maritime travel winnipeg

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Freedom Tours is looking forward to welcoming you back to New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada in 2023.  Email or call to see how we can help you plan your visit here!

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Your tour departs from outside from any of our three cruise terminals. Please note, we will not be found in any terminal on port property. After disembarking your ship, please proceed through the terminal and to the exit...

Maritime Travel

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Was very knowledgeable and helpful. We plan to a package within the next few weeks. Samantha was great !

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Maritime Travel Inc. began with a single storefront, called  Maritime Travel , in 1949. Since then, we’ve become the largest independent travel agency in Canada. Today, our retail operations consist of over 100 locations from coast to coast with 13 locations branded LeGrow’s Travel in Newfoundland and Labrador, several branded Voyages Maritime in Quebec and Northern New Brunswick and the remainder branded Maritime Travel right across the country. Combined, our retail operations generate annual sales of over $350 million and employ over 500 people.

On May 16, 2002, we changed our name from Maritime Marlin Travel to Maritime Travel. When we originally affiliated with Marlin Travel in 1986 to provide our customers with a national network, we gained the ability to use the “Marlin” name within Atlantic Canada. This affiliation served us well for many years. However, with our acquisition of The Bay Travel in 2002, now Maritime Travel @ the Bay giving us locations nationwide, we no longer needed this affiliation to meet customers’ needs across Canada. Maritime Travel better reflects who we are – a Maritime-owned and headquartered company with a truly national reach.

In December 2009, the company hired 36 senior travel counsellors who had been with BCAA Travel prior to BCAA closing its travel operations.  Between 2009 and 2013, there were numerous acquisitions in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, including ATCO Travel in the fall of 2010.

Maritime Travel Inc. is also committed to staying one step ahead of our competition in the ever-changing travel industry. We believe that good people are particularly critical to our ongoing success. Hiring the best staff and providing them with attractive compensation packages and benefits has helped us to build and maintain a highly educated and experienced team of experts. In fact, many of our staff have been with us for over 10 years. Maritime Travel Inc. also provides extensive training programs for all our staff, and we continuously invest in leading-edge technology to stay competitive. Many of the technology solutions we have incorporated have had a significant impact on all aspects of our service, from operational efficiencies in the retail shops to innovative solutions for our business travellers, like online booking tools.

Recognized for its leadership and employee satisfaction, Maritime Travel has been named one of the Top 20 Best Employers in Canada for 2020 by Kincentric in its annual study. The country’s premier benchmark for excellent workplaces, The Best Employers in Canada program publicly recognizes organizations that have created great work environments. It’s the 11th consecutive award for Maritime Travel. Maritime Travel has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Platinum Club for 17 consecutive years. Prior to that, it had been named one of Canada’s Best Managed companies since 1998.

Maritime Travel Inc. is a fully integrated travel company specializing in all aspects of travel, including developing, packaging, marketing, and distributing travel products and services.

Air Charters

Operating since 1999,  Maritime Travel Air Charters  offers a convenient, often cost-efficient charter service for our clients. This gives our clients — with two or more persons traveling — significant opportunities to save money and time, all with the added freedom of flying on their own schedule.

Air Consolidation

Launched in 1999, Discount Air serves as an internal consolidator for our retail network, sourcing international fares that are far more competitive than scheduled fares. This means huge savings for our customers. Sourcing and negotiating the availability of attractive fares is the greatest challenge faced by most agents. By providing an in-house service with fares online, Maritime Travel Inc.’s retail operations enjoy a significant competitive advantage.

Business Travel Management

Maritime Travel Inc.’s Business Travel Management operations offer business travel services and products to companies of all sizes. Operating under the Maritime and LeGrow’s brands, we service over 25 per cent of all business travel accounts in Atlantic Canada. Our leading-edge e-commerce Travel Smart Suite of products and “Confirmed” Business Travel Program are two of the many exclusive services we offer our customers.

Inbound Services

Maritime Travel Cruise Services began as a small ground-handling company, servicing cruise ships arriving at Cape Breton Island. Today, Maritime Travel Cruise Services has expanded its service throughout Atlantic Canada, providing ground-handling services for companies such as Holland America and Princess Cruises, among others.

Maritime Travel Conventions

Maritime Travel purchased Convention Connections, now known as  Maritime Travel Conventions , as part of the acquisition of Atlantic American Express operations in November of 2005. This division has been in business for ten years, coordinating inbound convention services for organizations around the world. The services include negotiating and managing hotel room blocks, as well as coordinating flights and event planning.

Meetings and Incentives

Maritime Travel Meetings & Incentives  provides organizations with professional consulting and coordination of meetings, conventions and incentive programs. Companies face continuous operational challenges, such as building and maintaining morale, keeping staff turnover down and motivating their teams, all of which can be addressed with a well-planned and executed incentive program. The Maritime Meetings & Incentives team has broad expertise in developing meetings and incentive programs, from delivering client incentive trips hosted by our own president to developing incentives that can be driven or serviced from our regional branch network.

Retail Travel

Maritime Travel Inc. operates over 100 retail locations across the country under the brands, Maritime Travel, LeGrow’s Travel, Airline Reservation Center, and Maritime Travel at The Bay. Our retail operations offer vacation travel services and products through all three distribution channels: travel agencies, a national call center and Internet sites. Our size and market share have allowed us to develop exclusive products and services, such as our Maritime Travel Insurance and Exclusive Payment Options.

Wholesale Operations

Launched in 1999, Holiday Escapes (formerly Maritime Holidays) continues to expand its programs and destinations. Holiday Escapes has made considerable investments in software that allows our agents to book online while giving our branch network access to products that sometimes are exclusive, yet always the best price for our customers.

Maritime Travel awarded as a Best Employer Canada for 2023

HALIFAX, NS – Maritime Travel has been recognized as a Kincentric Best Employer Canada for 2023. Kincentric’s robust annual assessment identified Maritime Travel as excelling across critical people factors – employee engagement, and the organization’s agility, engaging leadership, and talent focus.

The award recognizes organizations that have transformed their people practices to drive better business results. Part of Kincentric’s measurements involved an independent survey of all Maritime Travel employees.

“Our travel agents are among the best in the business. They are our strength,” says Gary Gaudry, President, Maritime Travel Inc. “We’re delighted to know they are also among the most highly engaged workforces in the country. This is particularly rewarding when you consider the global workforce challenges of the travel industry brought on by the pandemic.”

Some of the award’s benchmarks include employee’s perceptions of senior leadership, people-manager effectiveness, enabling employee productivity, and valuing and appreciating employees.

Based in Halifax, Maritime Travel has been in business since 1949 and is one of Canada’s largest independent travel agency chains, with more than 90 locations coast to coast, employing close to 400 travel agents. The company was recently named a Platinum Club winner of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for 2023. Prior to that, it has been named one of Canada’s Best Managed companies every year since 1998.

For more information, please contact: Carol Buchanan, President, Retail Operations at 902-421-7559 [email protected] www.maritimetravel.ca

Best of the Canadian Maritimes

11 days | highlands, islands, wild tides and good times in the maritimes.

Experience the charms of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island on an 11-day exploration of Canada’s Maritime provinces. Discover the rocky shores of Peggy’s Cove and the Skyline Trail of Cape Breton. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lunenburg, shop for locally made Mi’kmaq arts and crafts, get to know historic Charlottetown and visit the home of Anne of Green Gables. Enjoy dinner on board a working lobster boat, and meet with a Mi’kmaq guide. You’ll soon see why this corner of Canada is so beloved by all who visit.

Trip overview

• Walk the stunning coastal trails of Cape Breton Highlands National Park and follow the Skyline Trail mountain pass out to sweeping sea views.
• Meet a Prince Edward Island fisherman and enjoy a traditional lobster and mussel dinner on his private property along the shore.
• Meet with a Mi'kmaq guide at Lennox Island to learn how to make bannock and listen to traditional stories.
• Hear the stories behind “Anne of Green Gables” with a walking tour through Cavendish, where L.M. Montgomery drew her inspiration.
• Cruise the waters of Shediac Bay on board a lobster boat, with a hands-on demonstration of lobster fishing and a delicious, locally caught lunch.
• There are a few opportunities for easy hikes, so having sturdy footwear is recommended.

Welcome to Halifax! Your tour starts today with a welcome meeting at 10am before you head to historic Lunenburg on the South Shore, one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore Mahone Bay and nearby Blue Rocks on a leader-led walking tour and learn about this old fishing community that’s become a hub for artists and photographers. Enjoy some free time exploring the old town centre, which is a National Historic Site of Canada. And since Lunenburg was a rum-running town in the days of Prohibition, make sure you take the time to sample of the local brews. Head back to Halifax in the late afternoon and meet later in the evening for an optional dinner if you wish.

• Hotel (1 night)

There are no meals included on this day.

• Lunenburg - Guided walking tour
• Lunenburg - Mahone Bay & Blue Rocks

Today’s driving time is approximately 2.5 hours.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Take a trip to famous Peggy’s Cove, a picturesque fishing village that is one of the most photographed places in all of Canada – for good reason! Rocky outcrops, the crashing Atlantic, colourful fishing boats and that famous red-tipped lighthouse are what you expect to see on Maritimes postcards. Follow your local leader along the Peggy’s Cove Rock Walk, which meanders along the barren coastline that glaciers created some 12,000 years ago. Grab lunch in the village (your own expense) – perhaps a creamy seafood chowder or fresh lobster roll.

• Peggy’s Cove – Rock Walk

Today’s driving time is approximately 1 hour.

Today you will drive from Halifax to Baddeck, but not without a stop at the excellent Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Center. Located in the heart of a development owned by Millbrook First Nation, it tells the story of the Millbrook Mi’kmaq and the important role they played and continue to play in the Maritimes. Don’t miss the gift shop which sells beautiful traditional arts and crafts. On arrival in Baddeck, relax and settle into your hotel before we head for an included dinner together.

• Lodge (1 night)
• Millbrook - Mi'kmac Cultural & Heritage Centre

Today’s driving time is approximately 4 hours.

Today offers a big day of discovery and adventure. Start with a visit to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site to gain insight into the life and work of this inventor, scientist, and teacher who is arguably best known for inventing the telephone. Then drive along the Cabot Trail and stop for a leisurely hike within Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The Skyline Trail is the park’s signature hike, which leads out to spectacular sweeping views over the sea. If it’s a nice day for driving, your leader will take you further along the Cabot Trail – a 4 hours’ drive, but with plenty of beautiful stops along the way. Enjoy a picnic lunch while you’re out along the trail before returning to Baddeck for the night.

• Cape Breton Highlands National Park – Hike
• Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site (Entrance Fee)

Today’s driving time is approximately 5 hours.

Drive from Baddeck to Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island and the smallest provincial capital in the country. Perhaps head downtown and explore on foot when you arrive in the late afternoon. Stroll alongside the picturesque harbour or take in the leafy parks and Victorian-era streets lined with gabled houses. Tonight you may like to join your group for an optional dinner and toast your adventure.

• Charlottetown - Leader-led orientation walk

An orientation meeting will take place at 10am this morning to welcome any new travellers joining you for the next leg of your journey, then head out with your leader for a walking tour of the town. Finish with a tasting at Upstreet Brewing – a fellow B Corp business that brews a mix of classic, seasonal and experimental craft beers. Your afternoon is free to wander on your own before regrouping in the evening for a truly special dinner. Head out along the stunning Points East Coastal Drive (approximately 45 minutes) to meet a local fisherman and enjoy a traditional lobster and mussel boil on his private property.

• Points East Coastal Drive – Mussel and Lobster Shore Boil
• Charlottetown-Leader Lead Walking Tour
• Charlottetown – Upstreet Craft Brewing Beer Tasting

As this is a combination trip, the travellers in your group may change today.

There will be a welcome meeting at 10am to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and meet travellers joining you. It’s important that you attend the meeting as your leader will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Drive from Charlottetown to the Greenwich section of Prince Edward Island National Park, home to a rare parabolic dune system as well as miles of pristine white sand beaches. Located along the famous Points East Coastal Drive, Greenwich is the perfect place to discover the small towns, beaches and wildlife that make Prince Edward Island so unique. As you walk the dune trail and dip your toes in the surf, look out for rare coastal plant species and a variety of seabirds.

• Prince Edward Island National Park

Today's total driving time is approximately 2 hours.

This morning visit Lennox Island First Nation to meet with a Mi'kmaq guide for a tour of the cultural center and St. Anne church. Immerse yourself in Mi'kmaq culture and history, and learn the traditional way of preparing bannnock at a campfire. Settle in with a cup of tea and soak up the stories about life on Lennox Island. Then drive to nearby Cavendish where L.M. Montgomery famously drew her inspiration for the “Anne of Green Gables” novels. Visit Green Gables Heritage Place and explore the area on a walking tour (with a focus on Anne, of course!). Then, check out the very cool Bottle Houses – a village of buildings, including a tavern, a chapel and gift shop, that are literally made out of thousands of bottles. At spectacular Thunder Cove Beach the sandstone cliffs, sea stacks and caves make for an otherworldly landscape that most visitors to Prince Edward Island totally miss. Spend the night in the coastal city of Summerside.

• Cavendish – Bottle House Leader Led Tour
• Thunder Cove Beach
• Cavendish – Green Gables Heritage Place
• Lennox Island First Nation Experience

Enjoy a free morning exploring Summerside on your own. You may want to check out the local museums, galleries and cultural centres, or you can just wander through the neighbourhoods of historic homes. Then get your sea legs ready! Today you’re cruising the waters of Shediac Bay on a working lobster boat with local fishers. Get a hands-on demonstration of lobster fishing and enjoy a delicious freshly caught lunch on board. After lunch, drive to Moncton and your hotel for the night.

• Summerside – Lobster Boat Cruise with Lunch

Today's total driving time is approximately 1.5 hours.

Cross over into New Brunswick and make your way to the postcard-perfect Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park. Arrive for low tide and join a naturalist guide for a walk right out onto the sea floor and get up close to the towering sandstone formations known as the Hopewell Rocks, or Flowerpot Rocks. When the tide comes in, waters in the bay can reach up to 16 metres, so a trip here is all about timing and your local leader will make sure you get the most out of your visit. In the afternoon, take a quick detour to spectacular Cap Enrage with its charming lighthouse before continuing on to explore Fundy National Park. Then it's a short drive onwards to the historic seaport city of Saint John, where you’ll stay for the night.

• Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park - Walk
• Bay of Fundy - Fundy National Park
• Bay of Fundy - Cap Enrage

Today's total driving time is approximately 3.5 hours.

Your tour ends today, and you are free to leave at your leisure. Or, if you like, stick around and explore the city of Saint John and more of the Maritimes on your own.

10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Private Vehicle

Hotel (8 nights), Lodge (2 nights)

Dates and availability

Important notes.

1.Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 10am. Please make your own way to the Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary. 2. Please be careful when booking flights from Saint John; make sure you fly from Saint John, New Brunswick [YSJ]. Please do not book flights from St. John's, Newfoundland [YYT] as this is in another province. 3.Check out of the hotel is at 10am. If you could like to spend more time in Saint John we can happily request you additional nights - please speak to your booking agent. 4.A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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The ultimate Maritimes road trip

The Maritimes is a region consisting of three magnificent Canadian provinces that are still relatively unknown to travellers: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Yet the region is home to highest tides in the world, breathtaking landscapes, a warm Acadian welcome, delicious seafood, scenic routes, sandy beaches, numerous historic sites, and a multitude of charming villages. 

If you're looking for a road trip that will show you a different side of Canada, buckle up for 14 days of fresh sea air!  

Road trip map

Road trip summary, day 1: halifax.

Your ultimate road trip begins with your arrival in Halifax , capital of Nova Scotia.

After dropping off your luggage at the hotel, go for a stroll around this lively city on the shores of one of the best natural harbours in the world . 

Try and catch up on some sleep, because tomorrow you will have quite a bit of driving to do!

Destination Maritimes

Day 2 : moncton  (266 km / 165 mi).

It's the first day of your Maritime adventure, and you are already changing provinces.

Today you discover Moncton , the largest city in New Brunswick (the capital is Fredericton). 

But first, make a stop in Shediac, a charming fishing village known as the lobster capital of the world. It goes without saying that we recommend lobster for lunch!

During your short stay in Moncton, be sure to visit Magnetic Hill, where you will experience an extraordinary phenomenon that defies the very laws of physics. 

Believe it or not, if you stop at the bottom of Magnetic Hill, your car will roll back up the hill, all by itself! Even the most skeptical will be baffled.

At the end of the day, pay a visit to Pumphouse Brewery, a popular brew pub with a wide selection of house-brewed craft beer . Don't be discouraged by the lineup: it's well worth the wait!

Day 3 : Bay of Fundy, Saint John  (157 km / 97 mi)

Start your morning with a visit to Hopewell Rocks, a famous site boasting one of Canada's most impressive natural phenomena. 

The exceptionally high tides (10 to 14 metres) at Hopewell Rocks have sculpted gigantic sandstone "flower pot" formations that visitors can explore on foot at low tide, and kayak around just a few hours later.

You can walk on the ocean floor at low tide in search of precious treasures, like a modern Indiana Jones. 

Before leaving the area, be sure to take in some sun on one of the two sandy beaches. 

Day 4 : Bay of Fundy, St. Andrews (103 km / 64 mi)

You don't have much driving to do today as you head for St-Andrews-by-the-Sea, a popular site for marine mammal observation (whales, seals, etc.). 

This picturesque seaside resort town was voted Best Destination in Canada by the USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice 2017 , and is home to a National Historic Site. You will quickly succumb to the charms of its rich architectural heritage. 

The many Loyalists houses give St. Andrews a unique feel. The town features more than 280 well-preserved buildings constructed before 1880. 

One of the main attractions in St-Andrews is Ministers Island, which can only be reached at low tide. This vast summer estate belonged to none other than Sir William Van Horne, the president and driving force behind the Canadian Pacific Railway.  

Finally, be sure to go for a walk through the magnificent Kingsbrea Garden, just steps from your hotel. Once the property of a wealthy family, it is now an award-winning horticultural masterpiece with themed gardens that delight visitors from around the world.

Day 5-6 : Kouchibouguac  (310 km / 192mi)

Your road trip continues to Kouchibouguac National Park . 

Along the way, take the panoramic coastal route from Alma to Moncton (Route 114). It's a bit of a detour, but the scenery is better. After all, you are on holiday! Be sure to stop at Cape Enrage to admire the spectacular view!

Kouchibouguac National Park is a popular family destination, boasting calm sandy beaches with some of the warmest salt water north of Virginia.

The park also features an impressive mosaic of landscapes: peat bogs, salt marshes, forests, sheltered lagoons, sand dunes and more. 

Spend an enjoyable day playing in the water, building sand castles, watching the birds and walking along the huge sand dunes. 

Stargazing is also a popular activity in the park. In fact, Kouchibouguac was declared a "Dark Sky Preserve" in 2009 by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Day 7 : Acadie  (201 km / 125 mi)

Next you head for Caraquet, capital of the Acadian Peninsula and one of the most welcoming and authentic regions of our beautiful country! 

Acadie abounds with natural treasures, such as Miscou Island. This haven of calm and tranquility offers visitors enchanting scenery and wild, unspoiled natural beauty.

Spend some time exploring the island's trails, and be sure to take a closer look at the historic lighthouse. 

Built in 1856, this heritage structure is an iconic symbol of the island, and of the Acadie region. It is possible to tour the lighthouse and even to climb to the top of the tower, if you are not daunted by the 96 steps!

At the end of the afternoon, pay a visit to Village Historique Acadien, a realistic reconstruction of 1850s Acadian life. 

Village "inhabitants" in period costumes will bring history to life (and probably make you smile at their charming accents). 

One thing is certain: you won't be bored during your stay in Acadie, with its colourful culture and joyful spirit.

Day 8-9 : Prince Edward Island  (385 km / 239 mi)

With heavy hearts you bid farewell to Acadie, but rest assured, the next province has lovely surprises in store. 

You get there via the impressive Confederation Bridge. This 12.9-km span has linked PEI to the mainland since 1997. 

Your adventure continues in Charlottetown, capital of Prince Edward Island . This tiny capital city can boast of being the birthplace of Canada. Learn more about this chapter in Canadian history at Province House National Historic Site. 

At the end of the afternoon, go for a stroll along Victoria Row, a charming pedestrian street lined with shops and restaurants. 

Take a seat on an outdoor patio and enjoy the live (often Celtic) music that invades the street's restaurants and bars after nightfall. 

Spend the following day relaxing on the magnificent beaches of the island's national park. The splendid Cavendish Beach is considered the most beautiful in the area. 

After all, you could use a break from the steady pace of your road trip! 

Day 10-11 : Cape Breton, Ingonish  (567 km / 352 mi)

Get an early start and set a course for Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia.

Arm yourself with a large cup of coffee, because you have a long drive ahead of you. Take the ferry from PEI to Nova Scotia. 

Once you reach the stunning region of Ingonish Beach (on the east coast of Cape Breton Island), you will immediately forget the many hours spent behind the wheel.

By the way, if you're travelling with the family, you might like our road trip ideas for children . 

The next day, go for an invigorating hike on Franey Mountain. A fairly challenging 7.4-km trail leads to the top, where you will have a sweeping view of the Clyburn River winding through the valley 425 m below, as well as a section of the Atlantic coast. 

Sit on the large, flat rocks to get your breath back and gaze at the vast open wilderness before you. Keep your eyes open, because rumour has it that moose also like the view!

Day 12 : Cape Breton, Cheticamp  (115 km / 71 mi)

Today's destination is Cheticamp, a fishing village nestled in the heart of the Cape Breton highlands.

To get there, you will take a scenic drive that is almost too beautiful to be true: the Cabot Trail, which skirts the edges of the park, at times clinging to steep oceanside cliffs . 

24 look-offs along the trail provide opportunities to admire a rugged wilderness of turbulent ocean, rocky cliffs and lush forest, considered to be some of the most beautiful landscapes in Canada.

We bet that these images will remain etched in your memory for a long tome to come!

The Skyline Trail is the perfect place to stop and stretch your legs. This easy 7.5-km trail leads to a dramatic headland cliff that is a popular site for sunset viewing.

Day 13-14 : Halifax, excursion to Peggy's Cove + Lunenburg   (399 km / 245 mi)

For the final stage of your road trip, you return to Halifax , capital of Nova Scotia, to complete your discovery of the Maritime provinces.

This time, we strongly recommend paying a visit to the Citadel National Historic Site. Perched high on the large hill dominating downtown Halifax, the Halifax Citadel offers commanding views of the city and its harbour. The star-shaped fort was built to defend the city against attackers.

The Historic Properties district is the perfect place to enjoy a drink on an ootdoor patio at the end of the day. 

But first, take a stroll through the narrow streets lined with shops and admire the 18th century wood and stone buildings along the waterfront boardwalk that once served as warehouses and now house specialty shops, restaurants and bars.

The following day, treat yourself to one last memorable outing, this time to the tiny village of Peggy's Cove. There you will find the most photographed lighthouse in Canada. Built in 1915, the iconic Peggy's Cove lighthouse keeps watch over the waves and guides the lobster fishermen back to shore. 

But that's not all! The village itself is charming with its small harbour and magnificent wooden sheds built on stilts. 

Along the way, make a stop in the charming colonial town of Lunenburg. Once considered a pirate's lair, this colourful fishing port can boast of being one of only 2 towns in North America to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Return to Halifax at the end of the day.

Day 15 : Halifax

Enjoy the last moments of your Maritime vacation before heading for the Halifax Airport and boarding your return flight home.

And there you have it!

So, are you ready for a Maritime road trip ? 

If you have any questions and/or suggestions, don't hesitate to write them in the comments below .

An enthusiast of our great outdoors and a travel advisor within the Authentik team, it’s with great pride that I share our country’s best-kept secrets and hidden treasures with the rest of the world. Welcome to our neck of the woods !

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The Maritime Provinces Travel Guide

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As their name suggests, Canada’s Maritime Provinces – Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island – are dominated by the sea, with a long, jagged coastline punctured by picturesque bays, sandy beaches, towering cliffs, some of the prettiest towns in Canada and the freshest, tastiest lobster in the world – Nova Scotia’s slogan “Canada’s ocean playground” is no exaggeration. Indeed, the ocean was crucial to the development of the Maritimes, not only in bringing waves of settlers but also accounting for its greatest industries: shipbuilding and fishing. Forestry became important in the nineteenth century, and even today, the bulk of the region remains intractable wilderness – 84 percent of New Brunswick, for example, is covered by trees. The Maritimes were also at the heart of the epic struggle between England and France for North America in the eighteenth century, and they boast a rich legacy of historic sights, many associated with the French-speaking Acadians, who were usually caught in the middle.

Most travellers focus on Nova Scotia , where the provincial capital of Halifax makes an appealing base from which to explore the picturesque coastline, then head north to Cape Breton Island . Driving from the US or the rest of Canada, you’ll pass through the often overlooked province of New Brunswick , with plenty of world-class diversions of its own: the gritty, revitalized port of Saint John (never “St John”, and not to be confused with St John’s, Newfoundland), the Acadian Coast and the Bay of Fundy , whose taper creates tidal surges of up to 12m. Prince Edward Island (PEI) was linked to the mainland by the whopping Confederation Bridge in 1997 and possesses one of the region’s most enticing culinary scenes. Leafy, laidback Charlottetown is well worth at least a couple of days, especially as it’s just a short hop from the magnificent sandy beaches of the Prince Edward Island National Park .

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updated 12.05.2021

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Our 3-Week Maritime Canada Itinerary: What to See (AND skip)

by Jessica | Aug 22, 2022 | Our Journey to FI , Travel | 7 comments

We just got back from (what felt like to us) an epic 3-week road trip up to Maritime Canada! If you aren’t familiar with the term “Maritimes,” this means the Atlantic provinces of Canada. This includes New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia.

This was our first big road trip in our new campervan . In fact, three weeks is the longest vacation we’ve ever taken, at least since we graduated from college and started working. We know this is the first of many and that we’ll extend the trips to longer lengths over time.

We thought 3 weeks was a perfect amount of time to visit Maritime Canada! We had a wonderful time, but it also left us wanting more time to experience these beautiful places. If you have less time, I’d encourage you to stick to fewer destinations and really savor each one.

And, if you live in another part of the country, I’d also encourage fewer destinations. Your drive to the Canadian border will likely be longer than ours was (which clocked in at about 6 hours). 

In this post, I’ll share:

• Our 3-week Maritime Canada Itinerary
• What to see AND what to skip
• What we’d do differently next time we go there (which will hopefully be soon!)

3-Week Maritime Canada Road Trip Itinerary

For this itinerary, I’ll break down the time spent in each region or province. I’ll include where we slept as well as key activities you could consider!

For your reference, here is our brief itinerary:

• Day 1 – Travel day through NH and Maine on our way to Canada
• Days 2-6 – New Brunswick
• Days 7-11 – Prince Edward Island
• Days 12-17 – Northern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island
• Days 18-21 – Southern Nova Scotia
• Days 22-23 – Travel days through Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Maine, and New Hampshire on our way back to Boston

Let’s get into more details so that you can plan your own road trip to the Maritimes!

Day 1 – Travel through NH and Maine on our way to Canada (1 day)

Whenever you take a road trip, you need to account for the travel time to get to your intended destination. We knew that we didn’t want to drive more than 4-5 hours in a day (if we could help it), so we decided to stop in Maine on the way up. 

In Maine, we opted to stay overnight at a Harvest Host . Harvest Hosts is a membership where we pay about $85/year to have access to over 3,000 free camping locations. The locations include wineries, breweries, farms, etc.). If you want to participate in this membership, you need to have a self-contained RV (which basically means that you need a bathroom inside the rig). 

If you have an RV and want to check out Harvest Hosts, click here to get 15% off your first year . 

In Maine, we stayed at Stone Tree Farm and Cidery . It was a beautiful, quiet location in Unity ME. 

When traveling through Maine, here are some of the activities that you could consider:

• Stop for amazing donuts at Holy Donut in Portland or Scarborough, ME. 
• Play disc golf at one of Maine’s many disc golf courses .
• Hang out and go for a swim at St. George Lake State Park .

Days 2-6 – Explore New Brunswick (5 days)

Our first real stop was New Brunswick. We spent most of our time along the southern coast near the Bay of Fundy, which famously has the highest tides in the world. We spent the first few days exploring Fundy National Park before heading up to spend time with friends (who we met through the blog) in Shediac. 

Sadly, we ended up having a bunch of warning lights come on in the van on our way to Shediac. Fortunately, we were only 20 minutes away from a Mercedes dealership when it happened. Luckily, it was just a faulty sensor that was easy to replace. But, we did end up spending one night sleeping in the Mercedes parking lot and an extra day in New Brunswick while we waited for the part. 

Here are the places we stayed in New Brunswick:

• 3 Nights – Pointe Wolf Campground at Fundy National Park (highly recommend)
• 1 Night – Mercedez-Benz dealership in Moncton, NB (would not recommend…)
• 1 Night – “Mooch-camping” in the driveway of friends we met through the blog in Shedia, NB (I always highly recommend staying with friends!) 

Over the 5 days we spent in New Brunswick, we did a lot of fun activities:

• Fundy Trail Parkway : We drove the beautiful Fundy Trail Parkway , a scenic drive with many overlooks and short hikes along the Bay of Fundy. 
• Fundy National Park: In Fundy National Park , we did a ton of hiking! Our favorite hikes were Dickson Falls, Shiphaven, and hiking down to Pointe Wolf Beach.
• Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park: This provincial park is famous for its flowerpot rocks (you’ll recognize them in the photos below). We spent a full day here. We kayaked in the morning at high tide (with Baymount Outdoor Adventures ) and walked the ocean floor in the afternoon at low tide. 
• Parlee Beach Provincial Park: Had we not had the van issue, we’d never have had the opportunity to go to this beach with our friends! It was incredibly beautiful and boasts the warmest waters in the Atlantic north of Virginia! 

For us, traveling in a van means that we make the vast majority of our food. Yet, I am happy to share that we ate one meal out at the Muddy Rudder in Alma, New Brunswick. Before the trip, I was bummed that I wouldn’t be able to eat poutine in Canada (since potatoes make me sick).  But, the Muddy Rudder made me poutine with sweet potato fries!

Days 7-11 – Explore Prince Edward Island (5 days)

After getting the van repaired, we headed to Prince Edward Island a day and a half later than we had hoped. We adapted our schedule and still had a wonderful time.

We decided to explore both the eastern and central parts of the island. PEI is such a small island and everything is fairly close together. Once we got onto the island, we never drive more than an hour to get from one place to another. 

First, I’ll share where we slept:

• 1 Night – Red Point Provincial Park on the Eastern shore of PEI (HIGHLY recommend! I’ll share more below).
• 1 Night – Bogside Brewing through Harvest Hosts (This spot was just okay). 
• 3 Nights – Stanhope Campground at Prince Edward Island National Park (This was a great campground, but would not recommend it if you have a dog). 

Over five days on PEI, we did a lot of fun activities and saw a lot of beautiful sites. Here are a few I’d recommend:

• Hike the Greenwich Dunes at PEI National Park : This was hands-down the most beautiful hike we did on the Island. It’s a 2.7-mile out and back trail across the dunes, boardwalks, and floating bridges. 
• Go to Basin Head Provincial Park Beach: We spent some time on this beach experiencing the “singing sands,” which was really just a squeak with each step because of the high silica content. It was fun and beautiful. We were there on a cloudy day, so it wasn’t very busy. 
• Hike or bike the Robinson Island Trail System in PEI National Park: This was a 2-mile loop around Robinson Island with many beautiful vistas and views of mainland PEI. 
• Bike along the PEI National Park Bike Trail from North Rustico to the Cavendish Cliffs and Avonlea Village: This 15-mile (out and back) bike trail goes along the northern/central coast of PEI. You’ll stop along the way to see beautiful vistas of the coastline and cliffs. You’ll end the ride at the Anne of Green Gables tourist sites. To be honest, we didn’t care at all about seeing this touristy stuff. We just stopped for ice cream! We rented bikes from Outside Expeditions in North Rustico.
• Play Disc Golf at Hillcrest Farms: This was the highlight of PEI for Corey (and the main reason we went there in the first place. This disc golf course was ranked the 2nd best in the WORLD in 2021. If you are into disc golf, you’ll definitely want to check it out. 

We did end up eating out a few times during our time on PEI. Here are a few of the places we enjoyed:

• Cows Ice Cream: Some people say Cows is the best ice cream in Canada. We couldn’t say because we haven’t had all the ice creams in Canada, but It was pretty darn good. 
• Bogside Brewing: While this wasn’t a great place to sleep, they did have awesome food and great cider. The brewery hosted two restaurants – pizza and BBQ. We had the BBQ, which was very good. We’ve heard that the pizza is some of the best on the island. 
• Fin Folk Food: One day, we headed to the beach and saw this fish shack nearby. We decided to get lunch and did not regret it!

Days 12-17 – Explore Cape Breton Island in northern Nova Scotia (6 days)

After leaving PEI, we headed over to Nova Scotia to Cape Breton Island. We had heard that driving the Cabot Trail and visiting Cape Breton Highlands National Park was going to be the highlight of our trip. They were right. It was the highlight of the trip. We were absolutely amazed at the beauty that we saw around every turn. 

When we were in Northern Nova Scotia, we slept in the following places:

• 1 Night – Caribou-Monroes Island Provincial Park – this was a stopover halfway between Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton (this campground was fine but we wouldn’t go out of our way to stay here again). 
• 2 Nights – Broad Cove Campground which is in the eastern part of Cape Breton Highlands National Park (HIGHLY recommend)
• 3 Nights – Cheticamp Campground which is in the western part of Cape Breton Highlands National Park (would NOT recommend; see more on this below) 

During our 6 days in Cape Breton, we saw and did so many incredible things. Here are some of the highlights:

• Explore the Cabot Trail: The Cabot Trail is a 186-mile highway that weaves through Cape Breton Highlands National Park and along the shore of the Atlantic and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. We stopped at all the overlooks. Our favorites included: Lakies Head, Green Cove, Beulach Ban Falls, Wreck Cove, Cap-Rouge, and La Bloc. Because the Cheticamp campground was so bad, we would often just drive to an overlook or another beautiful spot to hang out when we weren’t hiking rather than go back to the campground. 
• Hike in Cape Breton Highlands National Park: We hiked every day we were there! Our favorite trails were the Freshwater Lake Look-Off, the Coast Trail from Black Brook Beach, MacIntosh Brook Waterfall, the (famous) Skyline Trail, and Le Buttereau. Since I’m still recovering from my foot surgery, all of these are easy or moderate hikes of less than 4 miles. 
• Stop in Inverness to walk their boardwalk: Someone we met recommended we do this! It was on our way off of the island, so, of course, we made a quick stop. We walked along a beautiful boardwalk with the beach and crashing waves to our left and a beautiful golf course to our right. 

There were very few restaurants (or really much civilization) up near Cape Breton Highlands National Park. So, we only visited one restaurant called Mr. Chicken in Cheticamp, NS. We ate their famous fried chicken for dinner one night. To be honest, it was just okay. But, we also got ice cream there (as it’s one of the few ice-cream shops in the area), and we’d highly recommend it for that. 

Days 18-21 – Explore Southern Nova Scotia (4 days)

After leaving the majesty of Cape Breton Island, we decided to explore southern Nova Scotia. This included visiting a famous lighthouse, strolling around a town that’s also a UNESCO heritage site, and visiting our fourth national park of the trip. 

When we were exploring Southern Nova Scotia, we stayed in the following places:

• 1 Night – We “mooch-camped” in friends’ (who we know through the blog) driveway in Dartmouth, NS (on the outskirts of Halifax). (We always recommend staying with friends!)
• 1 Night – Lightship Brewing through Harvest Hosts (HIGHLY recommend; this was one of the coolest places we stayed on the whole trip, not just one of the best Harvest Hosts)
• 2 Nights – Jeremy’s Bay Campground in Kejimkujik National Park (It was a nice campground, but I’m not sure we’d recommend it. See below for more!) 

Our favorite activities in Southern Nova Scotia were:

• Visiting the Lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove: This iconic lighthouse is one of the most visited and most photographed places in Nova Scotia. You can spend hours exploring the rocks and watching the waves and tide. 
• Strolling through Lunenburg: Lunenburg is one of the only urban communities that’s designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Visiting here, you’ll see brightly painted houses that were built in the 18th century still standing. There was also some awesome food and drink here!
• Explore Kejimkujik National Park: Located on the shores of Kejimkujik Lake, there were so many things to do, including hiking, biking, swimming, canoeing, and other water sports. They even have dozens of backcountry campsites that you can rent a canoe (rentals located inside the park) to get to. Our favorite hike was to Peter Point, a small, secluded beach. 

Day 22-23 – Drive from Nova Scotia to Boston with a stop in New Brunswick (1.5 days)

This is the boring part. After leaving Southern Nova Scotia, we took one and a half days to drive back home to Boston. On the way, we slept at Granite Town Farms Wild Blueberries in St. George, NB through Harvest Hosts. It was an okay place to stay – a few notches above a Walmart parking lot, but it served our purpose. 

We stopped to play Disc Golf both days (in Nova Scotia and in Maine) and got home with enough time to unpack, clean the van, and hang out with some friends.

What You Absolutely Must See in the Maritimes!

We hinted at the things we absolutely loved (and didn’t) above. And, I want to tell you more about why we loved and didn’t love things. Here’s the inside scoop. 

Nova Scotia

#1 – the cabot trail.

We recommend spending at least three days exploring the Cabot Trail and Cape Breton Highland National Park (we spent 5 days).

While driving the Cabot Trail, stop at all the overlooks (or even spend hours hanging out at them, as we did). Our three favorite hikes were the Skyline Trail, the Coastal Trail from Black Brook Beach, and the Freshwater Lake Lookoff. If you want to camp, we’d definitely recommend staying at Broad Cover Campground on the easter side of the park. 

#2 – Lunenburg

The other thing we’d highly recommend doing in Nova Scotia is to stop in Lunenburg! If you have a Harvest Hosts Membership, we’d definitely recommend staying at Lightship Brewing. If you don’t, we’d recommend a visit there.

You get to enjoy great food and beer or cider while overlooking the harbor and town. To be clear, we didn’t feel like we needed to spend more than an afternoon and evening here to get the full experience. 

Prince Edward Island

#1 – greenwich dunes in pei national park.

This was my favorite hike on Prince Edward Island. It is a must-see!

#2 – Stay at Red Point Provincial Park

If you are into camping, I’d recommend staying at Red Point Provincial Park near Souris, which is on the northeastern side of the island.

When you stay here, make sure you book one of the spots that are right on the water (9, 10, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, or 26). If you can’t get one of these spots, you may want to skip this campground. 

#3 – Get Cows Ice Cream

As shared above, Cows has been voted the best ice cream in Canada. It is somewhat commercialized, and I’d compare it to Ben and Jerry’s in the United States. But, the ice cream is very good! You’ll find locations in Charlottetown and Cavendish. 

#4 – Play Disc Golf at Hillcrest Farms

As shared above, Hillcrest Farms was voted the 2nd best disc golf course in the world in 2021 (coming in right after Maple Hill in my home state of Massachusetts). Corey loves disc golf and playing this course was one of the highlights of his trip. 

New Brunswick

#1 – visit the hopewell rocks provincial park.

There is a kayaking adventure company ( Baymount Outdoors Adventures ) right within the park, and I’d recommend doing their high tide kayaking tour. We had the opportunity to kayak right next to these incredible rock formations on the highest tides in the world. Then, just a few hours later, we were walking the ocean floor 40-50 feet below where we had kayaked earlier in the day. It was incredible! 

When you go here, you’ll want to make sure to visit at both low and high tides. When you pay for admission to the park, your pass is good for two days for this exact reason. If you can’t see both low and high tide in one day, you definitely want to go back the next day! 

#2 – Drive the Fundy Trail Parkway

This 19-mile scenic drive goes right along the Bay of Fundy directly south of Fundy National Park. The parkway and its trails, overlooks, and bike paths are maintained by a nonprofit organization. 

#3 – Hike the trails at Fundy National Park

Fundy National park was a beautiful place to visit! My favorite thing was when we hiked down to Pointe Wolf Beach and both low and high tides! It was incredible to see the difference just a few hours apart! 

What to SKIP in your trip to the Maritimes

Whenever we travel, we think it’s important to share the things that we didn’t like and what we would have done differently. That way you can avoid our mistakes and enjoy your trip even more. Let’s talk about what we’d skip. 

#1 – Cheticamp Campground in Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Walking to the bathroom on the first night, we heard someone say, “ This isn’t a campground; it’s a parking lot.” And, we thought that described Cheticamp quite well. It’s a glorified parking lot with firepits (at most – not all – campsites) and a few trees. One night we made a campfire, and our firepit was ten feet away from the car of the people at the next campsite.

In fact, we were so disappointed with this campground that we actually did some research to see if we could find another campground instead. Unfortunately, it was the weekend so everything was already booked. We compensated by spending as much time hanging out in beautiful locations as possible and only coming back to the campground to sleep. 

If you want to stay on the western side of the Cape Breton Highlands, we recommend looking into Mkwesaqtuk/Cap-Rouge Campground or Corney Brook Campground instead.

#2 – Kejimkujik National Park

I hesitate to put this on the list of things to skip because it was actually a pretty good place to stay. My main reason for skipping it is that it just felt like “normal camping.” It wasn’t distinct from the camping we can easily do within a few hours of our home.

If you happen to be in southern Nova Scotia, you’ll definitely enjoy your visit here. But, if you don’t have another reason to visit southern Nova Scotia, I’d recommend skipping it. 

One thing to note is that Kejimkujik National Park is Nova Scotia’s only Dark Sky Preserve. We did not get to experience this because it was cloudy for our entire visit.  Had we gotten to see the stars it’s possible we might feel differently. But, we did have the opportunity to do some star gazing on Prince Edward Island, which was fairly dark as well. We even saw some shooting stars there one night. 

#1 – The Scenic Coastal Drives

Do NOT take the scenic coastal drives on Prince Edward Island, unless it happens to be on your route anyways. The PEI tourism board makes it sound like these are amazing ways to see the sites. When I read about it, I was definitely picturing something like the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia or the Fundy Trail Parkway in New Brunswick. 

In reality, you’ll just be driving through farmland most of the time. Once in a while, you might drive through a pretty area. But, it’s not worth driving an extra distance.  I’d recommend simply choosing the places you want to go and driving straight to them. You’ll see the same number of cool things doing that. 

#2 – Staying at PEI National Park ( if you have a dog)

When planning our trip to PEI, we did not realize that dogs weren’t allowed on any national park beaches in PEI. And, they are very strict about it.

For three days in PEI, we stayed at Stanhope Campground which was within PEI national park. It would have been a lovely place to stay had we been able to take our dog to the beach. Unfortunately, we had to leave the national park and find a public or provincial park beach, so that we could take our pup. 

In the future, we would choose to stay at a provincial park, so that we could enjoy the beach without needing to drive 20 minutes. 

The only thing we’d have skipped in New Brunswick was sleeping at a Mercedes-Benz Dealership. I am hopeful that this will not happen to you in the future! But, if you have a Sprinter van and have engine trouble in New Brunswick, please know that there is an MB dealership in Moncton. And, they will let you stay overnight in their parking lot. 

What We’d Do Differently Next Time in Maritime Canada

There are a few things that we wouldn’t necessarily skip, but we’d do differently. 

#1 – Spent more time in PEI and less time in Southern Nova Scotia

Southern Nova Scotia, specifically Kejimkujik National Park, was the least exciting part of our trip. If we could do it over again, we’d spend less time in southern NS and more time exploring PEI. We would have loved to explore Charlottetown and Summerside, PEI’s two largest “cities.”

We missed out on a few things we had hoped to do since our trip was shortened because of our engine issue. Even having one more day wouldn’t have allowed us to see everything we wanted to. We’ll definitely be back to PEI at some point. 

#2 – Bring my Bike

There are so many awesome bike trails in PEI that we didn’t get to experience because we only rented bikes for one day. When I go back to PEI, I’d want to bring my bike, so that I can bike the Confederation Trail System . It’s a decommissioned railway line that extended for hundreds of kilometers from east to west with branch trails going north and south as well. 

#3 – Arrive at Peggy’s Cove in Southern NS earlier

When we arrived at Peggy’s Cove (Nova Scotia’s most iconic lighthouse) around 9 AM, it was already packed with people. There were even multiple tour buses. 

During the visit, I learned that the visitor center allows RVs to stay overnight in their parking lot. If I come back through southern Nova Scotia again, that is exactly what I’ll do. This will allow us to be the first people there in the morning.

#4 – Check the event schedule for each Harvest Host

We made the mistake of not doing this for our first two Harvest Hosts . When we arrived at Stone Hill Farm and Cidery, we were informed that karaoke was about to start. Luckily, there was a poor showing and only two songs were sung. The rest of the evening was relaxing and quiet. 

When we arrived at Bogside Brewing, we learned that there was a live band. We had seen on the Harvest Host App that the brewery closed at 10, so we didn’t think this would be a problem. Then, we saw the fine print. On the bottom of their sign below the closing times, it said, “ or until the party ends.” The band was actually pretty terrible and played until around 11:30 PM. 

In the future, we will look to see what events are being held at the Harvest Host locations to ensure that we aren’t taken unawares. 

We LOVED Maritime Canada and Will Definitely be Back!

Not only were the sites incredibly beautiful, but we also met some really fun and incredibly nice people. We enjoyed hanging out with some new friends we met through the blog in all three provinces!

When I go back to the Maritimes, here’s what I’d love to do most:

• Spend more time exploring Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick and its counterparts in Nova Scotia (Burntcoat Head Provincial Park and Cape Chingneto Provincial Park). 
• Drive the Cabot Trail during the peak of fall foliage! It was already one of the most beautiful drives in the world. The only thing that could make it more beautiful would be the fall foliage!
• Stay right on the water at Red Point Provincial Park in PEI for many days in a row!

Have you been to the Maritimes? What else would you suggest doing?

Related posts:

• Maine and New Hampshire Road Trip: What to See and What to Skip
• Vermont Roadtrip: What to See and What to Skip
• Panama: What to See and What to Skip
• Everything You Want to Know about our Campervan, Part I: Why We Chose Vanlife

Looks like an amazing trip. What a world of opportunity this van has opened for you two. Best of luck on your next trip!

Thank you! We are absolutely loving it.

Well it sounds like a mostly successful trip!! So glad you got to kayak around the Hopewell rocks, for sure one of my favourite things I’ve done in NB, along with Fundy park. I had to laugh at your recommendation to NOT camp at the MB dealership. So glad that you were able to get your issue fixed and back on the road within a day! I was super excited to hear that you were traveling to my “home turf” and I’m glad you enjoyed it. Luckily we had pretty good summer weather too. I’m so tempted to go out and get my own travel van…maybe I should try a rental first to see how we like it. – T in NB 🙂

I would definitely recommend renting a van to see how you like it! We absolutely love it though and would highly recommend it!

Just came across you site today and thank you for your itinerary and great description. We are in the early stages of planning our trip from Tampa, FL to Acadia NP and then up to Maritime Canada and we will definitely leverage what you shared in your blog.

We are a disc golf family so a big plus to including your dg highlights as well.

I’m so glad you found this helpful! There are a TON of awesome disc golf courses in Maine too! They are everywhere!

Thank you so much for such an informative article – really appreciate you taking the time to add all of these details. We are visiting this area of Canada in the Summer and will be renting an RV and will be following your recommendation.

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Wonders of the Maritimes Road Trip

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INTRODUCTION

Embrace the beauty of the Canadian Maritimes on this 10-day Atlantic Canada road trip through spectacular coastal scenery, charming fishing villages and magnificent national parks.

This itinerary was designed by our atlantic canada specialist wendy who lives in region and has designed the itinerary to cover all the sights in the shortest possible time., highlights include the unesco world heritage site of lunenburg, hopewell rocks and prince edward island national park. , there is also time to drive the cabot trail, a scenic drive around nova scotia's cape breton island. .

Itinerary at a Glance

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 Halifax | Arrival Arrive in Halifax and check in to your accommodations which are ideally located in the downtown core of this vibrant and cosmopolitan urban centre on the Atlantic Ocean. You may wish to add additional nights in Halifax or a city tour to your vacation package. Bursting with culture and rich history, Nova Scotia’s capital city has much to offer.

Day 2 Halifax to Annapolis Royal | 281 km/175 mi Head south to Lunenburg, visiting Peggy’s Cove along the way. Peggy’s Cove is a small village with houses built right into the granite rock and a lighthouse overlooking the Atlantic. Old Town Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a lovingly restored Victorian town that begs you to wander and explore. Make a stop at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, renowned for its hiking trails and incredible canoeing on wilderness lakes and rivers. Arrive in Annapolis Royal, a quaint settlement housing Victorian mansions on the banks of the Bay of Fundy.

Day 3 Annapolis Royal to Saint John | 113 km/70 mi + Ferry Depart Annapolis Royal and drive to Digby to board the ferry to Saint John, world-famous for its Reversing Falls Rapids—the colossal, tidal tug-of-war between the Bay of Fundy and the St. John River. Twice daily at high tide, the powerful Fundy waters roar into the Saint John River. The titanic clash of natural forces causes the river to reverse direction. (breakfast included)

Day 4 Saint John to Moncton | 212 km/131 mi The highlight today is the scenic drive along the Bay of Fundy. Witness the power of the world’s highest tides at the Hopewell Rocks. Visit the informative Hopewell Rocks Interpretive Center and learn everything you need to know about the tidal phenomenon. Take a drive through Fundy National Park before reaching Moncton.

Day 5 Moncton to Charlottetown | 164 km/101 mi Before leaving Moncton we suggest a stop at the Magnetic Hill where you can put the car in neutral to experience the illusion of being pulled up hill by a ‘magnetic force.’ Continue to Shediac, known as The Lobster Capital of the World for its lobster fishing, processing plants, live-lobster tanks and the famous Lobster Festival. Enjoy a lobster fishing cruise & dine on fresh lobster. Then follow the Confederation Bridge, the longest bridge in Canada, to Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Day 6 Charlottetown & Prince Edward Island | Exploring Drive by red cliffs, white beaches, gently sloping sand dunes and green fields as you make your way to Prince Edward Island National Park. Before returning to Charlottetown, visit Green Gables Heritage Site, the alluring inspiration of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic Anne of Green Gables books. (breakfast included)

Day 7 Charlottetown to Baddeck | 274 km/170 mi + Ferry Depart Charlottetown taking Route 1 to Wood Islands Ferry crossing to Caribou, Nova Scotia. Drive the short distance to Pictou & visit Hector Heritage Quay, where a full scale replica of the Hector has been built using traditional ship building techniques. Depart Pictou and continue to Cape Breton via the Canso Causeway and onto Baddeck. This scenic village overlooks the beautiful Bras d’Or Lakes. (breakfast included)

Day 8 Cabot Trail Touring | 296 km/184 mi You’re off to experience one of the most stunningly picturesque drives in North America. The Cabot Trail winds around the rocky splendor of Cape Breton’s northern shore, ascending to the incredible plateaus of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Look-offs offer unforgettable vistas of Cape Breton’s rugged coastline so be sure to have your camera on hand.

Day 9 Baddeck to Liscomb Mills via Louisburg | 423 km/262 mi The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site awaits you today. Words cannot do justice to this reconstruction depicting one-fifth of the settlement of 1744 New France. Roam the streets and chat with authentically costumed guides. Proceed along the shore of the Bras d’Or Lake to Liscomb Mills where you can relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Day 10 Liscomb Mills to Halifax | 170 km/105 mi Take a leisurely drive back to Halifax, along the way visit Musquodoboit Harbour & Valley a haven for nature lovers, and Martinique Beach the longest beach in the province. (breakfast included)

Package Includes:

• 1 night accommodation in Halifax
• 1 night accommodation in Annapolis Royal
• 1 night accommodation in Saint John
• 1 night accommodation in Moncton
• 2 nights accommodation in Charlottetown
• 2 nights accommodation in Baddeck
• 1 night accommodation in Liscombe Mills
• Bay Ferry Tolls – Digby to Saint John
• Bay Ferry Tolls - Wood Islands to Caribou
• Historic Sites admission to the following:
• Alexander Graham Bell
• Halifax Citadel
• Fortress of Louisbourg
• Kejimkujik (Day Use only)
• Carleton Martello Tower
• Fort Beauséjour
• Monument Lefebvre
• St. Andrews Blockhouse
• Green Gables House
• Prince Edward Island National Park

Hotel Information | Superior Grade

• Halifax – Lord Nelson Hotel | Classic Room
• Annapolis Royal - Hillsdale House | Standard Room | Breakfast Included
• Saint John – Delta Saint John | Standard Room
• Moncton – Delta Beausejour | Standard Room
• Charlottetown - The Great George | Classic Room | Continental Breakfast Included
• Baddeck - Inverary Resort | Traditional Room
• Liscombe Mills – Liscombe Lodge | Standard Room | Breakfast Included

Not included:

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

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DATES & PRICING

Departs from Halifax: Daily (Tour Code: SD199)

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Ancient Shipwreck Preserves a Deep Bronze Age Time Capsule

About a mile beneath the sea, the ship suggests that trade in the eastern Mediterranean Sea traveled much farther from the safety of land.

By Franz Lidz

Photographs by Kobi Wolf

Remains of the oldest shipwreck ever discovered in deep water, and perhaps the oldest complete wreck in any water, have been located in the Mediterranean Sea about 56 miles off the coast of northern Israel.

The Israel Antiquities Authority, which announced the find on Thursday, said that preliminary examination of two clay jars known as Canaanite amphorae indicated that the merchant vessel, an estimated 39 to 46 feet long, sank sometime between 1400 B.C. and 1300 B.C., an epoch when the Egyptian empire stretched from what is now northern Syria to Sudan, and the boy pharaoh Tutankhamun briefly sat on the throne.

Whether the galley was the victim of a sudden storm, a wayward wind or attempted piracy is unclear. But judging from footage recorded by a remotely operated submersible robot, the craft settled to the bottom without capsizing, and the hundreds of storage jars in its hold survived pretty much intact.

Cemal Pulak, a nautical archaeologist at Texas A&M University who was not involved in the find, said, “I consider any Bronze Age shipwreck discovery to be a very important one as shipwrecks of this period are extremely rare.” They are so rare that only two other wrecks with cargo are known from the late Bronze Age in the Mediterranean — both found, unlike the current one, off the Turkish coast relatively close to the shore and accessible using standard diving gear. The more recent of those two discoveries occurred in 1982. No spectacular new finds have surfaced since then.

The new Bronze Age wonder was detected last summer at a depth of about a mile during a survey conducted by Energean, a London-based company seeking to develop natural gas fields. The patch of seafloor had been claimed by both Israel and Lebanon until a 2022 agreement brokered by the United States put it under Israeli control.

Energean’s remotely operated vehicle, or R.O.V., was tethered to a surface vessel by a steel cable and controlled by a pilot on the ship working a joystick much like the ones used to play video games. At roughly 3,300 feet below the surface — about 2,000 feet above the sunken ship’s location — even the faintest light has faded, leaving a sunless realm known as the aphotic zone. Cameras on the robotic R.O.V. are fitted with powerful lights that pierce the perpetual darkness.

Last July, the R.O.V. filmed what appeared to be a large pile of jugs on the seafloor. The images were sent to the antiquities agency, which identified the jugs as late Bronze Age storage jars designed to hold, among other things, honey, olive oil and resin from the Pistacia atlantica tree. Such resin was used as a preservative in wine and, in Egypt, as incense and as varnish on funerary equipment of the New Kingdom era.

Having piqued the interest of the Antiquities Authority, Energean had two mechanical appendages built for the R.O.V. that were capable of extracting artifacts from the pile with minimal risk of damage to the entire assemblage. Over two days at sea this May, the vehicle mapped the site and determined that the amphorae rested in a vessel half-embedded in sediment. There was no sign of an anchor, a mast or the square sail typically used by Mediterranean trade ships of the time.

“The ship is preserved at such a great depth that time has frozen since the moment of disaster,” said Jacob Sharvit, the director of maritime archaeology for the Israel Antiquities Authority and the leader of the May reconnaissance expedition. “Its body and contents have not been disturbed by human hands nor affected by waves and currents that impact shipwrecks in shallower waters.”

Extending its robotic arms, the R.O.V. removed two jars from the hull, one from each end of the ship. Both turned out to be filled with silt. “An analysis of the jar’s trace elements should solve the question of what was inside when the vessel went under,” Dr. Sharvit said.

The 14th century B.C. in the eastern Mediterranean was a dynamic period of international trade and enormous wealth concentrated in the hands of a few. Scattered along the coast of the Levant were the great Canaanite commercial centers, which dispensed strategic and utilitarian raw materials and manufactured goods to the Aegean region and beyond. Chief exports were copper and tin, which, when mixed, would make bronze to manufacture stronger farming tools that increased agricultural yield and produce arms and armor to equip entire armies.

Much of what is known about the nature of late Bronze Age trade is based on two shipwrecks excavated in southern Turkey — the first at Cape Gelidonya in 1960, and the second at Uluburun from 1984 to 1994. Using these finds, scholars assumed that commerce in the late Bronze Age was accomplished by safely flitting from port to port, hugging the coastline within eye contact of shore.

A Turkish sponge diver in 1982 first reported spotting “metal biscuits with ears” off a rocky promontory known as Uluburun. Scientists speculated that the ship he had spotted was sailing from the Levant to Greece when it foundered around 1300 B.C. According to Dr. Pulak, director of the Uluburun expedition, the vessel carried 10 tons of copper and one ton of tin, along with other commodities and exotic materials including a gold scarab inscribed with the name of Nefertiti, glass ingots, ivory, ebony, hippos’ teeth, ostrich eggs, tools fashioned out of goods from at least 11 Asian, African and European cultures, and about 150 Canaanite amphorae, of which roughly 120 contained resin.

The ship found earlier at Cape Gelidonya went down about 1200 B.C. It also carried copper and tin, but in more meager quantities, as well as scrap bronze in the form of farming implements intended for recycling.

“Those two shipwrecks exemplify different modes of trade,” Dr. Pulak said. “The Uluburun ship represented long-distance interregional elite exchange, and the Cape Gelidonya ship was involved in local coastal cabotage, or opportunistic trade, where goods and services were purchased and sold at ports for quick profit.”

The newly found wreck suggests Bronze Age traders traveled much farther from ports.

“The discovery of this boat now changes our entire understanding of ancient mariner navigational skills,” Dr. Sharvit said. “It is the very first to be found at such a great distance with no line of sight to any landmass. From this geographical point, only the horizon is visible all around.”

Dr. Sharvit speculated that, lacking compasses, astrolabes or sextants, seafarers in the 14th century B.C. probably relied on celestial navigation, taking sightings and angles of the sun and star positions. He said the wreck promised to advance scientific knowledge of late Bronze Age trade patterns and the peoples who controlled them.

“The two previous Bronze Age shipwrecks marked trading routes between Cyprus, the Levant and places in the eastern Aegean Sea,” Dr. Sharvit said. “Our wreck suggests a seagoing exchange was conducted west out of Syria and Canaan to southern Cyprus, Crete and other Greek lands.”

Alternatively, he proposed, the doomed sailors on the deep-sea galley might have sailed from an Aegean port, debarked with cargo in a Levantine harbor and loaded the ship with the Canaanite amphorae for the return voyage. Dr. Sharvit said that if that were the case, the seamen might have been Mycenaean, a civilization that by 1400 B.C. had overrun Crete and most of southern Greece and had a virtual monopoly on commerce in the eastern Mediterranean.

Dr. Pulak called the three Bronze Age shipwrecks invaluable time capsules. But while the Uluburun wreck was excavated over the course of 22,413 dives, Dr. Sharvit said the Israeli authorities planned to preserve the deep sea site as is, without bringing up more of the wreck for the moment.

“We think that is the best way to keep the shipwreck safe right now,” he said. “We want to save it for the next generation, with better technology and methodology to excavate at that depth.”