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A hiker with a backpack stands on a wooden boardwalk overlooking the scenic coastal mountains and blue ocean of the Nova Scotia Highlands.
Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia In Depth: Cape Breton, Cabot Trail & Coastal Culture

Program No. 23038RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
11 days
10 nights
What's Included
Included
22 meals ( 10B, 7L, 5D )
6 expert-led lectures
15 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia In Depth: Cape Breton, Cabot Trail & Coastal Culture
Sep 23 - Oct 3, 2027
Program Number 23038
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your name tag.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00-5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, other important information, and to learn when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions.

Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; riding 10 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; pavement, indoor surfaces, some standing.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll be joined at the hotel by a local historian for a presentation on the history of Nova Scotia and the city of Halifax, giving us an overview of how the province and city came to be what they are today.

Next, we’ll board the motorcoach to see highlights of Halifax with a local expert, who will tell us the significance of important historic sites and landmarks, from Citadel Hill to Halifax Public Gardens and the "Titanic" cemetery.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Next, we’ll visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, where a local expert will guide us through the exhibits and provide engaging commentary along the way. Established by a group of Royal Canadian Navy officers who envisioned a place to preserve the nation’s naval heritage, the museum is Canada’s oldest and largest maritime museum. We’ll explore exhibits on the age of steamships, local small craft, the Royal Canadian and Merchant Navies, and the World War II convoys. The museum also shares powerful stories of significant historical events, including the Battle of the Atlantic, the Halifax Explosion, Nova Scotia’s role in the aftermath of the RMS Titanic disaster, and numerous shipwrecks.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. You may also join the Group Leader at a local restaurant, at your own expense.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach, driving about 153 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 3.5 miles; pavement, some rocky/slippery terrain and hills. Some standing at the museum.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out by motorcoach to Peggy’s Cove, one of the most picturesque, charming fishing villages on the East Coast with rustic, weathered wharves balanced on huge granite boulders. The best-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.

Afterwards, we will transfer by motorcoach to Lunenburg for a walking field trip with a local expert, exploring its narrow streets, historic churches, and the Victorian architecture of the Old Town. This picture-postcard town is known for its colorful waterfront, charming harbor, and distinctive architecture that reflect its rich seafaring heritage. Many of its beautifully maintained homes date back to the original town plan, established in 1753 as the first British colonial settlement in Nova Scotia outside of Halifax.

Next, we will visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, which offers an immersive waterfront experience in Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the museum, visitors will gain an up-close look at life in a fishing community and discover what life at sea is truly like.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we will head back to Halifax to visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 and follow in the footsteps of nearly one million immigrants who arrived between 1928 and 1971. The visit includes an immersive 10-minute film highlighting the remarkable contributions of Canadian immigrants.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach, driving about 150 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; pavement, some rocky/slippery terrain and hills.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Checking out of the hotel, we’ll begin our journey to Digby.

On the way, we’ll stop at Grand Pré, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated at the north east end of the Annapolis Valley, it borders on the Minas Basin and the tidal lands of the Bay of Fundy. The area was settled in the 1600s by French settlers from Port Royal who reclaimed the lands from the tides and made a fertile land. We’ll be joined by a local expert and learn about this exceptional living agricultural landscape. We’ll also hear the story of the Acadian deportation during the wars between the English and French, and the many villages in the area that were destroyed. Then, we will continue toward Annapolis Royal to grab a bite to eat.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We will head to the Annapolis Royal Historical gardens where we will walk through17 acres of breathtaking gardens, history and culture. The Historic Gardens are a living record of centuries of local heritage. Each garden area reflects a different chapter in the story of the region, from the time before European settlement when the Mi'kmaq people were the land's stewards, to the 17th century Acadian settlers who established new crops, to the innovative gardeners of today. After we have explored the gardens, we will head to our hotel to check in.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we’ll savor Digby’s world-famous scallops during our meal. We'll also enjoy a presentation by a local expert on the scallop industry.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 86 miles, approximately 2.5 hours total riding time. Getting on/off a ferry; crossing to Brier Island is 20 minutes each way. Walking up to 2 miles; pavement, boardwalks, stairs, some uneven terrain. Getting on/off a cruise boat, equipped with open viewing and upper observation decks, seats, rails, washroom, and shelter.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out by motorcoach where we'll be joined by a local expert for a captivating presentation exploring the whales that inhabit the Bay of Fundy, along with insights into Brier Island and the region’s world-famous tides. Drawing on extensive personal experience, the presenter brings the natural wonders of this unique ecosystem to life.

With the Fundy tides, this area is a wonderful place to spot seabirds of all kinds, including piping plover, gannets, warblers, nuthatches, hawks, and merlin's. Digby Neck, known for its natural beauty, is a peninsula made of two ancient lava flows!
Lunch:
Boxed lunches en route.
Afternoon:
We will board the MV Mega Nova – a 50-foot fiberglass Cape Island style boat – and join our naturalist on an exploration in search of whales and seabirds in the Bay of Fundy. As the world’s highest tides in the Bay of Fundy funnel sea life into the bay, the waters surrounding this area become a haven for feeding humpbacks, right whales, and minke, making for some of the best whale watching anywhere in North America.

Afterwards, we will board the motorcoach and head back to the hotel.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach, driving 345 miles, approximately 6 hours riding time. Walking 1 mile, approximately 1 hour.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Checking out of the hotel, we’ll begin our transfer to Baddeck with stops along the way.

We will depart for the Fundy Discovery Site, offering one of the most accessible ways to experience the Bay of Fundy’s remarkable tidal phenomena, home to the world’s highest tides. At the site, park staff will provide an informative explanation of the tides and show a short educational video. At the predicted times, a tidal bore may be observed on the Salmon River near Truro, Nova Scotia, providing a dramatic demonstration of Fundy’s power and scale. Visitors will also have time to enjoy lunch on site, with access to picnic tables and Adirondack chairs, or to take a leisurely walk along the riverside trail.
Lunch:
Box lunches en route.
Afternoon:
We will depart for Baddeck by motorcoach, making a rest stop.
Dinner:
Enjoy a lobster dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening:
We’ll enjoy the entertainment and music of the Baddeck Gathering Ceilidh, a local tradition.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 185 miles, approximately 4.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles, approximately 1-2 hours; groomed trails, some uneven ground and stairs. Elective shorter walk.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Today we will head out on the world-famous Cabot Trail. Aboard the motorcoach, a local expert will discuss the Acadians of Cape Breton and provide expert commentary as we explore Cape Breton Highlands National Park. From the Bras d’Or Lakes Biosphere reserve under the Man and the Biosphere program and the role of the Mi’kmaq First Nation, to Scottish Emigration of late 18th Century and Gaelic Language in Nova Scotia, to the Acadian Coastline of Cape Breton, Geological formations throughout the region, The Acadian People, and their history. We will also talk about the Natural history of the flora and fauna of Cape Breton Highlands National Park, the lives of fishing communities in Northern Cape Breton and the role of culture and tradition for the survival of these communities. Genealogy and family history will be also some interesting topics that will add value to Cape Breton’s historic past.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we will continue our journey along the Cabot Trail, ascending two more mountains that offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the forest below. There will be ample opportunities to capture stunning photographs along the way.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 182 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles, approximately 1-2 hours; groomed trails, some uneven ground and stairs.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will start the morning with a special presentation at our hotel, by Jocelyn Bethune, who will share the story of Alexander Graham Bell’s time in Baddeck. For more than 30 years, the tiny lakeside village of Baddeck, N.S. was the home of telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell. Seeking a place of refuge from the attentions of fame, Bell and his wife Mabel were looking for a quiet place where their family could “live a simple, free and unconventional life”. Baddeck inspired him as he continued to invent, while the townspeople helped him to build his innovations and power his creative mind. Discover how Alexander Graham & Mabel Bell profoundly influenced the people who lived here and the generations that followed. Then, will set out by motorcoach on a field trip to the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, a National Historic Site. Most think of the telephone when they think of Bell, but the museum highlights his groundbreaking work in optical telecommunications, hydrofoils, and aeronautics.

From there, we will head out for a field trip to the remarkable Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site, where a Parks Canada interpreter will reveal the history of Nova Scotia’s role in the battle between the French and the British 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. 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:
At the historic Hotel de la Marine in Louisbourg. We'll enjoy a meal featuring foods that working-class people regularly ate during the 18th century.
Afternoon:
As our field trip continues, you will have free time to explore Fortress Louisbourg, and interact with reenactors in costume and character. Visit the lively town tavern, see Chapelle St. Louis (the garrison chapel), and explore the King’s Bastion Barracks, the largest building on site and one of the largest buildings in North America in its day. Strolling through the fortress streets, we’ll see the impressive walls, majestic gates, quaint homes, and formal gardens. We will then board the motorcoach to continue our journey to the hotel, and check-in.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking approximately 2.5 miles. Mostly level terrain. Some climbing and uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Enjoy a leisurely morning, with a late start to allow you time to sleep in, or explore the beautiful grounds at Keltic Lodge. By late morning, will walk towards Freshwater Lake together to meet our Parks Canada guide. They will take us along the Freshwater Lake Trail to experience even more of Cape Breton’s beauty. This trail begins by the ocean and winds along the shoreline of a lake that was once part of a bay. Along the way, we might hear the distinctive call of loons while taking in breathtaking views from the lookout decks.

Afterwards, we'll be joined by Graham Marshall as he greets and welcomes you to Mi’kmaq territory. Through stories and songs, you will hear the history of North America’s first contact people, learning how the Mi’kmaq interacted with the nations that arrived on their shores and how their culture continues to thrive today.
Lunch:
Picnic lunch at the park.
Afternoon:
At your leisure, you may continue exploring Ingonish Beach and the surrounding areas, enjoy a refreshing walk, and unwind amidst the stunning natural scenery, or simply relax at the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 320 miles, approximately 6 hours total riding time. Walking up to 2 miles, approximately 1-2 hours on grass, gravel pathways, some uneven ground.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. We will check out and depart for Halifax after breakfast.
Morning:
We will experience Scottish Gaelic culture first-hand at the Highland Village. We’ll explore this 40-acre site dotted with historic buildings and gain an understanding of the daily lives of Scottish settlers from the mid-1700s to the early 1900s. We will learn about their history, settlement and unique heritage; hear Gaelic dialects; and interact with costumed staff who will provide background on the site and the Gaels. We’ll make a connection to our Gaelic ancestors through visits to some the many artisans specializing in weaving, quilting, blacksmithing and more.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our transfer back to Halifax with some rest stops along the way, arriving in time for dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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