LANDSCAPES OF THE CANADIAN MARITIMES (CLASSIC GROUP)
Price
Duration
Min People
Tour Type
Tour Code
INSIGHT-LTCM
Overview
Blend the best of land and sea on this 12-Day guided tour of Canada. Explore the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax with a Local Expert, who will tell you the tale of the cityโs most historic moment: the 1912 sinking of the Titanic. See the fabled home that served as the inspiration for L.M. Montgomeryโs childrenโs classic, โAnne of Green Gables.โ Watch for bald eagles as you travel one of the worldโs most scenic routes, Cabot Trail. Board a lobster boat in New Brunswick for an up-close-and-personal look at lobster fishing, then indulge in a decadent lobster lunch. Later, cruise the Bay of Fundy on a whale-watching expedition, where you can see humpback, minke and fin whales.
Included/Excluded
Day 1: Welcome to Halifax (Dinner with Wine)
- A mix of sea breezes and cultural charms, Halifax is a quintessential maritime destination evident in its waterfront, historic sites and ongoing maritime activities.
- Learn how it became a maritime destination due to its strategic natural harbour, making it a crucial naval and trading hub.
- Relax at your downtown hotel next to the waterfront.
- Perhaps get out and explore this capital city, home to five National Historic Sites including The Halifax Citadel, Georges Island, Fort McNab, York Redoubt and the Prince of Wales Tower.
- This evening, meet your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner.
Day 2: Sightseeing and Relaxation in Halifax (Breakfast)
- From British rule to naval battles, Halifax is a historical haven.
- Kick off your Canada guided tour and delve into the city’s nautical history at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic where your Local Expert shares stories of key historic events.
- Learn about the Halifax Explosion in 1917, the worldโs largest man-made explosion prior to Hiroshima, and the tragic sinking of the Titanic in 1912.
- Your Local Expert then reveals the eclectic city on a guided tour before an afternoon of Insight Choice.
- Visit the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site exploring the history of the fortress and the soldiers who were stationed there.
- Art lovers will want to explore the Maud Lewis Gallery to see the artist’s famous carefully restored painted house or, choose to visit to the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, historically the nation’s primary immigration gateway, shedding light on Canada’s intricate relationship with the immigration process.
Day 3: Historic Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg conjures up images of brightly painted houses and a picturesque waterfront.
- Join a Local Expert for a walking tour of one of the best surviving examples of a planned British Colonial settlement in North America.
- Gain insights into the fishing industry’s impact on the region at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic before visiting Peggy’s Cove, a small rural community located on the eastern shore of St. Margarets Bay and the site of Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, an iconic Canadian image.
Day 4: Cape Breton Island and Blooming Baddeck (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- The legends & traditions of the Mi’kmaq people will inspire the mind of any curious traveller.
- At Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTERยฎ Experience on your Canada guided tour as interpreters share insights of history and culture as they weave stories relating artifacts to a way of life, cosmology and a changing relationship with European settlers.
- Further your discovery this afternoon on a guided cruise across Bras d’or Lake spotting iconic lighthouses, a bird estuary and historic properties including the mansion of Alexander Graham Bell.
- After a big day of exploring, experience warm hospitality and Cape Breton-style home cooking at your waterfront hotel, featuring tempting seafood favourites and hearty dishes that are sure to satisfy.
- Continue your night with traditional music and song at a Ceilidh, a Celtic Evening full of Acadian hospitality and entertainment.
Day 5: The Natural Beauty of the Cabot Trail (Breakfast/Lunch)
- Gaelic and Celtic cultures are revealed over a unique experience at The Gaelic College, devoted to the study and preservation of these rich cultures.
- At this school offering traditional arts, including Cape Breton fiddle, piano, guitar, step-dancing, and piping, highland dancing, weaving and Gaelic language, you have the opportunity to learn about the tradition of fabric milling and get up close and personal watching a kilt-making demonstration in action.
- After this one-of-a-kind learning experience, drive along the Cabot Trail, a world-famous highway running along coastal borders on both sides of Cape Breton Highlands National Park and crossing highlands.
- With views of dramatic cliffs and mountains abound passing charming coastal villages, youโll love reflecting on another grand day of hand-picked sights.
Day 6: Baddeck and Charlottetown (Breakfast)
- Go behind the scenes on your Canada guided tour with a Local Expert at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site to discover the stories behind the inventor of the telephone and one of history’s most influential members.
- Ferry across the Northumberland Strait to Prince Edward Island and quaint Charlottetown, where you’ll spend the next three nights.
- In this nautical gem, dotted with colourful fishermanโs cottages and picturesque harbour.
- Your hotel, The Delta Prince Edward is Charlottetownโs only waterfront hotel and just steps away from enticing shops and restaurants.
Day 7: Prince Edward Island Sightseeing (Breakfast)
- No trip to Prince Edward Island is complete without a visit to Green Gable’s Heritage Place including the Green Gables House, the fabled home that provided inspiration for L.M. Montgomery’s children’s classic, ‘Anne of Green Gables’.
- With your Local Expert, discover the cliffs, wind-whipped dunes and Covehead lighthouse of Prince Edward Island National Park before heading on to Cavendish.
- This afternoon is free to explore Charlottetown at your leisure.
- Perhaps tour the Victorian Beaconsfield Historic House and feel like youโve stepped into Downton Abbey.
- Or, visit nearby Victoria Parkโs boardwalk taking you past the Prince Edward Battery and the Victoria Floating Dock and Brighton Beach lighthouse.
Day 8: Flavours of Charlottetown (Breakfast/Lunch)
- The flavours of Prince Edward Island will delight your palate today in the quaint seaside fishing village of Georgetown.
- Meet a local fisherman and exceptional storyteller who will regale you with tales of life at sea and teach you all about the area’s lobster and mussel industry.
- Then taste the flavours over a delicious Highlight Lunch of island blue mussel cooked fresh by the fisherman.
- A visit to a maritime province wouldn’t be complete without a lighthouse tour.
- Head out to the first lighthouse on Prince Edward Island, Point Prim, and end your day with a tasting at Rossignol Winery, the first winery on Prince Edward Island specialising in table and fruit wines.
Day 9: The Tides of Hopewell Rocks (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- A highlight awaits this morning as you cross the Confederation Bridge.
- This engineering feat connects Prince Edward Island to the mainland and, spanning eight miles, is longest bridge in the world over ice-covered waters.
- With the waters of Shediac Bay as your playground, board a lobster boat (weather permitting) for insights into the fascinating world of these sea creatures and the lobster industry.
- Further your discovery indulging in a delicious lobster Highlight Lunch as you cruise the waters of the bay, taking in the scenery and warm Acadian hospitality.
- Your coastal exploration continues at Hopewell Rocks on the shores of The Bay of Fundy where you’ll meet your Local Expert who introduces you to the bay, one of seven wonders of North America boasting the highest tides on Earth because of its specific shape.
- This remarkable tidal range not only shapes the area’s landscape but also creates a rich ecosystem.
- Conclude this day of your Canada guided tour arriving in the fun hub city of Moncton.
Day 10: Lively Moncton to Digby (Breakfast)
- Embark on a coastal drive on the Fundy Trail Parkway, nestling you between the greens of the forest and the blues of the coast with stunning views in every direction.
- This important thoroughfare, completed in 2020, connects Alma to St Martin lined with hiking trails, beaches, overlooks and an Interpretive Centre.
- Take to the water crossing the Bay of Fundy from St. John to Digby by ferry (seasonal).
- Breathe in fresh salt air from the outdoor area and keep a keen eye on the Bay of Fundy for whales and other marine life.
- Arrive at the Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa, overlooking the Bay of Fundy since 1929, known for its incredible tides.
- Grab a local craft beer or wine at the 19th Hole restaurant overlooking the Stanley Thompson designed course or treat yourself to a service in their spa featuring sustainable and green practices to create natural, organic and Biodynamic products.
Day 11: Delightful Digby and Annapolis Royal (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Continue your exploration of the Bay of Fundy on a once-in-a-lifetime whale watching optional cruise (weather permitting) in search of rare species of whale while learning about these majestic sea mammals.
- In the historic town of Annapolis Royal, join a Local Expert and costumed interpreter for a stroll in the National Historic District.
- In the evening, meet a former scallop fisher for a culinary demonstration to learn about the region’s maritime heritage.
- Gain insight into how fresh scallops are shucked before they are cooked to perfection for your seafood dinner.
Day 12: Farewell Halifax (Breakfast)
- Itโs time to wave goodbye to Halifax and your fellow travellers as your trip comes to an end.
- A complimentary Airport transfer will be made at Halifax International Airport at 12:00pm, followed by a stop at the Marriott Harbourfront Halifax for guests wishing to extend their stay.
Departure Transfer: Arrive at the airport at 12:00
- Day 1 – Day 3: Marriott Harbourfront Hotel
- Day 4 – Day 5: Inverary Resort
- Day 6 – Day 8: Delta Hotels by Marriott Prince Edward, Charlottetown
- Day 9: Crowne Plaza Downtown
- Day 10 – Day 11: Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa