Help with 6 days travel to NS & PEI
Jul 27th, 2006, 11:47 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Help with 6 days travel to NS & PEI
Hello:
We are three spanish guys in our late 30's that planning to visit NS & PEI in a round trip by rental car from Halifax. We plan to arrive there 17th August at 20,30 pm and leave 23th August at 17,55 pm.
Just some days ago we had decided to visit that area and we need your help in order to planning the route.
Considering probably we can't return again to that area, we aim to visit as much as possible, even if we must to drive around 5 or hours / day (exluding stops along the route).
After some research at this forum we had configured three options and i'd like to know your opinions and comments about this.
Our main interest are: some short hikes, good seafood, scenic routes and nice small towns to overnight, not being very interestd in big cities because we will visit Montreal, Toronto, Quebec and Vancouver in our 5 weeks travel to Canada.
We have open minds so, please, take this as only draft options: opinions and ideas are welcome and very appreciated
Option A
Day 1: Halifax - Peggy's Cove - Lunenburg - Annapolis Royal and overnight at Wolfville. Very rush i know, so i'd like to know if we can skip the route Lunenburg- Caledonia - Annapolis if not worth it and go directly from Lunenburg to Wolfville.
Day 2: Wolfville - Truro - Parrsboro - Springhill - Amherts - Charlottetown overnight. Do you think even would be enough time to visit (very shortly) Hopewell rocks?
Day 3: Charlottetown - east part of PEI - Ferry to Picotu and overnight there
Day 4: Pictou - Baddeck (some visits there) - Ingonish overnght
Day 5: Ingonish - Cape Breton- Margaree ( or Inverness) overnight
Day 6: Early depart to Halifax to have 3 - 4 hours to visit there the main attractions ( suggestions ?)
Option B:
Day 1: Halifax - Truro - Parrsboro - Charlotetown overnight
Day 2: Charlotetown - East part of PEI - Ferry to Pictou overnght there
Day 3: Pictou - Baddeck ( some visits in the area) - Ingonish overnight
Day 4: Ingonish - Cape Breton- Inverness overnight
Day 5: Inverness - Halifax (some visits there)
Day 6: Early depart to Peggy's Cove and Lunenboiurg to arrive at the airport at 4,00 pm
Option C:
Day 1: Halifax - Baddeck or Ingonish (time permitting)
Day 2: Baddeck - Cap Breton - Inverness
Day 3: Inverness - Pictou - Ferry to PEI - Souris overnight
Day 4: Some driving at PEI- Charlottetown - Mocton overnight ( alternative places opinions welcome)
Day 5: Mocton - Hopewell Rocks? - Truro - Halifax ( some time there)
Day 6: Halifax - Lunenburg - Halifax Apt.
As our time it's very limited i appreciate a lot suggestions about places not to be missed, what option do you think it's better, recomended hotels, restaurants with good seafood, short hikes to do and any idea you want to share with us.
Thanks a lot for your time and opinions
PD: Sorry for my english.
We are three spanish guys in our late 30's that planning to visit NS & PEI in a round trip by rental car from Halifax. We plan to arrive there 17th August at 20,30 pm and leave 23th August at 17,55 pm.
Just some days ago we had decided to visit that area and we need your help in order to planning the route.
Considering probably we can't return again to that area, we aim to visit as much as possible, even if we must to drive around 5 or hours / day (exluding stops along the route).
After some research at this forum we had configured three options and i'd like to know your opinions and comments about this.
Our main interest are: some short hikes, good seafood, scenic routes and nice small towns to overnight, not being very interestd in big cities because we will visit Montreal, Toronto, Quebec and Vancouver in our 5 weeks travel to Canada.
We have open minds so, please, take this as only draft options: opinions and ideas are welcome and very appreciated
Option A
Day 1: Halifax - Peggy's Cove - Lunenburg - Annapolis Royal and overnight at Wolfville. Very rush i know, so i'd like to know if we can skip the route Lunenburg- Caledonia - Annapolis if not worth it and go directly from Lunenburg to Wolfville.
Day 2: Wolfville - Truro - Parrsboro - Springhill - Amherts - Charlottetown overnight. Do you think even would be enough time to visit (very shortly) Hopewell rocks?
Day 3: Charlottetown - east part of PEI - Ferry to Picotu and overnight there
Day 4: Pictou - Baddeck (some visits there) - Ingonish overnght
Day 5: Ingonish - Cape Breton- Margaree ( or Inverness) overnight
Day 6: Early depart to Halifax to have 3 - 4 hours to visit there the main attractions ( suggestions ?)
Option B:
Day 1: Halifax - Truro - Parrsboro - Charlotetown overnight
Day 2: Charlotetown - East part of PEI - Ferry to Pictou overnght there
Day 3: Pictou - Baddeck ( some visits in the area) - Ingonish overnight
Day 4: Ingonish - Cape Breton- Inverness overnight
Day 5: Inverness - Halifax (some visits there)
Day 6: Early depart to Peggy's Cove and Lunenboiurg to arrive at the airport at 4,00 pm
Option C:
Day 1: Halifax - Baddeck or Ingonish (time permitting)
Day 2: Baddeck - Cap Breton - Inverness
Day 3: Inverness - Pictou - Ferry to PEI - Souris overnight
Day 4: Some driving at PEI- Charlottetown - Mocton overnight ( alternative places opinions welcome)
Day 5: Mocton - Hopewell Rocks? - Truro - Halifax ( some time there)
Day 6: Halifax - Lunenburg - Halifax Apt.
As our time it's very limited i appreciate a lot suggestions about places not to be missed, what option do you think it's better, recomended hotels, restaurants with good seafood, short hikes to do and any idea you want to share with us.
Thanks a lot for your time and opinions
PD: Sorry for my english.
Jul 28th, 2006, 03:04 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't apologize for your English! You are doing great.
Don't discount Halifax for a night to enjoy what the city has to offer. At your age there are lots of pubs and nightlife that you would enjoy.
Option A - I would skip Annapolis Royal (although the area is very beautiful) and spend some time in the Valley. Canning has a lookoff and some hiking trails, Grand Pre (winery as well in that area with a good restaurant), Hall's Harbour where you can see the dramatic tides if there at the right time plus enjoy a lobster dinner outside on a picnic table!
Day 2 - Depart Wolfville and drive towards Parrsboro. Bass River (small unique store with shop/liquor store), stop in Raspberry Bay Stone, Joy Laking Gallery and then don't miss the Dutchman Cheese in Economy. Sample some deep fried clams along this shore - they will be fresh and absolutly delicious. It is long drive past Parrsboro into Amherst but it does take you to some very picturesque spots including Port Greville, Advocate and to Cape D'or. If you are running out of time, you can cut across to Amherst from Parrsboro and then head off to the PEI via the Confederation bridge. Hopewell Rocks from Amherst would take the better part of the day and depending on tides, you may need to stay overnight in order to experience low tide.
You can drive across the Province of PEI in a short period of time but you might want to experience the beaches in Cavendish area. Overnight in Pictou? Depending on what you discover on PEI, you might want to spend the night. If not, I would suggest Pictou Lodge as a place you might want to spend the night or go into the Town of Pictou - lots of B&B's! All are terrific!
Your drive to Baddeck from Pictou will take about 3 hours without stopping. I would suggest taking some back roads towards Cape Breton and then spend the night in this village. Have a cold one at the marina (it is a dry town so only restaurants serve liquor) and supper at Cello Yellow where there is usually live music. The next day, head across the Cabot Trail counterclock wise - towards Ingonish. The trail will take the better part of the day and you could spend the night in Cheticamp or Margaree.
Head to Halifax - about 4-5 hours drive.
Don't discount Halifax for a night to enjoy what the city has to offer. At your age there are lots of pubs and nightlife that you would enjoy.
Option A - I would skip Annapolis Royal (although the area is very beautiful) and spend some time in the Valley. Canning has a lookoff and some hiking trails, Grand Pre (winery as well in that area with a good restaurant), Hall's Harbour where you can see the dramatic tides if there at the right time plus enjoy a lobster dinner outside on a picnic table!
Day 2 - Depart Wolfville and drive towards Parrsboro. Bass River (small unique store with shop/liquor store), stop in Raspberry Bay Stone, Joy Laking Gallery and then don't miss the Dutchman Cheese in Economy. Sample some deep fried clams along this shore - they will be fresh and absolutly delicious. It is long drive past Parrsboro into Amherst but it does take you to some very picturesque spots including Port Greville, Advocate and to Cape D'or. If you are running out of time, you can cut across to Amherst from Parrsboro and then head off to the PEI via the Confederation bridge. Hopewell Rocks from Amherst would take the better part of the day and depending on tides, you may need to stay overnight in order to experience low tide.
You can drive across the Province of PEI in a short period of time but you might want to experience the beaches in Cavendish area. Overnight in Pictou? Depending on what you discover on PEI, you might want to spend the night. If not, I would suggest Pictou Lodge as a place you might want to spend the night or go into the Town of Pictou - lots of B&B's! All are terrific!
Your drive to Baddeck from Pictou will take about 3 hours without stopping. I would suggest taking some back roads towards Cape Breton and then spend the night in this village. Have a cold one at the marina (it is a dry town so only restaurants serve liquor) and supper at Cello Yellow where there is usually live music. The next day, head across the Cabot Trail counterclock wise - towards Ingonish. The trail will take the better part of the day and you could spend the night in Cheticamp or Margaree.
Head to Halifax - about 4-5 hours drive.
Jul 30th, 2006, 10:30 AM
#3
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi,
That was a lot of reading, and I still don't know if I can select one of those options vs. the others.
I DO want to say that, for hikes, drive to Wolfville, then "Scots Bay", and then out to the end of the cape.
Park your car and hike 2 1/2 hours one way to the end of "Cape Split".
I'm not a hiker at all but I loved going there. When you get to the end, you're out in the middle of the bay, howling wind all around. A couple/few miles across the bay covers an area through which as much water flows in an average day as flows through ALL of the rivers ON EARTH in that same average day.
I'm just going to guess what I'd do with your window of time here:
Arrive late on August 17, stay in Halifax
Morning of 18th plan for a day trip to Peggy's Cove either for lunch or dinner and a visit to Lunenberg either before or after. Stay another night in Halifax.
Morning of 19th drive to the Wolfville area and do the Cape Split hike. Upon conclusion drive northeast toward Truro and then to Cape Breton and stay the night in some strategic locale up there.
Morning of 20th set out for a drive on the Cabot Trail (hoping the weather is clear). At the end of that drive then drive south to connect with the big highway at Port Hawkesbury toward Pictou.
Stay the night of the 20th in Pictou area.
Morning of 21st drive toward Amherst on either the big highway or #6 along the north coast. Then continue on into New Brunswick and Moncton (where you could hope/try to time the Tidal Bore there). Down to Hopewell Cape (again, timing is important - and Low Tide would be good ... so maybe Hopewell Cape FIRST at low tide and THEN, maybe 3 hours later for the Tidal Bore back in Moncton).
I think/hope you could get back to spend the night of the 21st in Charlottetown, PEI.
Awaken on the 22nd in Charlottetown, take a long drive around to some chosen-by-you part of the island, perhaps leaving PEI by bridge near to 3:00pm.
Then back toward Nova Scotia... Amherst, Parrsboro... then up to Truro along the bay shore.
Night of the 22nd you can easily make it back to Halifax for flying out the next evening. You can even stay up late to enjoy the Halifax nightlife given the late-day flight.
That was a lot of reading, and I still don't know if I can select one of those options vs. the others.
I DO want to say that, for hikes, drive to Wolfville, then "Scots Bay", and then out to the end of the cape.
Park your car and hike 2 1/2 hours one way to the end of "Cape Split".
I'm not a hiker at all but I loved going there. When you get to the end, you're out in the middle of the bay, howling wind all around. A couple/few miles across the bay covers an area through which as much water flows in an average day as flows through ALL of the rivers ON EARTH in that same average day.
I'm just going to guess what I'd do with your window of time here:
Arrive late on August 17, stay in Halifax
Morning of 18th plan for a day trip to Peggy's Cove either for lunch or dinner and a visit to Lunenberg either before or after. Stay another night in Halifax.
Morning of 19th drive to the Wolfville area and do the Cape Split hike. Upon conclusion drive northeast toward Truro and then to Cape Breton and stay the night in some strategic locale up there.
Morning of 20th set out for a drive on the Cabot Trail (hoping the weather is clear). At the end of that drive then drive south to connect with the big highway at Port Hawkesbury toward Pictou.
Stay the night of the 20th in Pictou area.
Morning of 21st drive toward Amherst on either the big highway or #6 along the north coast. Then continue on into New Brunswick and Moncton (where you could hope/try to time the Tidal Bore there). Down to Hopewell Cape (again, timing is important - and Low Tide would be good ... so maybe Hopewell Cape FIRST at low tide and THEN, maybe 3 hours later for the Tidal Bore back in Moncton).
I think/hope you could get back to spend the night of the 21st in Charlottetown, PEI.
Awaken on the 22nd in Charlottetown, take a long drive around to some chosen-by-you part of the island, perhaps leaving PEI by bridge near to 3:00pm.
Then back toward Nova Scotia... Amherst, Parrsboro... then up to Truro along the bay shore.
Night of the 22nd you can easily make it back to Halifax for flying out the next evening. You can even stay up late to enjoy the Halifax nightlife given the late-day flight.
Aug 9th, 2006, 10:38 AM
#4
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you make it to Sydney, you MUST go see "4 Men in a Tub." It is the funniest live performance which showcases some fantastic fiddling! I highly recommend it.
Hiking in Cape Breton is as good as it gets. Once you get to Cape Breton, you may not want to leave.
Hiking in Cape Breton is as good as it gets. Once you get to Cape Breton, you may not want to leave.
Aug 10th, 2006, 08:37 AM
#5
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey,
I live in Halifax and grew up in Cape Breton. Your trip sounds very full...I will give you some highlights re: Nova Scotia.
1. The Cabot Trail is terrific...especially if it is nice weather. It takes about 2-3 hours to go around the Cape Breton Highlands national park, which is the best part of the Cabot Trail. I suggest that you go clockwise when doing it because a lot of the scenery will be in front of you (ie go from CHeticamp-Ingonish).
Stop at the informattion bureau on your way into the National Park. There you will learn about the hiking trails and much more. It is about 10 minutes outside of Cheticamp. (The skyline trail is my favorite-takes about 1 and a half hours).
2. The annapolis Valley is also great. Annapolis Royal and Wolfville are quaint little towns.
3. Halifax has a lot to offer. Major sights: walking around the water front, taking a cruise on the water, visiting teh citadel (national historic fort), Peggy's cove is only about 45 minutes away.
4. Driving time to PEI from Halifax, going over confederation bridge: 3-4 hours.
5. Driving time to Cheticamp from Halifax 4-5 hours. ( I can make it in 4 hours but I know the roads well).
If you have any other specific questions, post them and I will see what I can do.
I live in Halifax and grew up in Cape Breton. Your trip sounds very full...I will give you some highlights re: Nova Scotia.
1. The Cabot Trail is terrific...especially if it is nice weather. It takes about 2-3 hours to go around the Cape Breton Highlands national park, which is the best part of the Cabot Trail. I suggest that you go clockwise when doing it because a lot of the scenery will be in front of you (ie go from CHeticamp-Ingonish).
Stop at the informattion bureau on your way into the National Park. There you will learn about the hiking trails and much more. It is about 10 minutes outside of Cheticamp. (The skyline trail is my favorite-takes about 1 and a half hours).
2. The annapolis Valley is also great. Annapolis Royal and Wolfville are quaint little towns.
3. Halifax has a lot to offer. Major sights: walking around the water front, taking a cruise on the water, visiting teh citadel (national historic fort), Peggy's cove is only about 45 minutes away.
4. Driving time to PEI from Halifax, going over confederation bridge: 3-4 hours.
5. Driving time to Cheticamp from Halifax 4-5 hours. ( I can make it in 4 hours but I know the roads well).
If you have any other specific questions, post them and I will see what I can do.
Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:49 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Fewglow! Thanks for the nice comments on the show. 4 Men In A Tub is now heading into it's fifth season. If anybody is visiting Cape Breton Island please check us out. If not, then check out our website at http://www.duncanwells.ca/4men.htm
