Boy, do I love Canada. I’ve been lucky to have seen a fair bit of it and have sent many happy clients to enjoy its amazing experiences.
However, the east coast provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick had eluded me – until now. I was super excited when Prestige Holidays offered me the chance to join two of their team and seven other top agents on a self-drive summer itinerary.
The 8-night/ 9-day trip, organised in conjunction with the respective tourism boards, was split into three parts, starting in the 'Ocean Playground' of Nova Scotia.
After meeting my travelling companions in the Heathrow departure lounge, the adventure began with a leisurely lunch time flight with Air Canada.
Terminal Two is my new favourite terminal, primarily because of the fab security machines that mean you don’t have to unpack any items - particularly appealing when you carry as much stuff as I do!
The journey time to Halifax is remarkably short at just six and a half hours. The flight was good with friendly staff, tasty meals, and a plentiful entertainment system.
Canadian security and baggage arrival was smooth and soon we were collecting our hire vehicles. A short, 30-minute drive brought us to our first hotel, the Cambridge Suites, right in the heart of Halifax.
The hotel offers large rooms with kitchenettes and is well-located near shops, bars, restaurants and attractions. Plus, the rooftop deck provides fantastic views across the city.
HALIFAX
Halifax blends the past and present, featuring elegant 18th and 19th-century architecture alongside modern glass and steel towers.
The city is perfect for exploring on foot, with tree-lined streets, old churches, a charming waterfront, a bustling harbour, galleries, museums, international restaurants, stylish cafés and great pubs.
Halifax is also rich in art, with commissioned graffiti and impressive sculptures.
The Five Fishermen
One of Halifax's oldest restaurants, this historic building was once a funeral directors and played a part in the Halifax Explosion of 1917, even housing several Titanic victims.
Today, it's a tastefully decorated fish restaurant where we enjoyed a fantastic dinner. The local lobster, caught that morning, paired perfectly with the increasingly renowned Nova Scotia wines. Both were delicious!
Halifax Waterfront
The nearly 4km boardwalk stretches from the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 to Casino Nova Scotia, offering a lovely stroll. Along the way, you'll find several museums, boutique shops, waterfront restaurants, harbour tours, and the Patio – a great spot to watch the sunset over the harbour. You can also take North America's longest-running saltwater ferry to Dartmouth, filled with more locally owned shops, galleries, cafés, restaurants and pubs.
Harbour Hopper Tour
The bright green Harbour Hopper is an amphibious vehicle providing a fast-paced fun adventure and informative narrated city tour. The first part of the trip navigates the city streets, revealing the rich history packed into a relatively small area.
Then, the truck transforms into a boat and sails into the harbour, offering stunning views and insights into the maritime heritage of the region
The vehicle’s dramatic entrance into the water is brilliant...
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
Overlooking the city, this historic landmark features the Halifax Citadel and old army barracks within a grassy mound. As a national landmark, it commemorates Halifax’s role as a key naval station in the British Empire.
The site offers great views from the top, and we witnessed the midday gun salute at 12 noon, an event that takes place every day except Christmas Day. Following this, we enjoyed an impressive, guided tour of the site, complete with the skirl of the bagpipes.
Sutton Place Hotel
This popular hotel, only a few years old, boasts 19 floors with superb views of the Citadel, harbour and city.
I had the chance to tour a few of the highly impressive rooms before enjoying lunch at their grill, where I had some of the most delicious food I’ve ever tasted in a hotel bar. Absolutely scrumptious!
EASTERN SHORE
Peggy's Cove
A 45-minute drive from Halifax, the famous Peggy’s Cove is home to one of Nova Scotia's most recognisable landmarks - the iconic lighthouse - a beacon for seafarers.
The tiny harbour below the lighthouse features a vibrant display of weathered fish sheds and colourful fishing boats, making it one of the most photographed places in Canada.
When we arrived, it was very misty, and the lighthouse was initially hidden from view. This only added to the atmosphere, giving a sense of mystery.
It felt like stepping into an episode of Murder She Wrote, with the village reminding me of the fictional town of Cabot Cove (pictured above). Thankfully, no murders were committed, as far as I know!
SOUTH SHORE
Oak Island Resort
The drive west along the coastline was breathtaking, with each bend revealing postcard-perfect views of small villages and hamlets, complete with cute houses and rickety piers.
From the moment we turned into the driveway of the Oak Island Resort, I knew I was going to love it. The hotel exudes a relaxed nautical vibe and offers stunning views across Mahone Bay.
The resort is named after nearby Oak Island, a tiny landmass with an intriguing history featured in the documentary, The Curse of Oak Island. The series explores the myth of buried treasure on the island, which many have tried to find, but none have succeeded. If they have, they’re keeping it a secret!
The hotel has a ton of activities to keep families entertained, and the food and service were excellent. Though we only had time for a night here, it would be a fabulous place to spend a few days as part of a road trip around Nova Scotia.
Mahone Bay
A gem on the South Shore, Mahone Bay, is renowned for its picturesque 'three churches' lined up at the waterfront. We paused for a few photos, though the misty weather somewhat masked the village’s full charm. [Professional photo included for comparison].
Lunenburg
Our final stop on the South Shore was the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lunenburg. Guided by the knowledgeable Eric, we delved into the town's rich history and unique architecture.
Established by European immigrants encouraged by the British government, these peasant farmers adapted to fishing and boat building. The distinctive architecture, with many original wooden buildings and five beautifully restored churches, reflects their boat-building heritage.
The warmth and friendliness of the locals enhanced the charm and appeal of this captivating Canadian province.
NORTH SHORE
Wolfville & Grand Pré
In Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy and Annapolis Valley region, the north shore is celebrated for its stunning scenery, vibrant marine wildlife and exceptional wineries.
Wolfville, a delightful town in this area, offers an array of local delights, from fresh fruits and vegetables to homemade jams, honey, mouth-watering baked goods and of course wine!
The region is renowned for its white and sparkling wines, thanks to its unique climate.
We toured Domaine de Grand Pré winery, sampling some exquisite wines, though unfortunately (or fortunately!), luggage restrictions meant I couldn’t bring any bottles home. ☹
Our evening dinner at Le Caveau, one of the world’s top winery restaurants, was exceptional. The food was delicious, the drinks excellent and the service impeccable.
We capped off our stay at the beautifully named and located Old Orchard Inn.
Annapolis Royal & Digby
The quaint town of Annapolis Royal, rich in history, was originally a thriving Mi'kmaq settlement before welcoming North America's early European settlers in 1605.
Fort Anne National Historic Site, once known as Nme’juaqnek (“place of bountiful fish”), was a key gathering spot for the Mi'kmaq people. Spanning 37 acres, the fort represents a series of structures built by the Scots, the French, and finally the British, each leaving their mark on this historic site.
Our group split here, so I missed Fort Anne but had a delightful visit to the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. Set against a scenic tidal river valley, the gardens boasted a stunning array of formal displays and vibrant, fragrant blooms.
Nearby, Digby, renowned as "the scallop capital of the world", offers a mix of engaging activities, breathtaking natural sights and some of the best whale watching in North America.
The Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa is a historic Norman-style chateau overlooking the scenic Annapolis Basin, just a short walk from downtown. The area is home to lovely craft shops, museums, Fisherman’s Wharf and the Digby Scallop Fleet.
The resort features elegant guestrooms in the main building and maritime cottages scattered across the lush grounds. We enjoyed a delightful lunch on their 18-hole golf course. A special mention to the hotel manager, whose passion for both the property and guest satisfaction truly stood out.
Nova Scotia has been a wonderful province to explore, filled with beauty and fascinating history. It showcases the incredible diversity between the west and east coasts of this vast country.