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.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Jun 17 - Jun 28, 2024
Starting at
4,999Jun 24 - Jul 5, 2024
Starting at
4,349Jul 8 - Jul 19, 2024
Starting at
4,999Jul 29 - Aug 9, 2024
Starting at
4,999Aug 5 - Aug 16, 2024
Starting at
4,999Aug 12 - Aug 23, 2024
Starting at
4,999Sep 7 - Sep 18, 2024
Starting at
4,999Sep 14 - Sep 25, 2024
Starting at
4,999Sep 28 - Oct 9, 2024
Starting at
4,999DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Jun 17 - Jun 28, 2024
Starting at
6,039Jun 24 - Jul 5, 2024
Starting at
5,379Jul 8 - Jul 19, 2024
Starting at
6,039Jul 29 - Aug 9, 2024
Starting at
6,039Aug 5 - Aug 16, 2024
Starting at
6,039Aug 12 - Aug 23, 2024
Starting at
6,039Sep 7 - Sep 18, 2024
Starting at
6,039Sep 14 - Sep 25, 2024
Starting at
6,039Sep 28 - Oct 9, 2024
Starting at
6,039Not seeing the date you're looking for?
To be notified if dates of this program become available, click the button below.
12 days
11 nights
28 meals
11B 9L 8D
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Halifax, Nova Scotia
2
Intro to Nova Scotia, City Coach Exploration, Free Time
Halifax, Nova Scotia
3
Hector Heritage Quay, Baddeck, A.G. Bell Historic Site
Baddeck, Nova Scotia
4
Cape Breton Highlands Park, Acadian Culture, Rug Hooking
Baddeck, Nova Scotia
5
Fortress Louisbourg
Baddeck, Nova Scotia
6
Ferry to PEI, Overview of PEI, Performance
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
7
PEI Culture/People, Charlottetown, Montgomery Presentation
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
9
Hopewell Rocks, Fundy National Park
Moncton, NB
10
Joggin’s Fossil Cliffs, Sugar Moon Farm, Return to Halifax
Halifax, Nova Scotia
11
Lunenburg, Peggy’s Cove, Lobster Dinner
Halifax, Nova Scotia
12
Program Concludes
Halifax, Nova Scotia
At a Glance
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. Discover the historic seaport of Charlottetown and absorb the natural beauty that awaits in the Maritimes.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles per day; some uneven terrain and stairs. Getting on/off busses and ferries. Some days are full 12 hour days, including bus rides of 4-5 hours.
What You'll Learn
- Discover the dynamic nature of coastal sand dune ecosystems in Prince Edward Island National Park.
- Step back in time to 1744 at the Fortress of Louisbourg and learn about the battle between the French and the English for control of North America.
- Enjoy local delicacies such as lobster and mussels, and revel in East Coast traditional music and entertainment at a local Ceilidh.
General Notes
Select dates are designated for small groups and are limited to 24 participants or less.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
James White
James (Jay) White is an expert in history, having earned his PhD in Canadian History from McMaster University in 1994. After a two-year stint at Western Washington University, Jay migrated home to Nova Scotia where he has lived ever since, teaching a variety of historical subjects. He even instructed members of the Canadian Armed Forces in military history. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and photography, is a Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Canadiens fan, and is of Loyalist and Acadian descent.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
James White
View biography
James (Jay) White is an expert in history, having earned his PhD in Canadian History from McMaster University in 1994. After a two-year stint at Western Washington University, Jay migrated home to Nova Scotia where he has lived ever since, teaching a variety of historical subjects. He even instructed members of the Canadian Armed Forces in military history. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and photography, is a Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Canadiens fan, and is of Loyalist and Acadian descent.
Cameron MacDonald
View biography
Cameron Bennett MacDonald was born in Charlottetown, as a 9th generation Islander. Being between the theatre and history of the Island his entire childhood, it only made sense that Cameron joined the Confederation players in 2013, a historical reenactment troupe. The troupe combined a knowledge of history and group leading experience, with a theatrical side as well, a job to honor both his parents. As the troupe’s artistic supervisor, he writes historical vignettes and shares his knowledge with those around him.
Suggested Reading List
(18 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Best of the Canadian Maritimes
Program Number: 3788
Why I Hate Canadians
This is the tenth anniversary edition of Ferguson's wickedly astute cultural salvo, the collection of humorous essays that launched his career. As you might guess, the title is tongue-in-cheek.
The Atlantic Coast, A Natural History
Thurston illuminates the geology, plant and animal life and nature of the Atlantic coast from Newfoundland and Labrador through the Maritime Provinces and the Northeastern United States south to Cape Hatteras in this illustrated, engaging survey.
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
This guide is the veteran's choice for birding anywhere in the United States. Practical to use in the field, it has maps, illustrations and descriptions of the birds on facing pages.
Lonely Planet Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island
This handy, 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.
The Whale
A deeply engaging meditation on all things whale. Hoare saves his special love and attention for the sperm whale -- not only via a beautiful literary analysis of Moby Dick -- but also by indulging in a childhood fantasy and actually swimming with whales in the Azores.
Fodor's Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada, With New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador
With its many photographs, great introductory chapters and practical travel information, this book is an excellent overview of northeast Canada and its attractions for visitors. Featuring separate sections on suggested places to visit, recommended walks, practical information, descriptions of restaurants and hotels, ratings of sights and a chronology of historic events.
A Field Guide to North Atlantic Wildlife
A comprehensive pocket guide to commonly encountered marine mammals, seabirds and other marine life of Northeastern North America, from North Carolina to Newfoundland and the Canadian Maritimes.
Anne of the Island
Eighteen-year-old Anne leaves P.E.I. for college in Kingsport in this third heartwarming book about red-haired Anne Shirley.
Four Fish
New York Times journalist Paul Greenberg interviewed producers, fisherman and conservationists from across the globe for this eyewitness report on the past and future of wild fish, offering sensible alternatives to our current unsustainable interest in eating mostly sea bass, cod, salmon and tuna.
Moon Handbook Atlantic Canada
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.
Bradt Guide Nova Scotia
A comprehensive guide in the growing series by Bradt, noteworthy for its focus on culture, nature and responsible travel, with plenty of practical travel details.
The Ice Bridge
MacDonald sets this lyrical romance on a on isolated Cape Breton island in the 1990
A Traveller's History of Canada
A readable and admirably concise march through Canadian history from prehistory to today, including a timeline.
Atlantic
The subtitle tells it all -- Winchester squeezes "Great Sea Battles, Heroic Discoveries, Titanic Storms, and a Vast Ocean of a Million Stories" into the covers of this latest entertaining and digressive tale.
Anne of Green Gables
This Norton Critical Edition of the immensely popular 1908 novel includes excerpts from Montgomery's journals, letters and juvenilia, as well as selections by Sir Walter Scott, Lord Byron and Louisa May Alcott.
No Great Mischief
A novel covering 200 years in the history of a family of Scottish immigrants living in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. MacLeod creates a modern saga of the immigrant experience, familial bonds and life in coastal Canada.
The Grey Seas Under
Mowat captures the drama and courage of the men of the famous Foundation Franklin, an ocean-going tug involved in dozens of rescues at sea between 1930 and 1948.
Island, The Complete Stories
Raised in Cape Breton, Alistair MacLeod writes of family, the pull of old Gaelic traditions, love and the landscape and folkways of Nova Scotia in this collection of 16 stories. Winner of the Pen/Malamud Award.