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MARITIMES HISTORY TOUR
tour description
Join Mark Reid, Editor-in-Chief of Canada’s History magazine, on an exclusive thirteen-day tour of the Maritime Provinces. Delve into the history and natural wonders of the region. Highlights include Peggy’s Cove, UNESCO World Heritage sites of Lunenburg and Grand Pre, Port Royal, a Mi’kmaq meeting, the Annapolis Valley, King’s Landing, Confederation Square, Green Gables, Alexander Graham Bell Museum, the Cabot Trail, and Fortress Louisbourg. Visit the capitals of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI, stay at historic properties, and enjoy delicious local cuisine.
PROVINCES: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island
HISTORICAL SITES: Lunenburg, Grand Pré, Port Royal, King’s Landing, Confederation Square, Green Gables, Alexander Graham Bell Museum, Cabot Trail and Fortress Louisbourg.
DURATION: 13 days
Detailed Itinerary
May 23
Canada
Embarkation
Depart for Halifax from various destinations. Upon your arrival at Halifax International Airport transfer by van to the downtown waterfront Westin Nova Scotian Hotel where your Tour Director and a Know the World principal will assist with your check in.
May 24
Halifax
Halifax City Tour
Explore both the historical and other highlights of Halifax: the Citadel, Pier 21 Immigration Museum, the area of the 1917 Halifax Explosion, cemeteries containing Titanic victims’ gravesites, Dalhousie University as well as the newly developing, yet historic, downtown on your city tour. Lunch near your hotel before entering Pier 21 where most immigrants of the period 1928 – 1971 were processed before going by train to their new Canadian destinations.
May 25
Halifax
Peggy’s Cove & Lunenburg
A luxury coach takes you along the province’s South Shore coastline to the picturesque fishing village of Peggy’s Cove and its iconic lighthouse followed by visits to charming Mahone Bay and fabled Lunenburg. Cross the province for a guided tour of the Port Royal – Habitation, an authentic wooden replica of Samuel de Champlain’s 1605 French settlement. Overnight at the “Pines” in Digby, the ‘Scallop Capital of the World’, after dining locally on freshly caught seafood.
May 26
Digby
Annapolis Royal & Mi’kmaq history
A walking tour of the town of Annapolis Royal and a visit to Fort Anne precedes a meeting with a local Mi’kmaq chief and members, descendants of the First Peoples to make contact with Europeans, at Bear River, a noted artisan community. Return to Digby and the “Pines” for another comfortable overnight overlooking Annapolis Basin.
May 27
Digby
Wolfville & Grand Pré
Travel through the lush Annapolis Valley region and the charming university town of Wolfville for lunch at Luckett’s Vineyards affording views of Cape Blomidon and the Minas Basin. Then visit the nearby historic site of Grand Pré to learn about the forced ‘Expulsion of the Acadians’ by the British beginning in 1755. Journey into New Brunswick to your downtown Moncton hotel located on the banks of the Petitcodiac River, site of one of the Bay of Fundy’s many tidal bores.
May 28
Moncton
Tidal Bore & Hopewell Rocks
If tidal timing permits (they only come in twice daily) we will witness a tidal bore before departure for the amazing natural wonder of the Hopewell Rocks. If the tide is out, you actually can walk among the rock formations on the mud floor of the Bay of Fundy! After lunch overlooking the Bay of Fundy at Alma, drive through the giant forests of Fundy National Park en route to New Brunswick’s capital city of Fredericton. Arrive at the downtown Crowne Plaza – Lord Beaverbrook Hotel. This hotel was originally named after one of Canada’s famous sons and is situated on the banks of the beautiful Saint John River.
May 29
Fredericton
King’s Landing
The morning will include lunch at King’s Landing, an extremely well-executed pioneer village just north of the city followed by a Fredericton city tour with stops at the historic Lt. Governor’s residence, the Legislature Building, Christ Church Cathedral and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
May 30
Fredericton
Summerside tour
Today we visit Mount Allison University in Sackville before leaving New Brunswick for Prince Edward Island via the Confederation bridge, one of the longest in the world. Soon charmed by the bright red soil and endless fields of potatoes we encounter on our countryside drive to Summerside, our day is highlighted by a tasty lobster supper in the rural village of New Glasgow before arriving in PEI’s capital city, Charlottetown, to retire at the “Rodd”, a centrally located historic former CN-built hotel.
May 31
Charlottetown
Green Gables &
Charlottetown city tour
A morning drive takes us back into the pretty countryside to visit famed Green Gables whose author, Lucy Maud Montgomery, enchanted millions of little girls around the world with her series of “Anne” books. You may lunch at the Preserve Company’s New Glasgow restaurant which offers some of the best food on the Island before heading back to Charlottetown for a city tour which includes historic ‘Fanningbrook’, the official residence of the Lt. Governor, the Legislature Building, former site of the Fathers of Confederation Room now located at nearby Confederation Square due to yet to be completed renovations, St. Dunstan’s Cathedral and other unique features of this beautifully treed city. An optional evening theatre performance of Anne and Gilbert in Love is suggested before retiring back at the “Rodd”.
June 1
Baddeck
Bell Museum
Cross by car ferry to Pictou and journey on to Antigonish, home of St. Francis Xavier University. Fine dining at “Gabrielle’s” will be enjoyed before crossing the Canso Causeway to Cape Breton and the quaint village of Baddeck, the summer home of Alexander Graham Bell. Tour the Bell museum before arriving at the picturesque “Inverary Resort Hotel” on the north shore of Lake Bras d’Or.
June 2
Baddeck
Cabot Trail
Today we drive around the stunning Cabot Trail whose views will thrill you at every turn. A special lunch at Cheticamp features Chester, the fiddler and his Gaelic tunes. A farewell dinner awaits us on our return to the “Inverary”.
June 3
Halifax
Fortress Louisbourg
The day begins at Fortress Louisbourg, a reconstruction of the 18th century French fortress overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Lunch follows at the late singer Rita McNeill’s Tea Room in the village of Big Pond on the south shore of Lake Bras d’ Or before travelling back to Halifax along Nova Scotia’s rugged and scenic Eastern Shore. Overnight at the airport “Alt Hotel” allowing for easy departure the next day to your homes across Canada.
June 4
Halifax
Disembarkation
Depart for home after a wonderful tour of the Maritimes.