Mini-moon in Quebec or Nova Scotia?
 

My fiance and I will be taking a 2 week honeymoon next year but will do a Thursday to Sunday trip after our wedding - a mini-moon. We're thinking about Quebec or Nova Scotia. Would you recommend one over the other? And assuming we don't have a car, do you have suggested itineraries for either or both? Thank you!

Both are big provinces with much to see, in my opinion equally good locations for a "mini-moon": Quebec captivates many North Americans with its francophone charms and Nova Scotia has that Maritime friendliness, good seafood and oceanfront charms.

However, without a car, Quebec would be my first choice as there are more public transit options operating more frequently within the cities (with 4 days I'd stick to either Quebec City or Montreal) and between cities/towns. In Nova Scotia, Halifax has decent city bus service but outside the capital region, options start becoming limited without your own vehicle. If you pick the latter, I'd base myself in Halifax, possibly taking an organized tour to Peggy's Cove/Lunenburg.

I am in NS after visiting Quebec City and Montreal. Unless you are willing to stay in Halifax or sign up for a tour, you are practically stranded in this area without a car.

I did not bother with a car in Quebec City or in Montreal. I either walked or used city bus (electric one that scurries around town every 10min for $1/ride in Quebec city and metros in Montreal.

If you are a foodie, I found more exciting places in Quebec City and Montreal.

If not for the "car" issues, Nova Scotia would be a hands-down winner not only for its beauty but also because it is more remote and out-of-the-way, which maintains that "unique" element as a place that would be so significant to you as you look back.

Can you possibly make arrangements (and afford) to rent a car for at least a day or two in NS???


IF the answer is "no" to the car question, then not even I will try to entice you to opt for Nova Scotia/Halifax.

Montreal is pretty flat, and you can do lots of walking to supplement the public transportation there. You'll never run out of things to do in 4 days, and it is a big enough place to keep you intrigued the whole time.

Quebec City is smaller, and more unique, and you could probably get around just fine using local transportation.

You don't make it clear just what time of the year you'll be going on this trip, so the wintery elements of any of your alternatives could prove to limit your getting around.

Congratulations at any rate!

Thank you! We've decided to do a week in Nova Scotia with car, including a road trip to spend a couple of days/nights on Prince Edward Island. Now for the planning. Suggestions welcome!

(briefly: combine the path from Halifax to the Confederation Bridge with a detour to Hopewell Cape to see that (ideally at low tide)...)

Also, print out tide tables for a few spots in the Bay of Fundy for the entire window of your trip.

Beyond that, click on my name and scan the posts for various Nova Scotia threads.

Hi sbrasny

I disagree that NS is the hands-down winner over la Belle Province for a mini-moon (parts of Quebec feel equally as "remote" to me as Nova Scotia). I'd call it a tie, with certain things that tip in each province's favour depending on one's interests. All of which to say, I think a combo of Nova Scotia and PEI makes for an absolutely *delightful* mini-moon.

Northwest Male's plan sounds good. However, you may decide after reading a number of posts here that Cape Breton & the Cabot Trail sound too lovely to miss. Halifax, nearby South Shore, Cape Breton/Cabot Trail, PEI and Hopewell Cape all in a week perhaps is "do-able" but maybe a bit more on-the-go and unrelaxing than one wants on a mini-moon.

If you do decide on PEI, the capital Charlottetown is lovely. I stayed at the Duchess of Kent B&B there... very charming in a home built in 1875 with period decor. Not for those who like sleek, modern hotels, but perhaps right up your tree if late 1800s charm appeals. Water-Prince Corner Shop in Charlottetown is unpretentious, but has terrific seafood.

Halifax is an enjoyable city. I'd want a few (at least two) days there to explore the Citadel, Point Pleasant Park, the Public Gardens, and the waterfront area. Not to mention have some good seafood and enjoy some evening entertainment.

Here's hoping you have a great mini-moon! Daniel

"""Northwest Male's plan sounds good"""


What? I have not even listed a "plan" on this thread.


I only wrote very briefly in response to their stated intention of going to PEI. (and even if you ferry over there, or back, from the mainland, you're likely to go over the bridge in the other direction)

NWM, I interpreted the below sentence as your sketched-out "plan" with Halifax to Hopewell Cape/Bay of Fundy to Confed Bridge/PEI as the weeklong trip. Presumably spending some time in each, I thought this "brief sketch" was a reasonable relaxing 3-pronged plan of attack for their trip. :)

"briefly: combine the path from Halifax to the Confederation Bridge with a detour to Hopewell Cape to see that (ideally at low tide)..."

That was in response to "Now for the planning. Suggestions welcome"


It would undoubtedly go under the heading of "suggestion".


A "plan" would have been a lengthy layout entailing something beyond just making sure you side-track down to Hopewell Cape because you are most likely to go over the Confederation Bridge, which would have you in the area. (along with printing out the tide tables - which IS a really handy thing to do before tooling around NS)

(laughing) Oh, and the point where I felt bad was at the implication that I had laid out a plan for a (week long) trip to NS without including the Cabot Trail.

Hi, Just jumping in here to say if you only 5-6 days I wouldn't try to do NS and PEI and relax. These are two wonderful destinations and to be really enjoyed you need to immerse yourself. If you pick NS you should allow a good 3 days to totally indulge the Cabot trail and there is lots to see on the south shore etc. Hard to enjoy the friendliness and relaxed atmosphere of the maritimes if you are in a rush. Plus in either NS or PEI there is a good chance you will have at least one day lost to poor travelling weather. PEI is home for me and it drives me crazy when people drive on the bridge thru Charlotetown and come off on the ferry and think they have seen the island. There is a tonne of stuff just to see there and if you decide you want to spend more time there I can offer some suggestions. Mac

What time of year is this trip?
I agree with the last post that NS plus PEI is probably too much.

You are all so wonderful to help! We will be there from 10/12 to 10/17 with our last two nights at the Prince George hotel in Halifax. Other than that we seem to be focusing on Peggy's Cove & the Cabot Trail. Would love restaurant suggestions any and everywhere.

Thank you!