Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Canada
Reload this Page >

Nova Scotia Honeymoon 8 days - Tangier, South from Halifax or NB?

Nova Scotia Honeymoon 8 days - Tangier, South from Halifax or NB?

Old May 29th, 2013, 05:48 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nova Scotia Honeymoon 8 days - Tangier, South from Halifax or NB?

Hello,

My husband and I (30’s) will be heading to Nova Scotia for our honeymoon. First thing to say is that we know we cannot fit everything we would like into our 8 day trip, that is why we are reaching out to experienced fellows for help. We will arrive in Halifax Saturday June 29th about 2:00 pm and depart same airport Sunday July 7th at 7:00am. We will be renting a car at the airport. We love being outdoors and will try to include as much hiking, kayaking & canoeing as we can. We also love nature and usually go backcountry camping. While it will be nearly impossible due to the season, we would like to avoid crowds when possible although that would not be our main priority.

We have decided on ½ day for Halifax (& Peggy Cove), probably Saturday July 6th afternoon and we want to spend probably 3 days and 4 night in Cape Breton Island, specially the National Park. Here we want to do whale watching tours. Probably 2, one that guarantees sightseeing and another one that gets you closer to the water. We might camp at the park but are looking for accommodation suggestions within the park as well as in the 2 points of entrance to the park.

That being said, we think we can incorporate just one more place (or nearby group of places) to visit. At first we were thinking about Prince Edward Island, but after doing some reading looks like it’s a beautiful place mainly surrounded by beaches and golf courses, and of course beautiful towns. If this is the case, we would rather avoid it as we are looking for more “activities” in the wild and while we love beaches, we think we get enough of that elsewhere. Secondly we looked at Tangier as it appear to be the perfect place for kayaking. But we did not see Tangier mentioned in many places and we are wondering if it is really as spectacular as we imagine it (kayaking just the two of us alone through deserted small islands). The third option was to head south from Halifax (either at the beginning or end of the trip) and hit Lunenburg, Kijimkujic National Park, Digby and Maitland for some rafting. Lastly we heard great things about Bay of Fundy and the idea of crossing to New Brunswick sounded appealing but not sure if it is worth it as we would only be able to stay there one night.

We would love any advice on what is a must. It looks like there is too much to do and so little time. We would not mind long drives, but do not want to be driving every single day.

Thanks in advance for any help!
pwindsor is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2013, 12:35 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I love your plans so far. If hiking and kayaking interest you I would try the Lunenburg, Keji (Kijimikujic) Digby and Maitland option. I do love PEI but maybe save it for your next trip.
You may also want to include Chester, Mahone Bay and the Annapolis Valley while passing by.
irecommend is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2013, 04:44 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you for the input! Digby neck is very tempting but so far from our main priority: Cape Breton. We were thinking about including Cape Chignecto instead to do some kayaking and hiking. Do you know if it's a spectacular as it sounds? Thanks!
pwindsor is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2013, 05:56 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
With only a week, I would say two destinations is it. July 1st is a holiday - won't be much open, but lots of celebrations going on.

June 29th - arrive - stay in Halifax
June 30th - daytrip to Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, Oven's Park
July 1st - I would say stay in Halifax and enjoy the celebrations - fireworks, etc. but also a good day to travel
July 2nd - Head to Cape Breton - about 4 hours from Halifax
July 3rd - Cabot Trail
July 4th - Cabot Trail - spend night in Baddeck
July 5th - depart Cape Breton - take the Eastern Shore route back towards airport. Sherbrooke Village - stay the night at Liscomb Lodge.
July 6th - Depart Liscomb and if a nice day, spend at Clam Harbour Beach. Stay at airport hotel - you can drop off your rental car that night and take a hotel shuttle back to a hotel. The Quality Inn is old, but has a good on-site restaurant. The Hilton is new with an on-site restaurant as well.
July 7th - depart
Tanyalynn is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2013, 04:48 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would not take the Eastern Shore route back. It is one of the longest and least interesting drives in Nova Scotia. Thee are a few interesting things along the way but they do not justify the extra long ( and quite boring) drive.
irecommend is offline  
Old Jun 5th, 2013, 03:33 PM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
thank you so much for the great advise! I think we have come to a conclusion, it is tight but this is how we think we can make it work.
June 29th - Arrive Halifax 2pm. Drive to Cheticamp arrive late at night. Overnight at Margaree Riverview Inn (not the nicest but we will only sleep here)
June 30th - Set up the tent at Cape Breton National Park CORNEY BROOK camping (is this the nicest of all the campgrounds?). Then hike the SKYLINE Trail. Maybe whale watching same day?
July 1st - Backcountry at FISHING COVE.
July 2nd - Drive to Meat Cove. Overnight there or nearby some nice cabin...suggestions?
July 3rd - Meat Cove to Cape Chignecto. Overnight in Advocate harbour I think
July 4th - Kayaking tour at Cape Chignecto. Overnight advocate Harbour or camping on the park
July 5th - Joggings fossils. Cape Chignecto to Halifax long route stopping at Maitland. Overnight Halifax
July 6th - Peggy Cove and Lunenburg day trip. Back to Halifax.
July 7th - Depart.

A lot of driving and we will be tired but we would have included two main attarcations! Any suggestions on the best place for whale watching in Cape Breton? Overnight at Advocate Harbour?
Thanks!
pwindsor is offline  
Old Jun 11th, 2013, 02:04 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Meat Cove to Cape Chignecto and overnight in Advocate? Long drive my friend. You should allow yourself time to finish the trail and enjoy Baddeck for a night.

Advocate - not much there. Parrsboro is the closest Centre with restaurants, etc. Cape d'or lighthouse has accommodations if you are interested. Or there is a lovely beachside camping ground - cant remember the name but I am sure NS Tourism can help you out. Privately owned.
Tanyalynn is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
my4girls
Canada
2
Apr 30th, 2018 06:06 PM
Rumseydog
Canada
1
Jul 17th, 2016 09:30 AM
vjulka
Canada
9
Apr 4th, 2013 09:46 PM
kenman
Canada
5
May 20th, 2010 06:50 AM
rootcher
Canada
12
Jul 8th, 2006 08:46 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -