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Topic: Out and About in the Maritimes
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Ghislaine
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 14957
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posted 06 August 2008 08:58 AM
quote: Originally posted by jrose: I've just booked my first trip out East (for October), flying in and out of Halifax. We will be there for six days/five nights and I'm realizing that flying in and out of Halifax might not have been the smartest idea (Forgive me, I'm not an avid traveller). In hindsight, we should have flown into Halifax, migrated somewhere else in the Maritimes and then headed home from there. Oh well, flight is booked.So, I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas for getting the most out of five or six days in Halifax and the surrounding area. We're thinking of jumping on the VIA and heading to Moncton for a night or two of our trip. Suggestions are very welcome!
For October I highly recommend touring the Cabot trail, if you can rent a car for a day. The fall colours will be out and it is absolutely stunning. I was there for the first time last october and absolutely loved it! If you can make it to PEI, there is a ferry that leaves from caribou, NS and it is also beautiful here!
I should add that this is about 5 minutes away from where the ferry arrives on PEI My fave restaurant in Halifax is The Wooden Monkey, located downtown. It is local and organic, with only free-range meats. Delicious! [ 06 August 2008: Message edited by: Ghislaine ]
From: L'Î-P-É | Registered: Feb 2008
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jrose
babble intern
Babbler # 13401
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posted 06 August 2008 10:41 AM
quote: Originally posted by Ghislaine:
Charlottetown is definitely worth checking out and you would be driving through central PEI on the way, ie the highlands and wonderful fall foliage. But without a car, I would say NS and NB would be more worth your time - depending on what you want to do.
Great, Thanks. So much to think about!
From: Ottawa | Registered: Oct 2006
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KenS
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1174
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posted 06 August 2008 05:26 PM
Personally, I think the view from most of the places the bus goes sucks royally.Nova Scotia is not very big, and signage is pretty good. You can get a 90 page atlas that has every road on it, for as little as $10. That and the regular highway map, and taking your time, and you don't need to get lost at all. We go off the beaten track to areas of NS and NB that we don't know at all. When in October? You won't need to worry about reservations by the way. And if you rent a car there are still plenty of campgrounds open. All you have to take on the plane is a small tent, 2 sleeping bags and an air mattress.
From: Minasville, NS | Registered: Aug 2001
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WendyL
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 14914
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posted 07 August 2008 02:18 AM
The previous posters are absolutely correct about seeing the highlands of Cape Breton at that time of year. It is an experience not to be missed and, generally, it is quite difficult to get lost in our part of the world, so consider the car rental for a portion of your time. The kindness of strangers counts for a lot in these parts - they'll redirect you as needed (and sometimes, just take you there themselves). Friends of mine own an incredible sugar bush near Earltown, NS. If you happen to be around for one of their Chef's Nights, you will experience something of the sublime in their sugar shack. You'll find the owners, Scott and Quita to be fascinating and helpful folks. The Annapolis Valley of NS is also stunning, great hiking in the Blomidon area, awesome cafes in Wolfville, and grand history, wine, and artisans in the Grand Pre area. Great accommodations can be had at The Blomidon Innin Wolfville (also owned/operated by friends)if you are up for a night or two of friendly lux.Regardless of what you end up doing, you are bound to have a memorable time.
From: PEI Canada | Registered: Jan 2008
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alisea
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4222
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posted 07 August 2008 03:06 AM
Ditto, ditto, ditto Cape Breton, and the car rental. Don't waste your time working around Acadian Lines scheduling - you've only got 5 nights, and the buses run on our equivalent of the 401. You're inland, on highways built for convenience and speed, not to see anything interesting -- long stretches of scrubby spruce woods.I think you're stretching too far to try to pack in New Brunswick. Halifax - eastern Annapolis Valley - Cape Breton - Halifax is more than enough! If you do go to Wolfville, you absolutely have to eat at Tempest there. You just have to. You'll remember it for the rest of your life. If you do want to get out of Nova Scotia, I'd do a loop through PEI on the way up to Cape Breton. It's lovely, and very different from Nova Scotia. Here's what I'd do, if I had 5 nights: Day 1/night 1: Halifax Day 2: Putter around Halifax in the morning. Drive up to Pictou, take ferry to PEI. Night 2: Charlottetown Day 3: PEI National Park - the dunes at Greenwich and a long walk on the shore (note I did NOT mention Cavendish and Green Gables ;-)). Back down to ferry. Drive to Cape Breton. Night 3: Stay in a country B&B in the Mabou/Inverness area. Find a local ceilidh! Day 4: Drive around the Cabot Trail. Hike the Summit Trail on the western side. Night 4: Stay in Iona/Grand Narrows area - there's going to be more music around. Day 5: Back to Halifax. If you've gotten used to the local roads, you can take the coast road along the Eastern Shore. Get the world's best smoked salmon at Krauch's Smokehouse in Tangier. Otherwise, a 3.5 - 4 hour drive back along the main highway. Night 5: Halifax. Look at thecoast.ca for music listings. Halifax has very lively night life - tons of clubs, pubs, and very good restaurants. Day 6: If the weather's nice, and you're on an evening flight, get on a boat and out into the Harbour - you've your choice of old schooners ( e.g., Mar II), or more modern whalewatching and/or deepsea fishing boats. Or go over to Eastern Passage and get the boat that runs over to McNab's Island, and go for a hike out along the Devil's Island spit. I rent cars a fair bit, and I generally find National has the best rates, and very good service.
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia | Registered: Jun 2003
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jrose
babble intern
Babbler # 13401
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posted 08 August 2008 05:31 AM
quote: Originally posted by KenS: When in October you come matters as far as intensity of fall colours.Can't know that in advance. But as it gets closer to the time you are coming, the Herald [and probably other media] do stories on where the fall colours are unfolding. The pace, etc. September and early and mid October also tend to be our best weather.
I'm heading out that way mid-October. We're leaving on the 15th and staying until the evening of the 20th.
From: Ottawa | Registered: Oct 2006
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