Maritimes- Cape Breton, Halifax & Via Rail’s The Ocean

Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Ottawa to Sydney

This morning you will fly from Ottawa to Sydney, Nova Scotia via Montreal. When we arrive in Sydney at approximately 4.00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in beautiful Baddeck, your home for the next two nights. Check in to your hotel and rest of the evening at leisure. Enjoy a three-course plated welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

Overnight in Baddeck

Day 2

Cabot Trail

Today we will be joined by a local guide for a leisurely drive along the Cabot Trail, often hailed as one of the world’s most scenic drives. The road winds through the Cape Breton Highlands, offering spectacular views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, dense forests, and dramatic cliffs. Along the way, stop at quaint fishing villages, where you can experience the warmth of local hospitality and enjoy freshly caught seafood. This is a full day tour with stops enroute. (B,L)

Overnight in Baddeck

Day 3

Cape Breton to Halifax

This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we will make our journey from Cape Breton to Halifax. We will stop and try one of the local malt whiskey distilleries to sample some of their fabulous products. We will continue our drive and make a few stops of interest enroute. We will have a lunch stop (on own- $) prior to arriving into downtown Halifax. We check in to our hotel late afternoon. Evening is free to explore the Harbor front shops and restaurants. (B)

Overnight in Halifax

Day 4

Halifax, Lunenburg, and Peggy’s Cove

Your day will begin after breakfast with a professionally guided full day tour of Halifax, noting attractions from iconic lighthouses to urban gardens, stunning galleries and museums and a waterfront science center. Continuing the tour, you’ll move on to Mahone Bay, Lunenberg, and Peggy’s Cove. Located on Nova Scotia’s spectacular South Shore, Mahone Bay was recently named one of Canada’s top ten most beautiful towns by culturetrip.com. Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site – with its narrow streets and unique architecture – is the home port of the Bluenose II. This graceful ship is a replica of the original fishing boat. Your final stop before heading back to Halifax will be Peggy’s Cove, famous for its lighthouse, and one of the most iconic images in Eastern Canada. (B)

Overnight in Halifax

Day 5

Annapolis Valley

Today we will travel west and drive to Digby, also known as the “Scallop Capital of the World”. This quaint village is known for its scallops and lobsters. Free time for lunch ($) on your own in Digby. We will then make our way to the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, a beautiful setting overlooking a tidal river valley. The Historic Gardens is a premiere Nova Scotia attraction showcasing gardening methods, designs and materials representing more than four hundred years of local history. Before we commence back to Halifax, we will stop by to try some of the local wines at a local vineyard. (B)

Overnight in Halifax

Day 6

Depart Halifax on VIA’s The Ocean

After a leisurely breakfast we will depart the hotel for the Via Station in Halifax. Where we will embark on an overnight journey on board ‘The Ocean” Via Train to Montreal. We will enjoy lunch and dinner today in the dining car. We highly recommend bringing a carry-on luggage with essentials like medication, electronics etc. for this journey. On the Via train your checked in luggage is kept in a different car that is NOT accessible during the overnight till you disembark the train. (B,L,D)

Overnight on VIA’s “The Ocean” Train

Day 7

Return to Ottawa

Wake up this morning and enjoy your breakfast in the dining car. We should arrive in Montreal around 10:00am. We will need to disembark the train (you will need to pick up your checked luggage). Then we will board the Via train in Montreal around 12noon to make our way to Ottawa (no meals included on the Via Corridor train – Montreal to Ottawa) Food to purchase ($). (B)

Itinerary and hotels subject to change.

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Hotel Information

Silver Dart Lodge (October 5 departure)

Hotel website

Hotel Address

257 Shore Road
Baddeck, NS
B0E 1B0
(902) 295-2340

Hampton Inn by Hilton Halifax Downtown (October 5 departure)

Hotel website

Hotel Address

1960 Brunswick Street
Halifax, NS
B3J 2G7
(902) 422-1391

Inverary Resort (October 21 departure)

Hotel website

Hotel Address

368 Shore Rd
Baddeck, NS
B0E 1B0
(902) 295-3500

Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel (October 21 departure)

Hotel website

Hotel Address

1919 Upper Water St
Halifax, NS
B3J 3J5
(902) 421-1700

VIA Rail Ocean Train

Train info

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