Road Scholar : Home
History & Culture of the Canadian Maritimes

Program Number: 3788RJ
Start and End Dates:
7/10/2013 - 7/20/2013; 8/7/2013 - 8/17/2013; 8/21/2013 - 8/31/2013; 9/11/2013 - 9/21/2013; 6/11/2014 - 6/21/2014; 7/16/2014 - 7/26/2014; 8/6/2014 - 8/16/2014; 8/20/2014 - 8/30/2014; 9/10/2014 - 9/20/2014; 9/17/2014 - 9/27/2014;
Duration: 10 nights
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Price starting at: $2,697.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: On the Road; On the Road; Independent City Discoveries
Meals: 26; 10 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 9 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Embrace the colorful history of the Canadian Maritime provinces on this journey to Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. Delve into the history of the port city of Halifax and the old town of Lunenburg. Gain insight into the intriguing Celtic and Acadian cultures including their music and customs. And absorb the natural beauty that awaits in the Maritimes.




Highlights

• At Hopewell Rocks, walk on the ocean floor with naturalists to see the tidal range of the Bay of Fundy.
• Explore Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and learn the role of this fort in the development of the capital.
• Enjoy a performance of Celtic music and dancing.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles per day; some uneven terrain and stairs.




Date Specific Information

7-10-2013, 8-7-2013, 8-21-2013, 9-11-2013, 6-11-2014, 7-16-2014, 8-6-2014, 8-20-2014, 9-10-2014, 9-17-2014

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Halifax, 1 night; coach to Baddeck, 2 nights; coach to Stellarton, 1 night; coach to Charlottetown, 2 nights; coach to Saint John, 2 nights, coach to Halifax, 2 nights; departure.



Coordinated by Routes to Learning Canada.



Arrival Halifax
1 night
Coach to Baddeck
2 nights
Coach to Stellarton
1 night

After an evening of orientation and introductions in Halifax, journey to the village of Braddeck on the shore of Bras d’Or Lake on Cape Breton Island. Experience the entire Cabot Trail, a 185-mile scenic road through the majestic Cape Breton Highlands. Additional field trips include the Hector Heritage Quay, the Alexander Graham Bell Museum and the Fortress of Louisbourg. Visit charming Celtic communities amid breathtaking scenery and enjoy a toe-tapping musical performance. In the French-speaking enclave of Cheticamp learn about the traditional art of rug hooking.



Ferry to Charlottetown
2 nights

Historic Charlottetown, best known as “The Birthplace of Confederation,” is Prince Edward Island’s largest city but it retains the ambiance of a small town. Explore Province House National Historic Site, Prince Edward Island National Park and the Green Gables National Historic Site. Enjoy a lively presentation of traditional Scottish music and dancing.



Coach to Saint John
2 nights

Continue to the third Maritime province, New Brunswick. At Hopewell Rocks, walk the ocean floor at low tide to learn about New Brunswick’s most famous geological feature. Discover the quiet beaches, cliffs, caves, lighthouses and covered bridges of St. Martins while learning about the tides, geology and history of the area with a local expert.



Coach to Halifax
2 nights
Departure

Return to Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, and learn about the city’s history at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. Visit Pier 21, Canada’s Ellis Island, home to the National Museum of Immigration. Discover the old port town of Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its shipbuilding, and see the tall ship Bluenose II.




Halifax

Nova Scotia’s capital is a modern port city with 18th-century elegance. Once the prime fortress in British North America, this vibrant destination on Canada's east coast offers architectural and cultural reminders of Halifax’s early European days, and also boasts a gorgeous harbor, quaint jazz clubs, live theater and abundant fresh seafood.



Cape Breton

An island off the coast of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton is known for its majestic Highlands region — an extension of the Appalachian Mountains — and distinct blend of British, Irish, Acadian, Scottish and Mi’kmaq cultures. The island was once home to Alexander Graham Bell, whose experiments in hydrofoil technology enabled the first hydroplane flight for the British Empire.



Charlottetown

Charlottetown, the historic capital city of Prince Edward Island, was the site of the 1864 discussions to unite the country by delegates from Upper and Lower Canada. Visitors may re-live the “Charlottetown Conference” in local museums and on historic Grand George Street, as well as enjoy the colorful boardwalk and harbor on Peake’s Wharf.



St. John

The largest city in New Brunswick is also the first incorporated city in Canada. Situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy and at the mouth of the Saint John River, the city is the site of a unique phenomenon known as the Reversing Falls, where at high tide each day the flow of the Saint John River is reversed for several hours.
Accommodations
Halifax: Modern four-star hotel in the heart of the city. Baddeck: Historic inn with lake views. Stellarton: Comfortable hotel. Charlottetown: Modern downtown hotel. Saint John: Modern Uptown hotel with indoor pool.
Meals and Lodgings
   Atlantica Hotel Halifax
  Halifax, Nova Scotia 1 night
   Lynwood Inn
  Baddeck, Nova Scotia 2 nights
   Holiday Inn Express
  Stellarton, NS 1 night
   The Hotel on Pownal
  Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island 2 nights
   Delta Brunswick
  Saint John, New Brunswick 2 nights
   Atlantica Hotel Halifax
  Halifax, Nova Scotia 2 nights
 Atlantica Hotel Halifax
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: A landmark hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia at the corner of Quinpool Road and Robie Street, the Atlantica provides a modern, urban hotel experience in the heart of Halifax while still offering the warmth of East Coast hospitality.
  Contact info: 1980 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3G5 Canada
phone: 902-423-1161
web: www.atlanticahotelhalifax.com
  Room amenities: Complimentary high speed Internet, two telephones, key card system for security, coffee/tea maker, iron/ironing board, cable/satellite TV, hair dryer, vanity mirror, individual climate control, iPod compatible docking station.
  Facility amenities: Leisure facilities (indoor pool, wading pool, sauna, whirlpool), seasonal outside deck, air conditioned fitness room, gift shop, ATM machine, on-site restaurant (Seasons), wine bar, seasonal concierge services, information on local tourist attractions, business centre services, credit card accessible computer and printer, heated underground garage, dry cleaning pickup, on-site guest self-laundry facilities, free local phone calls, safety deposit box available at Front Desk, room service. The hotel is 100% non-smoking.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Call for availability & rates. Please contact the hotel directly on your own OR if you require personal assistance contact Maritime Travel toll free at 1-888-905-5959. A service fee MAY apply.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Call for availability & rates. Please contact the hotel directly on your own OR if you require personal assistance contact Maritime Travel toll free at 1-888-905-5959. A service fee MAY apply.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM

 Lynwood Inn
Type: Inn
  Description: Lynwood was built in 1868, and owned by Charles Hart. In the mid-1800s the Hart family were prominent local business people and merchants. The house has three tall triangular gables and a handsome central entrance way. For many years a private house, it was later a prominent local store, selling art, antiques and collectibles, and has recently been extensively renovated and now operates as an inn and restaurant. Located within the heart of Baddeck, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Lynwood is within walking distance of the waterfront, shops & restaurants, and of course the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site.
  Contact info: 441 Shore Road
Baddeck, NS B0E 1B0 Canada
phone: 902-295-1995
web: www.lynwoodinn.com
  Room amenities: iron, ironing board, hairdryer, alarm clock, phone, cable TV, high-speed Internet access.
  Facility amenities: Laundry facilities on site. Lynwood Inn is 100% non-smoking.
  Smoking allowed: No

 Holiday Inn Express
Type: Hotel
  Description: The hotel is located close to the PEI Ferry, Pictou, and New Glasgow.
  Contact info: 86 Lawrence Blvd.
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0 Canada
phone: 902-755-1020
web: www.hiestellarton.com
  Room amenities: Unlimited local and toll-free calling, coffeemaker with tea service, 32” LCD televisions, hairdryer, iron with board, easy-to-set clock radio
  Facility amenities: Complimentary high-speed Internet, indoor heated pool with waterslide and hot tub, on site fitness facility.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes

 The Hotel on Pownal
Type: Hotel
  Contact info: 146 Pownal Street
Charlottetown, PE C1A 3W6 Canada
phone: 902-892-1217
web: www.thehotelonpownal.com
  Room amenities: Rooms feature wireless high speed Internet, 40" flat screen TVs and alarm clocks with iPod docking stations.
  Facility amenities: Wireless high-speed internet Coffee, tea and treats are available 24 hours/day in the lobby. Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies are available every day after 3:00 p.m.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes

 Delta Brunswick
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: Located in the heart of uptown, above Brunswick Square shopping complex, the hotel is connected by an indoor walkway to Market Square, the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre and Saint John City Market.
  Contact info: 39 King Street
Saint John, NB E2L 4W3 Canada
phone: 506-648-1981
web: www.deltahotels.com/hotels/hotels.php?hotelId=4
  Room amenities: All rooms have individual temperature control, hairdryer, telephone, iron and ironing board, 24 hour room service, 32" LCD TV, complimentary wireless high speed Internet access, AM/FM clock radios, iPod docking station, coffee/tea, small refrigerator and microwave, laundry/valet service available, guest room voice mail.
  Facility amenities: The hotel’s health club facilities are open seven days a week, 5:30 am to 12:00 midnight. They include an indoor pool, whirlpool, saunas, exercise room, full change rooms and showers. Access is complimentary to hotel guests. Drycleaning and laundry services are available, and shuttle service to the airport is provided at a nominal charge.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Hotel check-in after 3:00 pm, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Dinner is at 5:30 pm. You will be staying at Atlantica Hotel Halifax that night.
  End of Program:
Breakfast at the hotel at 8:00 am on the last day. Independent departures after breakfast, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Hotel check-out is 12:00 p.m. You will be staying at Atlantica Hotel Halifax the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. A passport is required for ALL travel to/from Canada. A US law known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires those traveling to/from the United States by land & sea to also have a passport or other appropriate secure documents (NEXUS card). Passport requirements are subject to change. Visit www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html for information.
  Parking availability:
Airport terminal - CAD$70 per week - call 902-873-1423. For parking details at the hotel please contact the hotel directly.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Halifax, Nova Scotia
  From End of Program
  Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Halifax

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
Metro Transit

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$3.25 adult/$2.50 senior
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

45 - 60 minutes 
   

Metro Transit operates its MetroX service Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) to downtown Halifax. The #320 bus operates every 30 minutes during peak (6 am to 9 am) and (3 pm to 6 pm). Regular schedule every 60 minutes. $3.25 for adults/students; $2.50 for children/seniors. Get off at the Duke & Albemarle stop - walk down Duke Street (2 minutes) to catch Bus #81 on Barrington St (Southbound) - bus drops you on Robie Street near the hotel. www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/metroexpress.html
 

Halifax International Airport (YHZ)

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$60 - $65
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

40 minutes 
   

Taxis available curbside at the Halifax International Airport to take you to your hotel.
 

Halifax

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$15
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

10 minutes 
   

Taxi from the Via Rail station to the hotel is approximately $15.
 

Halifax

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
Metro Transit

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$3.25 for adults/students; $2.50 for children/seniors
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

45 - 60 minutes 
   

Catch bus #81 on Robie Street and get off at the Barrington Street stop. Walk to the corner of Duke & Albemarle Street (2 minutes) to catch #320 bus to the Halifax Airport - it operates every 30 minutes during peak morning (6 am to 9 am) and afternoon(3 pm to 6 pm) times. The regular schedule departs every 60 minutes. Fares are $3.25 for adults/students and $2.50 for children/seniors. www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/metroexpress.html Taxi to airport approximately $60 - $65.

 
Driving Directions
  Halifax International Airport (YHZ) Leaving the airport, head SOUTH on Bell Blvd / Boulevard Bell toward Silver Dart. Stay right on Bell Blvd/Boulevard Bell. Take the Highway 102 S ramp towards Halifax/Dartmouth. Take the Highway 118 exit on the left towards Highway 103/Darthmouth/Highway 111/Halifax. Turn left onto Victoria Rd/Highway 322. Turn right onto Nantucket Ave. Nantucket Ave becomes Angus L Macdonald Bridge, which then becomes North St. Turn right onto Agricola St, and then left onto McCully St.; left again at Robie St. and end at the Atlantica Hotel Halifax, 1980 Robie St, Halifax, NS B3H 3G5, CA.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Independent Arrivals to Halifax/Introductions
(Wednesday, August 21)
   
 Afternoon: Independent arrivals and transfers to the program hotel in Halifax, NS. Check-in is available after 3:00 pm. Please note that rooms are not generally available until mid to late afternoon.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
 Evening: INTRODUCTIONS: Following dinner you will meet for introductions, a review of the program itinerary and site orientation. The remainder of the evening is free to explore the neighborhood or simply relax at the hotel. The following day you will begin an in-depth exploration of the Maritimes. Few places remain so enchantingly disparate as the eastern edges of Canada: Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. This area was finally settled by western European immigrants, principally Scottish, Irish, English and French, creating a magical mosaic of cultures, both old and new. With local experts, learn about the rich history and culture of this region from folklore music, rugged coastline, remote fishing villages and Acadian farms, to 21st- century cities.
   
Accommodations: Atlantica Hotel Halifax
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: History and Overview of Halifax/Hector Heritage Quay/Traditional Entertainment/Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
(Thursday, August 22)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: A local historian will introduce you to the history of this city. EXCURSION: En route to Baddeck, we will stop at the Hector Heritage Quay, located on the scenic Pictou waterfront. The site offers visitors a unique glimpse into the journey of early Scottish settlers to Nova Scotia and their life in the new world. The proud centerpiece of the award-winning attraction is a full-scale reproduction of the tall ship Hector that is renowned for bringing the first wave of Scottish immigrants to Nova Scotia in 1773. It was this historic voyage that established Pictou as the "Birthplace of New Scotland".
 Lunch: Lunch en route.
 Afternoon: PERFORMANCE: Following lunch, enjoy a lively, toe-tapping performance provided by a local group. FIELD TRIP: Continue on to Cape Breton Island to the town of Baddeck and visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. Discover how air and water captured Alexander Graham Bell's imagination. Explore the amazing life of the man who invented the telephone and his many accomplishments, including his work to bridge the world between sound and silence by teaching the deaf to speak.
 Dinner: Dinner at the inn.
 Evening: FREE EVENING: Rest at your hotel or explore the village of Baddeck on your own.
   
Accommodations: Lynwood Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Cape Breton Highlands National Park/Rug Hooking Demonstration
(Friday, August 23)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Cape Breton Highlands National Park/Cabot Trail. Explore the Cabot Trail and Cape Breton Highlands National Park as you journey through this spectacularly scenic area. The Cabot Trail is a paved road that loops 185 miles around the northern tip of Cape Breton. This remote rugged area passes through many charming Celtic communities, each with breathtaking scenery and unforgettable hospitality. Cape Breton Highlands National Park conserves and protects the majestic highlands and coastal wilderness stretching across the northern tip of Cape Breton Island between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean. EXCURSION: Stop in Cheticamp, a coastal town famous for its rug-hooking tradition and enjoy a demonstration. The internationally renowned Cheticamp hooked rug enjoys a colorful history. Their popularity is due to the perfect workmanship, rich pastel colors, diversity of design and the distinguished owners who display them with pride of history and talent.
 Lunch: Picnic lunch en route.
 Afternoon: FREE TIME: Following your return to Baddeck in late afternoon, enjoy free time to explore this quaint town.
 Dinner: Enjoy a traditional lobster supper in Baddeck.
   
Accommodations: Lynwood Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site
(Saturday, August 24)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: The Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site. Explore this breathtaking historic site with a Parks Canada interpreter to discover the history of Nova Scotia and the battle between the French and the English for control of North America. Founded by the French in 1763 and abandoned by the British in 1768, Louisbourg was a place of great importance in North America. It was the administrative capital of French holdings in Atlantic Canada and one of France's key economic and military centers in the New World. It was also a center for trade with France, the French West Indies, Lower Canada (now Quebec), Acadia and New England. Over 100 trading vessels a year sailed in and out of the harbor. This site is North America's largest historical reconstruction. Unlike most colonial settlements, no modern city was built here; thus, the site preserves a massive archaeological time capsule.
 Lunch: Lunch on site at Hotel de la Marine.
 Afternoon: Travel to Stellarton.
 Dinner: Dinner en route.
 Evening: Mid-evening arrival; check into hotel in Stellarton.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Introduction to Prince Edward Island/Province House/Walking Historic Charlottetown/ Performance - College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts
(Sunday, August 25)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the inn.
 Morning: Ferry to Prince Edward Island. The relaxing ride allows you to breathe in the bracing sea air and photograph the picturesque views. PRESENTATION: Gain an overview of Prince Edward Island in a presentation by your Group Leader en route.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Historic Charlottetown. Walking field trip and presentation on historic Charlottetown by a local historian.
 Lunch: Lunch in Charlottetown.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Province House National Historic Site. At Province House National Historic Site, discover the significant role this building has played in the history of Canada. The Charlottetown Conference was held here in 1864. The delegates were driven by fears of American expansionism and by Britain's growing desire that its North American colonies should look after themselves. Yet these men were gripped by the idea of a new, independent nation. After further conferences in Halifax and Quebec, the delegates hammered out the terms of Confederation, and Canada was born on July 1, 1867. Province House is also the seat of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Legislature since 1847. Look for the tax record, a path in the stones of the main floor where farmer's hobnailed boots etched a valley in the floor as they walked to the old tax office. A spool of cotton ribbon on a table in the library was once used to tie up bundles of documents, thereby coining the term "red tape". And as you enter Province House, look down at the stone step, worn in the middle from the weight of so many people entering the building.
 Dinner: Dinner at a restaurant in Summerside.
 Evening: PERFORMANCE: Celtic culture comes alive at The College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada! With a mandate to preserve and promote the Celtic heritage of Canada's most Celtic province, Prince Edward Island, The College ignites passion in the hearts and minds of students and visitors alike. Uplift your spirits and feel the exhilaration of Highland Storm, a Celtic music and dance show involving the very best in Island talent. Featuring a cast of over thirty, this high-energy show captivates visitors with the fast-paced feet of the Highland and step dancers, stirred by the sounds of the pipes and drums.
   
Accommodations: The Hotel on Pownal
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Prince Edward Island History/Green Gables National Historic Site/Dalvay-by-the-Sea/Prince Edward Island National Park
(Monday, August 26)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: A local historian will discuss the early settlement of Prince Edward Island as well as the island's rich natural and cultural heritage. FIELD TRIP: Green Gables National Historic Site. Parks Canada staff will present the history of this site and its significance to Canadian literary history. Spend time at Green Gables, the famed fictional home of red-haired Anne Shirley, the heroine of Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic 1908 novel, "Anne of Green Gables". Discover the history of the house as well as biographical information about Montgomery. Green Gables, part of Lucy Maud Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site, has become famous around the world as the inspiration for the setting in Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic tale of fiction. In real life, this farm was the home of David Jr. and Margaret Macneill, who were cousins of Montgomery's grandfather. Shortly after her death in 1942, Lucy Maud Montgomery was recognized by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada as being a person of national historic significance, and a monument and plaque were erected at Green Gables in 1948.
 Lunch: Lunch at Dalvay-by-the-Sea.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Following lunch, explore the fascinating background of historic Dalvay-by- the-Sea, a National Historic Site of Canada. This elegant Queen Anne Revival home was built in 1895 by a Scottish-American oil tycoon. FIELD TRIP and PRESENTATION: Prince Edward Island National Park. Located along the beautiful north shore of the island, the park has long stretches of sand dunes and beaches at its eastern end. The park is a dynamic system of shifting sand carried by wind and waves, and is the finest example of sand-dune ecosystems in Atlantic Canada. The park also contains heritage cultural sites, notably Green Gables and Dalvay-by-the-Sea National Historic Site. In 1998, ten miles of the Greenwich Peninsula were added to the park to protect unique dune formations, rare plants and animals as well as archaeological findings dating back 10,000 years. At the Dunelands Trail area of Prince Edward Island National Park, you will discover its diverse habitats. Known for its wetlands and forests, the park provides a home for a variety of plants and animals, but more for its beaches, sandstone cliffs sand dunes, barrier islands and sand pits. The coastal area is inhabited by the endangered Piping Plover, whose nesting sites are protected. Enjoy time to walk along the beach.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own to discover one of Charlottetown's many fine restaurants.
 Evening: FREE EVENING: Opportunity to attend a theatre presentation at Confederation Centre of the Arts.
   
Accommodations: The Hotel on Pownal
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Hopewell Rocks/Fundy National Park
(Tuesday, August 27)

Note: Please note, you will encounter a few flights of stairs to access the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP and PRESENTATION: Hopewell Rocks. An expert will discuss the significance of this area. Over thousands of years, the Bay of Fundy's mighty tides have shaped the landscape of coastal New Brunswick. The Hopewell Rocks are also called the Flowerpot Rocks and created by the clash of continents, carved by melting glaciers and then sculpted by the highest tides in the world. .
 Lunch: Lunch at the Hopewell Rocks Interpretive Centre.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Tidal walk with a local naturalist at Hopewell Rocks. Walk the ocean floor (weather and tides permitting) at low tide out to the Hopewell Rocks to learn about New Brunswick's most famous geological feature. Travel through Fundy National Park along the New Brunswick coast with its impressive views of seaside cliffs and colorful forests. Travel to Saint John and check into the hotel.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
 Evening: Enjoy the evening to explore Saint John on your own or relax at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Delta Brunswick
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Legacy of Loyalists and Shipbuilders/Quaco Museum/St. Martins Sea Caves and Tidal Harbor/Fundy Trail
(Wednesday, August 28)

Note: Please note, during your field trip to St. Martins Sea Caves and tidal harbor, you will experience rocky, pebble like terrain.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Discover the legacy of Loyalists and Shipbuilders at the Quaco Museum in a session conducted by the curator and a local genealogist. Learn about the arrival of the Loyalists and the shipbuilding industry that at one time made St. Martins the second wealthiest community in the British Empire. Take an opportunity to explore the museum exhibits and archives. FIELD TRIP: St. Martins/Bay of Fundy. Visit the Sea Caves and tidal harbor, followed by a historic walk of the village. Discover St. Martins' quiet beaches, cliffs, caves, lighthouses and covered bridges while learning about the tides, geology and history of the area with a local expert. Marvel at the highest tides in the world sweeping in and out each day, carving sea stacks and caves into the rugged red cliffs that surround the village.
 Lunch: Lunch at the Tidal Watch Inn.
 Afternoon: PRESENTATION: A second presentation explains the Bay of Fundy Tides, the highest in the world. EXCURSION: Explore the Fundy Trail with your local guide.
 Dinner: Dinner at the Tidal Watch Inn.
 Evening: Following dinner, return to Saint John.
   
Accommodations: Delta Brunswick
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Halifax Citadel National Historic Site/Maritime Museum
(Thursday, August 29)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Following breakfast, travel back to Halifax.
 Lunch: Lunch on own en route to Halifax. Stops along the way will be provided.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: At Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, explore the grounds of the fort with a local expert and hear about the major role it has played in the development of Halifax and the importance of the city as a major North American port. The present Citadel, completed in 1856, is the fourth fort to occupy the hill overlooking Halifax Harbour. It was established to guard against a land-based attack from the United States. This massive, star-shaped masonry structure is an excellent example of a 19th-century bastion fortification.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Maritime Museum of the Atlantic This guided visit offers a great look into the maritime history of Atlantic Canada. The museum is the oldest and largest maritime museum in Canada and was first created by a group of Royal Canadian Navy officers who envisioned a place where Canada's naval past could be preserved. You will be introduced to the age of steamships, local small craft, the Royal Canadian and Merchant Navies, and WWII convoys. The museum also tells the story of famous historical events such as "The Battle of the Atlantic", the Halifax explosion of 1917, Nova Scotia's role in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster, various shipwrecks and more.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant overlooking beautiful Halifax Harbour.
 Evening: Opportunity to explore Halifax on your own, or catch up on your rest.
   
Accommodations: Atlantica Hotel Halifax
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Historic Lunenburg/Peggy's Cove
(Friday, August 30)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Historic walk of Lunenburg. Explore historic Lunenburg's narrow streets, visit its historic churches and examine the Victorian architecture of the Old Town. The town's picture-postcard harbor, its colorful waterfront and the homes of flamboyant sea captains reflect its seafaring heritage. Many of these beautifully maintained homes were on the original town plan, established in 1753, the first British colonial settlement in Nova Scotia outside Halifax. Later, a vibrant economy was built on farming, fishing, shipbuilding and trade, particularly with the West Indies. The renowned fishing and racing schooner Bluenose was built here in 1912, as was the replica Bluenose II in 1963.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own to enjoy one of the many local harbor side establishments.
 Afternoon: EXCURSION: Travel to Peggy's Cove, one of the most picturesque and charming fishing villages on the East Coast with its rustic, weathered wharves balanced on huge granite boulders. The town is named after the sole survivor of a schooner shipwrecked on Halibut Rock off Lighthouse Point: Peggy (Margaret) of the Cove. The most well-known lighthouse in Canada, and one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world, was built here in 1914. Positioned on a granite ledge, it served as the local post office until November 2009. In 1998, Swissair Flight 111 tragically crashed into the ocean off Peggy's Cove. Victims of the crash are interred at a memorial site in a peaceful, park-like setting.
 Dinner: Farewell dinner in Halifax.
 Evening: Free evening to relax at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Atlantica Hotel Halifax
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: Independent departures
(Saturday, August 31)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Breakfast at the hotel is at 8:00 am. Independent departures after breakfast; hotel check-out is 12:00 pm.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Baddeck, Nova Scotia Ceilidh
Cape Breton fiddle music and dance featured during live performances 7 nights a week. Casual setting, audience participation if willing, tea, Cape Breton oatcakes or cold drinks (non-alcoholic) for $1.00 all available For additional information, visit www.visitbaddeck.com/events/gathering.html
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Wild Nova Scotia


Author: Len Wagg | Bob Bancroft


Description: NATURAL HISTORY, 2007, HARD COVER, 86 PAGES A collection of stunning color photographs of Nova Scotia's landscapes and wildlife, from butterflies and blossoms to rocky coastlines, river valleys and mist-shrouded lakes. (CND290, $29.95) Available through Longitude. Call 1 (800) 342-2164 or go to reading.longitudebooks.com/RL22280.



My Famous Evening: Nova Scotia Sojourns, Diaries and Preoccupations


Author: Howard Norman


Description: TRAVEL NARRATIVE, 2004, HARD COVER, 208 PAGES Howard Norman returned to Nova Scotia over a period of 30 years to interview local legends and research the folklore of the area. Norman writes with an impressionistic intimacy to create a portrait of this enchanting place and its people. (CND204, $20.00) Available through Longitude. Call 1 (800) 342-2164 or go to www.longitudebooks.com/find/d/22280/r/RL/mcms.html



Anne of Green Gables


Author: Lucy Maud Montgomery


Description: Paper, 464 pages This Norton critical edition of the immensely popular 1908 novel includes excerpts from Montgomery's journals, letters, and juvenilia, commentary from Sir Walter Scott, Lord Byron and Louisa May Alcott, and cultural context. (CND39, $19.95) Available through Longitude. Call 1 (800) 342-2164 or go to www.longitudebooks.com/find/d/22280/r/RL/mcms.html



Moon Handbook Atlantic Canada


Author: Mark Morris


Description: GUIDEBOOK, 2009, PAPERBACK, 500 PAGES A comprehensive guide to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island. With regional maps and detailed descriptions of St. John's and other points of interest, along with an overview of the people, wildlife and history of the region. (CAN02, $19.95). Available through Longitude. Call 1 (800) 342-2164 or go to www.longitudebooks.com/find/d/22280/r/RL/mcms.html



Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island Map


Author: ITMB


Description: This provincial map of Nova Scotia at a scale of 1:400,000 includes Prince Edward Island and adjacent New Brunswick. With city and regional plans and index on the reverse. Two Sides. 27x39 inches. (CND45, $9.95) Available through Longitude. Call 1 (800) 342-2164 or go to www.longitudebooks.com/find/d/22280/r/RL/mcms.html



Lonely Planet Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island


Author: Karla Zimmerman


Description: GUIDEBOOK, 2011, PAPER, 272 PAGES This compact guide to Atlantic Canada covers Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island in detail, and includes a chapter on Newfoundland and Labrador. With maps, travel information and short essays on culture, attractions and nature. (CND291, $17.99) Available through Longitude. Call 1 (800) 342-2164 or go to www.longitudebooks.com/find/d/22280/r/RL/mcms.html



Wild Nova Scotia


Author: Len Wagg (Photographer) • Bob Bancroft


Description: NATURAL HISTORY, 2007, HARD COVER, 86 PAGES A collection of stunning color photographs of Nova Scotia's landscapes and wildlife, from close-ups of butterflies and blossoms to aerial views of vast river valleys and mist-shrouded lakes. (CND290, $29.95) Available through Longitude. Call 1 (800) 342-2164 or go to www.longitudebooks.com/find/d/22280/r/RL/mcms.html





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