Help with 1st trip to Canada!
 

I am in the earliest stages of planning a family trip to Canada in July 2003. Tentatively, we are planning to fly into Quebec City and stay for about 3 days before proceeding to a convention at Le Manoir Richelieu in La Malbaie. After our 6-day convention, we wish to proceed further east to either Nova Scotia, New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island (or a combination of the 3) for a week. I believe we will probably return to the U.S. via Hallifax.<BR><BR>Can anyone give us some advice on our itinerary and where to stay and what to see? I have ordered travel books to read up on the areas but I value personal experience so much more.<BR><BR>We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 teenagers). We really like upscale bed & breakfasts with lots of character as opposed to hotels. <BR><BR>Any advice/guidance is greatly appreciated!<BR><BR>Laura<BR>

Here are a few tips:<BR><BR>1) If you're a member of AAA, they have good guidebooks and maps for where you'd want to go. Get them to also prepare a Triptik when you have your driving itinerary finalized. Summer in "construction" season (except for when everything stops the last two weeks of July).<BR><BR>2) Getting an "open-jaw" ticket IS a good idea for what you're planning to do. Flying into Quebec City and leaving from Halifax should not cost you more.<BR><BR>3) It's a good thing that you're planning early: July is the busiest month for this area. Lots & lots of folks on the road, especially the last two weeks in July. Rental cars and accommodation should be locked in fairly early for best choice.<BR><BR>4) Try the BBCanada website for B&B listings, for a start: http://www.bbcanada.com/<BR><BR>5) Each province has it's own tourism website. In addition, many towns/regions also have their own websites, listing attractions & B&Bs. Use Google to search for these.<BR><BR>Good luck in your planning!

With a week, consider driving the Gaspe peninsula then through NB to NS ( skip PEI )Halifax is very interesting and if you have time a loop of NS is also nice.<BR>If you don't do the Gaspe then spend most of your time in NS, consider Cape Breton -- Cabot trail is great and if that is not possible,at least go to Louisbourg.

Make sure to visit Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, a UNESCO world heritage site, about an hour from Halifax. Wonderful fishing village. Great Bed and Breakfast accommodations all over town. Do go to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic - one of the best.<BR><BR>If you only have a week, Cape Breton may be too far. I'd save it for your next trip - it is beautiful.

Do send for the 'Doers and Dreamers Guide' to Nova Scotia its free from the tourist board (www.novascotia.com). We used it on our recent vist to NS together with the B&B wesite mentioned by Diane. With both these resources we managed to arrange the most brilliant holiday. Would also second the Lunenburg suggestion.