Canada: The Atlantic Coast

Halifax Waterfront ©Tourism Nova Scotia, Photographer Adam Hill
Peggy's Cove in Halifax ©Tourism Nova Scotia, Photographer Acorn Art & Photography
Street of coloured tables in Charlottetown ©DiscoverCharlottetown.com
Peake's Quay Marina and Floating Cottage, Charlottetown ©DiscoverCharlottetown.com
Wharf Village buildings and fountain in Moncton ©City of Moncton
Magnetic Hill in Moncton
Cape George Lighthouse, Antigonish, Northumberland Shore ©Tourism Nova Scotia, Photographer Acorn Art & Photography
Downtown Antigonish, Northumberland Shore ©Tourism Nova Scotia, Photographer Gemma Taylor, Off Track Travel
Cabot Trail viewed from the air looking towards Cap Rouge, Cape Breton Island ©Tourism Nova Scotia, Destination Cape Breton, Photographer Adam Hill

11 day tour

Prices available on request

Welcome to Canada

Canada is more than its hulking-mountain, craggy-coast good looks: it also cooks extraordinary meals, rocks cool culture and unfurls wild, moose-spotting road trips.

The Great Outdoors

The globe’s second-biggest country has an endless variety of landscapes. Furthermore, sky-high mountains, glinting glaciers, spectral rainforests and remote beaches are all here, spread across six times zones. It’s the backdrop for plenty of ah-inspiring moments – and, also, for a big cast of local characters. That’s big as in polar bears, grizzly bears, whales and, everyone’s favorite, moose. Additionally, the terrain also makes for a fantastic playground. Whether it’s snowboarding Whistler’s mountains, surfing Nova Scotia’s swells or kayaking the white-frothed South Nahanni River in the Northwest Territories, adventures abound. There are gentler options, too, like strolling Vancouver’s Stanley Park or swimming off Prince Edward Island’s pink-sand beaches.

Captivating Cultures

Sip a café au lait and tear into a flaky croissant at a sidewalk bistro in Montréal; head to an Asian night market and slurp noodles in Vancouver; join a wild-fiddling Celtic party on Cape Breton Island; kayak between rainforest-cloaked Aboriginal villages on Haida Gwaii: Canada is incredibly diverse across its breadth and within its cities. You’ll hear it in the music, see it in the arts and taste it in the cuisine.

Foodie Fare

Canada is a local food smorgasbord. If you grazed from west to east across the country, you’d fill your plate like this: wild salmon and velvety scallops in British Columbia, poutine (golden fries topped with gravy and cheese curds) in Québec, and lobster with a dab of melted butter in the Maritime provinces. Tastemakers may not tout Canadian food the way they do, say, Italian or French fare, so let’s just call the distinctive seafood, piquant cheeses, and fresh, seasonal fruits and veggies our little secret. Ditto for the award-winning bold reds and crisp whites produced from the country’s vine-striped valleys.

Artistic Flair

The arts are an integral part of Canada’s cultural landscape. You’ll find it from the International Fringe Theater Festival (the world’s second-largest) in Edmonton to mega museums like Ottawa’s National Gallery. Likewise, Montreal’s Jazz Festival and Toronto’s star-studded Film Festival draw global crowds. Also, did you know Ontario’s Stratford Festival is the continent’s largest classical repertory theater? Even places you might not automatically think of – say, St John’s or Woody Point – put on renowned shindigs (an avant-garde ‘sound symposium’ and a big-name writers festival, respectively).

The Atlantic Coast

Finally, this fabulous 10 day tour offers the chance to explore and admire the rugged, raw beauty of Canada’s Atlantic Coast. Taking in the city of Halifax where parks and trees nestle between heritage buildings, cosmopolitan eateries and art shops. Visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Also, the historic waterfront and learn about the important role the city played in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster in 1912.

For more Canada destinations, Click Here.

Dates

Dates on request

Suggested Itinerary by Air

Day 1

Fly to Halifax

The group will fly to Halifax where they will be met by a local guide and transferred to their hotel in Downtown Halifax where they will have a 2 night stay.

Day 2

Halifax sightseeing

After breakfast, the group will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Halifax which begins at the top of Citadel Hill, where panoramic views of the city and waterfront can be seen. Descending into Halifax’s waterfront area we pass historic ships, Immigration Canada’s Pier 21 and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Explore a fascinating collection of Titanic’s artefacts and learn about Halifax’s unique connection with the disaster’s aftermath. Afterwards, the group will travel along the rugged coastline of the south shore of Nova Scotia. The tour will visit the picturesque town of Peggy’s Cove with its famous lighthouse and foot trails which provide excellent photograph taking opportunities. Return Halifax late afternoon.

Day 3

Travel to Moncton

After breakfast, the group will have some time at leisure in Halifax before travelling to Moncton in the afternoon. The group will have a short sightseeing tour on arrival which will include the world famous Magnetic Hill. Check into a hotel in Moncton for a 2 night stay.

Day 4

Moncton

After breakfast, the group will enjoy an excursion to St. John and the Bay of Fundy. Pristine parks, steep history-lined streets and quality dining and shopping are just a few of the qualities on offer. Witness the phenomenon of the Reversing Falls, caused by the tremendous rise and fall of the tides of the Bay of Fundy. Afterwards, the group will head for the rugged coastline of the Bay of Fundy. Return to Moncton late afternoon.

Day 5

Travel to Charlottetown

After breakfast, the group will travel over the Confederation Bridge to Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island. Upon arrival in Charlottetown, an orientation tour will show you the highlights of this city. Check into hotel in Charlottetown for 2 night stay.

Day 6

Charlottetown

After breakfast, the group will enjoy a sightseeing excursion which will take in Cavendish Beach and along the coastal route through Prince Edward Island National Park where there will be plenty of time to admire the sand dunes, sandstone cliffs and freshwater ponds. Return to Charlottetown late afternoon.

Day 7

Travel to Baddeck, Nova Scotia

After breakfast, the group will depart Charlottetown to travel to Wood Island for the ferry crossing to Nova Scotia. Afterwards, they will travel through the historic town of Antigonish, before crossing to the Cape Breton Island. Arrival at Baddeck and check into a hotel for a 2 night stay.

Day 8

Baddeck & The Cabot Trail

After breakfast, the group will depart for the famous Cabot Trail which has been described as the most spectacular drive in North America. The trail winds through the Cape Breton Highlands, climbs 500 metre high capes, rugged coastal headlands and passes through many villages. Return to Baddeck late afternoon.

Day 9

Travel to Halifax

After breakfast, the group will travel west from Cape Breton Island and following the Eastern Shore with its fantastic ocean views. The group will arrive into Halifax for a final overnight stay.

Day 10-11

Return flight to the UK

The group will be transferred from their hotel to the airport in Halifax for their return overnight flight to the UK.

When To Go:

High Season (Jun–Aug): Sunshine and warm weather prevail; far northern regions briefly thaw. Accommodation prices peak (up 30% on average). December through March is equally busy and expensive in ski resort towns. Shoulder (May, Sep & Oct): Crowds and prices drop off. Temperatures are cool but comfortable. Attractions keep shorter hours. Fall foliage areas (eg Cape Breton, Québec) remain busy. Low Season (Nov–Apr): Places outside the big cities and ski resorts close. Darkness and cold take over. April and November are particularly good for bargains.

Things To Know:

Etiquette

Canadians are a fairly relaxed crowd and don’t offend easily; however, some rules of etiquette do apply.

Politeness Canadians value their please and thank-yous. Bumping into someone without apologizing or not thanking someone for holding the door will earned shocked looks.
Patriotism Commenting that Canadians and Americans aren’t much different is considered highly offensive.
Language In French-speaking areas, always attempt to speak French before English (regardless of how poor your French is).
Lining up While Canadians usually tut rather than speak out, jumping ahead in line is an exception and can cause a full-blown argument.

History

The human story of Canada begins around 15,000 years ago, when Aboriginal locals began carving thriving communities from the abundant wilderness. Everything changed, though, when the Europeans rolled in from the late 15th century onward, staking claims that triggered rumbling conflicts and eventually shaped a vast new nation. Much of this colorful heritage is accessible to visitors, with more than 950 national historic sites covering everything from forts to battlefields to famous homes.

Health and Insurance

Health Insurance

Canada offers some of the finest health care in the world. However, unless you are a Canadian citizen, it can be prohibitively expensive. It’s essential to purchase travel health insurance if your regular policy doesn’t cover you when you’re abroad. Check www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-insurance for supplemental insurance information.

Bring medications you may need clearly labeled in their original containers. A signed, dated letter from your physician that describes your medical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea.

Health Insurance; a policy covering medical expenses is highly recommended.

Vaccinations; No special vaccines are required or recommended for travel to Canada. All travelers should be up to date on routine immunizations.

Stats

Currency: Canadian dollar, Primary Language: English, French, Primary Religion: 43% Roman Catholic, Population: 34.6 million, Time Zone: see below.

Newfoundland Standard Time (GMT/UTC minus 3½ hours)

Atlantic Standard Time (GMT/UTC minus four hours)

Eastern Standard Time (GMT/UTC minus five hours)

Central Standard Time (GMT/UTC minus six hours)

Mountain Standard Time (GMT/UTC minus seven hours)

Pacific Standard Time (GMT/UTC minus eight hours)

Visa Requirements:

British citizens are required to apply for a Canada eTA visa to enter Canada on a short term basis (under 90 days) for general tourism, business, transit or medical purposes. … It is advised that British citizens complete their eTA application 72 hours prior to their departure date.

For more information please visit the link below:

Canada Visa Information

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Tour will run with a minimum of 10 passengers. Picture is for illustrative purposes only. Greatdays Holidays Limited has an ATOL licence (4279) and all of our air package tours are protected under this licence. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the Civil Aviation Authority will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any monies you have paid to us for an advance booking. All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this email are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services).