We will be travelling to Nova Scotia for the first time this September for our 3 year anniversary and could really use some help. We will be there for 5 full days but do not think that we will have time to see Cape Breton without spending all of our time in the car. We definitely are most interested in the South Shore. Here are my questions.
Should we stay only in Halifax as a base for exploring the South Shore area or is it necessary to stay elsewhere as well? If so where else would you recommend?
What would be a romantic restaurant in Halifax or along the South Shore for our Anniversary dinner?
How long do you think that it will take to see the South Shore and Halifax?
Where else would you recommend visiting as a day trip if Halifax and South Shore are not enough to take up 5 days?
Thanks so much!!!

i don't think you'd get bored staying 5 days in halifax. you can easily spend two days touring the town. one day drive down to peggy's cove (or take a boat trip over) and lunenberg. another day you could head up north to view the fundy tides then go to new glassgow area.

If you're looking for a romantic village with lots of B&B's, etc. then you have to spend at least one night in Mahone Bay. It's a great little village about an hour South-West of Halifax.

Halifax and the South Shore are definitely enough to take up 5 days. I'm not sure if you prefer the city or the country, but I would recommend a couple of nights in Halifax and then the rest on the South Shore exploring.

Thanks so much for the feedback. Is Mahone Bay close to Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg? Also, would we be better off going to see the Fundy Tides when staying in Halifax or in Mahone Bay? Any specific recommendations for bed and breakfasts in Mahone Bay? THANKS!!!

Yes, Mahone Bay is only about 1/2 hour past Peggy's Cove.

To see the Fundy Tides, you'll have to do a bit of a road trip. Halifax, Peggy's Cove, Mahone Bay are all right on the Atlantic Ocean. The Bay of Fundy is north in between NB and NS. I'm not sure where the best place to see the tides in NS is (as I'm from NB). There are a few other posts about seeing the fundy tides in NS though if you do a search.

As for B&B's in Mahone Bay, I can't be much help either. I've actually never been (but am planning to go this summer when I'm in Halifax). I've just heard absolutely wonderful things about it (through family and friends who've been there) and seen absolutely fabulous photos.

Good luck with your planning!