Woody

My wife and I are planning a trip from 10/05/02 through 10/19/02. Nova Scotia is our main focus but would also like to see some of Newfoundland and New Brunswick if possible. All that I have read sounds great but I know I can't see everything. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks

Melissa

Hi Woody,<BR><BR>You will have to make a choice between the Maritimes and Newfoundland. You can't really do both. Newfoundland is a 8hour ferry ride (I think) from Sydney NS, then to see anything else, it will be a lot of driving. It could be a two week trip in itself.<BR><BR>New Brunswick however, you could do with Nova Scotia in two weeks.

Susan

Woody, you don't say where you're coming from, but visiting Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland sounds ambitious. We're also going to that part of the country (in September), and we're driving from Toronto. We're basically just visiting New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I'm usually allowing ourselves a couple of nights in each place - I realize that many places are quite close to one another, but we don't want to arrive back in Toronto more tired than when we left. We aren't even going to PEI and Cape Breton, 2 destinations I've been told I must see! <BR><BR>I had a lot of trouble scaling back our itinerary - everything sounded wonderful, I agree, but I also think that there may be those afternoons where we feel like sitting on a porch and reading a book - in other words, we don't always want to be on the move. Besides, if we really like it, we can go back! Weather might also be a consideration in October - not sure what it would be like in Newfoundland. <BR><BR>I probably haven't been much help - these are just the thoughts that I came up with when I was planning our trip.

Molly

Hi Woody,<BR>You would need to allot time for the ferry to Newfoundland from N. Sydney, Nova Scotia. There are two, one about 51/2 hours, the other closer to 14 hours I think, depending on the end of the island you arrive/depart on. {You can drive to Nova Scotia via New Brunswick, take the plane, or catch a ferry from Portland or Bar Harbor, Me.}And Newfoundland is HUGE. I agree with the above posts that you would prob. be happier concentrating on these two provinces. you'll prob. wish that you had even more time there! Have a great trip!

Woody

Hi Melissa and Susan<BR>Thanks for your replies and I agree that Newfoundland would be to much this time. We are coming from Wilmington NC flying into Manchester NH then driving to Bar Harbour ME. We will take the ferry to Nova Scotia. Thanks again for the info and anything you might think of and have time to reply would be appreciated. I do want to see Cape Breton and PEI for sure.<BR>

Woody

Hi Molly<BR>I didnt leave you out on purpose in my reply but your post came while I was writing my reply. Looks like everyone is in agreement that I'm a little ambitious in wanting to go to Newfoundland this time. I really like Newfie music but maybe I can find it without going there.<BR>Thanks for your help,<BR>Woody

Melissa

Woody,<BR><BR>A good plan of action, I think, is to drive to Maine, take the ferry to Yarmouth, explore while driving to Halifax. From Halfax drive to Cape Breton. Spend a day or two there, a must see is Cabot trail, and Fort Louisburg. Drive back to main land NS, and take the woodland ferry to PEI. Drive around the Province for a few days, (very small) then take the Confederation Bridge to NB. From here visit Moncton, Fundy National Park, Hopewell Rocks, and drive along the Fundy coast. from here either take a turn to Fredericton, which is the capital of our province, then drive up the River Valley and cross back to Maine through Houlton, or continue on the fundy drive to St. Stephan and cross into Calais Maine. If you take that route be sure to visit St. Andrews. If you go to Fredericton you can hear east coast music at Dolans Pub on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Thursday is no admission and Weekend is $5.00 and you hear a live band on all three nights. Halifax will have a ton of pubs to hear east coast music.<BR><BR>This will be busy, but you could do it in 2 weeks.

Molly

Woody,<BR>No offense taken - the same thing's happened to me! {:<BR>Re music: In Margaree Valley, Cape Breton, the Normaway Inn advertises "film, fiddle or folk music every night". I haven't stayed here, so can't comment, but have heard excellent things about both their lodge and restaurant. Nearby, a Mr. Burns runs wonderful am and pm boat trips out of Margaree Harbor. My husband and I have been twice. The first time we saw LOTS of whales and seals. The second trip no whales, but we fished and fed eagles. The guy is a great host, and keeps everybody well-entertained with his narration about scenery and history. The am trip was much more relaxed; not as many people.

Steve

Word to the wise, the long ferry to NF (14 hrs from N. Sydney) that puts you about a 2 hour drive from St. John's

Steve

woops got cut off....<BR><BR>Word to the wise, the long ferry service to NF (14 hrs from N. Sydney) that puts you about a 2 hour drive from St. John's (which costs $270 for a car and two people one way) closes on September 30. If you want to take the ferry to NF at this time of year you will have to take the Gulf Service (5-6 hours) to Port-aux-Basques (a 10-12 hour drive from St. John's) at a cost of $120 for a car and two people one way.<BR><BR>These prices do not include sleeping accomodations. With this type of schedule you will be very hard pressed to see much of NF and at a high cost. <BR><BR>As was mentioned you will have to choose between the Maritimes and NF. You should also try to check out PEI, it doesnt take that long, a couple days.