We've just decided to take a driving trip through the Maritimes from August 24-September 04 (10 touring days). We enjoy abit of everything - scenic drives, wildlife, art galleries, music, unique shopping, good food, etc. We don't want to be too rushed and hopefully can find time for some relaxation as well. Here's a first run-through at an itinerary - I haven't fully researched what do do in each place yet. I'd love some feedback or thoughts.
Day 1 - Wed, Aug. 24 - Arrive Halifax by air 8:00 pm - overnight Halifax
Day 2 - Thur, Aug. 25 - Explore Halifax highlights - overnight Halifax
Day 3 - Fri, Aug. 26 - Day trip to Peggy's Cove, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg - overnight Halifax
Day 4 - Sat, Aug. 27 - 1/2 day Halifax - drive to Hopewell Rocks (3 hour drive -leave by 3:00 pm arriving 6:00 pm - low tides 14:44-20:44) overnight where??
Day 5 - Sun, Aug. 28 - Return to Hopewell Rocks for high tide at 11:58; enjoy area and then leave for PEI via confederation bridge - overnight Charlottetown
Day 6 - Mon, Aug. 29 - Sightsee Charlottetown - overnight Charlottetown
Day 7 - Tues, Aug. 30 - Daytrip around PEI - suggestions? - overnight Charlottetown
Day 8 - Wed, Aug. 31 - Drive to Wood Island Ferry - Ferry to Caribou - drive to Cape Breton - overnight Baddeck (?)
Day 9 - Thur, Sept. 01 - Cabot Trail - overnight Baddeck (?)
Day 10 - Friday, Sept. 02 - Louisburg - overnight Baddeck (?)
Day 11 - Sat, Sept. 03 - drive to Halifax - overnight Halifax(?)
Day 12 - Sun, Sept. 04 - depart 8:45 am

Summary:
3 nights Halifax
1 night Hopewell Rocks area
3 nights Charlottetown
3 nights Cape Breton
1 night Halifax

Questions:
1) Does basing ourselves in a few places with daytrips work or would we be better to stay at places as we go?
2) I've noticed that there are two cruise ships in port (5000 passengers) the day we're in Halifax - are the attractions noticeably crowded? If so, any thoughts on how to minimize lines, etc.
3) Are we missing any major areas? I wondered about Annapolis/Wolfville?
4) Do you need a reservation for the ferry from PEI?
5) In Cape Breton, am unsure about only staying in Baddeck. We may want to take in some whalewatching and the skyline trail - are these easily daytripped? I also wouldn't mind staying at Keltic Lodge but it seems less convenient.

Any thoughts?

I think you have done a beautiful job of planning this trip.
If youre unsure about the third night in Baddeck you could try somewhere like the Dundee Resort.

Agree w/ irec that you have done a beautiful job. You have developed a very interesting & "do-able" itinerary.

The only major change that I would make is to spend more time on The Cabot Trail. Stay in Baddeck the night of Aug 31. We like The Inverary Inn. Early next morning begin your tour of The Cabot Trail in a counter-clockwise direction.
Stay in Ingonish that night(Sept 1) @ Keltic Lodge. Stay in the Main Lodge. Not The Inn. Have a wonderful dinner in The Keltic Lodge Main Dining Room that night. Keltic Lodge is set on a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Beautiful views from the dining room! Ask for a "window seat". Next morning, after breakfast in the same dining room, hike Middlehead from KL. Go to the beach. Hike other area trails. Make sure you stop by The Clyburn River for a picnic. Ask for directions.
Then continue along the Cabot Trail sometime on Sept 2 toward Cheticamp. Stay in Baddeck that night (Sept 2). On Sept 3, drive back to Halifax.

Of course, this means skipping Louisbourg. However, if you must see Louisbourg, then go to Louisbourg early on the morning of Sept 3. It's about 1.5 hours from Baddeck to Louisbourg. After Louisbourg, drive to Halifax (about 5.5 hours). That's a lot more driving than I would ever want to do in a day but you may be different.
I do not think that Louisbourg is worth an entire day.

I love Cape Breton and especially the Ingonish area...so I am declaring my bias right up front! Louisbourg...it's always foggy and cold!

Ocean

Thanks for the replies. Ocean - I like your idea of Keltic lodge on the middle night (Sept 01) but unfortunately it is fully booked that night. I can get a room on August 31 or Sept 02 so that would mean either a really long day from PEI or a really long day back to Halifax?! I'm indifferent to Louisburg - I just had it as an option because so many people seemed to recommend it. Do you have any other suggestions?

Low Tide, per the tide table, is at 5:44 pm local time on August 27.

Arriving at 6:00pm certainly makes sense, but given your planned route later, I think I would leave Halifax earlier and make the trek to Hopewell Cape via Hwy #2 and Parrsboro rather than just zoom down the main highway. The Bay of Fundy shore is peaceful and pleasant while hopefully worth the detour.

I too think you've done a very thoughtful and thorough job of planning your trip.

Don't forget to print out TIDE TABLES for various spots in the Bay of Fundy JUST in case they come in handy while you're driving along.

Maybe pick 3 spots including Hopewell Cape to print out, for the entire window of your time in the area.

http://www.lau.chs-shc.gc.ca/cgi-bin...gion=5&zone=30


Also, maybe you'll stay at/near Moncton overnight when awaiting the high-tide visit to Hopewell Cape.

The Tidal Bore schedule at Moncton for August 27 says:

9:35 PM on August 27

10:00 am sharp on August 28.

IF needing to get back to visit Hopewell Cape near to noon, then 10:00am at Moncton is doable if interested.

This has happened to us wrt KL. I just keep calling. They get a cancellation & ...you're in!

NorthwestMale - thanks for the tide advice - I think we may leave earlier. We're still looking for a place to stay that night - would you stay at Moncton or just inbetween Moncton and Hopewell Cape? Do you have any specific recommendations?
Oceanbeeze1 - I'll keep trying for KL and hopefully there will be a cancellaton!

No, I don't have any specific spots to recommend. Even Moncton is more appealing than it was the first time I stayed there, right next to the cute little bleachers set-up beside the river, from where I watched the tidal bore @ 11:30pm illuminated by a full moon across the river.

The true highlight of this was, for being sooooooo far east, I could easily go inside and phone home to describe all that I'd seen. (LOL)

Cem, let me throw a wrench into the mix.

I find Hopewell Rocks to be crowded with tourists vying to get a pic of themselves at low tide. Having said that, there is an interpretation centre, gift shop, you can even get a lift to the beach/rocks. The same Bay of Fundy tides can be viewed from any area. The area around Hopewell Rocks is beautiful. Cape Enrage is a lighthouse perched high on the rocks and has an interpretation centre - great spot to vist. Fundy National park in Alma has some great views as well. If this is a must do, spend the night in Alma if you can get accommodations.

The other option - Instead of doing an extra night in Halifax, tour Peggy's Cove, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg and then drive to Wolfville for the night. (About an hour from Lunenburg). Hall's Harbour is a great spot to view the dramatic tides. The lobster boats will be tied up floating and when the tide goes out, they are literally sitting on the ocean's floor. You can also grab a fresh lobster dinner on the wharf at the lobster pound. In Wolfville, I love the Blomidon Inn and they have a great on-site restaurant. Grand Pre is another historic site that is worth spending a couple of hours at - or take a tour of the local wineries and sample some local wines! Depart, drive across the Rawdon Hills and then take Confederation Bridge to PEI. You will pay going off the Island. No reservations needed - but call ahead to make sure the boats are running on time. If one breaks down, it might put them behind schedule, but typically never a problem. You cannot make a reservation for a one-way trip.

Sorry to be so long winded. The other option is to depart Halifax and drive towards Parrsboro. You will see the same dramatic tides here and can also walk the ocean floor (at no cost to you!). No crowds, with the exception of the clam pickers! Past Parrsboro I would recommend taking a drive to Cape D'Or. If not foggy, the view is incredible. Nice B&B's in Parrsboro and a few good restaurants. From here, you can easily drive to Amherst and would only be a short drive from Confederation Bridge.

As for Louisbourg, it is one of my favorite spots. If you are guaranteed a sunny day, I would highly recommend going. The fortress is impressive, breathtaking actually. There are several small B&B's in the town and a couple of simple, but good restaurants.

Going into Cape Breton, if doing the trail counterclockwise, take the direct route (Trans Cda Hwy) to Baddeck when you enter the Island through the Canso Causeway. On your way back, if you do decide to do Louisbourg, take the 4 West through Ben Eoin and visit Rita's Tearoom. Save room for Chubby's Bus in St. Peter's. Best burger I have had in years at only $3.10 which included cheese and bacon! The fish also looked fresh. Busy spot! St. Peter's is where boats enter the Bras d'or Lakes and there is a series of locks they come up.

This is a lovely spot to stay in Hopewell Cape. http://www.innisfreebandb.com/

Thanks Tanya and Karen - I will look into those possibilities -