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Prince Edward Island/Nova Scotia/New Brunswick

The Best of the Canadian Maritimes

Program No. 3788RJ
Explore Cape Breton Highlands National Park, learn about maritime history at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and discover the dynamic coastal sand dunes of Prince Edward Island.
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Regional StudiesOn the RoadMost PopularNature & EnvironmentSmall Group
Length
12 days
Rating (4.82)
Activity Level
Starts at
4,499

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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
12 days
11 nights
What's Included
28 meals ( 11B, 9L, 8D )
7 expert-led lectures
18 expert-led field trips
2 performances
An experienced Group Leader
11 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00-5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Meals will feature local cuisine in a variety of settings. Periods in the 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. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars or settle in for the night. You may also wish to explore what the city has to offer.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 20-25 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles on pavement and on field trips.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll be joined 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. Then we will board the motorcoach and explore Halifax with a local expert, including Fairview Lawn Cemetery, known as the final resting place of more than one hundred of the RMS Titanic’s passengers. We will also learn a bit about the rest of the Maritimes, including New Brunswick and Maine.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will head over to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic for a field trip with local experts including a presentation on the maritime history of Atlantic Canada. The museum is Canada’s oldest and largest maritime museum, first created by a group of Royal Canadian Navy officers who envisioned a place where the nation’s naval past could be preserved. We’ll learn about the age of steamships, local small craft, the Royal Canadian and Merchant Navies, and World War II 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. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore the city on your own. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
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.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 103 miles to Pictou, 132 miles to Baddeck, approximately 4.5 hours total riding time including stop.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll set out by motorcoach for Baddeck on Cape Breton Island. We will have a comfort stop along the way and then we will continue on to a local restaurant.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Arriving in the town of Baddeck on Cape Breton Island, we’ll go on a self-directed field trip at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. Next, we will enjoy a special presentation 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.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room.
Evening:
We’ll enjoy music and culture at a local Ceilidh in Baddeck. The Gaelic word is pronounced “kay-lee,” for a gathering of people. The event promotes the music and the musicians that make Cape Breton Island and its music unique.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 155 miles, approximately 3.5 hours total riding time. Walking up to 2 miles on groomed trails, some uneven ground.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Following a ride on the motorcoach, we will explore the Freshwater Trail and Cape Breton Highlands National Park, and see why Travel+Leisure magazine named Cape Breton the number-one island destination in the continental U.S. and Canada. We will learn about Cape Breton’s surroundings and the particular geographical, cultural or historical significance of an area in a presentation by our local expert. 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, their history and the Role of Father Pierre Fiset in freeing the community from the merchant fishery’s and the mercantile system in the 19th century. 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. Moving on to Les Trois Pignons cultural center, we’ll have a presentation on traditional rug hooking. We’ll also have time to view the stunning collection of hooked rugs and antiques independently
Lunch:
At a scenic spot en route, we’ll enjoy a boxed lunch.
Afternoon:
We will go for a leisurely, expert-led walk in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, one of the most significant landscapes in Canada, covering nearly 367 square miles. We continue to explore parts of the Freshwater Trail. We'll hike along Freswater Trail to experience more of Cape Breton's beauty. This trail begins astride the ocean and follows the shoreline of the lake that was once an ocean bay. We may catch the unique call of the loons while taking in the splendor of the view from the outlook decks. 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. The forested highlands end dramatically in cliffs on the ocean.
Dinner:
At the hotel
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles on pavement, cobblestones, and grassy areas.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll 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 have a meal featuring the kinds of foods 18th century working people would have eaten on a regular basis.
Afternoon:
As our field trip continues, we’ll see that the fortress is alive with reenactors in costume and character. We will 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
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.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach and ferry. Walking up to 1 mile on pavement, docks. Total driving time is 3.5 hours, 170 miles; ferry crossing is approximately 1.5 hours. Ferry has washrooms, viewing platform, gift shop, and cafes. The ferry may close due to high winds (upwards of 50 mph) or severe weather conditions. In the event of a ferry closure, a motorcoach will drive participants to PEI by rerouting and taking the bridge. This drive will be 3 hours and 15 minutes in duration.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out by motorcoach for Baddeck on Cape Breton Island, stopping en route in the town of Pictou at Hector Heritage Quay on the scenic waterfront for an expert-led field trip. This award-winning site offers a unique glimpse into the journey of early Scottish settlers to Nova Scotia and their life in the new world. The centerpiece is a full-scale reproduction of the tall ship “Hector” that brought the first group of Scottish immigrants to Nova Scotia in 1773 and established Pictou as the “Birthplace of New Scotland.”
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy lunch en route.
Afternoon:
We’ll catch the ferry to Prince Edward Island, and during the relaxing ferry ride, breathe in the bracing sea air and have the chance to photograph the picturesque views. Disembarking the ferry at Wood Island, PEI, we’ll travel to Charlottetown. As we ride, the Group Leader will provide an overview of Prince Edward Island. The Island is a small stretch of land with a broad and diverse past; filled with rich green pastures, brilliant red cliffs, and cool blue water. We will learn about PEI’s diverse landscape and history – and the people who help make Prince Edward Island the special place it is.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We’ll attend a performance at a local theatre. Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not available. The information will be posted on our website when available and included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles on pavement and sidewalks, approximately 2-2.5 hours in the morning. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll learn about Prince Edward Island’s history, people and culture in a presentation by our local expert. This island’s cultural heritage is a mix of First Nations, French, English, Irish, and Scottish. Archeologists have found evidence of Mi’kmaq settlements that date back thousands of years. We’ll then set out on an expert-led walking field trip in Charlottetown, the birthplace of Canadian Confederation. We’ll gain an appreciation for the historic architecture of this enduring symbol of Victorian elegance. We will hear about the restoration of Charlottetown’s historic buildings as we walk along Great George Street, visit St. Dunstan Cathedral, and see the location of the last public hanging. We’ll also learn about some of the city’s high-profile people, the prosperity and “boom-and-bust” of its merchant economy, and – of course – the Fathers of Confederation.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like in Charlottetown.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 135 miles, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Walking up to 2 miles on pavement and boardwalks, some uneven terrain and stairs at historic site.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we'll learn about Prince Edward Island's famous landscape, how has its roots in the Permian, some 300 million years ago. Over millennia, it was shaped by immense geological forces, ice ages, and the people that eventually came to call it home. Biologist and naturalist Kate MacQuarrie takes you on an illustrated tour of the Island's formation, common fossils, post-glacial changes, wildlife that once lived here, and others that were introduced. Kate describes natural history as the story the land tells about itself, and PEI has an amazing story to tell! Afterwards, we'll travel by motorcoach to Prince Edward Island National Park, where we'll walk along the beach with park staff. Notable for its diverse habitats including forests and wetlands, the park provides a home for a variety of plants and animals, and is popular 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. 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.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will head to Green Gables Heritage Place — part of L. M. Montgomery’s Cavendish National Historic Site — where Parks Canada staff will present its history and significance to Canadian literature. Green Gables was the famed fictional home of Anne Shirley, the red-haired heroine of Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic 1908 novel, ‘Anne of Green Gables.’ It was inspired by Montgomery’s real life Cavendish home. We’ll learn about the history of the house as well as Montgomery herself. We’ll depart by motorcoach for Moncton and travel across the famous Confederation Bridge!
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
We will check in at the hotel and the remainder of the evening will be at your leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles on boardwalks and sand, uneven terrain, slippery rocks. Flights of stairs to reach ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks. Getting on/off a boat; cruising for approximately 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll head out by motorcoach to Hopewell Rocks, where a local expert will discuss the significance of the Bay of Fundy and coastal New Brunswick. Over thousands of years, the Bay of Fundy’s mighty tides have shaped the landscape of coastal New Brunswick. The Hopewell Rocks – also called the Flowerpot Rocks – have been formed by the clash of continents, carved by melting glaciers, and sculpted by the highest tides in the world. Weather and tides permitting, we’ll embark on a tidal walk at Hopewell Rocks with a local naturalist. As we walk along the ocean floor at low tide, we will learn about New Brunswick’s most famous geological feature.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy lunch at the Hopewell Rocks Café.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we will continue to Shediac, which is known as the “Lobster Capital of the World.” We’ll board a boat and head out into the waters of Shediac Bay for an interactive lobster-themed cruise. This is an unforgettable experience where a local expert will show us how to catch, crack and eat a lobster, along with some other delicious local options.
Dinner:
We’ll enjoy a lobster dinner on the boat.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to see some of Moncton on your own or just relax at the hotel.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 190 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time including stop en route to Halifax. Walking up to 2 miles; some uneven and rocky, pebble-like terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach after breakfast and depart for Joggins to explore the Fossil Cliffs in the Bay of Fundy. Dependent on the time of the program and area conditions, we may be led by staff from the Joggins Fossil Center; otherwise, this field trip will be self-directed. This area experiences the highest tides of the world, exposing the most complete fossil record of the “Coal Age.”
Lunch:
We will enjoy a farm-to-table lunch at a local sugar shack.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll enjoy an exploration of the maple sugar farm. We will learn about the magical process of creating maple syrup from a local farmer.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles, approximately 3.5 hours total riding time. Walking up to 2 miles on field trips; on pavement, some rocky/slippery terrain, some hills.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll head 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. Here we will go on a self-directed exploration. The town is named after the sole survivor of a schooner shipwrecked on Halibut Rock off Lighthouse Point: Peggy (Margaret) of the Cove. 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. We will travel by motorcoach to Lunenburg, where we’ll take a walking field trip with a local expert to explore its narrow streets, visit historic churches, and examine the Victorian architecture of the Old Town. The picture-postcard harbor, colorful waterfront, and homes of flamboyant sea captains reflect its seafaring heritage. Many of these beautifully maintained homes were on the original town plan, established in 1753 as 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 1921, as was the replica Bluenose II in 1963. This beloved symbol of Canadian maritime history is on the Canadian dime. After we will visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic which provides the ultimate waterfront experience.
Lunch:
On your own to explore local fare.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
We’ll enjoy a farewell lobster dinner at the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends.
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. This concludes our program.
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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