Program Extension(s) Available After you enroll, extend your program with a related learning adventure: • Extension: Highlights of New Brunswick and the Bay of Fundy

Embrace the colorful history of the Canadian Maritime region with explorations of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island. Discover the significance of the port city of Halifax and the charming old town of Lunenburg. Gain insight into the Celtic and Acadian people and delve into the historical and natural wonders of Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island.

Highlights

Explore Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and learn the important role this fort played in the development of the capital.

Step back in time to 1744 at the Fortress of Louisbourg, and visit Lunenburg -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enjoy local delicacies such as lobster and mussels.

Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles during field trips and excursions; some uneven terrain.

Days 1-3

Halifax, a significant maritime port since its founding in 1749, is a blend of historical and modern-day commerce. Begin your maritime adventure with excursion to the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and Pier 21, Canada's Ellis Island.

Lodging: Hotel located close to downtown.

Days 4-6

Baddeck lies on the shore of the Bras d'Or Lakes on the Cabot Trail. Field trips here include Hector Heritage Quay, the Alexander Graham Bell Museum; the Fortress of Louisbourg, where you step back in time to experience 18th-century life; and a lively, toe-tapping demonstration by the Pictou County Fiddlers. Engage in discussions with experts on the region’s French-Colonial history.

Lodging: Inn located near the Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site and the world-renowned Cabot Trail.

Days 7-9

Cavendish, an area bordering the shores of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, is home to the Prince Edward Island National Park, one of the best examples of a sand-dune ecosystem in Canada. The island is also well-known for its “Anne of Green Gables” connection. Explore the inspiration for this famous novel as you listen to local experts detail the island’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Cap off your visit to Prince Edward Island with an evening of traditional Scottish music and dancing.

Lodging: Beautiful rustic inn located overlooking New London Bay and the Stanley River.

Days 10-11

On the return trip to Halifax, visit Fort Beausejour National Historic Site, as well as Grand Pre National Historic Site and a local winery. On the final program day, visit the town of Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for shipbuilding and home of the tall ship Bluenose II.

Lodging: Hotel located close to downtown.

Canada

Participation in World War I solidified Canada’s sense of identity, cementing with popular sentiment the groundwork laid by confederation in 1866. A mixed English, French and First Nations ancestry was no longer a source of cultural ambiguity but rather constituted a new, distinctly Canadian heritage showing decreased deference to British authority. Today’s Canada is a G-8 country with a progressive government favoring policies of social welfare.