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

12 nights from: $2,310

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many travelers miss downtown Moncton, 115 mi/185 km east of Fredericton, because they stop on the TransCanada Highway at the Magnetic Hill—a naturally occurring perceptual illusion that will have you convinced your car is rolling uphill—it even looks like the stream is flowing uphill. Free Moncton Travel
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Or they visit the adjacent Magnetic Hill Zoo (with tigers, lions and camels) or the Magic Mountain Water Park (waterslides and other theme-park attractions). Some even come for the Tidal Bore on the Petiticodiac River, but, unfortunately, its name is all too accurate. The bore is a wall of water that moves upstream at high tide, but it's not worth waiting around to see.

There's more to Moncton, however. Kids love the Crystal Palace amusement park, which has a carnival atmosphere year-round. The University of Moncton is the province's major French-language college—it's like a minitrip to a Paris university. Its museum and art gallery are the main attractions for visitors. The city has plenty of shops downtown and at suburban malls, or grab a snack or drink at one of the downtown cafes.

Moncton is a good base for a couple of day trips, too. The Rocks Provincial Park (Hopewell Cape) is where you'll find the famous "flowerpots"—eroded rock pillars that have trees growing on top of them. Be aware that if you go at high tide—which, at 55 ft/17 m, is very high, indeed—you won't be able to walk on the beach at the rocks' base—it's underwater then. (You can also rent a kayak and see the flowerpots from the sea.)

Another popular area near Moncton is Parlee Beach, in Shediac, known for its warm water, lobster and annual sand-sculpture contest.

Among the Moncton area's notable events are the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival (June and July) and the World Wine and Food Expo (late fall).