Holiday Ref: 16536
Explore Nova Scotia’s restaurants, wineries, breweries, farmers’ markets, u-pick and more!
If you love food and seek adventure, Nova Scotia has a bounty of culinary excitement for all to experience and savour.
Available May – October 2024
Arrive Halifax. Welcome to Nova Scotia’s Provincial Capital. This attractive city is a bustling hub of art galleries, shops, museums, restaurants, sidewalk cafes and vibrant nightlife cantered around the picturesque waterfront. Officially founded in 1749 the history dates back even further, to times of the Mi’kmaq natives, European fishermen and the early Acadians, who came long before the British. Halifax offers a Taste of Old World charm spiced up with a New World attitude - please your palate of adventure. Amazing food, cool music, stunning architecture and unique shops all promise to give you a one-of-a-kind culinary experience. Why not enjoy a lovely meal at “Stories” at The Halliburton. Halifax’s “Best kept secret” is popular with travellers and locals alike. Overnight Halifax.
This morning enjoy a city tour of Halifax – take in the sights of Halifax Historic Properties, Spring Garden Road, Province House and much more. Later, why not visit Alexander Keith’s Brewery as well as the excellent Maritime Museum - See the unique collection of the memorabilia collected after the tragic Titanic disaster. Also be sure to visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. Pier 21 is a National Historic Site which was the gateway to Canada for one million immigrants between 1928 and 1971. It also served as the departure point for 500,000 Canadian Military Personnel during the Second World War. Today, Pier 21 hosts the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21—Atlantic Canada’s only national museum! This evening you should experience the Grafton Street Dinner Theatre – Entertaining Halifax for more than 22 years, The Grafton Street Dinner Theatre provides audiences with a unique dining experience. Music, comedy and interactive characters set the mood as you dine on the flavors of Nova Scotia. Overnight Halifax.
Depart Halifax and drive the south shore along the Lighthouse Route. En route visit Peggy's Cove, a picturesque fishing village surrounded by bare granite and coastal barrens and home to Nova Scotia's most visited lighthouse. Continue on to Mahone Bay, a picture postcard seaside town renowned for its beauty and churches. Further along the route you will arrive in Lunenburg, The region’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lunenburg is widely touted as one of the most beautiful towns not just in Nova Scotia, but in all of Canada. Located along a harbour and bordered by dramatic hills, the town is dotted with beguiling pastel-coloured buildings, most of which were constructed between the 18th and 19th centuries. These historic houses are characterized by the unique 'Lunenburg Bump', a five-sided dormer window built over the front door. The town’s vibrant atmosphere adds to its draw, with its downtown area buzzing with offbeat boutiques, progressive galleries and artisan shops. Overnight Lunenburg.
Drive north along the Kejimkujik Scenic Drive via the Kejimkujik National Park; a spectacular inland National Park with walking trails to suit all levels and some of the best canoeing in Atlantic Canada. Visit the excellent visitor centre, which houses replicas of the native tools found by archaeologists dating back 4500 years ago. Continue on to Annapolis Royal, nestled in the Annapolis Valley. Sightseeing suggestions in the area include Fort Anne National Historic Site, Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, the O'Dell House Museum, Sinclair Inn National Historic Site, a delightful waterfront boardwalk and much more. Continue on to Digby overlooking the broad Annapolis Basin and the ferry gateway to New Brunswick. The Annapolis Valley area is known as wine country, be sure to visit one of the may wineries in the area. This evening why not dine at Churchill’s Restaurant & Lounge at Digby Pines Resort – Churchill’s offer a menu as creative and eclectic with a new twist on old favourites, featuring local ingredients. Overnight Digby.
Continue along the Evangeline Trail on to Wolfville. This charming university town is known as the cultural and intellectual centre of the valley and is home to many classic shops, boutiques and fine dining. Take time to follow the self-guided Heritage Home Walking Tour and stroll past stately homes each depicting its own unique architecture. A tour of Grand Pre Winery is highly recommended – you can enjoy the full experience; taste the wines and learn about grape growing, also visit the wine shop where you will also find local arts, crafts and wine accessories. All products are made from 100%
Nova Scotia grown grapes or apples. . While here take advantage of Le Caveau Restaurant which specializes in global cuisine using seasonal local ingredients. You will truly be charmed by the unique atmosphere. Overnight Wolfville.
Today explore Wolfville - highlights include: Randall House Historical Museum, the Old Burying Ground (which dates back to the 1760's), the Robie Tufts Nature Centre and Prescott House Museum. Further afield you could visit Blomidon Provincial Park located at Cape Blomidon on the shores of the Minas Basin known for its hiking and spectacular views over the world's highest tides. Or why not discover Grand Pre Historic Site - telling the plight of the early Acadians? Overnight Wolfville.
Depart Wolfville and continue along the Glooscap Trail on to Truro, located in the centre of the province and known as the ‘hub of Nova Scotia’. Truro’s location at the very tip of the Bay of Fundy makes it an excellent viewing area for the “Tidal Bore” an amazing natural phenomenon. From Truro continue on along the Sunrise Trail to Tatamagouche, a vibrant community where meeting of old and new is in harmony and old Victorian homes and
businesses mix with modern homes and facilities. . En route, visit Sugar Moon Farm in Earltown. Visit the maple syrup farm and log restaurant. Enjoy a locally inspired maple brunch all day. Free tours and tastings are available in the working sugar camp. Overnight Tatamagouche.
Use Tatamagouche as a base to explore the Northumberland Shore. Places to visit include Jost Vinyard, the Fraser Cultural Centre, Sunrise Trail Museum, Cumberland County museum, Balmoral Grist Mill and the Sutherland Stream Mill. For the more adventurous – Tatamagouche is the water sports capital of Nova Scotia. Enthusiasts will enjoy swimming, boating, sailing, kayaking, and wind surfing on Tatamagouche Bay. Continue back to
Tatamagouche to enjoy a unique dining experience in the dining car at the Train Station Inn. This carefully restored dining car offers the charm and nostalgia of years gone by. Overnight Tatamagouche.
Depart Tatamagouche and continue along the Sunrise Trail to the town of Pictou - known as the birthplace of New Scotland, It was here that the province's first Scottish Highlanders landed on the ship ‘Hector’ in 1773. Pictou boasts an award-winning waterfront development that includes the Hector Heritage Quay, where a full scale replica of the Hector has being built using traditional ship building techniques. While here maybe call in at Mrs. Macgregor’s Tea Room and Restaurant, which is conveniently located just steps away from the Ship Hector Replica and Pictou’s waterfront. Overnight Pictou.
This morning you can tour Pictou. Depart Pictou and continue to Cape Breton via the Canso Causeway Breathtaking highland reach into the sky, with rugged, rocky cliffs plunging to the sea and along every twist and turn you will discover culinary adventures wrapped in the rich Scottish Heritage. Continue on to visit Baddeck which is situated on the Bras d’Or Lakes. This scenic village overlooks the beautiful Bras d'Or Lakes and the most notable resident historically was Alexander Graham Bell - you can visit the National Historic Site named after him. This evening why not dine at Bell Buoy Restaurant and Supper House overlooking the beautiful Brads d’Or Lakes. Overnight Baddeck.
Today, visit Glenora Distillery located on the Celidh Trail. - Cradled in the picturesque hills of the Mabou Highland, the unsurpassed view is the perfect setting for gourmet cuisine. Continue along the famous Cabot Trail clockwise - one of the most spectacular drives in all of Canada. Follow the route along to the French Acadian community of Cheticamp – which has a distinct Acadian flavour noticeable in the architecture, people, language and music.
The Cabot Trail which winds around the rocky splendour of Cape Breton's northern shore, ascending to the incredible plateaus of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The park has 26 hiking trails ranging from 20-minute short walks to challenging hikes through stunning mountain and coastal landscapes. At Ingonish, The Keltic Lodge continues its long-standing reputation for superb dining and offers a full view of the Atlantic Ocean with its fine dining experience at the Purple Thistle Dining Room. Continue onto Baddeck. Overnight Baddeck.
Depart Baddeck visiting Glace Bay - home of the fascinating Miners Museum and Marconi National Historic Site and the beginning of the Marconi Trail. Continue along the trail to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, the largest historical reconstruction in North America and the town of Louisbourg. Hear the cannons and muskets fire, watch the changing of the guard and meet the villagers at this meticulously preserved and recreated
French fortification of over 250 years ago. Depart Louisbourg and drive back to Baddeck where you can enjoy one of the local restaurants. Overnight Baddeck.
Depart Baddeck and continue onto Canso Causeway. From here you will drive along the Eastern Shore and follow the Marine Drive Route where you will find nature, history and culture, as well as rugged coasts, tranquil bays and beaches, unspoiled forest fauna and crystal clear lakes and streams. Be sure to visit the communities en route such as Guysborough - an inviting neighbourhood with distinctive architecture overlooking Chedabucto Bay before arriving at Liscomb Mills. Overnight Liscomb Mills.
