How's my itinerary for NS, NB & PEI trip?
Apr 28th, 2010, 06:49 AM
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How's my itinerary for NS, NB & PEI trip?
We are planning a driving trip through NS, NB and PEI in June. I have been reading this and other forums to come up with an itinerary. I would appreciate any input as to whether this is too ambitious (we are expert roadtrippers) or if we are spending too long in any one spot. BTW, we have purposely eliminated Cape Breton, so please do not suggest we visit. Also, if you have any recommendations for good, clean and reasonably priced hotels please advise. THANK YOU.
Day 1 -- arrive late in Halifax (overnight in Halifax)
Day 2 -- tour Halifax (overnight in Halifax)
Day 3 -- drive to PEI via ferry (overnight in Charlottetown ???)
Day 4 -- tour PEI (overnight in Charlottetown ???)
Day 5 -- drive to NB (Fundy coast) via Confederation Bridge with a stop in Shediac for lunch (overnight around Riverside Albert or Alma)
Day 6 -- tour Hopewell Rocks and Cape Enrage (overnight around Riverside Albert or Alma)
Day 7 -- tour Fundy National Park, sea caves and Fundy Trail (overnight St. Martins)
Day 8 -- tour Saint John (overnight Saint John)
Day 9 -- ferry to Digby (overnight Digby)
Day 10 -- drive NS Lighthouse Route (overnight Shelburne)
Day 11 -- drive to Halifax with stops in Lunenberg and Peggy's Cove (overnight at Halifax airport hotel)
Day 12 -- early flight home
*** We had tossed around the idea of skipping the pricey Saint John-Digby ferry. On that trip we would reverse the trip somewhat and go from Halifax around the western coast of NS to the PEI ferry, then the rest of the itinerary would remain the same, except we would drive straight back from Saint John to Halifax. Is this crazy to spend all that time in the car just to save the $200 cost of the ferry?
Day 1 -- arrive late in Halifax (overnight in Halifax)
Day 2 -- tour Halifax (overnight in Halifax)
Day 3 -- drive to PEI via ferry (overnight in Charlottetown ???)
Day 4 -- tour PEI (overnight in Charlottetown ???)
Day 5 -- drive to NB (Fundy coast) via Confederation Bridge with a stop in Shediac for lunch (overnight around Riverside Albert or Alma)
Day 6 -- tour Hopewell Rocks and Cape Enrage (overnight around Riverside Albert or Alma)
Day 7 -- tour Fundy National Park, sea caves and Fundy Trail (overnight St. Martins)
Day 8 -- tour Saint John (overnight Saint John)
Day 9 -- ferry to Digby (overnight Digby)
Day 10 -- drive NS Lighthouse Route (overnight Shelburne)
Day 11 -- drive to Halifax with stops in Lunenberg and Peggy's Cove (overnight at Halifax airport hotel)
Day 12 -- early flight home
*** We had tossed around the idea of skipping the pricey Saint John-Digby ferry. On that trip we would reverse the trip somewhat and go from Halifax around the western coast of NS to the PEI ferry, then the rest of the itinerary would remain the same, except we would drive straight back from Saint John to Halifax. Is this crazy to spend all that time in the car just to save the $200 cost of the ferry?
Apr 28th, 2010, 04:39 PM
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Hi welovetotravel
Unlike most itineraries that I've read on Fodor's to the Maritime provinces (most are WAY too rushed...which in my opinion kind of misses the point of the Maritimes...I feel like pulling my hair out reading some itineraries... e.g., let's do everything from Montreal-Cape Breton in a week), yours actually looks very good!
Enjoy! Daniel
Unlike most itineraries that I've read on Fodor's to the Maritime provinces (most are WAY too rushed...which in my opinion kind of misses the point of the Maritimes...I feel like pulling my hair out reading some itineraries... e.g., let's do everything from Montreal-Cape Breton in a week), yours actually looks very good!
Enjoy! Daniel
Apr 29th, 2010, 01:35 AM
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I have had to be in Halifax a few times lately and have did priceline...4 star for $50 and have stayed at the Westin both times...lovely hotel good location...ate at Henry House both times...a short walk from the hotel.
May 2nd, 2010, 11:41 AM
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Thanks for the vote of confidence Daniel. Question -- do you think we are spending too much time on the Bay of Fundy? I would like to add more time in PEI, but that would mean dropping a day from the Fundy area. What's your thought?
Thanks.
Thanks.
May 3rd, 2010, 06:15 AM
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My instinct is that it really doesn't matter, that either way would work: I suspect 2 days Bay of Fundy/3 days PEI or 3 days PEI/2 days Bay of Fundy would be equally enjoyable. However, given my utter inexperience with the Fundy leg of your journey, my thought is moot. I hope someone will chime in who's done extensive vacationing in both PEI and the Bay of Fundy region of New Brunswick, knowing the area you'll be travelling in-depth.. can advise you with authority.
May 5th, 2010, 01:06 AM
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That is a lot of driving ...
Halifax to Charlottetown via ferry - you are about 1.5+ hours from the city to the Caribou ferry. Don't think you can pre-book a ticket for a one-way trip, but the ferry isn't that busy usually unless you hit a special weekend on the Island - with June I would be you are safe. So arrive about an hour before the departure time and you should be safe. So give yourself about 2.5-3 hours travelling time. The ferry is about 1.5 hours across - depending on which boat you get. You are then another hour into Charlottetown - it is a slow drive - no divided highway. Take your time and enjoy the flat, green fields. So you have now taken about a half a day in travelling without really any stops. The next day you will no doubt want to explore Cavendish, Rustico, etc. Beautiful area. You will exit the other side of the Island (Summerside which is about an hour from Charlottetown), so would save that drive for the following day.
Your trip is doable, but be flexible and if you find an area you truly enjoy, stop and smell the roses! All have their own charm, and I think the places you have chosen to visit, will showcase why visitors to the Maritime Provinces want to return time and time again. Depending on what time of June, there may still be places that don't open until late in the month.
Halifax to Charlottetown via ferry - you are about 1.5+ hours from the city to the Caribou ferry. Don't think you can pre-book a ticket for a one-way trip, but the ferry isn't that busy usually unless you hit a special weekend on the Island - with June I would be you are safe. So arrive about an hour before the departure time and you should be safe. So give yourself about 2.5-3 hours travelling time. The ferry is about 1.5 hours across - depending on which boat you get. You are then another hour into Charlottetown - it is a slow drive - no divided highway. Take your time and enjoy the flat, green fields. So you have now taken about a half a day in travelling without really any stops. The next day you will no doubt want to explore Cavendish, Rustico, etc. Beautiful area. You will exit the other side of the Island (Summerside which is about an hour from Charlottetown), so would save that drive for the following day.
Your trip is doable, but be flexible and if you find an area you truly enjoy, stop and smell the roses! All have their own charm, and I think the places you have chosen to visit, will showcase why visitors to the Maritime Provinces want to return time and time again. Depending on what time of June, there may still be places that don't open until late in the month.
May 6th, 2010, 05:58 PM
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One of the things you may want to consider is to explore the Fundy from the Nova Scotia side (Joggins/Advocate Harbour/Parrsboro) rather than the New Brunswick stretch from Hopewell Rocks to St John. That would cut down your driving considerably and eliminate the expensive ferry from St John to Digby.
Wherever you end up, have a great Maritime vacation.
Cheers
Wherever you end up, have a great Maritime vacation.
Cheers
May 7th, 2010, 07:22 AM
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Thanks for the input from those who responded.
Paradisefound -- the reason we are doing Fundy from the NB side is because my husband has his heart set on seeing the Hopewell Rocks. From my research it seems to me that tides are more impressive from the NB side.
A question for any experiences travelers to this region -- should we prebook our hotels or just try to wing it. I am concerned that by prebooking we are locking ourselves into a somewhat fastpaced itinerary. However, I know we will be there during season, and traveling with a child, so I want to know we can find a decent place to stay each night. Any input?
Paradisefound -- the reason we are doing Fundy from the NB side is because my husband has his heart set on seeing the Hopewell Rocks. From my research it seems to me that tides are more impressive from the NB side.
A question for any experiences travelers to this region -- should we prebook our hotels or just try to wing it. I am concerned that by prebooking we are locking ourselves into a somewhat fastpaced itinerary. However, I know we will be there during season, and traveling with a child, so I want to know we can find a decent place to stay each night. Any input?
May 8th, 2010, 02:25 AM
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Same tides if you are on the NB or NS side of the ocean 
The reason Hopewell Rocks is more impressive, you can really see the difference because of the height of the rocks. It is a park, with trails (geez, you can even get a little shuttle down to the bottom - it is a good hike) interpretation centre, gift shop - and crowds. I would recommend you take in the experience, but you will see exactly the same thing along the Glooscap trail - Advocate, Parrsboro, Five Islands, etc. without the hoopla or crowds Or even along the Valley -shore, especially Halls Harbour - where by the way you can enjoy a fresh cooked lobster and eat it on the wharf!
The reason Hopewell Rocks is more impressive, you can really see the difference because of the height of the rocks. It is a park, with trails (geez, you can even get a little shuttle down to the bottom - it is a good hike) interpretation centre, gift shop - and crowds. I would recommend you take in the experience, but you will see exactly the same thing along the Glooscap trail - Advocate, Parrsboro, Five Islands, etc. without the hoopla or crowds Or even along the Valley -shore, especially Halls Harbour - where by the way you can enjoy a fresh cooked lobster and eat it on the wharf!
May 8th, 2010, 05:23 AM
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OceanBreeze1 -- I also thought we were traveling during the off-season, but I am finding ALL the hotels are charging full season prices and many places are already completely booked. We're just hoping that the crowds aren't as big as during late July and August.
Tanya -- thanks for the suggestion. Ever since he saw those pictures of the rocks he really wants to go there. So, we'll tour Fundy from both coasts. But Halls Harbour sounds nice, so perhaps we'll overnight there instead of Digby (I'll have to check my map and make sure it's not too far out of the way).
Tanya -- thanks for the suggestion. Ever since he saw those pictures of the rocks he really wants to go there. So, we'll tour Fundy from both coasts. But Halls Harbour sounds nice, so perhaps we'll overnight there instead of Digby (I'll have to check my map and make sure it's not too far out of the way).
May 9th, 2010, 02:13 AM
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You can overnight in Wolfville, Halls Harbour is just a short drive from there. In Wolfville, I always enjoy the Blomidon Inn. An old inn with lots of charm. They offer a continental breakfast with your stay or you can opt for their dining package. The food is alway excellent and the staff helpful and friendly. If you are in that area on a Saturday, they have an excellent outdoor Farmer's market - lots of food, music to enjoy and the place is typically packed. Not too far from the area is the Woodlawn Zoo - good way to entertain a child no matter what age Also you have historic Grand Pre, worth a visit. Quite a few wineries, etc.
Also you have historic Grand Pre, worth a visit. Quite a few wineries, etc.
May 9th, 2010, 02:23 AM
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Sorry, I should have included this in my earlier post. Some interesting spots in the Wolfville area fyi. It really is one of my favorite places to visit. You will find the weather much warmer than any other place in NS. Check out the pics of the tids on the Halls Harbour sites - the boats literally sit on the ocean floor during low tide. And sorry, not Woodlawn Zoo but Oaklawn Farm. (forgot the name)
http://www.oaklawnfarmzoo.ca/
http://www.thehighesttides.com/
http://www.blomidon.ns.ca/
http://www.tempest.ca/
http://www.hallsharbour.org/index.html
http://www.tidesinhallsharbour.com/
http://www.cameronseafoods.ca/
http://www.oaklawnfarmzoo.ca/
http://www.thehighesttides.com/
http://www.blomidon.ns.ca/
http://www.tempest.ca/
http://www.hallsharbour.org/index.html
http://www.tidesinhallsharbour.com/
http://www.cameronseafoods.ca/
May 9th, 2010, 08:27 PM
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I like the husband's conviction about seeing the Hopewell Rocks... it really IS awesome! And he surely needs to see docked ships sitting at the bottom of the ocean floor (in other spots) to drive home the full impact of the awesome tides there.
I've written plenty on NS and the Fundy tides here at Fodors so if you click on my name and browse back through the thread titles you should find plenty of info.
Here's a tip:
PRINT OUT the tide schedules for the ENTIRE window of your time in the area, for maybe 3 or 4 different spots on the Bay of Fundy, and then keep that printout in the car during your time there.
Click on Hopewell Cape and a couple of others at this link:
http://www.lau.chs-shc.gc.ca/cgi-bin...gion=5&zone=30
I've written plenty on NS and the Fundy tides here at Fodors so if you click on my name and browse back through the thread titles you should find plenty of info.
Here's a tip:
PRINT OUT the tide schedules for the ENTIRE window of your time in the area, for maybe 3 or 4 different spots on the Bay of Fundy, and then keep that printout in the car during your time there.
Click on Hopewell Cape and a couple of others at this link:
http://www.lau.chs-shc.gc.ca/cgi-bin...gion=5&zone=30
