I'm planning a trip to Cape Breton Island for my parents. They are young 62-year-olds and have not had a lot of travel experience. They enjoy arts, music, history, good food, and the great outdoors.

Proposed dates:
-Arrive Sydney Saturday October 16, Depart Sydney Friday October 16 (6 nights)

Must-See/Do List:
- Fortress of Louisbourg
- Miner's Museum
- Alexander Graham Bell Museum
- Cabot Trail (including Skyline Trail and whale watching)
- Celtic Colours International Festival events

Itinerary Ideas:
Saturday afternoon/early evening: arrive Sydney, drive to Baddeck, stay overnight

Sunday: AGB Museum in a.m., lesisurely drive to Cheticamp in p.m., stay overnight in Cheticamp

Monday: explore Cheticamp, hike Skyline Trail, stay another night in Cheticamp

Tuesday: whale watching in Pleasant Bay, leisurely drive through Cape Breton Highlands National Park to Ingonish, stay overnight in Ingonish

Wednesday: leisurely drive along rest of Cabot Trail towards Glace Bay to visit Miner's Museum, stay overnight in Sydney (alternatively, head straight to Sydney and do museum on Thursday)

Thursday: Fortress of Louisbourg (and Miner's Museum if not visited on Wednesday), stay another night in Sydney

Friday: depart Sydney in p.m.

As soon as the schedule of events for the Celtic Colours Festival is posted, I can work some of these events into this itinerary.

Questions:
- Am I missing any must-see/do items?
- Thoughts on my choices of overnight destinations? Are there better choices?
- Would one "base camp" be better along the Cabot Trail instead of staying in 3 different places? Or would that be too much back-tracking?
- Is there enough time in one day to take a leisurely drive from Ingonish to Glace Bay and see Miner's Museum? Or is it better to do Louisbourg and Miner's Museum together?
- General thoughts/comments/suggestions?

This is my first time joining a forum. I'll do anything to make this trip perfect for my parents!

Correction: Arrival is Saturday October 10th

Things to keep in mind:

1.Monday Oct 12 is Canadian Thanksgiving. Book accomodations early. Book your rental car well in advance to pick up @ the airport. I like Avis.
2. Check Fortress of Louisbourg for hours of operation after Thanksgiving. I think they may have limited access after Oct 15 so you shd be ok.
3. The first night I wld stay in Sydney. It's only about 15 minutes form the airport. The Delta(on The Esplanade in Sydney) is fine & has nice habour views. Ask for a harbour view room on a high floor...there aren't that many floors in that hotel but higher is better...facing west.Your parents cld have a relaxing seafood dinner there overlooking the harbour & if lucky, catch a sunset.Go for a stroll along the boardwalk & maybe catch some Celtic Colours events (I don't have the CC calender here for 2009).From the airport, your parents just turn left & drive straight for about 15 minutes until they come to The Delta! Easy.
4. Next morning, from Sydney I wld head for the Cabot Trail after breakfast. This is counterclockwise to what you are proposing. I wld stay in Ingonish for 2 nights @ Keltic Lodge. Reserve early. Ask for a room in The Main Lodge(not the Inn). Thanksgiving dinner on Oct12 @ Keltic Lodge will be great.
5. Continue on the next day( Oct 13) around the Cabot Trail. Catch some Celtic Colors events.
6. Stay in Baddeck one night. Maybe 2.
7. Go to Fortress of Louisbourg from Baddeck. Stay in Sydney the last night, Thursday Oct 15.
8. Visit Miner's Museum(check hours of operation for October) on the morning your parents fly out of Sydney as it is close to the airport.
9. Get your Nova Scotia "Doers & Dreamers Travel Guide" from the NS Dept of Tourism www.novascotia.com

Thanks OceanBreeze1,

I have checked the hours of operation for both Louisbourg and Miner's Museum, and the itinerary will work for both of these.

So, you don't think a stay along the Cabot Trail from Ingonish to Baddeck is necessary? (Cheticamp?)

If they stay in Ingonish for 2 nights, they could do the whale watching there instead of Pleasant Bay. Is that recommended?

I thought about doing the Miner's Museum on Friday morning, but was worried they'd be rushed, having to get to the airport in the afternoon. How long will they need at the museum?

I have already ordered the Doers & Dreamers Travel Guide and am anxiously awaiting it's arrival!

Thanks again for your insight.

If your parents stay in Baddeck for 2 nights (Oct 13 & 14), they cld go to Loiusbourg from Baddeck on Wed Oct 14. Then return to Baddeck that night. I like The Inverary Inn on the water in Baddeck. Your parents can also book a sailboat tour of The Bras D'or Lakes in Baddeck....beautiful!Then when they leave Baddeck on Thursday, Oct 15 they cld go back to The Delta & check in for the night of Oct 15. From The Delta they cld head over to The Miner's Museum. That may be better & less rushed than doing it on Friday, Oct 16 their departure day. If they do that, they could also go to Dominion Beach & have a beautiful walk along the boardwalk & the beach. Let me know if you are interested in that & I will tell you how to get there.