Trip destination change

Old May 23rd, 2014, 02:27 PM
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Trip destination change

My husband and I had originally planned to go to the Upper peninsula in Michigan this year for our vacation, but now we are leaning toward Nova Scotia and PEI. We are thinking about flying in and out of Bangor Maine because we would like to visit Bar Harbor. We would arrive on a Fri. Morning in mid Sept. And return the next Sat. Evening.

We would rent a car and after a night in Bar harbor head to Nova Scotia and PEi. I need thoughts on where is best place to cross border and a route to take. Sites we know that we want to see are:
Bay of Fundy
Cape Breton
Halifax
whales

I know that there is much more to see, so I really need help. We are in our early 50's, we like to drive and look at scenery, we like easy to moderate hiking trails, quaint towns, farmer's markets and good food. Hope this helps you help us! Thanks in advance.
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Old May 23rd, 2014, 02:50 PM
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I think September might getting a bit late for seeing whales. Others can address that better than I can, though. It might be a bit cool up there as well.

You will also need to be sure that things you want to see have not closed for the season. Maybe more of them close after Canadian Thanksgiving (mid-October, around Columbus Day) than after Labor Day, but you'll want to check to be sure.

If you really want to see Acadia, you should spend two nights in Bar Harbor. That will give you one whole day, and whatever of the previous day you can squeeze in. Otherwise you will have at best only half a day, which is not enough time.

As for route, I would take Route 9 and cross the border at Calais going (quicker than backtracking to Bangor and taking I-95). Coming back, you could take the Trans Canada Highway and cross near Woodstock, NB, to Houlton, ME, and take I-95 down to Bangor. Travel time from Nova Scotia to Bangor is the same by either route.

If you have not already, look at the Nova Scotia Doers and Dreamers guide online or order a print copy. http://www.novascotia.com/about-nova...r-travel-guide
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Old May 23rd, 2014, 06:46 PM
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unless you can get a few more days, i'd cut out cape breton - from bar harbour to beddeck on cape breton island, you are looking at about 21 hours of driving. you should try to see hopewell rocks, nb at high tide and then return at low tide to appreciate the difference. fundy national park is really beautiful. then you could go to halifax for a couple of nights. and then work your way back. stay a night in lunenburg.
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Old May 24th, 2014, 04:57 AM
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I am wondering now if we just need to skip Bar Harbor and fly in to Halifax . Would the Bar Harbor area be similar to places we would visit in Nova Scotia and PEi?

Thanks for the guide info. I ordered one.
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Old May 24th, 2014, 05:41 AM
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Another suggestion is to take the night ferry from Portland, Maine, to Yarmouth, NS. Please see www.novastarcruises.com for schedules and fares.

From Yarmouth you can drive to Digby, go whale watching in that area, continue through the Annapolis Valley to Hall's Harbour for a lobster meal on the Bay of Fundy, onward to Wolfville and finally to Halifax.

After spending a couple of nights in Halifax, drive to the south shore to visit Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, finally reaching Yarmouth again.

OR you can take the route in reverse. Rather than driving back to Yarmouth, take the ferry from Digby to Saint John and drive to Maine from there.
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