A Week In... Nova Scotia

Tour starts: 5:30 PM, Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel. A transfer is included from Halifax International Airport to Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel in the heart of downtown Halifax, ideally positioned along the city's scenic waterfront boardwalk. Kick off an exciting week with a welcome reception in Halifax at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, "Gateway to Canada," which features exhibits chronicling 20th-century Canadian immigration and the poignant multimedia production, Oceans of Hope.

From Halifax, wind your way through Nova Scotia's rich Annapolis Valley en route to the Grand-Pré National Historic Site. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand-Pré National Historic Site was where the British deported the French Acadians in 1755, an the incident that inspired Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous poem, Evangeline. You'll learn more the Acadian people on a guided tour before departing for lunch at Hall's Harbour Lobster Pound, one of the region's most memorable dining experiences. Your afternoon continues with a stop and tasting at a local winery before returning to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Begin the day with a scenic drive along Nova Scotia's northeastern coast to Pictou, where a visit to the Hector Heritage Quay reveals the enduring spirit of Scottish settlers who crossed the Atlantic aboard the Hector in 1773. Step aboard the full-scale replica of the ship and explore exhibits that illuminate the hardships and hopes of those early immigrants. Continue onward to Port Hastings for a group lunch at a local favorite overlooking the Strait of Canso, then travel deeper into Cape Breton to visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site in Baddeck. Overlooking the Bras d'Or Lake, the museum offers a fascinating look into Bell's life and innovations—from the telephone to experimental kites and hydrofoils—all set within the landscape that inspired his later years. Arrive at your lakeside hotel with time to settle in before dinner, served at your leisure, surrounded by the quiet beauty of Cape Breton.

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, set out for the eastern coast of Cape Breton to explore one of the most remarkable historic sites in North America. At the Fortress of Louisbourg – a meticulously reconstructed 18th-century French fortified town – you'll step back into 1744 as costumed interpreters bring to life the soldiers, settlers, and tradespeople who once lived behind its imposing stone walls. A guided tour introduces the daily rhythms of fortress life, from military strategy to market stalls and colonial customs. Lunch is served on site, offering a taste of period-inspired fare in a setting that echoes the past. Afterward, enjoy a private lunch at the Iona Heights Inn before a short drive brings you to the Highland Village Museum, where Gaelic culture is preserved with great heart. Meet costumed interpreters, learn Gaelic phrases, and join in a milling frolic as Cape Breton's layered history comes vibrantly to life. Remainder of the afternoon and evening are at your leisure.

Your explorations through Canada continue today as you set out this morning for a drive along the Cabot Trail, one of Canada's most spectacular coastal drives. Your coach will wind through Cape Breton Highlands National Park stopping along the way for a picnic lunch from the Dancing Goat Café, a local favorite! After lunch, embark on a private whale-watching cruise along Pleasant Bay, where you'll have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encounter humpback, minke, and pilot whales in their natural habitat. Afterward, enjoy free time to wander the site at your own pace before returning to Baddeck. This evening, gather for a "Taste of Nova Scotia" dinner at the hotel, featuring regional favorites and local flavors. Cap off the night with a private ceilidh – a traditional Gaelic celebration of music, storytelling, and spirited connection.

Today's journey carries you across the breadth of Nova Scotia, through a landscape that tells its own quiet story – of coastal villages, tidal rivers, and rolling farmland shaped by generations of settlers. After a lunch stop in the town of Truro, you'll make your way to your home for the next two nights, Oak Island. One of several islands located in Mahone Bay, Oak Island is well-known for its many rumors and theories about treasure and ancient artifacts buried beneath the island's surface. For centuries, treasure hunters, historians and adventurers have flocked to Oak Island in hopes of riches and eternal fame, only to leave empty handed time and time again. This lack of success has caused Oak Island to be one of the most fascinating unsolved mysteries in North American folklore. Tonight, check into your hotel, the Oak Island Resort & Conference Centre. The rest of the evening is yours to do as you wish, although, we don't encourage you go treasure hunting. 

Start the day with a visit to Peggy's Cove – a picturesque Nova Scotia fishing town that's one of the most-photographed spots in North America – before continuing along the rugged Atlantic coast to the fishing village of Lunenburg, renowned for its rich shipbuilding and maritime legacy. Established in the 18th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best surviving examples of a planned British colonial settlement in North America. After lunch, you have a choice of sightseeing in Lunenburg – see the village's 18th- and 19th-century timber-built houses on a walking tour, or visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, housed in historic waterfront buildings, to gain insights into the Maritime Provinces' seafaring heritage. Enjoy an afternoon in Lunenburg to enjoy as you please; tonight, join us at for a farewell reception and dinner at your hotel.

Tour ends: 12:00 PM, Halifax Stanfield International Airport. Flights should be booked after 2:00 PM; allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in. For guests wishing to extend their stay in Halifax, Tauck can arrange additional nights at Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel; a transfer to Halifax International Airport is included for these bookings.