sarahlu78

My husband and I would like to take a ten-day camping trip to Nova Scotia/PEI next June (2008). Where are the best place to go? Should we just rent a car for all 10 days? We were planning on flying into Halifax, but that isn't set in stone.

What are the highlights? Where do we HAVE to go? Should we just suck it up and go to a travel agent?

p.s. is it feasible to camp in June, or will we freeze at night?

Thanks all!
Sarah

sarahlu78

As some added info, here is an idea we're thinking about:

day 1: arrive in halifax, spend afternoon/evening there in b+b
day 2-leave for cape brenton in the morning, camp through day 4
day 5-leave for PEI in morning, camp through day 7
morning of day 8-back to halifax, spend day there, stay in b+b, leave day 9.

What do you all think?

juliaelzie

Have you thought about going on an active trip through those areas? A biking vacation? A walking vacation? A multi-sport trip? There are some great outfitters and there trips really allow you to slow down and enjoy the sights and smells of the destination. There is so much to do in those areas, a lot of it active and outdoorsy, but it really helps to have someone find the casual inns, the good restaurants, plan the trips, etc. PEI is a magical place with so much personality and charm.

No, not any travel agent will be able to help you with an custom trip to Nova Scotia and PEI. You should find a travel consultant who is a Canada specialist or a soft adventure travel specialist to help you. Using a specialist is the new way in the travel industry, especially for custom/tailored travel.

Have a great day!
Julia

NorthwestMale

Hi, I don't think you need to go to a travel agent. Planning your own trip is FUN.

I don't know if I can address your post as directly as would be nice, but I want to invite you to click on my name, which will list all of MY posts... and then click on those relating to Nova Scotia, because I have replied at great length to Nova Scotia travel questions on this board over the years.

I'd be interested to know where you're from, so I can sense what contrasts you'll find in NS/PEI.

You won't freeze at night in June...

sarahlu78

NorthwestMale--I'm from Massachusetts and grew up in Vermont. I am mostly interested in the wildlife and being near the ocean.

Thanks, I will look at your posts. And I'm glad we won't freeze! We're trying to push our trip as far to the end of June as is possible.

Juliaelzie--thanks for your response too! I am worried that those arranged trips will be too expensive for us. We would consider it for someplace really foreign, like Galapogos or South Africa, but if we can avoid it for NS, we'll try. I will definitely look into one of these specialists you mention! Thanks so much!

Sarah

Tanya

If you can, push your vacation into July/Aug which would be more preferable for camping.

The Highlands National Park in Cape Breton is a must. There is a nice campground in Baddeck on the lake.

Between Halifax and Cape Breton, Pictou County has a couple of lovely campgrounds. D&B which overlooks the ocean, HarbourLights - directly on the ocean and the Provincial Park in Caribou. You could spend a night here before heading to PEI on the ferry.

stthomassoontobe

Just to let you know, New Brunswick is beautiful too, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. I have camped many times at Fundy National Park and Kouchibouquac National Park. Both very woodsy, and both on the ocean. Have fun!

oliverandharry

Go to http://www.gov.ns.ca/tourism.htm and order a copy of the Doers and Dreamers guide. It's big, heavy and will take several weeks to arrive, but it will help you plan anything in Nova Scotia!

LJ

For your B&B nights, you may want to consider renting from folks who own their own homes and then rent them out. Many will have bikes and sea kayaks-look for those on the water. In the Doers and Dreamers Guide,a MUST for folks like you, there are a bunch of listings, but in the meantime check out stayinnovascotia.com for some insights and pricing.

sarahlu78

Thanks so much, everyone! I ordered the travel guide and can't wait to look through it.

We're planning on spending one night at the Bay of Fundy.

Also, now we're thinking of extending our trip by a few days and going to newfoundland! Ai yi yi...this seems like a tougher-than-usual trip to plan...

I really appreciate everyone's input and advice.

Sarah

NorthwestMale

Hi again,

If you're going to have a look around the Bay of Fundy, especially for a short time, you should use the following tide tables.

http://www.lau.chs-shc.gc.ca/cgi-bin...=5&zone=30


Ideally you'd TIME your path so that you'd see things at very low tide. Also, if you get good at the tide timing, you can pinpoint when the "tidal bore" would happen on area rivers (when the river just turns around and flows UP-stream because of the incoming tide pressure).

Before you leave, be sure to print out every tide table you could possibly envision needing as a resource while you're there.

The tables can be printed in various windows depending upon the dates you set. So as soon as you make reservations/exact vacation dates... then print perhaps 3 or 4 sets of tide tables for various spots on the bay of Fundy that you MIGHT visit.

As for flying to Halifax... don't you have to switch planes unless flying from DC or Toronto or something???

If you are going from Mass., perhaps you may as well drive up there. (I seem to recall it being 800 miles from Boston to Halifax) (OH, good, it is only 700 miles - per MSN maps, where I just checked)

If I were going from Mass to NS today, I think I'd save the expense of airfare and retain the conveniences of having LOTS of personal effects in the car, just in case.

Hopefully this means you wouldn't need the expense of car rental either. Yes, I know gas adds some expense to the trip, and I understand that there is a time element.

Driving would allow you to see Hopewell Cape, NB without making an awkward, out-of-the-way jaunt... as it would be not so far from your path of approach.

If interested, and with the tides timed ideally, you could see it at LOW tide in one direction and at high tide, for contrast, when going the other way. (LOW is much more important if you only go once)

For heaven's sake... enjoy planning your trip and have a great time!

(you don't need a travel agent)

LadyS

If you go to Peggy's Cove in NS (most tourists want to see this)stay off the rocks. They really do lose some tourists who venture too close. Every once in awhile there is a higher than expected wave and it sweeps them off the rocks and they are gone.Beautiful but be very cautious. You really need to have a walking tour of Historic properties in Halifax, maybe in a rickhaw

Tanya

Unless you are flying to St. John's, a couple of days to Nfld won't do it. Travelling by ferry will take 2 days of your trip alone.

Fundy National Park is an incredible spot to camp. Great facilities and breathtaking views. Give yourself a couple of days here.

ShadowM

June is the perfect time to travel to both places. However if I can ask have you thought about driving there insted of flying? Either way you should love both places. As for places to camp; in Halifax I can't help you there for I stayed at the University for the night. When school is out they rent the rooms. Now Cape Brenton Island (oh so beautiful) I stayed in a log cabin called Knotty Pines. The view is amazing and not too expensive. The only place we did any camping (tent) is in P.E.I. and it was at a place called Moonlight Camping. They are located just outside of Summerside in a place called Cape Egmont. Now I just looked at the website and they for some reason are not listed on the site this year but I called P.E.I. for you and here is the number 1902-892-9705. That is what they gave me. You can visit the site at www.peiplay.com or
www.gov.pe.ca/visitorsguide. Either one should work. There is so much to see and do in P.E.I. and you can find most of it on the site. Depending on your age group and interests to what would be best to see. However when you go there stop by Spinikers Landing in Summerside. It is a boardwalk with some shops and a place to eat. It is also the best place to get your local Dirt Shirt. Nearby is a mall and across the street there was a place called Burnie's pub. If it is still there you should stop by. They serve food and the locals are so nice and friendly. Then there is the bottle houses & Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel Church. This church is just nice to go in and visit with all of its arcitecture. If you are into fishing then I sudgest some Graham's Deep-Sea Fishing & Scenic Tour Along The Way or go with Bearded Skipper's Deep-Sea Fishing. Either one is great fun but they aren't open until July 2. So if this is of interest plan for a june/july holiday. Anne's land has lots to see and do. The three areas that have the most to do are Anne's land, Charlotte's Shore and the lower part of the North Cape Coastal Drive. The rest of the Island is great for the view. Plan your own vacation. That way it is more customed to you. If you would like more help with this post a note on here and I will do my best to help you out. I would just need to know age group and your interests. I have planed a lot of trips for myself and others. I hope you enjoy yourselves on your trip. I will also be there at some point next year and maybe this year too. P.S. the way of life there (NS & PEI) is so layed back you can't help but be relaxed.