2022 – 5 weeks – 5,000+ miles Nova Scotia / Canada.

Some notes to start with:
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Now to the trip:

We split our time to include Nova Scotia, Quebec City and Montreal.
We did a lot of research before our trip and got a lot of tips from friends but we would have done a lot differently if we had it to do again. There were clearly a lot of recommendations we found to be less than outstanding.

First stop : New Glasgow, NS
Being told we really should experience a Celtic Festival, we timed our trip to see the Festival of the Tartans in New Glasgow, NS.
We had a fun day here but the festival was unexpectedly small – the results of the Covid lockdown of the past 2 1/2 years.
We really enjoyed talking to the people in the clan tents and learned a LOT.
While the games were fun to watch, there were not many participants.
I hope they manage to grow the event back to pre-Covid attendance as it may be a challenge otherwise.

We also went to see the Tidal Waves at Burntcoat Head Park where we experienced the world’s highest tides. This is an experience that you will be amazed by. The tide difference was over 45 feet the day we visited. It varies and average of 47.5 feet and a peak of 53.6 feet.
Our research told us to check out the tide schedule and be sure to view both low and high tide. It also made it clear that the best way is to see the low tide first then return for high tide later.

We arrived at low tide and walked about 1,000 feet out on the ocean floor. There was a volunteer at the overlook who told us we would be able to watch the tide rush in if we returned about 90 minutes before high tide. She was so right. \

The power of the water rushing in between the shore and the island is unimaginable.

We rate this as a MUST SEE.

Stop 2 : Digby, NS
Digby was a fun little town.

Digby is famous for scallops and did not disappoint.

However, this was really a one day stop.
We did see some great sunsets.

Stop 3 : Lunenburg/Halifax, NS


We enjoyed Lunenburg and Halifax.
We scheduled a free (tips only) tour. You meet at the top of the hill so we parked at the bottom (to avoid walking back up at the end. The tour guide was excellent.

Stop 3 : Cape Briton, NS

I must say that this was the least impressive stop. It was fine but there was just no WOW factor.
We had heard that you really must drive the 186 mile long Cabot Trail but found it actually a bit boring. The road did wander along the sea shore but the view was mostly blocked by thick trees. When there was a clearing in the trees, the view was something but there was nowhere to pull over to enjoy it. Our trip along Skyline Drive in VA was far more interesting.

We were also told that the Skyline Trail was another breathtaking experience. Again, we found it quite lackluster. The hike was to a lookout that did indeed have a lovely view but the hike itself was just a trek through the woods and fields – no better than any other hike through the woods and fields.

Stop 4 : Quebec City, QB

Quebec City is amazing. There is so much to do and see.
The Château Frontenac is a must see. I stayed here years ago and it is quite an experience.

Be sure to visit Montmorency Falls – Parc de la Chute-Montmorency.


Needless to say, a walk through the Lower Town (Basse-Ville) & the Upper Town (Haute-Ville) are a must. You can take the cable car up/down between the two to avoid the numerous stairs or go for a good bit of exercise.

Be sure to visit the Plains of Abraham.

The Île d’Orléans, with several local artisans, was interesting and we could have skipped it but it was on our way to the Plains of Abraham so worthy of a stop.

We did not get to tour the Parliament Building. They offer guided tours but the English versions were BEFORE 10AM so we missed it. We tried to do the self-guided walking tour but everything was in French with no English translations so we gave up.

Stop 4 : Montreal, QB

Not as amazing of a stop as Quebec City but a worthy visit.
We did a very nice walking tour and visited the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal then a day of wine tasting.

Montreal is a nice place to walk around.