Great Atlantic Canadian Experience

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Upon arrival, independently transfer to the Cambridge Suites Hotel in Halifax. Depending on your arrival time, you may have some free time to explore Halifax before attending an evening meet-and-greet event with your fellow travellers.

Discover the Bay of Fundy and experience the world’s highest tides as you traverse its vibrant coastline towards New Brunswick. Along the way, visit the Joggins Fossil Cliffs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can observe the remarkably exposed rock layers that reveal the most complete fossil record from the “Coal Age” of 300 million years ago. Upon entering New Brunswick, indulge in an unforgettable culinary adventure with a delectable lobster dinner aboard a lobster boat. Conclude your journey in Moncton, where you will check into your downtown hotel for the night.

This morning, witness a true natural wonder at the Hopewell Rocks on the Bay of Fundy coast. Admire the enormous flowerpot-shaped formations sculpted by the planet’s highest tides. Continue your journey through Fundy National Park to Saint John, Canada’s first incorporated city, located on the southern coast of New Brunswick. Enjoy a city tour, which includes the Reversing Falls, where the Bay of Fundy’s tides cause the Saint John River to reverse its flow twice daily.

On your second day in Saint John, embark on a day trip to the picturesque town of St. Andrews by-the-Sea, where the quaint charm of this coastal town is sure to captivate you. Following a whale watching boat tour, weather permitting, you will have the afternoon free to explore this seaside gem at your leisure, enjoying its friendly residents, beautiful architecture, and rich marine life.

This morning, take the ferry back to Nova Scotia, arriving in Digby, celebrated as the scallop capital of the world. The fresh sea air and vibrant Acadian culture create an enchanting, historically rich town. Later in the day, check into the Digby Pines Golf Resort & Spa, which offers stunning views of the Annapolis Basin on the Bay of Fundy.

Journey through the verdant Annapolis Valley, where the French Acadians established their first settlement in the early 1600s. Explore this area designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where history and folklore intertwine to evoke the charm of the Land of Evangeline. Enjoy a tour and tasting at a local winery before returning to Halifax for a two-night stay.

Explore the quaint allure of Peggy’s Cove, a celebrated fishing village known for its picturesque lighthouse, where you can savour breakfast with a view. Journey along the South Shore to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg, renowned for its historic Grand Banks’ fishing schooners. Embark on a guided walking tour to immerse yourself in one of the best-preserved colonial settlements in the Americas. Additionally, visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic to delve into the town’s rich maritime history.

Gain insights into the Mi’kmaq people at the Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre before crossing Confederation Bridge, the world’s longest continuous multi-span bridge, to reach Prince Edward Island. Check in to your accommodations in Charlottetown for a two-night stay and savour a theatre performance featuring local entertainers at the Confederation Centre of the Arts (subject to schedule changes).

Enjoy a leisurely morning on your second day in Charlottetown. In the afternoon, embark on a scenic tour of the island’s North Shore. Drive past red cliffs, white beaches, gently sloping sand dunes, and verdant fields of Prince Edward Island National Park. Visit the Anne of Green Gables Heritage Place, the captivating setting that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved literary works. Experience genuine Maritime hospitality in the evening with a traditional hall-style lobster supper.

Take a ferry across the Northumberland Strait returning to Nova Scotia, then travel to Cape Breton Island, often referred to as the Scotland of North America, via the Canso Causeway. Explore the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site in Baddeck, where you can discover the remarkable achievements of this visionary who once called the island home. Later, check into your accommodations on Bras d’Or Lake, where you will stay for the next two nights.

Today, enjoy a breathtaking journey along the Cabot Trail, renowned as one of North America’s most scenic drives. This route winds through the dramatic coastal landscapes of Cape Breton’s northern shore, ascending to the spectacular plateaus of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Scenic lookouts provide unforgettable views of the rugged coastline, so make sure to have your camera ready to capture these stunning vistas.

Today, you will drive through the Codroy Valley and Gros Morne National Park, which you will explore later in your tour, to reach the fishing community of Port au Choix. Here, you can learn about ancient cultures. The Port au Choix Peninsula extends slightly into the Gulf of St. Lawrence on Newfoundland’s northwest coast and has been inhabited for 5,500 years.

After breakfast, you and the group will be transported to St. Barbe, boarding a ferry to Labrador, crossing the Strait of Belle Isle. Upon arrival, you will continue to the Red Bay National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the Basques operated a whaling station in the 16th century. This enchanting location captures the essence of Labrador coastal living, weaving it into a rich tapestry of culture and history.

Today, you will return to Newfoundland and travel to L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, the first cultural discovery in the world to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about the Vikings who walked here over a thousand years ago before continuing to your accommodations in St. Anthony for the night.

Weather permitting, start your morning with an exhilarating whale-watching boat tour in St. Anthony. Experience the thrill of observing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Following this memorable excursion, embark on a journey to Cow Head in Gros Morne National Park, where you will settle in for a two-night stay. Embrace the tranquil beauty and diverse landscapes that make Gros Morne a renowned destination for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike.

Discover why Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a true highlight of your trip with a scenic boat tour on Bonne Bay. Keep an eye out for the bald eagles that frequent the deep waters of the fjord. Additionally, visit the Tablelands, a mountain of flat-topped rock typically found only deep within the earth’s mantle—an awe-inspiring sight. Today promises to be an unforgettable experience; many say the scenery in Gros Morne is unparalleled in Eastern Canada.

Ensure your camera is ready as your visit to Gros Morne National Park nears its end. Continue your journey through Central Newfoundland to Gander, renowned as the inspiration behind the hit Broadway musical, Come From Away. Discover the remarkable hospitality and generosity of residents during the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, when 38 aeroplanes unexpectedly landed there. Additionally, explore the North Atlantic Aviation Museum, which showcases a range of artefacts and exhibits detailing Gander’s pivotal role in the history of transatlantic aviation development.

Embark on a picturesque drive along the rugged coast of Notre Dame Bay, leading to the charming outport of Twillingate. Here, you will explore the Long Point Lighthouse and the Prime Berth Fishery & Heritage Centre. Keep your camera ready to capture wildlife sightings as you journey through Terra Nova National Park en route to Clarenville, where you will stay for the next two nights.

Today, you will explore two quaint and historic towns. Begin your day in Bonavista, where John Cabot first landed in North America in 1497. Discover the challenging lives of light keepers at the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site. Then, continue your journey to the picturesque town of Trinity. Wander its charming lanes and explore numerous well-preserved historic buildings dating back to the 18th century.

Proceed to the captivating old seaport of St. John’s, where you will be based for the next two nights. As North America’s oldest city and Newfoundland’s capital, St. John’s is set amidst the dramatic granite cliffs and slopes of the Avalon Peninsula. Enjoy a comprehensive city tour highlighting the Victorian architecture of the downtown area, the bustling modern waterfront, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Confederation Building, and the breathtaking panoramic vista from Signal Hill.

This morning, travel to Bay Bulls for one of the highlights of your journey: a boat tour (weather permitting) in the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve to observe puffins and other seabirds. Following this, visit Cape Spear National Historic Site, the easternmost point in North America. The afternoon is free for you to explore St. John’s at your own pace.

Following breakfast and check-out, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the UK. Alternatively, you may choose to extend your stay in St. John’s.