gopack

I am planning an October vacation in Nova Scotia for my husband and myself. We will have 12 nights there. I need some help with my plans.

We will get to Halifax around 6 p.m. on the first night. I plan 2 nights in Halifax, then I want to move on toward Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg area for one night. Then follow the lighthouse trail up to the Digby area for one night. Then across the northern shore toward Cape Breton island.

Can someone recommend a nice area to stay for one night along the northern shore - Pictou??

I am planning 4 nights on Cape Breton Island.

I still have 2 nights left (The last night we are staying at the Inn on the Lake as it is close to the airport.)

Would you recommend a 3rd night in Halifax at the beginning of the trip? And where would you recommend another night's stay??

Any ideas are appreciated. Sorry this is so long. Thanks ahead of time!

Molly2

My husband and I stayed at the Evening Sail bed and breakfast in Pictou last summer. It's well-run, a shortish wwalk from the waterfront, and included a huge breakfast. We ate dinner, pretty good fish and ale, at a pub overlooking the boat reconstruction the evening we got in, then took a stroll along the pretty waterfront trail. We were a bit disappointed in the town outside the waterfront area, sorry to say, a bit run-down, but a pleasant one-night stop.

One suggestion: we really enjoy Wolfville and the surrounding area - great theatre, scenic drives, tide viewing with a great lobster pound ,nearby historical sites, excellent inns and dining, .... and chimney swifts {ask in town}!

Have a great trip!

capebreton01

Dear go pack, I have some suggestions for your 4 nights in cape breton. Baddeck would be a great spot for at least 2 nights due to the Cabot Trail being so close & to do the trail you would need 8 to 10 hrs to see it properly. Baddeck it self is one of the most breathtaking spots this p[lace is to die for just because of a charming small village atmosphere. After baddeck I would spend days 3 & 4 based in sydney to reach the other attractions the Island has to offer Such as The Fortress of Louisbourg & the Miners' Museum both are only a short drive away. These are a must see, Explore some the out of the way places when visiting the Island Cape Breton is not all that big so you won't get lost,& if you do get lost all you have to do is ask. we'll be more than happy to help out.

Rae

Hi gopack

we just returned from a trip to NS - our first (won't be the last!) It was a great holiday and we met some of the friendliest people I've ever encountered on my travels!

Agree with Baddeck for your Cape Breton base.

On the north shore, can I recommend the Queen Anne Inn in Annapolis Royal? We stayed there one night (once we got there we wished we had time to stay some more nights!! it was a highlight of our stay) - they have a website (try a search on google) and you can see the rooms before you book.

Its very convenient for Digby and the Bay of Fundy whale watch excursions etc.etc.

Pictou was nice but I can't recommend any hotels - sorry!

Oh yes, Be sure to catch a tidal bore near Truro. Amazing...

Hope you have a great trip.

gopack

Thanks for the replies so far!

Molly2, where did you stay in Wolfville and did you like it?

Capebreton01 - thanks for the info on Cape Breton island. I will definitely stay at least 2 nights in Baddeck - sounds really nice. Definitely want to see Fort Louisburg also. Am thinking about the Gowrie House in Sydney - are you familiar with it?

Rae- please tell me more about the Truro area and what is a tidal bore???


Thanks again -

elberko

Rae, I'd be interested in hearing about your tidal bore experience, because I didn't think anyone thought it was worth the trouble. See the following post. I'm "Liz"


http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...&tid=80816

wow

Hi, gopack! The Gowrie House is one of my favorite places! Friends had their wedding reception there a few years ago. Beautifully appointed rooms decorated w/ antiques. The dining room is charming & the food is excellent. I wld. strongly suggest room reservations well in advance. I don't know if they are still open in October (you do not say when in October). I was going to suggest that you skip Sydney & stay in Baddeck but I think that The Gowrie House is an excellent choice. While not in Sydney, it is in the "Sydney area".
Enjoy Cape Breton! We just returned from a wonderful week there!

Molly2

go,pack, we stayed at the Gingerbread Inn in Wolfville. This was a few years ago, so I don't know if it's the same, but, yes, we liked it. It's rather eccentric looking - looks - or looked - just like a gingerbread house! We stayed in the most affordable room which was smallish, but offered a balcony under a shady tree, where we enjoyed our in-room am coffee. The rate included a delicious breakfast, and the hosts were pleasant and helpful. I believe that there are larger rooms with jaccuzis.

There were several other lovely -looking inns in the area, one directly in front of the Gingerbread Inn that appeared a bit more formal and may have offered dining.

You'll love Cape Breton. If you like to hike, don't miss the Skyline Trail for breathtaking scenery and possible up-close moose sightings. A well-travelled walk, but worth it.

Tanya

In Baddeck check out the MacRae House which is rented through the Telegraph House. It is a three bedroom, 1.5 bath house with all amenities and just a few second walk to the water.

In Wolfville, the Blomidon is also quite nice.

In Pictou, there is the Consulate Inn or check out Pictou Lodge - very nice and great food with an awesome view.

On your way back from Cape Breton, you might want to choose to take the eastern shore route back to Halifax. It will take you through Sherbrooke, Liscomb (stay at Liscomb Lodge for a night) and eventually into Dartmouth. A nice drive with little traffic.

capebreton01

Dear Go Pack, The Gowrie House is LOcated in Sydney Mines which is about a 30 to 35 min drive from Sydney. Its a great place to stay where the service & standards are second to none by all means keep you reservation for the main house. Please let me know if there is anything else you want to know about Sydney & the Surrounding areas It would be my pleasure helping you out since this is my stomping grounds.

davidess

Well, capebreton01, I'd be very grateful indeed if you could suggest some nice places to stay for a night in the Sydney area; we're off to Nfld in the middle of September, and all of the places we have looked at in the Baddeck area are heavily into the ripping-off-the-tourists game and remain so until the end of October.

We have heard at least one truly horrendous report about the Gowrie House (attitude, cleanliness and bad food masquerading..., as well as horrendous pricing (gopack, are you there?)) so have crossed it off our list and are "looking down". Any thoughts or comments on the Clansman? We're catching the 0800 ferry to Channel-Pt. aux Basques, so an included breakfast is not a consideration (nobody seems to serve before 0800 anyway).

If I seem a little weary, it's because twice to-day I've made "availability and rate" inquiries about Cape Breton accommodations and have received in return confirmed reservations complete with confirmation numbers and reminders about their cancellation policies.

Thanks very much indeed for any assistance.

DES

davidess

Capebreton01, SORRY--didn't see your earlier reply until just now! Silver Dart was one of those anxious to hustle us into a reservation and made me nervous. They may indeed be just fine, and I apologize for any unintended slur. But again, what about the Sydney area?

DES

capebreton01

Dear Davidess, If your staying in sydney try The Cambridge Suites located on the esplande in downtown sydney next to the board walk. It has a great staff as well as big rooms ( suites) other hotels or motels in the area charge approx. the Same as the Cambridge but the major difference is the other places you are paying for a room & at the Cambridge your getting a suite with a sitting room(tv room) & kichenette as well as a closed off bed room. I always suggest the Cambridge Suites they are reasonable priced with a great staff & a wonderful served breakfast. The Phone # is 902 562 6500. As for Gowrie House its a up scale place which has a long & proud history for serving people with fine food & expectional Lodging. Yes it can be quite pricy but you get what you pay for. I hope this helps.

capebreton01

Dear Davidess, sorry to be going on & on you asked about the clansman. Its a good choice since its close to the ferry, its only about a 5 to 10 min drive to the ferry from there. Another one is the North Star Inn which is located on forrest street & is right above the ferry terminal its also a good choice. As for being worried about being ripped off in Baddeck. DON"T BE. Baddeck has a high volume business & high price for the scenery that surround the place. The sliver dart is a fine establishment. I tend to believe that they where being overly helpful to you based on the volume thay have to deal with, incoming calls for requests & as any good business would want to book you with them. As I said before You get what you pay for. Its just up to you on what you want to spend it on..

gopack

Just want to say thank-you to all of you who have replied to my request for help!! Your suggestions have been very helpful to me. I really appreciate it.

I love reading the information from this message board. Have received invaluable advice I have used on many vacations.

stillhouse

RE: Lodging in Pictou. We spent one night at the Pictou Lodge based on the advice of a friend who had stayed there. It was a last minute decision to try to get closer to the ferry (we had originally planned to spend another night in Baddeck). Worked out great. Nothing fancy, but good sized rooms, many of which have an ocean view. They have complimentary use of canoes and paddle boats, as well as bicycles. We ate dinner in the dining room and thought the food was pretty good.

Mitmap

We went to the Maritimes last year in Oct as well, the fall colors were incredible! If you're staying at Pictou, I have to second Tanya on the Consulate Inn http://www.consulateinn.com/
It was an incredible little B&B. It was the last night they were going to operate their restaurant, the food was great! Anyway, it was pretty quite because it was close to the end of tourist season there, and we were going to stay at their Heritage Room, but they upgraded us to the Garden View Room at no charge. They have a lovely garden out back, and right by the boardwalk by the waterfront. I can't tell you much about Pictou itself, we arrived at dinner time, stayed overnight and then we were on our way the next morning.

Rae's recommdation on Queen Anne in Annapolis Royal is right on! Again we only stayed one night, but wish we had another night. It was a GORGEOUS B&B, the photos don't do it justice. The rooms are incredible, and talk about the gourmet breakfast in the morning! Annapolis Royal itself is very pretty, with many pretty heritage houses along the main street there. I would definitely go back there again.

One thing we were disappointed about travelling in the Maritimes in Oct was that many places shut down after the Oct Thanksgiving weekend. We were there the first two weeks in Oct, and were finding many places only had "skeleton crew" on. In a way it was good because it allowed us to travel without having to book anything in advance, we just winged it as our time permitted.