7 day road trip in Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island

Day 1: Arrive Halifax

On arrival in Halifax, you'll be pick up your hire car and drive into the city before heading out to enjoy this small city. Enjoy a delicious dinner by the water and soak in the friendly culture of Nova Scotia. 

Day 2: Halifax

Spend the entire day exploring the harbourside city of Halifax. Dominated by the Citadel, this star-shaped fort complex will afford you some amazing views over the buildings below. The Historic Properties are old warehouses by the waterfront – home to plenty of boutiques, pubs and cafes perfect for a refreshment break and people-watching. Breathe in the clean seaside air and just relax in this colourful city.

Day 3: Drive to Charlottetown

Follow the curve of the bay towards Prince Edward Island today. Break for a lunch of local farm-to-table food in Wolfville and then make time to stop a little further on at Grand-Pre, a historic site which celebrates the area’s history as an Acadian settlement. The Acadians and Québécois developed two distinct histories and cultures, so you will learn very different things about the people that lived here, descended from both French colonialists and local First Nations tribes. Cross the Confederation Bridge and you’ll arrive on Prince Edward Island, where green hills and hidden coves await.

Day 4: Prince Edward Island 

Known as the ‘Garden Province’, Prince Edward Island was host to the meetings that led to Canada being formed as its own country. In Charlottetown, you can visit the Province House National Historic Site before venturing north to the Prince Edward Island National Park. Here, you can see sand dunes, beaches and Green Gables, the fictional home of Anne, the island’s most famous daughter.

Head to the Lennox Island Mi’kmaq Cultural Centre to learn about the indigenous tribe from this area, a fascinating First Nations tribe whose original language was written in hieroglyphics. After a day exploring this lush island, make sure you try some local seafood for dinner; garlicky mussels, spicy oysters and buttery lobster – it’s all fresher than fresh here, and delicious!          

Day 5: Drive to Cape Breton Island

Take the ferry back to Nova Scotia today, stopping en route at the Orwell Corner Historic Village. Orwell is an abandoned village with a cluster of buildings restored to create a sense of life in the 19th Century. Once you’ve landed, continue east to Cape Breton Island, a little piece of Scotland in North America. Made up of craggy cliffs and endless pine forests, it’s a beautiful spot to finish your holiday in Canada.

Day 6: Cape Breton Island

For some awesome views of the Gulf of St Lawrence, follow the Cabot Trail through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. There are plenty of beautiful hiking trails to pick up, and along the way, you can stop at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre, the Glenora Distillery, a college of Arts & Crafts and the Acadian Cultural Centre.

Looking for an amazing Nova Scotia sunset? Make sure to reserve your spot on a Skyline Sunset Hike with the Cape Breton Highlands National Park team. For more amazing views, head over to Bras d’Or Lake, where you can meet the resident highland cows and soak in the incredible scenery at the Highland Village Museum.

Day 7: Depart Halifax

Your time in this beautiful region comes to an end today. Drive back to the airport in time to catch your overnight flight back to the UK.