Displaying items by tag: Lunenburg

Cape Breton is the island part of Nova Scotia. The island is physically separated from the Nova by the Strait of Canso. The Canso Causeway connects it to mainland Nova Scotia.

Cape Breton Island's first residents were likely ancestors of the Mi‘Kmaq, the first nations people of Nova Scotia.Cape Breton has a fascinating history which includes the arrival of Europeans, both Acadian French and Celtic Scotts in the 18^th century. We will explore this history and see the cultural evidence of these three groups.Not least of all Cape Breton is known for its exceptional scenery. This is exemplified by the world renowned Cabot Trail.

The Cape Breton tour includes pick up and drop off at Halifax airport. It includes Hotel accommodation for two nights in Halifax, the night you arrive and the night before you leave. Your itinerary will be planned around the following driving schedule.

Your first day in Halifax will consist of the pick up at the airport and delivery to your hotel. An orientation drive around the old downtown is provided if timing permits. Some arrivals are late at our airport so the hotel may be the obvious destination.

The following morning, we will meet and proceed to our first destination, the Mi’Kmaq Cultural Center in Truro Nova Scotia.Leaving Truro, we will head for the Canso Causeway and Cape Breton. There will be a lunch stop near the causeway. These meal stops are not included in your package. After lunch, onward to Baddeck.

Baddeck is only one hour from the causeway. On arrival there,  we will check into our accommodations. We will either stay in one of the fine hotels or a bed and breakfast facility with a view of the Bras d'Or Lake.

Once checked in, we will proceed to the Bell Museum. Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, once visited Baddeck by chance. He was so impressed with the area that he bought a large acreage which he transformed into his retirement estate. Here in Baddeck, he built a team and went on to pioneer advances in technology. An example of their achievements is the fact that only 6 years after the Kitty Hawk achievement in 1909, Bell and his group were flying the Silver Dart here in Baddeck. The museum chronicles their work and discoveries.

After the museum you might be ready for dinner. There are many fine restaurants in Baddeck with diverse menus and seafood a specialty.  Coincidentally Tom’s Pizza makes its home here in Baddeck. Toms is arguably the best Pizza in Nova Scotia.

Breakfast is included in your package and early the next day, after a hearty breakfast, we are off to the Cabot Trail. There are many artisans and artists in residence shortly before entering the Cabot Trail. You might be interested in visiting one of these from a list of 10 choices provided to you. From the visit, we continue on to the Cabot Trail to Ingonish . This community is famous for its beach and the Cape Breton Highland Links, one of the most renowned golf courses in Canada. Also, well known, is the Keltic Lodge resort that compliments the golf course. Keltic Lodge has several fine restaurants. We will stop at one of those, the “Arduaine”, for lunch.

After lunch, continuing on the Cabot Trail, you will find photo ops every kilometer so stops will be frequent. Most of the rest of the day will be spent absorbing the scenery on the Cabot Trail. We will arrive back in Beddeck at around 5:30 pm. Now is the time for my treat, Lobster dinner at the famous Baddeck Lobster suppers. (all included except alcohol beverages)

After dinner, you might stroll the town, listen to local music at one of the pubs or watch the night sky from a patio chair. Your choice.

Morning brings another included breakfast and then we hit the road back to Halifax. This is not totally a travel day. When back in Halifax, we will spend a couple of hours exploring things out of walking reach from your hotel. These may include the Titanic Gravesites, the Halifax explosion sites and other interesting stops on the Halifax peninsula.

The following morning, you will meet in front of your hotel for transport to our airport.

The Cape Breton tour Includes:

• Two nights at a Halifax hotel with breakfasts
• Two nights Bell View Bed and Breakfast or (what was the name of that  other place) with breakfasts
• Complimentary lobster supper at Baddeck or Halifax
• All entrance fees tolls and tax
• Transport to and from the airport
• Fully narrated tour throughout

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Lunenburg is a feast of Victorian-era architecture, wooden boats, historic inns and good restaurants. Lunenburg is a UNESCO world heritage site with its 18^th century appeal. A prime example of its unique architecture is the old “Lunenburg bump” a five-sided dormer.

After touring through the township, we will allow you to self-explore the many artisan shops and local foodie options for your group before setting off again.

Depending on her schedule, the Bluenose II may be in its homeport of Lunenburg. Bluenose II is Canada’s tall ship ambassador. It is a replica of our first racing schooner. This graceful ship is depicted on the back of the Canadian dime. When available, the ship is open for tours.

You may chose to visit the Nova Scotia fisheries museum where you can see a comprehensive and interesting history of the fishing history. There, you can also see demonstrations such as sail making and dory building.

Our next stop will be the town of Mahone Bay. This quiet town is perched on an idyllic bay. Many of Nova Scotia’s finest artists and artisans are represented in studios and galleries that line the narrow streets. Three impressive churches stand shoulder to shoulder near the waterfront, their bells vying for attention each Sunday morning.

Leaving Mahone Bay, we are in the neighborhood of Oak Island. It is popularized by the recent television series “The Curse of Oak Island” which features the history of treasure hunting. The modern quest is to solve this mystery, a mystery that started in 1795. Oak Island is an optional stop that can be accommodated by substituting it for one of our other stops.

Oak Island can also be the destination of a tour. This would center on a two hour, water tour around the island with one of the production crew. After the boat excursion, we would also visit the small museum on the property. It features some of the many finds from over the years.

We will proceed to route 333 which winds along St. Margaret’s Bay to Peggy’s Cove. This locale is probably the most-photographed village in Canada. Equally photographed is the signature lighthouse that overlooks the cove. We will discuss the lore and history of Peggy’s Cove and allow you to enjoy the village shops and services during your time here.

Depending on time restraints, we can visit a simple granite marker that commemorates the Swissair Flight 111 which crashed into the waters near Peggy’s Cove in 1998. If time permits, on our return to Halifax, we may visit the Fairview Lawn Cemetery. This is the final resting place of 121 victims from the Titanic disaster.

You will notice many choices within the itinerary above. That is a part of the effort to design an experience that suits you rather than a strict scripted one. “Your tour, your way”. That is my motto.

Total tour length is six hours, seven hours if stopping for lunch at a restaurant.

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