Although I live in Nova Scotia, I've never been to Cape Breton, and am planning on going this year for Celtic Colours for 4 nights. Any suggestions on where to stay (areas and specific accomodations) for a good overview of the area? One night or two will be at the Keltic Lodge (my husband is a golfer) and at least one night in Baddeck.

No accomms recommendations, but some other suggestions if you like...

I went to CC last year, and it was a hoot! The big names sell out fast tho so be sure to get tix to what you want as soon as they are available.

Even other concerts seemed to sell out on the day as everything I went to was packed.

Be sure to catch the late nite jam sessions...they are wonderful with anyone (CC concert performers, that is!) showing up to take the stage giving me a wonderful overview of the different artists. We had to leave at about 4AM and they were still going strong!

Enjoy-la!

Hi sailorgirl! Because Celtic Colours is island-wide, my advice to you is to check out the the website and decide which events/venues you'd like to see. That'll help determine where you should stay. You don't want to be staying in Baddeck, for example, and attending concerts in Cheticamp! Because you specifically asked about it though, in Baddeck there are lots of lovely B&B's. I would suggest staying at one of them. Check the Doers and Dreamers Guide. Post back here and I'll be happy to help with accommodation suggestions!

Because I'm not very familiar with any of the artisits, the music is the icing on the cake for us and wherever we decide to stay we'll take in whatever music is playing. It's more important to me to find a great place in stay in an interesting town. I'm very familiar with the Doers and Dreamers, but if someone has had a great experience at a particular place, that's the input I'm looking for.

"It's more impt to me to find a great place to stay in an interesting town". You mentioned Ingonish & Baddeck. I wld not describe either as "interesting towns"...They are "interesting" but they are not "towns". They are very small villages with Baddeck being "more developed" than Ingonish. The golf is spectacular @ The CB Highlands course in Ingonish & very good @ Bell Bay in Baddeck. If your prime reason for visiting CB is Celtic Colours then maybe you shd start w/ their schedule & go from there. Do they have Celtic Colours concerts scheduled for Ingonish?

Shame on you for not ever visiting Cape Breton! My husband is a golfer (6 handicap) and played at the Highlands Course and he played at Bell Bay which he enjoyed more than the traditional Highlands Course. I think he was expecting the Highlands Course to be similar to the links courses in Scotland.

Hi again sailorgirl. Since you are open to any and all music/events, Baddeck is a great place to be located! The amazing, informal, late night sessions are held at the Festival Club at the Gaelic College in St Anns, which is about 20 minutes from Baddeck (there are shuttles running - get there early, there will be big line-ups). There will also be events happening day and night throughout the area. Down on the Farm is a nice B&B that is part way between Baddeck and St Ann's. The owner is friendly and the rooms are simple but nice. I know people who have come and stayed at Auberge Gisele's - right in Baddeck - and quite enjoyed it. (http://www.giseles.com/) The Broadwater Inn also continually receives rave reviews and is absolutely gorgeous, at least from the outside! (http://www.broadwater.baddeck.com) Another great place is Mabou. I'd suggest adding it to your itinerary for a night or so (the Mabou River Inn is a good place). Mabou is a very pretty little village, with incredible culture and music. Spend some time in the Red Shoe Pub. There will be lots of festival events happening around this area. Does this help at all?

Yes!!!!! That is exactly the type of info I was looking for Scotia Girl. Thank you!!! I'll check out those suggestions and I'll also look into Bell Bay for my husband. Has anyone been to the new spa at the Keltic Lodge yet? (That's what I plan to do while he's golfing.)

Hey, SailorGirl! Looks like your trip is coming together nicely. Have not heard anything about Keltic Lodge Spa except that it supposed to be opening for summer 2005. I will see what I can find out for you. When will you be in CB??(Maybe you have said so here but I missed it.) What are the dates for Celtic Colours? Do you have a web site for Celtic Colours (I am now thinking of going!!)

www.celtic-colours.com

October 7th - 15th, 2005

Thx, ScotiaGirl! Just a thought: Will Keltic Lodge still be open through to Oct 15 or do they close right after Thanksgiving which is Oct. 10, 2005? SailorGirl mentioned that she wants to stay @ Keltic Lodge.

I'm way ahead of you....already checked it out. The Lodge is open until October 23.

Yesiree! And, you got me on Lunenburg too!