CindyW

Please let me know if there's anything that looks unrealistic here.

Bangor to PEI, 8 nights.
We'll be arriving in Bangor on a Sat. night, and spending the night around there somewhere. Then driving to PEI on Sunday, where we're renting a cabin for a week (mid island, on the beach). I know that some would say this is too long on PEI, but this will be our relaxing hang out time, and if we get itchy to look around, we could leave early, and camp somewhere in Nova Scotia.

Cape Breton, 3 nights
Then we'll be driving to Cape Breton and spending two nights in the Macleod Campground near Inverness (weekend of the Broad Cove Concert) or somewhere nearby (camping). Then we'll spend one night in a camping cabin up near Dingwall. (Does this make sense, or should we just stay three nights near Inverness? I was thinking that if we split it, it would give us more time to explore the north shore). We probably won't visit Sydney, but will focus on the Cape Breton Park area.

2 nights south of Halifax
We'll drive through Halifax, look around a little. But live in a city, so I'm not wanting to really spend time there. So I'm thinking we'll spend two nights camping on the South Shore somewhere around Peggy's Cove or Lunenberg. (Ovens Natural Park or Hubbards Campground, maybe: any experience with either, anyone?)

1 night Advocate Bay: maybe in a lighthouse.

3 nights Manan Island, which just sounds SO cool.

3 night Arcadia, camping at Blackwoods Campground, probably.

1 night back in Bangor, leaving early the next morning.

Okay, what do you think? Thanks for all your help so far. It feels so good to be pinning this down!

NorthwestMale

Well (shaking head) thank god you aren't sacrificing to where you are cutting short time spent in Nova Scotia in favor of dead time on P.E.I.

And make sure you spend some time sightseeing around the northeast end of the Bay of Fundy.

PEI is going to be SO DULL after four or five days!

Three days there is enough to see the whole map.

Good luck.

Tanya

I would highly suggest you take your time while exploring the Fundy shore towards Advocate Harbour. The lighthouse at Cape D'or is breathtaking, however, if it is foggy, you'll see nothing ... but it shouldn't be missed.

Along the Fundy shore there are many places to stop and explore including numerous art galleries (two of my fav are Joy Laking and Raspberry Bay Stone) and make sure you stop at the Dutchman's farm for some gouda cheese! In Parrsboro is the Fundy Geological Museum and the Ship's Company Theatre with live performances.

As for camping, why not stay right on the beach at Spencer's Island or Five Islands Prov Park.

faithie

Cindy W , 8 days on PEI is not nearly long enough if you ask me . But I must be completely honest , I am an islander and completely biased . I would spend my whole summer there if I could . ( I live in Montreal now ) If you are looking for peaceful , relaxing , down time this is the place . All my Montreal friends come back determined to buy land , a cottage , retire there , move there , etc. So it must have its charms !!!!

ltt

i spent a week in pei last year and was not bored for a single minute (part of a 2 month journey). if you want relaxation it is a great laid back place. and, when you decide you want to venture out to explore, you can only go a couple of hours in either directions. it's great. check out grenwich (that's the wrong spelling but something like that) provincial park. if you like fishing or just a few hours out on a boat, go down to north rustico and ask around. some fishermen there will take you out for 1/2 a day if you offer them a fee. they also have a great night of music one night a week in the legion.
however, after saying that, the only thing i may do is cut one night off of pei in order to have another night around cape breton - IF you enjoy hiking and checking out scenic sights. the skyline trail is an easy hike, about 3 hours roundtrip. 2 nights around macleod campground and then another two further north or around igonish.
i camped at oven's park. it was a pleasant day driving from halifax, through peggy's cove and then arriving there. it is a beautiful spot, nice pool and i enjoyed the zodiac boat trip i took through the caves. i thought there were some camping spots that were fabulous and some that were not desirable (sadley i got one of those). so, i'd return, but i'd be specific on they type of site i was looking for and try to arrive somewhat early so you have a better selection.
have a great time. for some campground reviews/suggestions, have you checked out http://www.rv.net/forum/ - they have a forum for camping in canada

china_cat

aweek in PEI is not too long, its not long enough! especially if you like to relax and spend time on the beach.

also, I'm not trying to nitpick, but I assume you mean Acadia in Maine? you'll have a hard time searching for info, or googling for it, so I wanted to make sure you knew the spelling. there is no "r".

CindyW

Thanks for your help, everyone! Yes, Acadia in Maine. For some reason that r keeps slipping in there.

After hearing your advice about the Bay of Fundy, which does sound marvelous (Chignecto, etc.) I'm wondering if it would be feasible to plan on spending just one day driving from Cape Breton (leaving from Dingwall early) to somewhere on the south shore (stopping at Peggy's Cove, etc.)? That way we could spend just one night there, and two on the Bay of Fundy. Or is that too long of a drive --we don't mind arriving at 11:00 at night (though not if we're camping, of course).

qzmp

We spent 5 days on PEI for the first time last summer. If this is your first time on the island 7 days is not too long. There is alot to see and do.

KarenE

PEI is soooo boring after 2 or 3 days. Stay in Nova Scotia! (Cape Breton, Lighthouse Route, Eastern Shore)

NorthwestMale

I will say one thing about PEI... I was there on the north-central shore, in the (national/provincial?) park, standing alone in the chilly March air, and everything for as far as I could see was completely STILL... no sound, no movement, no nothing. It was awesome to witness such a spot without even any waves.

PEI is gentle and unimposing... but the Bay of Fundy is phenomenal.

I just couldn't opt for PEI with Nova Scotia so close.

capebreton

if i were stay in cape breton during the broad cove concert I would get my resuvations righht now or you might find your self sleeping in your car . its quite a busy week leading up to the concert