12 Day Landscapes of the Canadian Maritimes

On arrival in Halifax, you’ll be greeted by sea breezes and cultural charm. You’ll transfer from Halifax Airport to your Downtown hotel. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing by the waterfront then, in the evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner with drinks.

Learn about Halifax’s nautical history with a visit to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, where a local expert will tell you all about historic events like the Halifax Explosion and the sinking of the Titanic. There will also be an informative city tour of eclectic Halifax. Then you can enjoy an Insight Choice activity in the afternoon. Choose from a visit to the Halifax Citadel National Historical Site, the Maud Lewis Gallery, or the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.

Head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg and discover one of the surviving examples of a planned British Colonial settlement in North America. A local guide will take your group on a walking tour and tell tales about the fishing industry’s impact on the region. Next up, you’ll visit scenic Peggy’s Cove – a small rural community on the eastern banks of St Margaret’s Bay. Your day ends with a Highlight Dinner back in Halifax, where you can enjoy live music.  

Today’s destination is Cape Breton Island. You’ll embark on a picturesque cruise in Baddeck across Bras d’Or Lake, weather-permitting. In the evening, enjoy traditional Cape Breton home cooking, including seafood favourites and hearty dishes. And the fun doesn’t stop there. You can delight in traditional music and song at a Ceilidh, a Celtic Evening with Acadian hospitality and entertainment. 

Start today with an educational trip to The Gaelic College, which is devoted to the study of the Gaelic and Celtic cultures. You can also learn about the tradition of fabric milking and see a kilt-making demonstration. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing drive along the Cabot Trail, one of the most scenic routes in the world. As you pass Cape Breton Highlands National Park, keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles.  

Kick off your day with a visit to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, before catching the ferry across the Northumberland Strait to Prince Edward Island. Quaint Charlottetown will be your home for the next three nights. This place is a nautical dream, with colourful fisherman’s cottages and a picturesque harbour.

Discover some of the beautiful sights of Prince Edward Island today with a local guild. You’ll head to Cavendish, where you’ll visit the Green Gables House – the site which inspired L. M. Montgomery’s classic Anne of Green Gables. Your day continues with a Make Travel Matter Experience, which takes you to the Abegweit Mi’Kmaw Nation, an Indigenous community east of the city. A local knowledge keeper will welcome you to the community and tell you all about the Seven Sacred Teachings.

Today is all about the flavours of Prince Edward Island. You’ll meet a local fisherman who will tell tales of life at sea, and teach you about the lobster and mussel industry. You can also look forward to a Highlight Lunch at the Historic Georgetown Inn, which includes delicious blue mussels and other dishes made with local produce. Round off the day with a lighthouse tour and a wine-tasting session.

Leave Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island behind, as you journey to New Brunswick. If the weather’s kind, you can sail on the waters of Shediac Bay aboard a lobster boat, learn about these fascinating creatures and get an insight into the lobster industry. You can also enjoy another Highlight Lunch today, featuring delicious seafood and wine. After lunch, you coach will head to Hopewell Rocks and then onto the fun hub city of Moncton.

Today’s scenic journey along the coast of Fundy Trail Parkway provides stunning views in every direction. Then you’ll board a ferry to Digby, where you’ll stay at the incredible Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa. This luxury place has great views of the Bay of Fundy, known for its incredible tides.

This is your last full day with your tour group. You can look forward to a whale-watching cruise (weather permitting) on the Bay of Fundy, before going to the historic town of Annapolis. Take a stroll with a costumed interpreter and discover the mosaic history, before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the evening. You’re in for a culinary treat tonight, as a former scallop fisherman will do a live demonstration – and then you can enjoy a Celebration Dinner.

Say goodbye to Halifax and your fellow travellers, as your Insight Vacations tour comes to an end. Head to Halifax international airport for your flight home.