After much debate I have decided to do a giant loop around the Maritime Provinces and need help/input since my knowledge of the region is little to nothing.

Here is my tentative routing but could easily do it in reverse order if suggested.

* Arrive in Halifax at 230pm, pick up car and head to Lunenberg or Mahone Bay for the night.
* Next day drive around sw tip of NS stopping along the way with overnight in Digby or Annapolis royal.
* Ferry across to NB, drive along Fundy Coast and overnight in Moncton
* Drive over bridge to PEI and stay 3 nights there.
* Take ferry across back over to NS and drive up to Cheticamp to stay for 4 nights.
* Drive back to Halifax - overnight before leaving next day.

One concern - do you only "Pay" when leaving PEI? Do I have to pay $35 to cross PEI bridge and then another $55 to ferry across to Nova Scotia?

Please let me know if I should add/delete anything.

You ONLY "pay" when leaving PEI, on the big bridge. I don't know about the ferries.

And I can say that I don't mind your instinctive itinerary at all.

Just be sure that you plan any day trips from Cheticamp to, say, Sydney area to not be additionally problematic for your staying on the west side of the Cabot Trail vs. the more central east side.

If you wake up on the first day, go to Sydney, and find you want to spend every daylight hour in that area, then Cheticamp is a bit of a remote haul.

But if merely seeking relaxation from your vacation, then Cheticamp should fit the bill.

Again, your plan sounds great!

Thanks again. I reluctantly have to admit, b/c I know some may chase me off this board for saying this, I have no plans to go to Sydney or the Fort. I've done the whole St. Augustine thing and quite frankly don't want to burn a day there when I am consumed with natural beauty.

Is 4 nights in Cheticamp too much? Should I add an extra day from Cheticamp to PEI or the Lighthouse coast?

Unless you want to just relax in Cheticamp, I think four nights are too much. Have you considered two nights in Cheticamp and two nights in Baddeck? Hopefully you will drive the Cabot Trail while there. Otherwise I concur with your itinerary.

ok, that's why I am here - to get advice and input from those who know.

The only reason I was thinking 4 nights was to really explore Cape Breton - a place I have long dreamed of visiting. However, maybe 2 nights in Cheticamp and one in Baddeck? I'm not sure what Baddeck would have to offer other than a stopping point at the end of a long day driving around Cape Breton from Cheticamp? I know it is a central location but the Fort and Sydney are not really in our travel plans.

So what do you think? Two nights in Cheticamp and 1 in Baddeck? Where should I add the extra night? Lighthouse coast? PEI? Fundy?

Where do you spend the extra night? That's a tough question. Looking at your itinerary, you might want to add the extra night on the South Shore on Lighthouse Trail. You arrive in Halifax at 230 PM. By the time you pick up your car, and make a stop in Peggy's Cove and Chester (recommended), it will be dinner time in Lunenburg or Mahone Bay. Not too much time for exploring this charming area before you drive along the s/w tip the next day. If you stay the extra night in Baddeck you will probably find areas to explore without having to go to Sydney or the Fort.

Hi, only my own opinion of course but I would drop Moncton entirely, up P.E.I. and 1-2 nights maximum for Cheticamp. Stay a few nights in Halifax, it's a great little city.

There is no fee going to the Island whether by ferry or bridge - you pay upon leaving approx. $40 I believe.

Try to book ahead for accommodations, places fill up fast once summer hits though often 'shoulder season' discount rates are in effect until the end of June.

Thanks - I originally planned on 3 nights in Cheticamp b/c Cape Breton is the primary place I want to see. I also read somewhere - i think NWmale - that b/c of fog you should play it safe and stay a couple nights and go to the Fort in Sydney if the fog rolls in.

I will trim the number of nights in Cheticamp and probably cut out Moncton - where should I stay then to see the Tidal Bore?

Hi, fog can be a problem on the Cabot Trail if it's the thick, bad weather variety but on nicer days the fog will 'burn off' and most of the day is clearer, some light fog is actually very beautiful on the coast.

This site has many suggestions for the Tidal Bore - for both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
http://www.bayoffundytourism.com/packages/

thank you so much - grateful for all the wonderful advice here.