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, In Canada.

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, and the incident that inspired Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous poem, Evangeline. You'll learn more about 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.

This morning, set out for Hector Heritage Quay, a major historical site commemorating Scottish immigration to Nova Scotia. In 1773, the Ship Hector brought 189 Scottish settlers to these shores after an arduous 11-week voyage across the Atlantic – an event that marked the beginning of mass Scottish settlement and the Gaelic cultural imprint still felt today. After lunch in Port Hastings, continue to Baddeck for a self-guided visit to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, where you'll learn how the famed inventor, noted for developing the telephone, worked extensively with people who were deaf or hard of hearing and made pioneering contributions to early aviation. Following your visit, embark on a private cruise on Bras d'Or Lake, whose unique inland waters reflect the enduring Mi'kmaq First Nations, Scottish, French, and English heritage woven along its shores. Dinner is at your hotel, nestled on the shores of Bras d'Or Lake.

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 for a scenic drive along the Cabot Trail, one of Canada's most spectacular coastal routes. Circling the northern tip of Cape Breton Island, the world-famous trail winds through Cape Breton Highlands National Park past rugged cliffs, forested mountains, sweeping ocean vistas, and charming fishing communities shaped by Gaelic and Acadian heritage. Stop along the way for scenic lookouts and opportunities for light walks amid the rugged landscape while enjoying a picnic lunch. Weather permitting, enjoy a ride up the Cape Smokey Gondola for uninterrupted, breathtaking views of the coastlines and landscapes of the Cabot Trail. Return to Baddeck for free time before gathering this evening for a "Taste of Nova Scotia" dinner featuring regional favorites. 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.