Atlantic Discovery

Atlantic Discovery

from £1,579 excluding flights

  • 10 nights
  • Jun-Sep
Peggy's Cove

Atlantic Discovery

from £1,579 excluding flights

  • 10 nights
  • Jun-Sep

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Highlights

In pictures
canada prince edward island covehead harbour lighthouse istk

Explore Prince Edward Island’s rolling hills and red sand beaches

canada nova scotia cabot trail winding road istk

Drive the stunning Cabot Trail around Cape Breton

Whale watching from Brier Island

Cruise in search of humpbacks, minkes and right whales

King Street, Lunenburg

Wander around the picturesque town of Lunenburg

canada nova scotia charlottetown istk

Visit Canada’s birthplace at Charlottetown

Peggy's Cove

Stroll through the village of Peggy's Cove with its famous lighthouse

Why this trip...

Cabot Trail explore at leisure white

Explore at leisure

With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

canada forest trail istk well researched route white

Well-researched route

We've put our years of experience into creating this well-paced itinerary that includes the places we know you'll enjoy

Aoraki Mt Cook National Park tailor made white

Tailor made

This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe

Overview

Enjoy a leisurely journey around charming Nova Scotia and Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island, following a circular route from Halifax. With picturesque fishing villages, scenic hiking trails and fabulous seafood, the Maritime Provinces are the ideal setting for a relaxing self-drive holiday.

From historic Halifax travel south, taking in remote lighthouses and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Town Lunenburg. Enjoy a whale watching excursion with the chance to see fin, minke and humpback whales and marvel at the world’s highest tides in the Bay of Fundy. During your journey you'll have the chance to learn more about the history of this fascinating corner of Canada, which has been influenced by Acadian, French and Celtic settlers.

Explore Prince Edward Island, perhaps best known for being the home of the fictional character Anne of Green Gables. It's also home to historic Charlottetown, and the newly opened Island Walk which provides 700kms of easy, well maintained hiking trails that circle the entire island. A stroll along a short section may reveal red sandy beaches, rolling farmland, rural villages and panoramic sea views.

Your holiday ends with a scenic drive around Cape Breton’s renowned Cabot Trail. The Cabot Trail is just under 300kms in length and follows the coastline of northern Nova Scotia. Tiny fishing villages, local galleries and quirky museums hug the coast, whilst the Cape Breton Highlands National Park stretches right across the island from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Atlantic Ocean, offering numerous hiking opportunities amongst lakes and forests.

Itinerary

The itinerary shown is an example of this self-drive holiday. We have many other hotels and route recommendations which can be tailored to your requirements. Please discuss with our Travel Specialists who can put together a bespoke itinerary for you.

Day 1 Halifax - Lunenburg

Your self-drive adventure begins upon collection of your rental car and the scenic drive to Lunenburg, perhaps enjoying a detour to see Peggy’s Cove’s much-photographed lighthouse en route. Old Town Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a lovingly restored Victorian town that begs you to wander and explore.

Your self-drive adventure begins upon collection of your rental car and the scenic drive to Lunenburg, perhaps enjoying a detour to see Peggy’s Cove’s much-photographed lighthouse en route. Old Town Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a lovingly restored Victorian town that begs you to wander and explore.

Peggy's Cove
Lunenburg
King Street, Lunenburg

Day 2 Lunenburg - Annapolis Royal

Cross the island via Kejimkujik National Park, renowned for its hiking trails and scenic canoeing on wilderness lakes and rivers. Park interpretive staff conduct outings on foot to reveal the natural history of the area, including the Mi’kmaq pretoglyphs. Continue to Annapolis Royal.

Cross the island via Kejimkujik National Park, renowned for its hiking trails and scenic canoeing on wilderness lakes and rivers. Park interpretive staff conduct outings on foot to reveal the natural history of the area, including the Mi’kmaq pretoglyphs. Continue to Annapolis Royal.

Day 3 Whale watching on the Bay of Fundy

Today drive along 65 km along the Digby Neck to experience a whale watching excursion on the nutrient rich waters of the Bay of Fundy. You may see finback and minkes, humpbacks or even the rare North Atlantic right whale. Return to Annapolis Royal this afternoon, where you may wish to visit Fort Anne.

Today drive along 65 km along the Digby Neck to experience a whale watching excursion on the nutrient rich waters of the Bay of Fundy. You may see finback and minkes, humpbacks or even the rare North Atlantic right whale. Return to Annapolis Royal this afternoon, where you may wish to visit Fort Anne.

Brier Island lighthouse
Humpback whale
Kejimkujik National Park

Day 4 Annapolis Royal - Wolfville

Make time to stop at the Grand-Pré National Historic Site, commemorating the Grand-Pré area as a centre of Acadian settlement from 1682 to 1755, and the Deportation of the Acadians, which began in 1755 and continued until 1762. The Domaine de Grand Pré is a fantastic winery in the area and well worth a visit.

Make time to stop at the Grand-Pré National Historic Site, commemorating the Grand-Pré area as a centre of Acadian settlement from 1682 to 1755, and the Deportation of the Acadians, which began in 1755 and continued until 1762. The Domaine de Grand Pré is a fantastic winery in the area and well worth a visit.

Day 5 Wolfville - Charlottetown

You will cross the 13km long Confederation Bridge as you head over to Prince Edward Island today.

You will cross the 13km long Confederation Bridge as you head over to Prince Edward Island today.

Days 6-7 Charlottetown

Spend time exploring Charlottetown, site of Canada’s birthplace - Province House was the scene of meetings that led to the formation of Canada as a united country back in 1867.

Further afield, a visit to Prince Edward Island National Park on the island’s north shore is highly recommended. The park is home to Green Gables, the fictional home of Anne, the character created by Canadian writer Lucy Maud Montgomery and loved by millions worldwide. Here you will also find prolific birdlife, scenic hiking trails, and rolling coastal landscapes, featuring salt marshes, sand dunes, headlands and deserted beaches. Keen hikers may also wish to explore parts of the Island Walk - a new hiking trail which loops around the whole island, providing easy access to PEI's natural attractions.

Spend time exploring Charlottetown, site of Canada’s birthplace - Province House was the scene of meetings that led to the formation of Canada as a united country back in 1867.

Further afield, a visit to Prince Edward Island National Park on the island’s north shore is highly recommended. The park is home to Green Gables, the fictional home of Anne, the character created by Canadian writer Lucy Maud Montgomery and loved by millions worldwide. Here you will also find prolific birdlife, scenic hiking trails, and rolling coastal landscapes, featuring salt marshes, sand dunes, headlands and deserted beaches. Keen hikers may also wish to explore parts of the Island Walk - a new hiking trail which loops around the whole island, providing easy access to PEI's natural attractions.

Cliffs at Cavendish Beach
Prince Edward Island lighthouse
Confederation Bridge

Day 8 Charlottetown - Baddeck

Depart Charlottetown for the Wood Islands ferry crossing to Caribou, Nova Scotia. Continue to Cape Breton Island, a little piece of Scotland in North America, for a 3-night stay in Baddeck.

Depart Charlottetown for the Wood Islands ferry crossing to Caribou, Nova Scotia. Continue to Cape Breton Island, a little piece of Scotland in North America, for a 3-night stay in Baddeck.

Day 9 Drive the Cabot Trail

Allow a full day to drive the scenic Cabot Trail loop around Cape Breton Island today, as you will want to allow plenty of time to stop and hike or take in the views. There are 28 beautiful hiking trails in Cape Breton National Park between Cheticamp and Ingonish, offering awe-inspiring views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Cape Breton Highlands. Points of interest along the way include the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre, Glenora Distillery and the Acadian Cultural Centre & Museum.

Allow a full day to drive the scenic Cabot Trail loop around Cape Breton Island today, as you will want to allow plenty of time to stop and hike or take in the views. There are 28 beautiful hiking trails in Cape Breton National Park between Cheticamp and Ingonish, offering awe-inspiring views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Cape Breton Highlands. Points of interest along the way include the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre, Glenora Distillery and the Acadian Cultural Centre & Museum.

Cabot Trail
Cape Breton Highlands and the Cabot Trail
Cape Breton coastline

Day 10 Baddeck - Louisbourg - Baddeck

This morning head north to discover the Fortress of Louisbourg. This living museum is the largest historical reconstruction in North America, and is an impressive restoration of a French garrison town dating from the 1700’s. Costumed interpreters re-enact daily life from the French colonial period and you can sample period food in the restaurant, or even take part in a mock battle. Back in Baddeck the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site is also well worth a visit, a museum dedicated to the life and inventions of this fascinating man who spent his summers here on the shores of the Bras d’Or.

This morning head north to discover the Fortress of Louisbourg. This living museum is the largest historical reconstruction in North America, and is an impressive restoration of a French garrison town dating from the 1700’s. Costumed interpreters re-enact daily life from the French colonial period and you can sample period food in the restaurant, or even take part in a mock battle. Back in Baddeck the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site is also well worth a visit, a museum dedicated to the life and inventions of this fascinating man who spent his summers here on the shores of the Bras d’Or.

canada nova scotia louisbourg fortress istk

Day 11 Baddeck - Halifax

Enjoy a leisurely day driving back to Halifax via the scenic shore of the Bras d’Or Lakes and across the Canso Causeway.

Enjoy a leisurely day driving back to Halifax via the scenic shore of the Bras d’Or Lakes and across the Canso Causeway.

Accommodation Options

With a wide choice of accommodation in Canada, we can mix and match different grades and styles to suit your personal preference - from motels and hotels to design properties and wilderness lodges in stunning locations.

Discuss your options with our Travel Specialists.

Prices and Departures

Price from £1,579 excluding flights

Airfares start from around £550 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
  • Car rental throughout
  • 7 breakfasts
  • Whale watching cruise on the Bay of Fundy
  • Historic Sites Pass including admission to Alexander Graham Bell Historic Site, Fort Anne, Fortress of Louisbourg, Grand-Pre, Halifax Citadel, Port-Royal, Kejimkujik, Green Gables House and Prince Edward Island National Park
  • Ferry from Woods Island to Caribou
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

Prices

This itinerary starts from £1,579 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, and rental of an intermediate vehicle. Prices may vary depending on departure date. Please contact us for a detailed quote based on your preferred travel dates, vehicle category and style of accommodation, or to tailor this itinerary.

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Tailor made trips

As independent destination specialists, we are able to tailor make holidays to suit you, be that customising the itineraries shown on this website or creating something bespoke.

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Travelling sustainably

We believe travel is about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment and broadening minds through new experiences and cultural interaction.

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