Jennie1

Hi,
My husband and I are planning an 11 day trip (including travel/flight time) to Nova Scotia in the summer from a Sunday to a Wednesday.

We are mainly interested natural scenery, nature photography and light hikes. A day of kayaking and/or time to relax at a beach area 1 day would be nice. We will be visiting a friend in Halifax for the weekend part of the trip (2 days) so we need shape the itinerary around that.

From the research I have done so far, these places caught my attention most:
-Cape Breton, 3-4 days (western coastal towns, Baddeck, Ingonish, Skyline and Cabot Trails)
-Advocate Harbour & Five Islands
-Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg, Mahone Bay
-Halifax - 2 day weekend

Would like to see the Bay of Fundy from a location that would be a relatively short driving distance, and wondering if Advocate Harbour would accomplish that, or whether we need to view it elsewhere to get the full experience? Also, we are wondering whether a day or night on Prince Edward Island might be worthwhile or whether that will get in the way of our other priorities.

We can fly into Halifax airport on the Sunday and start our driving trip there, or can possibly take another flight to Sydney to get us closer to Cape Breton.

I would appreciate any feedback regarding creating an itinerary and any other advice. Thanks very much!

Jennie1

A more straight forward explanation of our trip plans and questions:

-We would like to experience Cape Breton, South Shore and part of Fundy Coast
-Focusing on most scenic areas & nature photography
-We are going in summer for 11 days from Sun. - Wed. flight into Halifax and/or Sydney
-Our trip will include the 2 day weekend part in Halifax to visit a friend
-extra preferences might include: PEI, a relaxing day at a scenic quiet beach area and/or a day or kayaking

Would very much appreciate any input regarding an itinerary that focuses on the scenic highlights of the area, as well as the possible extras.

Thanks!

NorthwestMale

As you cited nature and the Bay of Fundy, I am sure you need to go to <b>Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick</b>... to at least see it at LOW tide (if not both).

Here is a place for tide times around the Bay of Fundy... and I suggest picking 3 or 4 (Hopewell Cape included) and printing them on paper for the entire duration of your time in the area... and keeping that table in the glove box.


A Fundy-filled hike is that to <b>Cape Split</b>, where upon <I>arrival</i> (after a 2.5-hour each-way hike of easy-ISH sort), you will find yourself on a cliff, overlooking the Bay of Fundy, with the highest tides in the world whirling all around down below, and the end of <I>Cape Split</i> out just beyond you.

It is windy at the very end of the high path, but just back from there is a semi-shelter which affords picnicky accommodations with diminished wind.

There really is a lot to be photographed around the whole area of NS. But I caution you that the coastal paths are pretty <u>slow</U> drives.

In various spots you can find large, ocean-sized vessels sitting on the ocean floor while tied to docks, as they await the high tide that will set them free again.

Jennie1

Thanks very much for this info!

Our itinerary now is getting somewhat more clear, but we are still open to any input, particularly for the Annapolis Valley and Bay of Fundy area not having ever been to Nova Scotia.

Also if we want to focus solely on nature and the beauty of Cape Breton, where are 1 or 2 best areas to stay?

-Cape Breton 3 days - where to stay (less touristy preferred)
-Annapolis Valley area and New Brunswick a few days - **Any detailed recommendations for this part are appreciated
-Halifax, Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg, Mahone Bay area - 2 days

Scotia

I am sure your friends have recommendations for day trips from Halifax, but I suggest the following:

From Halifax, drive to Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg, and Mahone Bay area. Depending on your interests, it may take longer than a whole day. From Mahone Bay/Bridgewater area, cut across the Province of NS to the Annapolis Valley. You can take either the route from Mahone Bay/Western Shore to Kentville, or Bridgewater to Middleton. (Both are long drives but you get a chance to see the interior of the Province.) I suggest to Kentville, and from there you can go to Hall's Harbour where you will see the Bay of Fundy tides and have a lobster lunch.

As NorthwestMale says, you can proceed to Cape Split where you can hike to Bay of Fundy.

Then you can drive to Wolfville, Evangeline Beach area, and see the National Park where the Acadians were expelled, and proceed back to Halifax. Of course, you will need a map and maybe an overnight along this route.

Jennie1

Thanks!

We would like to go to Cape Breton for at least 3 days.

We are considering a flight to Toronto and then Sydney to get us to Cape Breton sooner so that we can see a lot there.

Does that make sense or is there a reason many people fly into Halifax first?

Also trying to figure out which parts of Cape Breton would be mist scenic with very nice accommodations but not touristy to stay overnight.

Thanks again for any input.

CDN_froggy

I'm making a similar trip this summer (but only 7 nights so we'll be skipping New Brunswick). I'm flying to Halifax first because I want to take in the sights in the western portion of NS before making my way to Cape Breton.

Jennie1

Thanks for your message CDN. That makes sense!

Because we're going longer, I was thinking that we will be seeing western NS on our way back from Cape Breton, and we're trying to minimize travel time. But I'm still not sure if my thinking is right.

Scotia

Jennie, that is a good idea. Fly into Sydney and out of Halifax. While in Sydney, you might like to see Fortress Louisbourg. You will probably stay entire day if you are interested in history. http://www.fortressoflouisbourg.ca

Then I usually recommend Baddeck as a place to stay in Cape Breton.

jones170

We have no time frame and are open to suggestions as to how long to stay in each area.

NorthwestMale

My link for tide times didn't show up.


I don't know whether the clowns who run this website would have taken it down, OR if I merely forgot to post the link.


http://bayoffundytourism.com/worlds-...t-tides/times/

NorthwestMale

I too like the idea of flying into Sydney and out of Halifax.

Were it some random U.S. state, I'd expect that a drive from point A to point B would be covered at 60 mph or so.

For some reason, NS just seems to go slower...

NS isn't on the WAY to anywhere ELSE, so that is a factor (not THAT many people need to get anywhere fast).


Indeed Sydney gets you right near to the heart of the matter more quickly, and with the time you <i>save</i>, you might consider later driving from Cape Breton to Truro, and then to Parrsboro along the Fundy shore, before then going up and around to <b>Hopewell Cape</b>, and then to PEI as first hinted.

Perhaps the last leg is filled-in with a ferry ride from PEI to Pictou, and then a drive toward Halifax and beyond.

Jennie1

Thanks for the helpful input. In Cape Breton we would like to stay on the ocean for at least part of the time. Any suggestions?

vangan

We are also doing something similar. Looking for local places for good seafood recommendations.