My wife and I are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Nova Scotia and St. John's in 2011, to include Cape Breton (I think we can skip PEI). We are in our mid-30's, like beer & pub grub, traditional Celtic music sessions (but we prefer to be in a pub and have a pint and listen rather than at a contra or square dance). We also like picturesque cities and villages on water (rivers, bay, coast or beaches), some hiking/outdoors, scenic drives, and nice but inexpensive lodging. I don't plan on renting a car for the days spent in Halifax or St. John's but would rent a car to explore the rest of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton.

Should I try and include PEI or is it OK to skip? I assume we'll get plenty of music, culture & pubs in Halifax and St. John's, and the scenery in Nova Scotia & Cape Breton easily equals or exceeds PEI, right?

A tentative itinerary is below. Does it look OK? Could any days be cut out? I'm wondering if I really need to overnight in either Wolfville or Lunenburg?

-Fly from home (Virginia, USA) to Halifax
-3 nights Halifax (music, pubs, culture, etc.)
-rent car
-1 night Mabou, Cape Breton (music, Red Shoe pub, distillery nearby)
-1 night Ingonish area, Cape Breton (beaches, along Cabot Trail)
-1 night Iona area, Cape Breton (river nearby & Cabot Trail)
-1 night Wolfville, Nova Scotia (wineries, college town, Bay of Fundy)
-1 night Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (picturesque small village)
-Return car
-Fly to St. John's Newfoundland - 3 or 4 nights in St. John's (music, pubs, culture, etc.)
-Fly from St. John's to home

thanks!

Hi

Your itinerary looks like fun to me, but I'll let the Cape Breton experts pipe in on how you've split up that neck of the woods, but you ask...

"Should I try and include PEI or is it OK to skip? I assume we'll get plenty of music, culture & pubs in Halifax and St. John's, and the scenery in Nova Scotia & Cape Breton easily equals or exceeds PEI, right?"

My answer: I think it is OK that you're focusing on other parts of the Atlantic Canada for this trip, so from that point of view, I'd say it's OK that you miss PEI for now. Cape Breton scenery equalling or exceeding PEI? While I've not been to Cape Breton, from what I've seen of Nova Scotia, I would refer to it more as an embarrassment of riches than as a competition. I can say that the parts of PEI I visited had vistas that looked QUITE different from the lovely parts of south shore Nova Scotia that I've seen.

Best wishes, Daniel

I agree with Daniel...PEI's scenery is nothing like Nova Scotia...It is about rolling hills and shades of green...equally beautiful but totally different...NS has more rugged scenery especially along the coastlines...PEI is all about calm relaxing beauty...alot more tranquil.

Looks great. I also think you should skip PEI this trip (unless you are adding days). I especially would not want to cut the amount of time you are spending elsewhere - which all seem just about right.

Another thought - you really don't need to keep switching hotels in the Cape Breton area. A full two days exploring Cape Breton Highlands National Park just to "touch" the main areas is required. We stayed put in Baddeck to explore the entire Cape Breton area (including Louisbourg - not to be missed). You might even consider dropping some "1 night" locations if they are two far to warrant going for just a look.

I wish we had spent more time in the park and had a chance to do a LOT more of the gorgeous hikes.

Here's our trip report for a very similar trip:
http://www.fodors.com/community/cana...aph-breaks.cfm

To add to jannieween, PEI also has that red soil, which gives the farmland, beaches, rocks, cliffs, etc... a completely different look from the mainland and apparently make the province an exceedingly good place to grow potatoes.

Actually, PEI is a wonderful contrast to the rest of your trip. I loved the serenity it offered after Cape Breton, Halifax, the rest. Two different kinds of beauty.

travel4now ... second that!! Like you said, PEI is a quite a contrast to the other Atlantic Provinces. Gently rolling landscapes, sand dune beaches, small, friendly cities and towns.
Not just good potatoes, but 'the' best blue mussels and oysters to be found anywhere!! Good lobster too!!
In Cape Breton -- don't miss Baddeck (historic stuff, and beauty), and for a taste of "peace, quiet, and beauty", do stop into the Margaree Valley!!
Happy travels!!

Unless you like moving to a new hotel, B&B or whatever every day, I also encourage you to stay at least two nights in one place in Cape Breton. As an example, it's easy to make a day trip between Cheticamp and Ingonish, Baddeck and Ingonish or Baddeck and Cheticamp.

You asked about whether you need to spend the night in Lunenburg. Probably not. Lunenberg is only one hour away from Halifax if you use the expressway.

You mentioned hiking. Once I post my trip report, I'll provide detailed information about hikes we took.