Itinerary Details

Tauck World Discovery: Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island

Day 1 Halifax, Canada
Arrive Halifax

Tour starts: 5:30 PM, The Prince George Hotel. A transfer is included from Halifax International Airport to The Prince George Hotel in the heart of historic Halifax. Kick off an exciting week with a welcome reception in Halifax at Pier 21, "Gateway to Canada," which features exhibits chronicling 20th-century Canadian immigration and the poignant multimedia production, Oceans of Hope.

From Halifax, start the day with a visit to Peggy's Cove – a picturesque Nova Scotia fishing town that's one of the most-photographed spots in North America – before continuing along the rugged Atlantic coast to the fishing village of Lunenburg, renowned for its rich shipbuilding and maritime legacy. Established in the 18th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best surviving examples of a planned British colonial settlement in North America. After lunch, you have a choice of sightseeing in Lunenburg – see the village's 18th- and 19th-century timber-built houses on a walking tour, or visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, housed in historic waterfront buildings, to gain insights into the Maritime Provinces' seafaring heritage. Return to Halifax for an evening at leisure.

You may spend the entire day exploring Halifax, Nova Scotia's provincial capital and the Maritimes' largest city, as you please – or, if you wish, join your Tauck Director for a city tour, and docent-led tour through the Halifax Public Gardens. This evening, join us for a Tauck Exclusive – a private tour and dinner at Halifax's venerable Citadel National Historic Site, a witness to 300 years of history offering spectacular views of the city and its celebrated harbor.

Bid a temporary goodbye to Nova Scotia as you ride a ferry to lovely Prince Edward Island. Following lunch, arrive mid-afternoon in Charlottetown, where your hotel is just steps from the Charlottetown boardwalk and Peake's Wharf. The remainder of the day is spent as you please.

Following a morning at leisure in Charlottetown, set out to explore the wildlife-rich salt marshes and dramatic coastal bluffs of Prince Edward Island National Park. Next, you'll learn about a staple of the PEI economy, Prince Edward Island oysters, on a visit to Raspberry Point Oyster Company. Discover the world of oyster farming, from growth to shucking, and enjoy an opportunity to taste the freshest oysters right out of the ocean and learn about their distinctive flavors. Next, a visit to Green Gables Heritage Place immerses in the world of Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables – learn about the landscapes that inspired her and play a large role in her books, and visit Green Gables House. A traditional lobster dinner caps the day – a must-have experience on P.E.I.

Depart Prince Edward Island and cross the Confederation Bridge to the province of New Brunswick, then return to Nova Scotia once again. Explore French pioneer life from the early 17th century as recreated by costumed interpreters and artisan demonstrators at the Port-Royal National Historic Site and the Habitation, a reconstruction of one of North America's earliest European settlements. Continue on to a two-night stay in Digby; your historic seaside resort was built in 1929 and overlooks the Annapolis Basin and the Bay of Fundy.

Set off with a naturalist for a whale watching cruise off Digby Neck on the Bay of Fundy, offering world-renowned whale and bird watching; keep an eye peeled for finback, minke and humpback whales and lots of seals, drawn to the bay's abundant plankton. Back at your resort in Digby your afternoon is free to enjoy as you please; join us at this evening's farewell reception and dinner at the hotel.

As you head back to Halifax for your journey home, wind your way through Nova Scotia's rich Annapolis Valley farmland to visit Grand-Pré National Historic Site, where the British deported the French Acadians in 1755; the incident inspired Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous poem, Evangeline. Tour ends: 11:45 AM, Halifax International Airport. For guests wishing to extend their stay in Halifax, Tauck can arrange additional nights at The Prince George Hotel; a transfer to Halifax International Airport is included for these bookings. Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.