Atlantic Canada Enchanting Islands Road Trip

Thinking of a Canadian Maritimes road trip! Pass through fields of green, dine on succulent seafood and travel the world-famous Cabot Trail on this Canada Maritimes road trip of Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton Island. Explore Prince Edward Island’s red beaches and rolling farmland, then continue on a scenic drive around Cape Breton’s renowned Cabot Trail. The Cabot Trail is just under 300kms in length and follows the coastline of northern Nova Scotia, leading to tiny fishing villages, local galleries and quirky museums along the coast. 

Day 1 Halifax | Arrival

Arrive in Halifax and check in to your accommodations which are ideally located in the downtown core of this vibrant and cosmopolitan urban centre on the Atlantic Ocean. You may wish to add additional nights in Halifax or a city tour to your vacation package. Bursting with culture and rich history, Nova Scotia’s capital city has much to offer.

Day 2 Peggy’s Cove & Mahone Bay Exploring | 164 km/101 mi

Discover the rustic charm of the renowned fishing village of Peggy’s Cove before making your way to the South Shore. Travel to the UNESCO World Heritage Town of Lunenburg, renowned for her fleets of Grand Banks’ fishing schooners. Visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic to learn about the town’s famous seafaring heritage before heading off to postcard-perfect Mahone Bay where a trinity of 19th century-built churches represents an iconic cultural landscape of Nova Scotia. Enjoy some free time to stroll through the town and chat with the welcoming locals who have been known to share superstitions, legends, and fables that date back to the rum-running days.

Day 3 Halifax to Charlottetown | 325 km/201 mi

Today head Northwest to cross the Confederation Bridge, the world’s largest continuous multi-span bridge to Prince Edward Island. Check into your Charlottetown accommodations for a two-night stay. You may want to take in a theatre performance this evening by local entertainers at the Confederation Centre of the Arts or simply enjoy a free evening on the town.

Day 4 Prince Edward Island Touring

Drive by red cliffs, white beaches, gently sloping sand dunes and green fields as you make your way to Prince Edward Island National Park. Before returning to Charlottetown, visit Green Gables Heritage Site, the alluring inspiration of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic Anne of Green Gables books.

Day 5 Charlottetown to Baddeck | 274 km/170 mi + Ferry

Ferry over the Northumberland Strait back to Nova Scotia and proceed to Cape Breton Island, the Scotland of North America – via the Canso Causeway. Visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site in Baddeck to learn of the many accomplishments of this genius who made his home on the island. Arrive at your accommodations on the Bras d’Or Lake where you will spend two nights.

Day 6 Cabot Trail Touring | 296 km/184 mi

You’re off to experience one of the most stunningly picturesque drives in North America. The Cabot Trail winds around the rocky splendor of Cape Breton’s northern shore, ascending to the incredible plateaus of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Look-offs offer unforgettable vistas of Cape Breton’s rugged coastline so be sure to have your camera on hand.

Day 7 Baddeck to Halifax | 352 km/218 mo

The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site awaits you today. Words cannot do justice to this reconstruction depicting one-fifth of the settlement of 1744 New France. Roam the streets and chat with authentically costumed guides. Proceed along the shore of the Bras d’Or Lake to the mainland, and back to Halifax where your Enchanting Island Drive ends.