Colonial Towns and Coastal Fun: The Grand Tour of Nova Scotia

Make the most of your one day in Halifax by rising early and enjoying a hearty breakfast to fuel your morning. You’ll be provided with tickets for Pier 21, a fascinating and beautifully-curated museum that details the history and ongoing story of immigration to Canada. Pier 21 was the gateway to Canada for nearly a million people, who arrived on the shores of Nova Scotia between 1928 and 1971, in search of a better life. The hangar, which long served as the initial reception and orientation place for immigrants (mostly Europeans), is now a thoughtful and sensitive space where locals and visitors alike can reflect on and learn about Canada’s melting-pot identity.

It’s time to get some miles under your belt on this epic road trip through Nova Scotia. After breakfast this morning, hit the road northeast to your next destination: the charming lakeside town of Baddeck, a four-hour drive away, on the serene island of Cape Breton. Your home for the next two nights here is a beautiful cottage perched on the shores of Bras d'Or Lake, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the area’s slow-paced way of life.

On today’s agenda: a sea kayaking adventure on Murray River, the world’s third-longest navigable river (behind only the Amazon and the Nile). After a filling breakfast, you’ll be met by an experienced instructor-guide and led to St. Ann’s Bay area, where you’ll hop into a kayak and get straight out on the water. You’ll drift down the river, kayaking in rhythm with its natural movements, to an old lumberjack post that pays homage to the region’s historic era of logging.

Today you’ll be continuing up the coast of Cape Breton Island to Ingonish Beach, a charming coastal enclave an hour’s drive from Baddeck. On arrival, settle in for two nights at a historic property located on a scenic coastal barrier, separating Freshwater Lake from the Atlantic Ocean. The rest of today is then yours to spend at your leisure. We recommend heading out for a gentle walk along the beach and (temperatures permitting) taking a dip in the water, before heading back to enjoy the lovely facilities at your hotel.

Alongside its enchanting coastal scenery, Ingonish Beach also acts as a gateway to the beautiful Cape Breton Highlands National Park. For a first visit to the park, we recommend walking along the Middle Head Hiking Trail – a lovely route that offers spectacular views, without being too technically difficult. Wind along the island, admiring the emerald landscapes of the peninsula on one side and the crashing waves of the Atlantic on the other. Keep an eye out for both wildlife and marine life; seals are known to hang out here, while a variety of seabirds dominate the skies. Another good (and fairly gentle) hiking option is the Skyline Trail, which begins on Cabot Trail at French Mountain, and ends on the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Furnished terraces allow you to observe the whales, which roam the seas here between April and October.

Today you’ll be moving on to your next destination, by skirting right around the edge of the national park towards Chéticamp, a two-hour drive away. This beautiful fishing village is nestled on the western shores of the island and is renowned as one of the best places for whale watching in Nova Scotia. Your home for the next two nights is a picturesque country cottage, geared towards enjoying the wild natural environment that surrounds you.

The biggest attraction here in Chéticamp and along the wider Cabot Trail is whale watching. A whole host of majestic species can be found dancing in the waters of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, including humpback whales, fin whales, blue whales, right whales, minke whales and short-finned pilot whales. You can also spot myriad other marine life, such as harbour porpoises and white-sided dolphins. Head out on a small-group excursion along the picturesque coast of the island, in the company of a knowledgeable guide, to encounter these gentle giants from a respectful distance.

Today you’ll be bidding Cape Breton a warm farewell, and embarking on the journey back to the mainland of Nova Scotia. Your next stop is Pictou, a bustling seaside village adored for its scenic and cultural delights. On arrival, check in to a relaxed and cosy hotel for two nights, and spend the rest of the day settling into your new environment. We recommend getting a taste for local history with a visit to the Hector, a replica of the ship that transported the first Scottish settlers here in 1773.

Known as the ‘Birthplace of New Scotland’, Pictou is a great place to delve into Nova Scotia’s fascinating history. This charming little fishing village acted as the first port of call for Scots arriving in Canada, and this heritage can be seen in the various 19th century architectural relics. One of the best examples is the home of Presbyterian pastor, teacher and writer Thomas McCulloch, who came to Pictou in 1803 and raised his family in a quaint Scottish-style property. We also recommend making a stop at the Northumberland Fisheries Museum, where you’ll learn all about the region’s rich economic and cultural history as a major fishery. If you fancy exploring the region’s culinary heritage, we can instead arrange for you to spend the day preparing regional dishes with a local chef.

Your coastal road trip across Nova Scotia continues today with a two-and-a-half hour drive to Wolfville, a picturesque town nestled on the edge of the Minas Basin, located in the northeast of the Bay of Fundy. Your home for the night is an elegant property oozing with country charm and surrounded by nature. Spend the rest of the day soaking in the scenic delights of the Minas Basin, which is said to have the highest tides in the world, with tidal ranges reaching 50ft. We also recommend visiting Grand Pré, a National Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village is known for its rich Acadian culture and painful history of deportation during the Expulsion of the Acadians, when the British forcibly removed the inhabitants of Acadia – the descendants of French settlers. On a lighter note, the village is now a renowned producer of wine and cider, so make sure to stop at one of the many delightful bars in town for a refreshing beverage.

Today you’ll be hugging the coast all the way to Argyle, a scenic village perched near the beautiful Lobster Bay, a three-hour drive away. For the next two nights, you’ll be hanging up your hat in a delightful property overlooking the azure waters of the Atlantic. Everything here is focused on resting and rejuvenating in the pristine natural setting; however, when you’re ready for a dose of action, don’t hesitate to enjoy some of the watersports on offer, including fishing and kayaking.

Rise bright and early this morning to enjoy the mesmerising sunrise (weather permitting) over the Cape Forchu lighthouse, as well as the splendid ocean views from the tip of the peninsula. Follow this with a gentle morning walk through the Leif Erikson trail and park, which is named after the Viking explorers who arrived here at beginning of the 11th century, half a millennium before Christopher Columbus. The rest of today is dedicated to exploring Yarmouth, a colourful port town founded by settlers from Massachusetts in the 18th century and later inhabited by the Acadians from Grand Pré. Today the town is lively and atmospheric, making it popular among travellers seeking laid-back coastal fun. If you fancy delving deeper into the fascinating history and heritage of Yarmouth, then our team can arrange a private tour of the city.

You only have one more full day on this epic journey across Nova Scotia, so you’ll want to make the most of it. After breakfast this morning, hop back into your hire car and travel two hours along the peninsula’s southern coast to Lunenburg, a charming seaside town that has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status for being the best preserved British colonial settlement in North America. On arrival, check into your final hotel: a beautiful property located within easy walking distance of the quays. After settling in and freshening up, you’ll be met by a knowledgeable local guide, who will take you on a private walking tour of the town. This is the best way of admiring the well-preserved houses, commercial buildings and churches, as well as learn more about what life was like here in the 19th century. You’ll notice that Lunenburg also has German influences, owing to the influx of German settlers here in the mid-18th century.