12-Nights A Taste Of The Maritimes: Halifax, Saint John, Charlottetown & More

Goway Travel

This is a 13-day journey that embraces the natural wonders, fascinating cultures and historic communities of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. You’ll also experience one of the world’s great drives.

Your trip begins in Halifax, one of the most beautiful and friendly cities in Canada. Stroll the boardwalk that lines the harbour, taking in views of pretty boats, boutique shops and restaurants. Famous Pier 21 is home to the Canadian Museum of Immigration and the Maritime Museum. Try a meal in the hip North End, and finish your night at a downtown pub.

The Citadel in Halifax, which dates back nearly 170 years, has marvellous tours and soldiers in costume. Several companies offer tours of the harbour. Or you can take a ferry over to trendy Dartmouth, where there are several funky, independent shops and restaurants.

Take an easy drive from Halifax to Peggy’s Cove, a picturesque fishing village where waves of ocean water crash onto impressive mounds of bare granite. Just a little further down the coast is Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its multi-coloured houses. It’s also home to the legendary Canadian ship, the Bluenose II. The next day you can explore Chester, Mahone Bay or the tiny fishing village of Blue Rocks, a photographer’s dream.

From the south shore you’ll go inland to explore the lakes and quiet walking trails of Kejimkujik National Park. Soak up views of the lush Annapolis Valley, famous for apples and excellent wine. Fort Anne is in the centre of Annapolis Royal and dates to the 1600’s. You’re only 45 minutes from the seaside town of Digby, famous for its fresh, juicy scallops.

Enjoy a ferry ride from Digby to Saint John, New Brunswick. Take the afternoon to explore the downtown area and the Saint John City Market. The next day, check out some of the small museums or galleries in town.

The next day’s drive is filled with breathtaking scenic moments. The seaside village of Saint Martin is only a few minutes from Saint John and has two covered bridges. The highlight of the day is Hopewell Rocks, one of the most famous spots in Canada. Imposing towers of orange-red rock called flowerpots rise up from the sea bed. At low tide you can actually walk on the sea floor and admire the towers from below.

The next day you’ll make your way over the Confederation Bridge and into Prince Edward Island. Check out the pretty streets of Charlottetown, the birthplace of Canadian Confederation, or stroll the beach at Prince Edward Island National Park, roughly a half-hour away.

Swing by the handsome Point Prim Lighthouse on your way to catch the ferry to Nova Scotia. After your ferry ride, continue into Cape Breton Island and settle into Baddeck, a pretty village on Bras d’Or Lake. Don’t miss the Alexander Graham Bell museum, which explores the life of the inventor of the telephone.

The Cabot Trail on northern Cape Breton Island is one of the great drives of the world, with a road that dips and swirls over steep hills. You’ll enjoy stunning views of sea-swept headlands, steep cliffs, and tranquil beaches.

Your last full day features a leisurely drive through Cape Breton and Nova Scotia. Stop for lunch or a coffee in Antigonish, home to Saint Francis Xavier University, then continue to Halifax.

Vacation Inclusions

• 13 Day Intermediate Car Rental with unlimited mileage (Toyota Corolla or similar)
• Customized Self-Drive Roadbook (Digital version)
• 2 nights first-class accommodations in Halifax
• 2 nights first-class accommodations in Western Shore
• 1 night first-class accommodations in Digby
• 2 nights first-class accommodations in Saint John
• 1 night first-class accommodations in Moncton
• 1 night first-class accommodations in Charlottetown
• 2 nights first-class accommodations in Baddeck
• 1 night first-class accommodations in Halifax
• Admission to Hopewell Rocks & Self-Guided Tour

Featured Destinations

Baddeck (Nova Scotia) Baddeck (Nova Scotia) Baddeck is located in the heart of Cape Breton. It is the 'beginning and end of the Cabot Trail' and is a popular stopping place on the Trans-Canada Highway. The Village's charm and character, and it's dramatic scenery, have provided memorable experiences to visitors for generations. Experience the magnificent setting overlooking Cape Breton's beautiful inland sea, the Bras d'Or Lake. The Alexander Graham Bell Museum depicts the genius of this extraordinary man. Best known for the invention of the telephone, he also invented flying machines and communications for the deaf. The Scottish history and culture comes alive with concerts, celtic crafts and fashion shows of Gaelic College. The Village Shops provide a variety of quality gifts and crafts. Boat Cruises can be taken from the village. There are amenities for visiting yachts. Take the ferry boat from the Government wharf to enjoy the public beach and nature trails of Kidston Island.	Destination Guide
Charlottetown Charlottetown Charlottetown, with a population of nearly 40,000, is the island’s capital and one of Canada’s oldest towns. Established in 1765 by Capt. Samuel Holland, the settlement was named for Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III of England. The old part of town offers many historical monuments, including important government buildings, churches, old mansions and museums, along with parks and gardens. Outside of Charlottetown, discover miles of farmland, small villages, a scenic coast and the legacy of Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables, the feature of Charlottetown’s annual major theater festival.	Destination Guide
Moncton Moncton Many travelers miss downtown Moncton, 115 mi/185 km east of Fredericton, because they stop on the TransCanada Highway at the Magnetic Hill—a naturally occurring perceptual illusion that will have you convinced your car is rolling uphill—it even looks like the stream is flowing uphill. Or they visit the adjacent Magnetic Hill Zoo (with tigers, lions and camels) or the Magic Mountain Water Park (waterslides and other theme-park attractions). Some even come for the Tidal Bore on the Petiticodiac River, but, unfortunately, its name is all too accurate. The bore is a wall of water that moves upstream at high tide, but it's not worth waiting around to see. There's more to Moncton, however. Kids love the Crystal Palace amusement park, which has a carnival atmosphere year-round. The University of Moncton is the province's major French-language college—it's like a minitrip to a Paris university. Its museum and art gallery are the main attractions for visitors. The city has plenty of shops downtown and at suburban malls, or grab a snack or drink at one of the downtown cafes. Moncton is a good base for a couple of day trips, too. The Rocks Provincial Park (Hopewell Cape) is where you'll find the famous "flowerpots"—eroded rock pillars that have trees growing on top of them. Be aware that if you go at high tide—which, at 55 ft/17 m, is very high, indeed—you won't be able to walk on the beach at the rocks' base—it's underwater then. (You can also rent a kayak and see the flowerpots from the sea.) Another popular area near Moncton is Parlee Beach, in Shediac, known for its warm water, lobster and annual sand-sculpture contest. Among the Moncton area's notable events are the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival (June and July) and the World Wine and Food Expo (late fall).	Destination Guide
Saint John (Bay of Fundy), New Brunswick Saint John (Bay of Fundy), New Brunswick Canada's oldest incorporated city, Saint John sits at the juncture of the Saint John River and the Bay of Fundy. Here, visitors may witness the world-renowned phenomenon of the reversing falls, created by the Bay of Fundy's 28 1/2-foot tide swell rising above the level of the Saint John River at high tide. Saint John also has Canada's oldest museum and you'll want to visit Market Square with its charming shops and restaurants.	Destination Guide
Digby Digby Digby, the most romantic place in Canada, is also home to the world’s largest inshore scallop fleets. Water Street is lined with many wonderful shops and restaurants and offers spectacular view of Annapolis Basin and the famous Scallop Fleet. In August, be sure not to miss Digby Scallop Days – when the town celebrates its way of life and dependence on the sea with an amazing festival. Stop in the Admiral Digby Museum to learn about town history. Other popular attractions are the Trinity Anglican Church, built in 1785 and the only church in Canada to be built by shipwrights. There is also the Old Loyalist Cemetery, the Fisherman’s Memorial and the Soldier’s Cenotaph, a monument constructed in 1921 to honor those who died serving Canada during World War I, II and the Korean War. Two places perfect for gazing out at sea are the Admiral’s Walk/Loyalist Park and Point Prim Lighthouse. The lighthouse, one of the first in Nova Scotia, is set high on cliffs overlooking the mighty Bay of Fundy.
Western Shore
Halifax (Nova Scotia) Halifax (Nova Scotia) Halifax is Atlantic Canada’s center of business, research and education. Strong emphasis is placed on cultural diversity, historic restorations and the preservation of heritage and culture. The Halifax Citadel Fortress dominates downtown Halifax. Take a stroll along the waterfront past restored buildings and warehouses of Historic Properties, or a walk in delightful Public Gardens, the oldest Victorian gardens in North America. Halifax’s sister city of Dartmouth lies on the opposite shore and is reached via the oldest saltwater ferry in North America. The spectacular view of Halifax harbor makes the trip worthwhile. Housed in former Dominion Building, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia features Nova Scotia folk art and maritime artists. A two-hour walk will easily show you the major highlights of historic and scenic Halifax. Visit Historic Properties, St. Paul’s Church and Province House, the latter two being the oldest buildings in the city. Granite Springs is rated one of the finest 18-hole golf courses in Atlantic Canada.	Destination Guide

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