Advice for 9 Days in Atlantic Canada
Aug 4th, 2007, 04:02 PM
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Advice for 9 Days in Atlantic Canada
My boyfriend and I are planning to spend 9 days (Aug. 31 - Sept 9) in Atlantic Canada.
We definately want to see Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland. Is it possible to do this without "overdoing" it? We will be renting a car. What places should we absolutely not miss? Any suggestions would help alot!!
Thanks!!
We definately want to see Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland. Is it possible to do this without "overdoing" it? We will be renting a car. What places should we absolutely not miss? Any suggestions would help alot!!
Thanks!!
Aug 4th, 2007, 04:55 PM
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I think you will be hard-pressed to do even the eastern or western half of Newfoundland in 9 days.
If you're planning to drive & ferry to NF, do you know it's a 7 or 14 hr crossing (depending on which one you take)?
I'd just stick to NS & PEI for this trip - IMHO since I was shocked during my visit at how large NF is.
You can start with a search of this forum for NS/PEI suggestions and itineraries - lots of good info to harvest to get the "bones" of your trip down. Have a good trip!
Enjoy-la!
If you're planning to drive & ferry to NF, do you know it's a 7 or 14 hr crossing (depending on which one you take)?
I'd just stick to NS & PEI for this trip - IMHO since I was shocked during my visit at how large NF is.
You can start with a search of this forum for NS/PEI suggestions and itineraries - lots of good info to harvest to get the "bones" of your trip down. Have a good trip!
Enjoy-la!
Aug 7th, 2007, 08:25 PM
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As klam chowder said, just Nova Scotia and PEI seems more realistic. Charlottetown takes a day, and then doing the circuit around the perimeter of PEI (beautiful drives) would take two to three days if you want to stop and walk along the beaches (and the "Anne of Green Gables" attractions). Halifax takes two days, and then there's the rest of Nova Scotia as well as Cape Breton if you want to see the Fortress of Louisbourg.
Aug 13th, 2007, 08:06 AM
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you need to do more research if you think you can do all three in 9 days. i spent 2 1/2 weeks in nova scotia/cape breton and could have used another week.
newfoundland, i couldn't imagine doing in under 8-10 days; pei - 4 days
newfoundland, i couldn't imagine doing in under 8-10 days; pei - 4 days
Aug 13th, 2007, 11:48 AM
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Agree, it's too much to do in 9 days. If it's your first trip to this region, I also agree you do Nova Scotia and PEI first.
There have been lots of extensive threads over the last month on touring this region, with details on the best sights and places to stay. If you don't want to scroll through archives, put in various search terms such as "nova scotia", ns, pei, Halifax, Lunenburg, Cape Breton.
In NS, Halifax is a great small city that most people enjoy very much. Vibrant harbourfront area with shops, restaurants, museums. Can do a number of day trips from Halifx, e.g. along the popular "Lighthouse Route" (search this term on the web for more details) to places like Lunenburg, a picturesque and historic town of preserved homes and buildings converted into shops and restaurants.
I love the Cabot Trail which in part runs through spectacular Cape Breton Highlands National Park and always recommend this as a highlight - known as one of the most scenic drives in North America. Also lots of light outdoor adventure in and near the park including nature trails and day hikes, beaches, great photo ops, fishing villages, wildlife and whale watching, etc.
Get the Nova Scotia Doers and Dreamers Guide published by the government in advance if you can (time might be a little short now - but go to their website at least, and maybe phone them, see if they can get it right out to you). It's got details on just about every sight in the province, and all the accommodations.
There have been lots of extensive threads over the last month on touring this region, with details on the best sights and places to stay. If you don't want to scroll through archives, put in various search terms such as "nova scotia", ns, pei, Halifax, Lunenburg, Cape Breton.
In NS, Halifax is a great small city that most people enjoy very much. Vibrant harbourfront area with shops, restaurants, museums. Can do a number of day trips from Halifx, e.g. along the popular "Lighthouse Route" (search this term on the web for more details) to places like Lunenburg, a picturesque and historic town of preserved homes and buildings converted into shops and restaurants.
I love the Cabot Trail which in part runs through spectacular Cape Breton Highlands National Park and always recommend this as a highlight - known as one of the most scenic drives in North America. Also lots of light outdoor adventure in and near the park including nature trails and day hikes, beaches, great photo ops, fishing villages, wildlife and whale watching, etc.
Get the Nova Scotia Doers and Dreamers Guide published by the government in advance if you can (time might be a little short now - but go to their website at least, and maybe phone them, see if they can get it right out to you). It's got details on just about every sight in the province, and all the accommodations.
Aug 16th, 2007, 10:57 AM
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Well, it's true that to thoroughly explore all the interesting regions and destinations in NS alone could easily take several weeks. But many people have vacation time limitations that doesn't allow this. My first trip to Nova Scotia I spent about 9 days, dividing this between 2 locations - Cape Breton and the Lighthouse Route and enjoyed it thoroughly even knowing that I was limited in how many regions I could see. So, I came back - 3 more times and planning our 5th visit next year. We now spend about 2 weeks when we vacation in this area and usually divide that between 3 destinations.
At this point in my life, a little older and less inclined to spend as much time in the car, I personally wouldn't try to do both NS and PEI in 9 days. However I have friends who don't mind "whirlwind tours" and did just that a couple of years ago and enjoyed their trip thoroughly. Maybe you'll just plan another trip in a few years to see some of the areas you missed and revisit a few of your past highlights.
At this point in my life, a little older and less inclined to spend as much time in the car, I personally wouldn't try to do both NS and PEI in 9 days. However I have friends who don't mind "whirlwind tours" and did just that a couple of years ago and enjoyed their trip thoroughly. Maybe you'll just plan another trip in a few years to see some of the areas you missed and revisit a few of your past highlights.
