helaina

2 couples flying into Halifax mid August and renting a car. We would like to see as much of Nova Scotia, PEI and Cape Breton Island as possible and maybe a bit of New Brunswick. Is 3 weeks a reasonable time to accomplish this? Looking for ideas of routes, must see and does and how long to spend on each island. Husbands would like to golf a few times along the way. Any ideas of itineraries , etc would be appreciated we haven't been to the maritimes before.

ltt

3 weeks is reasonable. so many choices you need to research the different areas but a rough start would be...
halifax for 2 nights, then onto cape breton for 4 nights, staying in two different areas, onto pei for 3-4 nights (there's some nice golfing there), down to hopewell rocks and fundy national park area in new brunswick for 3 nights, then work your way back through nova scotia including the wolfville area, lunenburg/mahone bay, maybe digby, anapolis royal and spend your last night or two back in halifax. have you looked at the "doer & dreamers" website? very helpful. august is busy, make some reservations as soon as you have a plan.

helaina

Thanks for the info haven't herad of doer and dreamers but will check it out tonight and start making a plan.

NorthwestMale

Three weeks is more time than <i><b>we</b></i> generally get to work with around here, so it feels rather luxurious.


I have answered lots of threads on the subject of Nova Scotia and the maritimes, so if you click on my name and scroll down you may find some specifics.

As ltt hinted, you have time to add the NS side of the Bay of Fundy in a way that most don't, given your extra time in the area. Given the interest in golf, you can also cause yourselves to spend more time on PEI than should most who try to cover the whole area... especially if the husbands are OK with the wives exploring other areas while the husbands are playing golf.

The Doers and Dreamers guide can be found at this link:

http://www.novascotia.com/travel-guide


Since you are flying into (and out of??) Halifax, you can indeed spend just a couple of days there in the beginning, and then leave time on the end to be filled in part by additional time in the city. Just don't leave town immediately and then over-stay the rest of the trip only to leave yourselves without a chance to explore Halifax.

This is at least a start for your thoughts and planning.

DestinationHalifax

3 weeks is definitely enough time to travel across the Maritime provinces! And the good thing is, there are tons golf courses in PEI and Nova Scotia!

I would start by driving to PEI, which is on the way to Cape Breton. There are two ways to get to PEI 1. the Ferry and 2. the bridge. If you are taking the bridge, you will have to go to opposite direction towards New Brunswick, but if you take the ferry near Pictou it's on your way to Cape Breton. Spend a few days in PEI, you can drive across the whole province in a day, so you will be able to see a lot in 4-5 days. Then head to Cape Breton for another 4-5 days! After Cape Breton, I would make your way towards Halifax and the South Shore of Nova Scotia. There is so much to see in the Halifax region so I would spend as much time there is you could!

If you do want to see parts of New Brunswick, like Shediac Beach or the Bay of Fundy, either visit on your way to the PEI bridge or visit on your way back from Cape Breton before visiting Halifax.

Let me know if you have any questions or need further ideas for time lines!

cuteoldgal1

Hi, we did this with friends a few years ago and we had a wonderful time. One place we all loved was Baddeck, we stayed there for three nights.mthis is where Alexander Graham Bells museum is and it was very interesting. Also did a great sail there, it's right on Bras d'Or lake. We stayed at McIntyres cottages and it worked out wonderful.

helaina

Thanks for the great info and ideas I have been checking out the doers and dreamers for Nova Scotia and starting to make plans. Any other suggestions would be great.