I posted a few months ago a general itinerary for our first time (bucket list trip) . Have finalized the itinerary as far as location and hotels and will be filling in specific things we want to do in each area. I know it's alot of moving around but want to experience as much as we can. I have a few general questions then am open to all and any specific don't miss ideas.
Here is the itinerary:
Fri. June 7: Arriving Halifax at 5:39 PM. Staying at Alt Hotel Halifax
Sat. June 8: Picking up rental car at Thrifty... Then driving to The Maple Inn in Parrsboro ( 2 hour 10 min drive?)
Tues. June 10: Leaving Parrsboro to Holiday Inn Express Airport Dieppe ( 1 hour 20 min drive?)
Thurs. June 12: Head to The Harbor House Charolettesville. ( 1 hour 50 min drive)
Sun June 15: Reservation on Ferry in Wood Island at 1:30 pm.. Head to Auberge Gisele Inn, Baddeck (2 hour 20 min drive?)
Wed. June 18: Head to Comfort Bayers Lake , Halifax (3 hr. 40 min drive?)
Sund June 21.. Spend last night back at Alt Hotel (...Flight leaving 9:00 am back to Florida)

I know it seems like alot of changes but tried to keep the driving to less than 4 hours when moving..I estimated the driving times by google map.we are active 65 year olds, love the outdoors, wanted to visit Nova Scotia forever...

1. As far as currency,, should we exchange some money to Canadian... plan on using credit card primarily.
2. Advice for packing .. ie. weather...how much to bring etc..
3. My husband loves to fish... any small fishing guides in any of the areas.
4. Most excited about the tide change eventsj, biking, good food, music, beaches, hiking, beautiful landscapes..
5. Will we expect to lose cell reception in some areas, should we download some maps...

I always appreciate all of the great advice from this site...I thank you ahead for any and all suggestions...

As a Washingtonian, we are traveling mostly in BC, however, I think you can rely on debit cards/credit cards a great deal. However use a CC that will not charge you foreign transaction fees as these mount up. Cash from ATMs if you need it, fees will depend on your bank. Check the currency exchange before you leave, the US $ is quite favorable to CAN $ at the moment.

Did you review the posts in this thread?
Halifax and PEI

A lot of information about our experience on the island. Regarding driving times google maps will give you a guesstimate but at least on PEI once you get out Charlottetown not many 4 lane roads, get behind a farmer on this tractor or slow moving vehicle it will take a bit more time.

If you have any questions let me know. Definitely try a lobster roll and attend a lobster supper.

Tom

Regarding the weather, pack layers and rain gear you will be fine.

Just about everyone takes CC, we always get cash at a PEI local bank since our bank charges for Canadian $. Our on line bank does not charge for foreign withdrawals.

Your CC will never leave the table, they bring the CC to you to process.

Thank you all for such great insights.

Another question in regards to gas stations. Do you pump your own gas ( we do in Fla) and any idea roughly what gas is going for. I assume it is in liters.

We are fine tuning all the activities/ sites we want to see. I am going back over the forums as you suggested and have been looking on you tube fir trip reports … will share when we narrow it down.

Yes gas is in liters currently about $ 1.52 per liter. 3.78 liters in a gallon so about $5.74 a gallon. You pump your own gas and pay at the pump, or go sometimes you need to go inside to pay.

(and here is your earlier message: )


If the tides are of interest... you're not putting yourself anywhere near to Burntcoat Head. (FYI) it is an 80-minute straight shot from Halifax each way... IF you ARRIVE there within an hour either way of LOW TIDE... then the beach walking will be decent... (more cement than sand... sand got washed away by decades of tides)... but WET... (NOT soaking, and NOT 'normal' to end up with wet clothing... but sometimes you put your foot down, and it's wetter than you anticipated)


The path along Highway 2 from Truro to Parrsboro is pleasant, and right along the shore of the bay, but it doesn't give you the "awe" effect of the powerful tides.

Oh, you might want to drive through the area where the big tragedy happened in Portapique, NS five years ago... (since you're heading to Parrsboro)... I don't think I'd want to be a conspicuous "lookie-loo", but the tragedy originated very near to highway 2.

IN Parrsboro, you can look out and see... channels carved by the tides over decades... and water passing through them each time the tide comes in... so there's THAT...


The rest of your eventual itinerary seems in decent order, and thorough enough... ASSUMING you'll take a day trip to Hopewell Cape, from Dieppe... and the best viewing for the Tidal bore will be right down the road from Dieppe. "Tidal Bore Park"


You might have fun perusing the webcams at this link to get into proper mode for your trip:



novascotiawebcams.com/webcams/pier-21

There are lots of good, unique webcam visions dotted around the province... and they seem better when viewed from so far away.

(some of the webcams aren't so grand... a "featured" webcam at the site was of a "roundabout")


As for Cdn cash... you don't need too much of it... but it would be so convenient to have SOME... $40-50 from soon after the start...

and maybe just a little in your pockets for convenience as you go from remote spot to remote spot.


IF you didn't order the Doer's and Dreamer's Guide already (and, uh, IF it didn't ARRIVE in time)

be sure to GET ONE FREE at the Halifax airport... and it will have all serious maps you need. (with one person driving, the other can frantically hunt through page after page to recognize the NEEDED ONE)


Cell reception: No doubt you'll find some spot where you're challenged... but I was pleasantly surprised upon arriving for an evening/night/morning at the lighthouse at Cape D'or, that my cell phone worked splendidly there.


Weather/clothes: I am GUESSING when I imagine that someone used to Florida climes will at times feel "chilled to the bone" so far up north... particularly on Cape Breton... and especially if out on the bluff at Skyline Trail.

Baddeck is on the shore of a lake, so that will add some chill... and of course the most scenic areas will usually be near water.


I think you are on the right trajectory... so have fun

We are beyond excited … have our itinerary … wishlist of points of interest and food ideas…

I know we will meet people along the way and get more ideas….

I posted our initial itinerary in my first post.. heres a rough idea of what we would like to explore … all subject to change…

1. 2 days in Parrsboro: staying at Maple Inn
Five Islands
cape Chignecto
Cape d’or lighthouse
joggins cliff
reservation for dinner : Wild Caraway

2. onto Dieppe, NB staying near airport ( 2 days)
Tidal Bore in Moncton
Hopewell Rocks / Fundy National Park
Food: Alma Lobster shop
Tipsy Tail
Alma boathouse

3. Head to Prince Edward Island( staying in Charolettetown ( 3 days
Stop Chelton Beach.. maybe Summerside
Day trip - prince edward island park .. Greenwich dunes.. bike ridr
Eat .. Blue Mussel cafe, ricks fish n chips, the dunes

ferry back to nova scotia. Drive to Baddeck … 3 days
explore Ingonish beach area , skyline trail, Inverness…

last 2 days in Halifax

visit Peggys cove, Lunenberg


One more question.. will we need a universal electric adaptor…

leaving on Friday .. any final suggestions … comments..,

One more question.. will we need a universal electric adaptor…


Nope our Apple products we use the same adapter as in the USA. You may want to bring a zip strip so you can charge several adapters at the same time.

Are you going to try a Lobster Supper??

Let us know how your trip went.

Tom

we went to the lobster supper in Baddeck. I thought it would be typical tourist trap but we thought it was very good- it was the end of the season so not as many tourists around but no complaints.

We were on a bus tour. We arrived early at Peggys Cove and were the only bus there- so beautiful to see it uncrowded. There is a restaurant right at the base of the lighthouse. Food is not that great but its convenient and good place to park.

Loved every bit of it.

We were at Hopewell Rocks as tide was coming in and it was going to be high tide- amazing.

New Glasgow Lobster Supper on PEI has been in business since 1958.

We have been to it many times, good stuff. You go here to eat A LOT of PEI mussels, chowder, and deserts which are all unlimited. They will bring as much as you want until you tell them to stop. The lobster and or the main meal are limited. Do not fill up on the bread, but it is so good, leave room for the sky high lemon meringue pie, strawberry shortcake with ice cream and/or whipped cream, and more. If you don’t want the main meal ask for “appetizers & desserts” you will get all you can eat of mussels, chowder,rolls and dessert. You go here to eat, atmosphere not so much. You pay for what you want first at the door, and then you are seated. The line moves fast so do not worry if you have one.

Below is from the website.

At New Glasgow Lobster Suppers, one price gets you everything:

Warm, fresh-baked rolls, Creamy chowders & savory soups

Crisp, house-made salads, Steamed mussels

Your choice of main course — like whole lobster, scallops, or steak

Homemade desserts & bottomless beverages

Want seconds? Absolutely — on everything except your main course.

One price. No surprises. Just hearty portions, friendly service, and Island hospitality at its best.