Cape Breton Island Help, Please
 

Hi-<BR>Want to take my hubby and 2 kids (ages 10 & 12) to Cape Breton, mainly to see the Cabot Trail. (will also do Louisbourg probably).<BR>Can anyone suggest where to start, what towns to stay in, and for how long? Would like "moderate" lodging. Do any have pools? We have a week. Should we also venture up to PEI?

Hi Linda,<BR>We did it the opposite way last summer, spending a week on PEI and wondering whether we could make a one-day visit to Cape Breton. We couldn't -- you can't do it in one day from PEI. If you want to do PEI justice (it's not that big, but there are plenty of neat things to see and do), you will need more time. We plan to go back to Cape Breton/Nova Scotia as a separate trip. I drove the Cabot Trail years ago with my parents, starting from Truro in NS. We did it in one (very long) day. I would think three days on Cape Breton would be plenty, giving a whole day for Louisbourg. (I suggested L'bourg to my kids last year -- aged 14 and 11 at the time -- but they weren't very interested.)<BR><BR>

Oh, I forgot to mention: Many people say it's better to do the Trail in a clockwise direction, because then you aren't driving on the edge of the cliffs!

Thanks!<BR>Where should I start driving the Trail, and towns to stay in? Moderate hotels?<BR>

Where is your trip originating from? What are your interests? The answers to these questions will determine how long you want to spend here. My husband and I have done the trip twice. We didn't have our son along, and stayed only in b&bs and inns, which may not be what you're looking for. We never feel that we have long enough on this beautiful section of NS. If you only do one hike, do the Skyline Trail - awesome scenery, and you're likely to see moose. Your kids would enjoy a whale watch; a word of warning - we took a sailboat out of the most northern part of CB. It was so freezing cold that we could only look forward to returning to land. We saw no whales. A Mr. Burns {888-862-2221} used to run a small boat trip out of protected, warmer Margaree Harbour that was fantastic. He makes it fun, and there's a lot of action - whales {we saw whales one time out of two trips}, seals, eagles, history, fishing .... If it's not too crowded, he'll let your kids steer the boat. {The a.m. trip we took was way less crowded than a previous p.m. trip we previously took}. As I said, we stayed at a b&b, but I know that the Normaway Inn in Margaree Valley has nightly family entertainment. You could begin your trip in Baddeck { Bell Museum, Amoeba sail to see Bell's estate}, visit Louisburg, Igonish,Cheticamp, or any of the other many towns along the trail, and end in Margaree, or v/v. A stop to see Joe's Scarecrow Village {free, funny, right off the highway} below Cheticamp is worth a reststop.Other Foderites can probably make suggestions for Igonish, Cheticamp, etc. which seem like lively areas for kids.Igonish has a good beach, but the water is cold, and there were jellyfish when we visited. Send for the excellent NS guide to help you narrow your interests.{1-800-565-0000}.

When I was 15 years old we went to Cape Breton. We started the Cabot trail in Baddeck and stayed in a campgroud there. We stayed in Baddeck for 3 or 4 days, and it was beautiful. We did Louisburg, and that is something everyone should do, especially if you are Canadian.

Thanks!<BR>Linda

We are mostly interested in gorgeous scenery. We like to hike, and like boats and the water. Too cold to swim, I assume.<BR>Any marine museums or aquariums?<BR>We also like to see different cultures.<BR>Thanks.

If you want to drive the Cabot Trail in one day I would strongly suggest Baddeck as your "home base". It a gorgeous small town with some wonderful accommodations at reasonable prices. However, if you like hiking and scenery, take two days and stay overnight in Ingonish on the Cabot Trail. It is absoultely spectacular and Highlands National Park has a lot of hiking trails. Again, lots of moderate accommodations in Ingonish. Try this site: http://www.capebretonet.com/index.html

Thanks!<BR>Linda