Grand Nova Scotia Tour Halifax to Liverpool Leave Halifax behind and travel south to Peggy's Cove, where your tour of Nova Scotia will begin. This is one of Canada's most photographed locations. The graceful lighthouse sitting high upon the smooth wave-worn granite of the coast once did duty in the summer months as Canada's only post office in a lighthouse. The South Shore takes you across a landscape that is both beautiful and historic. The narrow streets of Mahone Bay are lined with a unique array of studios and galleries belonging to some of Canada's most talented artists and craftspeople. Drive to the other side of the inlet to see another famous picture spot: Mahone Bay's three churches lined up along the inlet's banks. Continue to Lunenburg, where the town's seafaring history is reflected in the colourful coastline, narrow streets, and captivating architecture. The popular racing schooner "Bluenose," which is featured on the Canadian ten-cent item, is based in Lunenburg. The journey concludes in Liverpool, North America's privateering capital, situated at the mouth of the beautiful Mersey River. Driving Distance – 147 KM Liverpool to Yarmouth Take a trip out to Fort Point Lighthouse Park before leaving Liverpool this morning. Travel south on Highway 103 after leaving Fort Point Lighthouse and through the province's scenic countryside. Until arriving in Yarmouth for the night, make stops in Sable River, East Jordan, Shelburne, Barrington, Shag Harbour, Tusket, and Wedgeport. This tour will take approximately two and a half hours to complete and will provide you with access to rich history, many historic sites, lighthouses, and Acadian history. Driving Distance – 205 KM Yarmouth to Annapolis Royal As you continue along the Evangeline Trail towards Annapolis Royal, you will have another full day today. Make a beeline for Mavillette Beach Provincial Park, which has a lovely 2 km (1.2 mi) stretch of sand and dunes to explore. Interpretive panels, guided tours, and a bird-watching platform on the marsh are all available at the park. The I'Eglise St. Alphonse, a lovely Acadian church, is just a short drive away in Saint Alphonse. After that, visit Smugglers Cove Provincial Park and Meteghan. Continue north to Digby, where one of North America's largest scallop fleets is based, harvesting the world-famous Digby scallop. It's a fantastic spot for a lunch break. Consider going down to Brier Island at the bottom of the Digby Neck if you want to add a day or two to your itinerary. You'll take two ferry trips to get from the mainland to Long Island and then to Brier Island before landing in Westport. Make a point of stopping in Tiverton to walk the 2.5- kilometer path to Balancing Rock, Long Island's most photographed basalt formation. The Evangeline Trail's overnight stop is Annapolis Royal, which has a captivating mix of history and elegance that makes it a popular place to visit. Driving Distance – 131 KM 2074 Steeles Avenue E, Unit 1 & 2, Brampton, ON, L6T 4Z9 Phone: (416) 425 8001 | E-mail: [email protected] Tico License # 50011535 Annapolis Royal to Kejimkujik National Park Today, you'll head for Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site in the province's scenic countryside, which spans 381 square kilometres of scenic inland wilderness country teeming with wildlife. Kejimkujik National Park is the best canoeing country in Nova Scotia, with quiet lakes and gently flowing rivers. There are five cycling trails in the park, varying in difficulty from easy to difficult. In the park, there is a lovely National Park Campground. During the busy holiday season, we suggest making advance reservations for this campground (July and August). Driving Distance – 78 KM Kejimkujik National Park to Truro (via Wolfville) Retrace your steps back to Annapolis Royal and continue your journey through the Annapolis Valley's charming villages and orchards. S top in Wolfville, a charming university town with stately trees and lovely heritage homes, for a quick break. Continue on to Windsor, where fans of Canada's favourite sport will be ecstatic to learn that it is the birthplace of the game. Check the tide schedule along your path today because you might be able to ride the world-famous tidal bore at one of the tidal bore rafting companies that operate along the Shubenacadie River. Truro is your destination today. Throughout the area, colourful painted murals represent the town's heritage, and tree sculptures honour historical figures. Driving Distance – 254 KM Truro to Pictou (via Cape Chignecto) Today, travel along the Fundy Shore, where the majesty of the world's highest tides has shaped an unforgettable landscape. Before arriving in Pictou, you'll go to Cape Chignecto. Stop in Economy, where you can "float on the bottom of the sea" by clamming, rock housing, and bass fishing. Then go to Parrsboro, which is the largest town in the county. It is the headquarters for rock lovers who come to the Minas Basin looking for zeolites and semi-precious stones such as agate and amethyst, which are found on the beaches and in the cliffs. Visit Cape Chignecto, which is home to Nova Scotia's largest provincial park and features a hiking path that circles the cape along rugged cliffs rising high above the Bay of Fundy. Take Highway 6 towards Pugwash and Tatamagouche from Amherst. The Northumberland Coast stretches for 450 kilometres (280 miles) along the Northumberland Strait, with over thirty fine sand beaches that beckon visitors. The historic harbour town of Pictou, one of the largest towns on the Northumberland Shore, is where your journey comes to an end today. Driving Distance – 344 KM Pictou to Cheticamp Take your time today as you begin your journey up Cape Breton Island, where historic villages and trendy resorts blend to establish a distinctive Cape Breton rhythm. Before crossing the Canso Canal Bridge, which is considered the official dividing line between Cape Breton Island and mainland Nova Scotia, pass through the Scottish-inspired towns of New Glasgow and Tracadie. Port Hood, Mabou, Inverness, and Dunvegan are all along the coast. Rest at Mabou Provincial Park along the way for a spectacular view of the Mabou Valley. Explore small bays, inlets, and fishing villages along the way, stopping to see the work of local artisans. Take a ride out to the Beach, which is actually the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, and Wide Cove Banks, which is to the south of Inverness and provides a stunning view of the entire city. From Dunvegan, take 2074 Steeles Avenue E, Unit 1 & 2, Brampton, ON, L6T 4Z9 Phone: (416) 425 8001 | E-mail: [email protected] Tico License # 50011535 Highway 219 along the coast to Margaree Harbour, or travel on Highway 19 through the Margaree Valley to Southwest Margaree and back to Margaree Harbour through the Margaree River. At Margaree Harbour, join the Cabot Trail and carry on to Cheticamp. Cheticamp is a flourishing Acadian village with a thriving fishing community. Visitors will often hear the vibrant sounds of Acadian spoken, and will have the opportunity to sample traditional Acadian cuisine in restaurants. Rug hooking and a variety of other fine crafts are common in Cheticamp. Cheticamp Campground is a great place to spend the night. This peaceful family campground is located in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, with the mountains and the Chéticamp River as a backdrop. Reservations are strongly advised, particularly during the months of July and August. Driving Distance – 264 KM Cheticamp to Baddeck (via Cape Breton National Park) Today, spend the day exploring the world-famous Cabot Trail, a coastal highway described as one of North America's most beautiful drives. The Cabot Trail runs through the 950-square- kilometer (366-square-mile) Cape Breton Highlands National Park, which is home to a diverse range of wildlife. Pleasant Bay, a working fishing village with the fascinating Pleasant Bay Whale Interpretive Centre, and Dingwall, originally known as Youngs Cove after Walter Young, one of the area's first settlers, are two places worth visiting. Back on the Cabot Trail, the path leads to a popular resort destination where tourists can engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, deep-sea fishing, whale watching, and biking. The Cabot Trail continues slightly inland to North River Bridge, then on to St Ann's before ending in South Haven, where you'll connect with Highway 105 and head south to Baddeck for the night. Baddeck is a lovely town with plenty to see and do. Take a stroll around this Nova Scotian treasure. There are several options available today. For a whole day to spend in Baddeck, there's something for everyone. Take a leisurely stroll along the boardwalks and government wharf, which offer fantastic photo opportunities such as the lighthouse, eagles, and sailboats, or visit the village's numerous arts and craft shops. A day at the beach on Kidston Island, only a short ferry ride away, or a hike to the beautiful Uisige Ban Falls are both options. Driving Distance – 261 KM Baddeck to Sydney Leave Baddeck behind and return to South Haven on Highway 105 before heading east on Bras d'Or Lakes Drive and via North Sydney to Sydney. Visit the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site by following signage on Highway 22. Return to Sydney via Route 255, which becomes the Marconi Trail as it approaches the coast. The Marconi National Historic Site and the Cape Breton Miner's Museum are both located in Glace Bay. Return to Sydney on highway 4 or, if time allows, take the scenic loop road 28 to New Waterford and return along the coast, passing through South Bar and Whitney Pier.