Fly Drive Canada

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Halifax. Upon arrival, collect your rental car and proceed to your hotel, located in the heart of town, where you will spend the next three nights.

You have the next two days to explore this heavenly maritime city. Discover the historic port as you wander Halifax waterfront. Start at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 – the gateway into Canada for one million immigrants – and then explore eclectic shops and galleries, some of the city’s best restaurants, and moored ships including the last of the WWII convoy escort corvettes. No visit would be complete without visiting Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, standing at the ‘top’ of the city, you’ll be greeted by the distinctive Clock Tower that looks over Halifax. Completed in 1856, Citadel was built as a military fortification to protect the Empire from enemies. The city’s downtown restaurant scene continues to heat up, as celebrated chefs draw on their global expertise and the harvests of local farmers to create unique culinary offerings. With the most pubs per capita in Canada, be sure to pull up a chair on one of the many downtown Halifax pub patios during your stay here.

Today you head south to the picturesque port town of Lunenburg. Be sure to plan a stop at Peggy’s Cove along the way, a small village famous for its lighthouse overlooking the Atlantic. Once a large rum-running and shipbuilding port, Lunenburg still features original architecture from the 1700s, with buildings from the British Colonial era painted in bright colours. Stroll through the town spotting numerous sites along the way or take a walking tour to discover more about the fascinating history and culture. Refuel along the waterfront with the catch of the day, homemade chowder, fresh lobster or oysters.

Leaving colourful Lunenburg behind, today you drive to the Acadian Shores for a stay in the pretty port town of Yarmouth. You’ll feel like you stepped back in time a few years with the quaintness of this historic town, with old fashioned lamposts lining the pathways, unique boutiques, restaurants and art galleries. Every town has its stories and secrets, we recommend to take in one of Yarmouth’s many ‘Walking Tours’ options. Whether you enjoy folklore, shipwrecks or rum-running lore, they have a tour for you.

Welcome to ‘The scallop capital of the world’. Digby offers guests a wide variety of interesting activities, dramatic natural attractions and is close to the Bay of Fundy which offers some of the world’s most spectacular whale watching tours. Be sure to experience the dramatic sunrises over the beautiful Annapolis Basin and glorious sunsets over the Bay of Fundy. A stroll along the Admirals Walk on the waterfront will bring you to the Admiral Digby Museum, various shops, cafes, restaurants, and historical sites. Stop and chat with the friendly townsfolk and learn about the interesting history of the town and area.

Today you will make the short drive to the quaint seaside town of Annapolis. A town steeped in heritage and tradition that holds a unique spot in Nova Scotian and Canadian history.  Modern-day Annapolis Royal remains idyllically situated between mountain and sea, offering a stunning waterfront shopping area, with a selection of restaurants, world-class accommodations, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and plenty of outdoor activities. Learn the story of the Acadians at Grand-Pré National Historic Site and savour delicious, award-winning wines at some of Annapolis Valley’s wineries which include L’Acadie Vineyards, Gaspereau Vineyards, Domaine de Grand Pré Winery or Muir Murray Estate Winery.

Your next short hop takes you across to Wolfsville. Established in 1992, the Wolfville Farmers’ Market boasts over 60 vendors year-round. Try the many locally-produced and handmade goods including seasonal produce, dairy, meat, plants, crafts, fresh baked goods, and a variety of local wines. Live music, special events and demonstrations bring a unique and energetic feel to this market.

The next stop on your adventure is on the Northumberland Shores for a two-night stay in the small town of Wallace. With more warm-water ocean beaches than anywhere else in Atlantic Canada, this shore is a beach bum’s paradise. This fantastic climate also lends itself well to the local wine industry, which is anchored by Jost Vineyards, the province’s oldest and largest winery. Not surprisingly, fresh local lobster is a food of choice for the region and is available at a plethora of throughout. During your two days here there are a host of recommendedoutdoor adventures:

1. Cape George Hiking Trail & Lighthouse: A Looping trail with 3 trailheads, leading you along the coast through meadows and old-growth forests to cliffs with panoramic views of St. George’s Bay and the lighthouse.
2. Rockhounding at Arisaig Provincial Park:  Looking for fossils, some dating back 400 million years, in the layered Sedimentary rock along the shore.  Take pictures, not fossils. 
3. Mountain Bike at Keppoch Mountain: Offering 15 km network of mountain bike trails for all levels, ranging from 0.5 to 5 km.  
4. Cycling at Trenton Park: Mountain bike a 6.5 km trail through hemlock stands and past a beaver colony and stocked ponds in one of the largest recreation parks in Nova Scotia.
5. Birding on the Wallace Bay Wildlife Trail: Pack your field guide as over 168 species of birds have been recorded here.  Nature trails wind through wetlands, woodlands and open fields. 

Today you cross to Scottish influenced Cape Breton Island. On route, you may wish to call at Glenora Distillery in Glenville. Your destination for two nights is Ingonish, which is the gateway to Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Rather than taking the shortest route we would suggest you follow the Cabot Trail, hugging the Atlantic coastline, which provides stunning views. You’ll then have another full day to discover one of Canada’s most enchanting places for yourself. Incredible ocean vistas, cliff-clinging trails, and epic wildlife encounters welcome you to Cape Breton Highlands, National Park. This is land touched by time in the best way possible, where rare species thrive amongst populations of arctic-alpine plants left over from the last ice age. Rust-coloured cliffs and forested river canyons that carve into the ancient plateau providing an unforgettable landscape.

Today you will make the short journey to Baddeck, described as the beginning – and the end – of Cape Breton Island’s world-famous Cabot Trail. Nestled along the shore of the Bras d’Or Lake in Cape Breton, the town is a favourite stop for those looking for tranquil beauty in the heart of the island. Spend the day visiting the Louisbourg National Historic Site. This incredible ‘living museum’ is the largest historical reconstruction in North America; it is an impressive restoration of a French garrison town dating from the 1700s, complete with costumed interpreters who re-enact daily life from the French colonial period.

Before you set off back to Halifax for your final night we suggest visiting the Bras d’Or Lake. It may be called a lake, but this is really Canada’s inland sea. A mecca for sailors. A paddler’s paradise. Here, you’ll find saltwater fringed by deep forested hills. Once you arrive back into Halifax we suggest some last-minute sightseeing and can highly recommend visiting Fort Redoubt National Historic Site, a 200-year-old fortification overlooking Halifax Harbour, or Halifax Citadel National Historic Site for terrific views of the city.

This morning take the short ride back to Halifax Airport, return your rental car and check-in for your flight back to the UK.