacular inland National Park with wonderful walking trails and some of the best canoeing in Atlantic Canada.

DAY 3 - Kejimkujik National Park to Annapolis Royal (31 miles)

Drive to the northcoast for spectacular views of the Annapolis Basin and perhaps take a whale-watching trip.

DAY 4 - Annapolis Royal to Fundy National Park (100 miles)

Take the 3-hour ferry crossing to Saint John, New Brunswick’s largest city. Visit the old city market, Loyalist House and the famous Reversing Falls. Drive along the spectacular Fundy Coastal Drive via St.Martins, a scenic fishing village with spectacular red cliffs and caves. Fundy National Park is renowned for its coastal hiking trails and is also a haven for bird watchers, golfers, cyclists, canoeists and naturalists.

DAY 6 - Fundy National Park to Summerside (155 miles)

Explore the fascinating Hopewell Rocks where you can walk on the ocean floor and witness the highest tides in the world. Continue via Sackville and Port Elgin and on to the 12.9km long Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island. See the stately homes that were home to wealthy ship builders and Spinakers Landing which brings the ship building era alive.

DAY 7 - Summerside to Charlottetown (44 miles)

Follow the Central Coast Drive to Cavendish and Avonlea – the village of Anne of Green Gables to visit her house and on to Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island.

DAY 9 - Charlottetown to Tatamagouche (75 miles)

Continue on the Points East Coastal Drive to take the Wood Islands ferry to Caribou, Nova Scotia – a 75 minutes crossing (payable locally). On arrival follow the Sunrise Trail to Tatamagouche, a vibrant community where old and new combine.

DAY 10 - Tatamagouche to Baddeck (168 miles)

Drive on to Cape Breton via the Canso Causeway. Baddeck overlooks the beautiful Bras d’Or Lakes whose most notable resident was Alexander Graham Bell - you can visit the National Historic Site. We suggest you spend two days here and explore the unique culture of the area and abundance of wildlife. Follow the famous Cabot Trail around Cape Breton’s northern shore, ascending to the plateaus of Cape Breton Highlands National Parks with it’s stunning mountain and coastal landscapes.

A Weeks Newfoundland Experience can be added here

From Baddeck it is easy to add an extension to your trip to include Newfoundland and Labrador. Drive to North Sydney from where you board the ferry to Port aux Basques, Newfoundland. From here, drive north via the French Ancestor’s route to Corner Brook, visiting the scenic Humber Valley, on your way to Gros Morne National Park, renowned for its beauty and adventure. Be sure to take in some of the many hiking trails through the park and the Western Brook Pond Fjord boat tour to see the spectacular Western Brook Gorge. Continue on through the Central Region to Notre Dame Bay, visiting Twillingate and Long Point Lighthouse, one of the best places in season to see humpback whales and icebergs. Continue on through Terra Nova National Park, where you may see ospreys, eagles, lynx and moose to Trinity, Newfoundland’s cultural capital. Your island adventure will finish in St John’s, Newfoundland’s capital and the oldest city in North America. This vibrant city has a host of attractions; be sure to take in Signal Hill, Quidi Vidi Lake and Government House. Drive through the Avalon Peninsula to Argentia for the ferry cruise back to Nova Scotia.

DAY 12 - Baddeck to Louisbourg (78 miles)

Glace Bay is the beginning of the Marconi Trail, named after the inventor who sent the first transatlantic wireless message from here. Follow the trail to Louisbourg, home to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site.

DAY 13 - Louisbourg to Liscomb Mills (242 miles)

Driving the eastern shore you will pass through many picturesque villages including Canso and Goldboro, once the best gold mining district in the province. You could visit Sherbrooke Village - a living history museum of village life in old Nova Scotia.

DAY 14 - Liscomb Mills to Halifax (155 miles)

Return to Halifax visiting enroute Musqodoboit Harbour and Valley – a haven for nature lovers, and Martinique Beach – the longest beach in the province.