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-   -   Advice on where to go (https://www.fodors.com/community/canada/advice-on-where-to-go-841888/)

dbjernin May 25th, 2010 07:15 PM

Advice on where to go
 
We are traveling through Toronto, Montreal, Quebec and on out to NS, NB and, perhaps, PEI. We also want to go to Fundy National Park. Where would you suggest we go and what should we see? We plan to go on down to Acadia National Park and down through Maine, VT, NY and circle back to Iowa where we live. We plan to camp at Fundy National Park and at Acadia and stay in hotels for the rest of the trip. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Tanya May 25th, 2010 08:43 PM

Wow, lot of travelling. How long do you have to spend in the Maritimes (NS, NB, PEI)?

RVtraveler May 26th, 2010 05:14 AM

Trip of a lifetime! Your statement is "wide open", so it is difficult to respond. You may find some info re this itinerary at www.drivecrosscountry.net/RouteM1. Also, check letters of the Maritimes.

On the way you might like to go around the Gaspe - great scenery.

mat54 May 26th, 2010 05:28 AM

That's an ambitious trip. How much time will you have to spend in each of Toronto, Quebec, NB, NS and PEI? Also - When?

Toronto is modern, cosmopolitan/multicultural, known for its dining scene, live theatre and "neighborhoods". A very excellent Museum (Royal Ontario Museum or ROM) and Art Gallery (Art Gallery of Ontario AGO).

In Montreal you'll want to check out "Old Montreal", the historic (and a major tourist) district. And in Quebec City you will definitely want to focus your time on "Old Quebec" ("Vieux Quebec") - the original historic fortressed section of town of cobblestone alleys with street artists and mimes, and 18th century buildings converted into Inns, restaurants, sidewalk cafes and art shops.

One of the most spectacularly scenic areas in Eastern Canada is Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Highlands National Park. There are campsites there, also a variety of accommodations in and around the park (check out Ingonish, Cheticamp, Baddeck).

The "Lighthouse Route" southwest of Halifax is also popular.

PEI is known for stunning beaches, rolling pastoral landscapes and "Anne of Green Gables" related attractions.

The town of Alma just outside of Fundy National Park is a good spot to view the dramatic contrast between the high and low Fundy Tides. Even better might be Hopewell Rocks about 40 minutes away.

If you give us some details on your time allowances and your specific interests (do you have kids? Culture? Scenery? Hiking? Historic Towns?) we can get more specific.

dbjernin May 26th, 2010 07:44 PM

Currently, we are planning one day in Toronto, 1 day in Ottawa, 2 days in Montreal and 2 in Quebec City. I was figuring about 5 days between leaving Quebec and going to Acadia Nat'l Park. Is that too ambitious?

mat54 May 27th, 2010 05:08 AM

That's a whirlwind. You won't fit in the best highlights of all 3 provinces (PEI, NB, NS) between Quebec and Maine in 5 days. It takes most of a day of driving just to get from Quebec to the closest destinations you would want to see in the Atlantic Provinces. And some good long drives between the prime spots.

You can do a "taste" of Atlantic Canada in 5 days. Here's a couple of thoughts:

Tour 1: Quebec City to Charlottetown PEI (about 10 hours via bridge). 2 nights PEI. Take either the bridge or ferry back to mainland and head towards the Parrsboro/Advocate Harbour area of NS (a somewhat less travelled region, scenic rocky coastlines and interesting geology) - about 2 1/2 hours plus ferry time if applicable. Spend the night. Then swing over to the NB Fundy Shore, stop at Hopewell Rocks before heading to your campground in the Park for 2 nights (about 2 1/2 hours plus stops). Stop in Saint Andrews near the border for lunch on your way from Fundy to Acadia.

Tour 2: Head straight to Halifax from Quebec although this is a long drive (around 11 hours). Either stay in Halifax, enjoying the vibrant Harbor area with its boardwalk, shops, pubs and museums, and do daytrips down the Lighthouse Route to spots like Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg and Mahone Bay. Or spend 3 days touring further down the Lighthouse Route taking in the coastal views and quaint fishing villages before circling back towards NB and Fundy for your last 2 nights. But that would add even more driving.

Cape Breton's distance pretty well rules it out unfortunately. Give us your interests and the recommendations can be more specific.

RVtraveler May 27th, 2010 05:11 AM

With what you have told us I believe you may find that it would be too ambitious. The Maritimes must be savored like a fine wine. It might be wise to do them on the next trip. However --

...going from Quebec City to Bar Harbor you might go into New Brunswick and visit the coastal area. Moncton, Hopewell Cape, Fundy National Park and St. Andrews by the Sea. This would give you vistas of the Bay of Fundy, maybe some good camp sites (or motels). St. Andrews is a seaside resort area with the ambiance of days past. (There are B&Bs and a bayside campground.)


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