We are planning our honeymoon in NS and will be driving from Halifax on july 5th, heading to cape breton. I'm not sure if we should drive straight to baddeck and stay there for a couple of days, with day trips around the cabot trail, or if we should stay along the trail, which requires packing up each day. I was looking at spending a night in troy and biking the transcanada trail, then on to cheticamp with a stop in mabou and glennville. Then do the rest of the trail and stay inn baddefk. Any thoughts or recommendations on this plan? Thank you!

A stay in Baddeck can work as you can get around the trail in one day. It would also give you flexibility to plan according to the weather, with things to do in Baddeck if you are fog or rain bound. Also, you could drive around, or halfway around, the trail in both directions, both of which are spectacular. You'll have lots of daylight at the time of year so can avoid driving in the dark. Three days would be better than two.

Congratulations! For your honeymoon, stay at Keltic Lodge in Ingonish....the Main Lodge, not the Inn. Reserve asap. You can always cancel if you change your minds.
If you are serious cyclists, you can bike from Baddeck to Ingonish (we did it years ago).

Never heard of Troy!

Do you have your NS Doers & Dreamers travel guide and maps from NS Dept of Tourism?

OB1

Thank you, eliztravels! Any recommedations of places to stay in Baddeck?

Ocean Breeze - Thanks for the recommendation. The Keltic lodge is a little over our budget - any other recommendations?

We do have the Doers and Dreamers guide, it came about a week ago!

You want to stay where you'll see the ocean, looking a lake just doesn't cut it.

To cycle the trans canada trail along the coast is a neat idea. I know you can cycle from Mabou to Inverness but not sure about from Troy to Mabou . You could check with a few of the accommodation owners like Troy Cottages or Mabou Ceilidh Cottages , or call 1 800 565 0000 and ask them for leads . Now in the Margaree area there are many side roads that are great for cycling. SW margaree along the lake on 395, all of the loops in NOrth East margaree to Belle Cote area along the river. Anyway, get a cottage at Mabou or Margaree , then leap over to the Castle Rock in ingonish for the last 2 days then off the island ;far better than sitting in Baddeck . Besides the best music is in Mabou ,Margaree and Cheticamp.

Sorry, can't offer any suggestions re accommodation, as we camp in our wee 2-person Aliner. We went to Cape Breton the first year we owned it, pulling it with a 4-cylinder Mazda, Those steep hills were so very daunting we purchased a larger vehicle for subsequent trips.

My thoughts are... it's your honeymoon.

have a single 'base'... quite suitable for whimsical decisions to "stay in" all day... and/or FOGGY weather... and still afford yourselves the opportunity to get out and see the Cabot Trail given suitable weather.

I agree with the cabbottrail poster. I love Mabou, Inverness and Margaree areas. And The Castle Rock in Ingonish is a great place to stay as well.

We went to Nova Scotia on our honeymoon.(beginning of August) We had a place on the beach 1 night and were completely socked in with fog (all day)...until you drove 2 miles inland and it was clear. We camped in Cape Breton 5 years later, beautiful when we arrived and then the fog rolled in near dusk. It is all beutiful, congratulations and have a great wedding day and honeymoon!

deladeb,
That is why it is generally recommended that people visiting Cape Breton & planning on touring The Cabot Trail allow for "fog days". You may be lucky & not get any fog but if you do, you can't see anything. No point going around the Cabot Trail when the spectacular view is shrouded in fog. It's also dangerous.

LOL - I was gonna say what OceanBreeze said...

but since I've already repeated that so many times, I'll just laugh at how much fate sucks.

(notes carefully that deladeb's experience was at the "beginning of August")

That's the thing, NWM...unfortunatley, the fog can roll in anytime. I was grounded overnight at the Sydney airport last June. I remember once we had heavy fog on Christmas Day. Another time at Thanksgiving in October. Crazy, I know, but that comes with the coastal region. The best approach is be flexible and allow for "fog days". And, then, as with life in general, just hope that fate is kind to you.

OB1

The good news is that this is a honeymoon-----fog day = stay in the hotel room.

Agreed, irecommend... HOWEVER, the <b>haste demanded by <i>partial clearing</i> ON such a honeymoon</b> could serve to undermine marital relations (in a way which wouldn't bode well for the long term).

We stayed at McIntyre Cabins in Baddeck for 5 days when we were there and it was perfect. They were very clean and very affordable. Plus it had anything you would need in the kitchen if you wanted to make breakfast or whatever.

Keltic Quay in Whycomagh/Baddeck area Beautiful.