Canada’s Maritime Classic

Upon arriving in Halifax, pick up your rental car and head to your hotel to check-in, relax and get acquainted with your new surroundings. Located in the heart of Halifax’s cosmopolitan downtown area, The Prince George Hotel features contemporary, stylish accommodations and luxurious amenities that will please even the most discerning of travellers.

Overnight at The Prince George Hotel

Kick-off your Maritime adventure with a private guided tour of Halifax’s most treasured historic sites. Following your local expert guide, you will visit historical defences and fortifications from wars past, learning about the city’s complex history while enjoying incredible, scenic viewpoints. You may also stop at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, where you can immerse yourself in Nova Scotia’s rich seafaring heritage, from the early days of its shipyard to its key role in Allied powers’ naval war effort during World War II.

In the afternoon, leave the city behind and continue with your guide on a customizable excursion to the scenic fishing village of Peggy’s Cove. Along the way, enjoy spectacular vistas of Nova Scotia’s singularly beautiful coastal barrens, and stop for a fresh seafood lunch at an archetypal lobster shack. Disembark with your guide in Peggy’s Cove, and enjoy a walking tour of this frozen-in-time fishing village. Wander down its quaint streets, as you admire colourfully-painted, New England-style houses perched above the inlet that gives the town its name. Although officially designated a preservation area, Peggy’s Cove nevertheless supports an active fishing industry through allowances for local fishermen whose families have earned living fishing these waters for generations. Be sure to snap a photo in front of the town’s picture-perfect lighthouse, then make your way back to Halifax, arriving in the late afternoon, to spend the rest of your day at leisure.

Overnight at The Prince George Hotel

Say goodbye to Halifax, and head south to the port town of Lunenburg to meet a local sailboat captain for a privately chartered voyage on the sheltered waters of Lunenburg Bay. With the wind in your sails, discover the curiously-named “ovens,” or sea caves that dot the coastline, enjoying majestic views and keeping your eyes out for wildlife spottings. Your captain will navigate along the shore, revealing the beauty of the area from a lesser-seen vantage point, and sharing sailor’s tales from the region. After your tour concludes, make your way back to land and head into town for lunch, paid direct.

In the afternoon, proceed through Nova Scotia’s lush interior before arriving at Trout Point Lodge– your accommodations for the evening– in the late afternoon. Located in the heart of the Tobeatic Wilderness, a UNESCO-designated biosphere, the lodge boasts rustic, yet luxurious accommodations, delicious culinary offerings, opportunities for outdoor adventure, and some of North America’s darkest night skies.

Overnight at Trout Point Lodge

This morning, make sure to leave your cell phone behind before embarking on a guided, holistic “forest bathing” wellness experience. A rough translation of the Japanese practise of shinrin-yoku, forest bathing refers to a therapeutic, mindful walk through densely forested areas, without concern for speed or distance covered. Following your guide’s instruction, learn to practice mindfulness, reduce stress levels, and cleanse the toxins associated with modern urban life as you take in the incredible, pristine forest surroundings, and enjoy the scientifically-proven health benefits of naturally-occurring plant compounds. Once you feel fully restored, make your way back to the lodge at a gentle pace.

In the afternoon, meet one of Trout Point Lodge’s talented chefs for a private, gourmet cooking and wine class. Take advantage of the lodge’s professional-grade, GE Monogram-equipped kitchen as you learn techniques of presentation and flavour from your expert instructor. Working with the chef to customize the lesson based on your interests and preferences, you may choose to focus on local Acadian cuisine, fresh pasta-making, seafood preparation, or a number of other delicious options. No matter what you choose, the resulting meal will surely delight your taste buds. Once your creation is ready, relax and enjoy a delicious lunch with a gourmet wine pairing. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure, exploring the lodge’s grounds and taking advantage of its luxurious amenities.

Overnight at Trout Point Lodge

Today, continue through Nova Scotia’s picturesque interior as you make your way to the shores of the Bay of Fundy. Board a car ferry in the fishing town of Digby, and enjoy a scenic crossing over to the mainland. Arrive in New Brunswick, then continue on to the seaside resort town of St. Andrews, where you will check into your accommodations for the evening at the Kingsbrae Arms.

Named for the adjacent Kingsbrae Gardens, Kingsbrae Arms is a celebrated historic inn that offers luxurious modern comforts in a cozy, traditional style. In the afternoon, make sure to visit the horticultural masterpieces that are Kingsbrae’s many themed gardens, featuring more than 50,000 perennial flowers, a Dutch windmill, and a variety of exotic farm animals including peacocks and alpacas.

Overnight at Kingsbrae Arms

This morning, after breakfast, meet your local marine biologist guide and spend the day exploring New Brunswick’s beautiful, coastal environs. Your adventure begins at the wharf in the center of town, where you will board a nimble zodiac watercraft and head out on a private whale watching excursion in the Bay of Fundy. Search for humpback, finback and minke whales as your guide draws on her extensive scientific background to provide insightful commentary on the creatures that call these waters home. Taking advantage of your boat’s small size and maneuverability, your captain will get you closer to the marine life than would ever be possible on a public whale-watching vessel. Snap some incredible photos of these gentle giants, then make your way back to the harbour to disembark.

Enjoy lunch, paid direct, then join your guide for the next leg of your tour, exploring the New Brunswick countryside via 4×4 Jeep. Not only a marine biologist but a longtime St. Andrews resident, your guide will share the history of this charming town and introduce you to the wonderful locals who call it home. If the tide allows, you may elect to visit the nearby Minister’s Island, home to picturesque hiking trails, breathtaking views, and the opulent summer residence of railroad magnate, Sir William Van Horne. Alternatively, you may choose to engage in a tide-pooling safari. With your marine biologist guide on hand to help you identify the various flora and fauna that you come across, hunt for sea stars, hermit crabs and other tide pool residents as you walk along the shorelines. After your customized tour concludes, your guide will return you to your hotel so that you may enjoy the rest of your day exploring the town at leisure.

Overnight at Kingsbrae Arms

This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, depart St. Andrews and make your way to Saint John for a progressive seafood tasting tour. Discover Canada’s oldest incorporated city one bite at a time with a passionate local foodie who will also share the history of this charming seaside town. Among other stops, you will visit the oldest continuously operating farmer’s market in Canada (originally founded in 1785), and a unique combination craft brewery and gastropub that produces a variety of ales and lagers that pair perfectly with the local, seafood-centric cuisine

Conclude your tour, and drive to the nearby city of Moncton, where you will check into your accommodations at the Delta Hotels Beausejour.

Overnight at Delta Hotels by Marriot Beausejour

Rise early this morning to see New Brunswick’s most revered natural feature– the Hopewell Rocks– with a private local guide. You will see firsthand where the world’s highest tides have slowly and steadily carved mammoth four-story rock sculptures from what were once seaside cliffs. At low tide, the rocks are said to resemble giant flowerpots, while at high tide, they practically disappear. Upon arriving at the Park, your guide will lead you down the stairs and onto the ocean floor. From this vantage point, you will grasp the depth and magnitude of this incredible phenomenon. Enjoy a short hike with your guide before returning to the vehicle to continue on your journey.

In the late afternoon, cross the Confederation Bridge and arrive on Prince Edward Island. Canada’s smallest province by area, P.E.I. is landmarked by lighthouses, red cliffs, sand dunes and well-preserved historic fishing villages. Arrive in Charlottetown, and check into your accommodations at the historic and well-appointed Great George Hotel.

Overnight at The Great George

Today, Prince Edward Island is your oyster, as you trace a customizable route on a self-guided day of touring and adventure. Among the sites you may choose to visit in the area are the precious, frozen-in-time village of Victoria, the Dalvay-by-the-Sea national historic site, the Dunes, a unique gallery and café with beautiful gardens and a great crafts collection, and the Green Gables House, which inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novels about a red-haired orphan named Anne. Along the way, you will surely work up an appetite, and lunch at PEI Preserve Company is a must, followed by a tour of this old 1913 butter factory.

In the evening, you will take a short walk from your hotel to the harbour where you will meet your captain and board a ship for a private hands-on lobstering experience! Bait a trap. haul up a catch, and handle live lobsters as you learn the importance of the lobster fishery to P.E.I’s economy and the conservation measures that have been deployed to protect its stock. If you are feeling less adventurous, sit back and relax as the crew does all the work. As you sail out of the harbour, iconic points of interest like Port La Joye–Fort Amherst will come into view as the sun begins to set. Take in the beautiful scenery and gentle breeze as dinner is prepared and served on board. Savour a personal-sized fresh-caught lobster, homemade sides and a refreshing beverage as you cruise back to the harbour.

Overnight at The Great George

Bid farewell to Prince Edward Island this morning, and make your way back to Nova Scotia. Travel along the island’s northern shore, and arrive at Fox Harb’r Resort with enough time to check into your accommodations before lunch. Set along the banks of the Northumberland Strait, Fox Harb’r is a luxurious, yet laid-back golf resort.

After lunch at its award-winning sustainable seafood restaurant, spend the afternoon exploring the grounds and enjoying the property’s numerous amenities. In addition to its unforgettable championship golf course that deftly utilizes the area’s natural topography to evoke an experience that is at once challenging and beautiful, Fox Harb’r also offers on-property tennis, mountain biking, sea kayaking, horseback trail riding, fishing, and sport shooting. Less athletically-inclined guests need not fear though, as they will surely delight in an ocean-inspired treatment at Nova Scotia’s top-rated destination spa, a dip in one of the resort’s mineral pools, or a soak in the hot tub. No matter what your interests might be, you will certainly find a passion to engage with during your stay at Fox Harb’r Resort.

Overnight at Fox Harb’r Resort

After breakfast, today, make the return trip to Halifax, where you will drop off your rental car and begin your journey home. Safe travels!