First Trip in July
Jun 29th, 2011, 07:32 PM
#1
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First Trip in July
Hi. I am thinking of a last minute trip from July 4 or 5 to July 11 or 12. I'd be flying from NYC to Halifax. I'm traveling solo, and am a 46 year old man. My interests are scenic views, wildlife, flora and fauna, interesting towns/villages, and walks/hikes. I get terribly seasick, so anything involving a boat is out. I love to drive, so scenic drives are good too. So here are some questions:
1. Am I cutting it too close to get accomodations and/or is this the "busy" season? Wold I be able to not make reservations and just get something wherever I endup on a particular night?
2. I know I would be interested in the Bay of Fundy and its tides, and also Cape Breton Island.
3. Can anyone suggest some type of itinerary?
4. Is traveling solo safe in Nova Scotia?
That's a good start for now. Thanks!
1. Am I cutting it too close to get accomodations and/or is this the "busy" season? Wold I be able to not make reservations and just get something wherever I endup on a particular night?
2. I know I would be interested in the Bay of Fundy and its tides, and also Cape Breton Island.
3. Can anyone suggest some type of itinerary?
4. Is traveling solo safe in Nova Scotia?
That's a good start for now. Thanks!
Jun 30th, 2011, 06:11 AM
#2
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For an itinerary you might get some clues at www.drivecrosscountry.net/RouteM1 You can view the tide changes at Truro.
Solo travel should be safe - just use normal caution. It is probably as safe or safer than your home community. Cannot comment on need for reservations. It is vacation season, they celebrate July 1 as Canada Day and July 4th is just another day so you do not have that holiday to cope with.
Solo travel should be safe - just use normal caution. It is probably as safe or safer than your home community. Cannot comment on need for reservations. It is vacation season, they celebrate July 1 as Canada Day and July 4th is just another day so you do not have that holiday to cope with.
Jun 30th, 2011, 06:08 PM
#3
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Thanks. so let's say I arrive in Halifax at the airport around 4pm on Tuesday.
do I drive to Cape Breton right away and spend the night there for a fresh start in the morning? Or would I want to go to a place like Lunenburg for that first night and drive to Cape Breton the next morning. Or just spend that first night in Halifax?
so I spend 2 full days and 1 or 2 nights at Cape Breton. As far as Bay of Fundy goes, what town do I go to to see the tides? And that's an all day thing, so I can see high and low tide I assume.
So I could have a nice 5 or 6 day trip like that? Are there any must-sees or must do's I am missing?
So how does this look:
Arrive Tuesday 4:15 at airport. Spend night in Halifax
Wed: Drive to Cape Breton. Do some of Cabot TRail. Spend night in Baddeck.
Thursday: More Cabot Trail. Also spend night in Baddeck or another town
Friday: Bay of Fundy. Spend night near there
SAturday: Lunenburg. Spend night there.
Sunday: Something
Monday: Leave Halifax airport at 4:45. Spend day in Halifax
do I drive to Cape Breton right away and spend the night there for a fresh start in the morning? Or would I want to go to a place like Lunenburg for that first night and drive to Cape Breton the next morning. Or just spend that first night in Halifax?
so I spend 2 full days and 1 or 2 nights at Cape Breton. As far as Bay of Fundy goes, what town do I go to to see the tides? And that's an all day thing, so I can see high and low tide I assume.
So I could have a nice 5 or 6 day trip like that? Are there any must-sees or must do's I am missing?
So how does this look:
Arrive Tuesday 4:15 at airport. Spend night in Halifax
Wed: Drive to Cape Breton. Do some of Cabot TRail. Spend night in Baddeck.
Thursday: More Cabot Trail. Also spend night in Baddeck or another town
Friday: Bay of Fundy. Spend night near there
SAturday: Lunenburg. Spend night there.
Sunday: Something
Monday: Leave Halifax airport at 4:45. Spend day in Halifax
Jul 1st, 2011, 02:52 AM
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You will have to clear customs, rent car, etc., so you probably won't get out of the airport until 5:30. You could spend the night in Halifax and walk the city and have a nice dinner, or if you are planning on going to Cape Breton first, head towards Pictou (about 1.5 hours drive). There are several lovely B&B's, a charming small town on the water. The next day, you are approximately 1.5 hours to the Causeway (entrance to Cape Breton Island). Hang left and start the trail clockwise. You can spend the night in Cheticamp (you may even hit Chestico Days in Port Hood). The next day you can do the trail ending up in Baddeck for the night. Since you are coming this far, why not spend a third night in Cape Breton and visit the fortress of Louisbourg.
When you leave Cape Breton, why not explore the eastern shore of NS. Spend a night at Liscomb Lodge. If you like to hike, there are some great trails here. The shore is rustic. Sherbrooke Village is worth a visit.
Then spend a day in Halifax! So much history!
When you leave Cape Breton, why not explore the eastern shore of NS. Spend a night at Liscomb Lodge. If you like to hike, there are some great trails here. The shore is rustic. Sherbrooke Village is worth a visit.
Then spend a day in Halifax! So much history!
Jul 1st, 2011, 03:02 PM
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My interests are similar to yours and I've vacationed in Atlantic Canada quite a few times. Sounds like you have 6 nights. I would probably start by driving to Cape Breton upon arrival. Baddeck is fine. Explore Eastern half of Cabot trail next day. Stay in Ingonish or Cheticamp, or one of the small fishing villages in the north. Next day explore more Cabot Trail and maybe Ceilidh Trail. Stay overnight near the southern end of your explorations, or head partway towards Fundy Shore New Brunswick.
Most dramatic places to see the Fundy Tides in New Brunswick are Hopewell Rocks and Fundy National Park (and adjacent village of Alma). These two destinations are close enough that you should be able to see both. Best to stay long enough to compare low and high tides in one place, but at least see low (tide tables can be found online). Spend night in or near one of these.
That's 4 nights. If you had longer I would suggest maybe touring the Lighthouse Route for a few days, but as you have just 2 nights left, I would probably just head to Halifax, enjoy the Harbour district that evening then the next day daytrip down the Lighthouse Route a bit. With an early start you can fit in a quick stop at Peggy's Cove (all that's needed), maybe lunch at Mahone Bay, and afternoon walk-about and dinner in Lunenburg then back to Halifax. Total return (circle) driving time according to Google Maps is 3 1/2 hours (and you could probably do it in less, or of course more if you want to take your time and explore the coast as you go.) Next morning, finish exploring Halifax before leaving.
Travel is perfectly safe, withh the possible exception of moose suddently walking out onto the road directly in front of your car in early morning or late evening in Cape Breton (which has happened to me twice!).
I would definitely book weekend accommodations ahead. If you're not fussy, you can likely find something on other nights, but you might have to drive beyond your intended destination to do so (the smaller towns and villages don't always offer huge numbers of rooms).
Most dramatic places to see the Fundy Tides in New Brunswick are Hopewell Rocks and Fundy National Park (and adjacent village of Alma). These two destinations are close enough that you should be able to see both. Best to stay long enough to compare low and high tides in one place, but at least see low (tide tables can be found online). Spend night in or near one of these.
That's 4 nights. If you had longer I would suggest maybe touring the Lighthouse Route for a few days, but as you have just 2 nights left, I would probably just head to Halifax, enjoy the Harbour district that evening then the next day daytrip down the Lighthouse Route a bit. With an early start you can fit in a quick stop at Peggy's Cove (all that's needed), maybe lunch at Mahone Bay, and afternoon walk-about and dinner in Lunenburg then back to Halifax. Total return (circle) driving time according to Google Maps is 3 1/2 hours (and you could probably do it in less, or of course more if you want to take your time and explore the coast as you go.) Next morning, finish exploring Halifax before leaving.
Travel is perfectly safe, withh the possible exception of moose suddently walking out onto the road directly in front of your car in early morning or late evening in Cape Breton (which has happened to me twice!).
I would definitely book weekend accommodations ahead. If you're not fussy, you can likely find something on other nights, but you might have to drive beyond your intended destination to do so (the smaller towns and villages don't always offer huge numbers of rooms).
Jul 1st, 2011, 05:59 PM
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THanks Matt.
I'm actually thinking of shortening the trip. Arriving on Tuesday late afternoon and leaving Sunday late afternoon. My new "schedule" might be this:
Tuesday night in Halifax
Wednesday morning drive up to Cape Breton and do part of the Cabot Trail clockwise, so spending the night in Cheticamp.
Thursday rest of Trail---and maybe Friday as well. Depending if I do alot of walks/hikes.
the next day is Bay of Fundy.
then Halifax Saturday night/Sunday
thoughts?
I'm actually thinking of shortening the trip. Arriving on Tuesday late afternoon and leaving Sunday late afternoon. My new "schedule" might be this:
Tuesday night in Halifax
Wednesday morning drive up to Cape Breton and do part of the Cabot Trail clockwise, so spending the night in Cheticamp.
Thursday rest of Trail---and maybe Friday as well. Depending if I do alot of walks/hikes.
the next day is Bay of Fundy.
then Halifax Saturday night/Sunday
thoughts?
Jul 3rd, 2011, 01:39 PM
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With only 5 nights, I don't think you're going to have time to do very many walks/hikes.
For hikes in Cape Breton National Park see:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ns/cbreton/activ/activ1.aspx
There are 25 listed. Popular ones include Skyline Trail and Middle Head Peninsula. I also like the southern half of Coastal.
There are some nice hikes elsewhere in Cape Breton, mainland NS and in Fundy National Park also.
I think Cape Breton, the New Brunswick Fundy Shore, and the Lighthouse Route are some of the top highlights of an Atlantic Canada visit so it would be a shame to miss any one of these, but fitting in all 3 plus Halifax in 5 nights will be tight.
For hikes in Cape Breton National Park see:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ns/cbreton/activ/activ1.aspx
There are 25 listed. Popular ones include Skyline Trail and Middle Head Peninsula. I also like the southern half of Coastal.
There are some nice hikes elsewhere in Cape Breton, mainland NS and in Fundy National Park also.
I think Cape Breton, the New Brunswick Fundy Shore, and the Lighthouse Route are some of the top highlights of an Atlantic Canada visit so it would be a shame to miss any one of these, but fitting in all 3 plus Halifax in 5 nights will be tight.
