There is a place where discovery lives around every corner and over every hill; where fresh local food isn’t a fad, it’s a way of life; and the freedom to explore wide-open spaces with some of the friendliest people you’re ever likely to meet. Composed of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, the Maritimes offer some of the most dramatic seaside and country vistas in all of Canada. Aggressive cliffs covered in thick vegetation, crashing in a tempestuous grey-blue ocean, outline a region covered in pine-forest and potato-field shades of green. Voted one of the Top 50 destinations to “discover, explore, experience” by Natural History magazine, the phenomenal Bay of Fundy is home to world-class cultural and coastal experiences. This is truly a journey of discovery!
Degree of Difficulty –
Arrive in Halifax, a city rich with history, culture, natural beauty, festivities and fun – Nova Scotia’s vibrant capital city by the sea has been delighting visitors for over 250 years. Enjoy a welcome dinner tonight. Next day, discover Halifax’s key connection to the Titanic at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and visit the Fairview Lawn Cemetery to see the Titanic Graves. Continue to the Halifax Citadel for an enlightening visit and demonstration. Stroll along downtown Halifax’s waterfront boardwalk past historic sites, shops, restaurants and attractions and visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 and the farmer’s market. Your historic hotel is situated across the Victorian-style Public Gardens and the Halifax Citadel and next to numerous shopping and restaurant choices. LORD NELSON HOTEL.
(D; B)
Embark on a fun-filled day exploring Nova Scotia’s South Shore, a landscape of coastal beauty and historic charm, strewn with wave-carved cliffs and tranquil island-studded bays. Peggy’s Cove is perched atop massive granite rocks worn smooth by the pounding waves below, and the lighthouse beacon is probably the most photographed in Canada. Stroll along the narrow streets of Mahone Bay, lined with a unique collection of eclectic studios and captivating galleries. A real treat awaits you in Old Town Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with settlement roots of German, Swiss, and Montbéliardais (French) pioneers. Visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic to learn about rum running (smuggling over water), the severe August Gales (storms), and the fascinating world of sea mammals. Try premium spirits handcrafted from natural ingredients at Ironworks Distillery, located in a marine blacksmith’s shop that once produced ironworks for the shipbuilding trade. LORD NELSON HOTEL.
(B,L)
Spend today touring the Evangeline Trail through the Bay of Fundy and the Annapolis Valley region which parallels the Fundy coast, passing through some of North America’s earliest European history and delightful villages, orchards and vineyards. Discover the landscape of Grand Pre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy lunch at Halls Harbour Lobster Pound & Restaurant, a Bay of Fundy recommended experience, and Wine Tasting at one of Nova Scotia’s award winning wineries. Your hotel tonight overlooks the Minas Basin in the town of Digby, home to one of the world’s largest scallop fishing fleets. The Norman-style chateau has been welcoming guests since 1929. DIGBY PINES GOLF RESORT AND SPA.
(B,L)
The Bay of Fundy coast is as popular with whales as it is with people. Many species of whales, porpoises, dolphins and seals can be found in the waters off Nova Scotia from spring through fall. Other marine life you might spot on your whale-watching tour this morning includes white sided dolphins, blue fin tuna, harbor seals, basking sharks, ocean sun fish, leatherback turtles and a variety of coastal birds. Marvel at the spectacular acrobatics of the whales, as these massive mammals breech, lunge and cavort as they feed, play or just show-off. Late this afternoon, cross by ferry the Bay of Fundy aboard the Princess of Acadia to Saint John, founded in 1785. Your charming chateau pays tribute to Saint John’s long and illustrious history (oldest incorporated city in Canada), through its unique décor. CHATEAU SAINT JOHN.
(B,L)
Take a turn now off the beaten path in New Brunswick. One of the most distinctive, unspoiled ecosystems in North America, you’ll quickly discover why the Bay of Fundy was one of only two North American finalists in the 2011 international “New7 Wonders of Nature” campaign, in good company with the Grand Canyon. Start the day with a visit to the New Brunswick Museum and the historic Saint John City Market (1876). Head out to Oven Head Salmon Smokers, located on the shores of Passamaquoddy Bay, to see first-hand how local Bay of Fundy salmon is smoked by master smoker Joseph Thorne. Continue to the Atlantic Salmon Interpretation Center, an organization preserving the wild Atlantic salmon. View wild Atlantic salmon and learn about the very latest research taking place to unravel the mysteries of this iconic creature’s existence. End your day at St. Andrews By The Sea, founded in 1783, one of the best preserved examples of colonial heritage in North America, with some homes over 200 years old. Your home is a unique historic property with a casual-elegant atmosphere. THE ALGONQUIN RESORT.
(B,L)
Spend the morning at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, a private, not-for-profit research and education facility whose mission is inspiring stewardship through the engagement of the community in the discovery of the Oceans, and informing visitors about Canada’s east coast marine ecology and marine-based economy. Take a picnic lunch and discover the Bay of Fundy on a cruise to search for over 12 different species of whales, including the rare North Atlantic Right whale (estimated to be only 350 left in the world), along with seals, porpoises, eagles and a variety of pelagic and shore birds. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at the Niger Reef Tea House. THE ALGONQUIN RESORT.
(B,L,D)
Transfer to Bangor, Maine, for your departure home.
(B)
Prices vary by season and package. Please inquire by phone at (800) 627-1244 or email info@classicescapes.com for more information and a pricing estimate.
YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES:
- Superior accommodations throughout in historic hotels.
- Breakfast daily. Welcome and farewell dinners. All other meals as specified. (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- The tour is lead at all times by an experienced Canadian driver/guide. In addition, specialist local guides will join the group as specified.
- Transportation in 15-passenger Ford minibus. A maximum of 9 passengers will be accommodated per minibus. For larger groups, a 32-passenger motor coach will be used.
- All park and admission fees.
- All applicable hotel gratuities and taxes.
- Complimentary baggage tags and passport wallet.
- Complimentary emergency evacuation insurance.
July and August in the Provinces is warm and often humid during the day – can reach the 80s, although nights by the water or at higher altitudes are cooler. June and September are more comfortable or fresh during the day and sometimes cold at night. The rest of the year would be cold and unpredictable and not recommended for travel. September is the best month for the foliage. Best whale watching for the Northern Right Whales is late August and September.
