This afternoon arrive in Halifax.  Collect your luggage and proceed to the rental desk to pick-up your rental car and drive to your hotel in downtown Halifax.  Rest of the day free to explore the beautiful city of Halifax and its  downtown and harbor.

Head to Cape Breton Island, often described as ‘a little piece of Scotland in North America’. The island offers an array adventurous activities from sailing and hiking all the way down through golfing or kayaking for those who want some fresh sea air without getting too far out into open waters!  If you're looking more than just relaxation this destination has plenty going on including cultural experiences with delicious food made by hand - like fresh "ship-to shore" shellfish served up at one restaurant I found while exploring--and single malt whisky distilleries where visitors can enjoy tours free tasting sessions plus learn how their products are produced.

The town of Beddeck is often referred to as the beginning and end of Cape Breton Island's famous Cabot Trail.  This tiny town, nestled along its shores with beautiful views for miles in every direction makes an ideal stopover on your journey through this iconic island nation - especially if you're looking for tranquil beauty amidst all that nature has offer!

The area was once home to Mi’kmaq settlements, and it got its name from the native word “Abadak” which means place with an island near. The most famous face to grace Baddeck’s summer residence was that of Alexander Graham Bell, inventor and creator who built two homes on his estate he called “Beinn Bhreagh". Scottish Gaelic for "Beautiful Mountain".

Just east of Sydney, Nova Scotia, stands Fortress of Louisburg, a National Historic Site and the location of a one-quarter partial reconstruction of an 18th-century French fortress.  In 1744, the settlement here rivalled New York and Philadelphia.  Its two sieges, especially that of 1758, were turning points in the Anglo-French struggle for what today is Canada.  The fortress is the largest historical reconstruction in North America, spanning 16,000 acres, sixty of which are located within restored stone walls.  

Each summer, historical re-enactors breathe life to this unique living museum, playing their French colonial part of soldier, settler, merchant or peasant.   French soldiers march down the streets of the town as ladies dance in formal parlours. Cannon fire shakes the ground as harpsichord tunes mingle with baking bread aromas drifting from the stone bakery. Step through Louisburg’s fortress walls and time-warp back to the 1700s. Chat with fishermen, sailors and servants. Sip rum and watch lacemaking as children play 300-year-old games and stew simmers on an open-hearth fire. It’s so real, it seems surreal.

Leaving Baddeck this morning, we drive to Caribou, just east of the historical town of Pictou to ferry-cross to Wood Island in PEI.  On arrival in PEI, embark on the famous Points East Coastal Drive.

Your fist stop on the Point East Coastal Drive would be Point Prim Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on Prince Edward Island. Built in 1845, by a Richard Walsh, the Prim Lighthouse is 60 feet above the ground and 80 feet above sea level and offers spectacular views of the Northumberland Strait. You can climb the lighthouse to the top and enjoy the views!  Enroute to Prim Point, you may want to stop by at Orwell Corner Historic Village or Roma at Three Rivers National Historic Site.

From here, proceed to Murray Harbour a rustic fishing village with beautiful beaches, lighthouses and amazing restaurants. At Murray Harbour, you can go kayaking, cycling & hiking on Confederation Trail. If you like lighthouses, perhaps, you can check out the Cape Bear Lighthouse a 3-story square tower that has guided fishermen and sailors  along PEI’s Northumberland Strait. The view from the lighthouse reveals small, secluded beaches, rugged sandstone cliffs, and marine life such as seals and porpoises.  Leaving Murray Harbour behind drive to Montague, often called  "Montague the Beautiful" because of the tranquil river running through it, the lovely tree-lined streets, its stately heritage homes and hidden gems.  Enjoy the boardwalk which runs along the waterfront and is part of the Confederation Trail. 

The next stop on your itinerary would be Georgetown, the very first harbour to be built on the eastern seaboard. Home to one of the deepest harbours in North America, Georgetown was once a major ship-building centre and home to A.A. MacDonald, one of the Fathers of Confederation.

The last stop on your itinerary today would be the Greenwich National Park, home to Prince Edward Island’s largest sand dunes, including a parabolic dune system that is very rare in North America. The park is also habitat to rare plants and animals, as well as archaeological findings dating back 10,000 years.

The route is a haven for foodies with its fresh seafood, local produce and warm service. You can enjoy quaint beachside fish shacks or indulge in specialty trucks while you tour around the area before deciding on your next location to dine at one of many genre restaurants that line this stretch!

Depart PEI this morning for New Brunswick.  Before you drive across the Confederation Bridge, spend the morning driving up to the Anne of Green Gables Museum.  Your first stop on the way up would be the tiny fishing village of French River offering breathtaking scenery with hills and farmland overlooking the New London Bay.  Take a trip off-the-beaten-path and discover the Cape Tryon Lighthouse overlooking spectacular sandstone cliffs.  Next, visit Anne at Green Gables Heritage Place.  At the time when  Anne of Green Gables was published in 1908, most people could only dream of visiting its magical setting. Since then, millions of fans have travelled to Prince Edward Island to discover the place that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery’s stories and characters.

Departing PEI, drive across the world-famous Confederation Bridge to arrive in Moncton.  Enroute, stop at  Shediac Bay for a short lobster visit. 

Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Moncton.  Make sure to drive to the bottom of Magnetic Hill.  On getting there, shift into neutral, and be prepared to be amazed. Your car will roll uphill in total defiance of natural law, even as your brain is telling you it's simply not possible. 

Next on the itinerary is Hopewell Rocks Ocean Tidal Visitor Centre, which is just forty minutes outside of Moncton. Visit the famous flowerpots (Hopewell Rocks). You will need about 6 hours and 13 minutes to see both the high tide and the low tide. It is important that you know the time of the tides on the day of your visit and so that you can plan the rest of the day accordingly. You have about 3 hours to walk on the ocean floor. To enhance your experience, join for a Kayak trip and paddle around Hopewell Rocks.

From Hopewell Rocks, you’ll head south towards Fundy National Park. If you are driving without stopping at any interesting waypoints you find on the way (like Cape Enrage), it will take approximately half an hour to reach Alma.

If you have time (or travelling with teens), Cape Enrage is another stop you should consider visiting. Enjoy a spectacular view of Bay of Fundy from towering cliffs and explore the 140 years old light house.  Have dinner at the highly acclaimed lobster shop in Alma where you can taste some glorious Atlantic Canadian lobster. Thankfully, Alma’s lobster shop is located right on the outskirts of Fundy National Park.

Leaving Moncton this morning, your first stop on your way back to Halifax would be Amherst.  The town is centrally located to both the Bay of Fundy, home to the world's highest tides and the Northumberland Shore, where several warm-water ocean beaches await.

  

Leaving Amherst behind. drive south to get to Truro. Truro is known as the “Hub of Nova Scotia”. The city's size, central location and historic downtown makes it a popular home-base for exploring the province and the world-renowned tidal phenomena of the Bay of Fundy.  On the edge of town visitors flock to the Truro Tidal Bore Viewing Visitor centre along the Salmon River to view the tidal bore that occurs twice a day because of the immense incoming Bay of Fundy tide.

From Truro, the drive to Halifax is approximately an hour and fifteen minutes.

Arrive in Halifax late afternoon.  Rest of the day free to explore Halifax.

The South Shore of Nova Scotia make up for some of the most beautiful arts of the province.  Places that should be on  your stop and see list should include Peggy’s Cove., Chester, Mahoney Bay, Lunenberg, LaHave & Petite Rivière, Liverpool, Shelburne and Barrington.

Nova Scotia is home to over 160 historic lighthouses, but no beacon is as photographed as the one in the vibrant fishing village of Peggy’s Cove.  

Recently named as one of Canada’s top ten most beautiful towns , Mahone Bay boasts a simple yet extraordinary way of life. Experience it all from history to unique shops, artisans to culinary experiences, along the colourful and quaint streets.

Old Town Lunenburg is one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Seventy percent of the original colonial buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries continue to greet visitors with their colourful façades.

At laHave, venture down the east side of the Lahave River and enjoy a scenic drive along the winding LaHave River before arriving at the LaHave Ferry. As one of the last remaining cable ferries in Nova Scotia, this unique 5-minute journey gives you a perfect 360° view of life on the river.

Liverpool is a storied coastal community with colonial captains' homes, scenic seaside accommodations, and a rich privateering history.  

The town of Shelburne provides unique experiences that are rich in culture and adventure while offering places to relax and unwind in a surrounding of historic treasures, wilderness and beauty.

And at the very end of the South Shore stands Barrington, the Lobster Capital of Canada. Fresh seafood is easily found here with some of the richest lobster fishing grounds in the world.

Day free.  This a day for you to explore Halifax, with its extraordinary maritime history and lovely walkable downtown. Stroll to the top of the Citadel which has guarded the city since the 18th century. Visit one or two of the fascinating museums charting the history of the city which amongst other things was the first responder for the Titanic.

Return your rental car to Halifax Airport prior to your return flight. End of your happy trip.