haruko425

Hi there!

My boyfriend and I are going to Canada for 2 weeks in July. Our first week is in Prince Edwards Island. We are still planning our second week and trying to decide if we should go to Nova Scotia or Newfoundland?? Any suggestions or tips???

Thanks!
Haruko

Tanya

Where are you departing from? Assuming you are flying into Atlantic Canada or are you driving?

ventdest

Hi Haruko,

Only a week is not much for Newfoundland, it is so vast (unless you just want to see a specific area of the province, like St. John's, or Gros-Morne National Park). If I were you I would choose to spend the second week of my holiday on the mainland (Nova Scotia or New Brunswick). Cape Breton, in Nova Scotia, is a must-see - fabulous scenery. If you like history don't miss Louisbourg - there are many special events on the site this summer - http://www.louisbourg2008.com/events.asp

Have a pleasant stay in the Maritimes!

KarenE

Go to Newfundland (Gros Morne)and Nova Scotia (Cape Breton). Skip PEI.

LJ

As you are already planning on PEI, I would suggest you add Nova Scotia. NL (Newfoundland Labrador) would take way too much of your time-it really needs 2 weeks all on its own.It is a massive land mass.

I would head down from PEI to Halifax, spend a couple of days there as an interesting contrast and then do the Lighthouse Trail OR Cape Breton in Nova Scotia.

But if you really DO mean THIS July (i.e. next week) you'd better start booking your hotels RIGHT NOW!!!

BAK

Go to Newfoundland.

There's nowhere like it in the world.

If you only have a week, go to St. John's, and plan some trips out from there.

Nova Scotia is a pretty place, but Newfoundland so very different it is worth the flight.

BAK

ltt

both places need much more then a week to appreciate fully. if you are into hiking i would go to newfoundland - gros morne. but, unless you are flying, a fare amount of time is spent on the ferries.
i was in nova scotia for 2 1/2 weeks and could have used at least 5 more days.
if the option is there, cut down your time on pei to 5 days and use the other in nfld or ns.

haruko425

Thank you all for your responses! Yes it is a bit last minute but we are flying in from NYC to Halifax and driving to PEI. Then deciding from there. I am leaning towards Nova Scotia and I think he is leaning towards Newfoundland for our last week. More suggestions are always welcome!

Thanks

LJ

If, as I gather you are DRIVING, that means the ferry if you do elect to go to NL.

It MUST be booked in advance...here is the link, but do carefully study the times. You will eat up an entire day at either end of that precious week on the ferries.
www.marine-atlantic.ca/

I grew up in Newfoundland and am darn proud of it, but I still think you would be better off sticking with NS this trip and saving NL until you have 2-3 full weeks to devote to it. As BAK says there is nothing else like it and you should take the time to properly enjoy that experience another time.

Tanya

Definitely save Newfoundland for another trip - it is worthy of two weeks minimum.

Not sure what your schedule is in terms of heading directly to PEI when you arrive Halifax. Couple of options to see the province would be:

1. Arrive Halifax. Depart for PEI - take the Glooscap Trail from Truro to Parrsboro and cut across to Amherst. Then take Confederation Bridge to PEI. Along the Glooscap Trail you are able to experinece the extreme low tides, great clams, awesome scenery. Past Parrsboro is Advocate Harbour and Cape D'or. Spectactular scenery.

2. Arrive Halifax. Depart for PEI - take the Sunrise Trail from Truro to Amherst. Then take Confederation Bridge. The Sunrise Trail is a lovely drive with some very worthwhile spots to stop and visit. The above two options would be instead of driving the highway - not much to see other than trees and pavement.

3. Leaving PEI - you could do the reverse of the above - or take the ferry from Wood Islands to Caribou. Explore Pictou for a night. Great B&B's in Pictou. The next day, take the back road to Antigonish (exit at Sutherland's River) - some call it the mini cabot trail. Then spend 3 or 4 nights in Cape Breton. You may want to save one day for exploring Halifax.

Although this only gives you a glimpse of the northeastern part of NS, there is another whole end of NS worth exploring.