Compare Whales & Bears of British Columbia by Exodus Travels vs Wonders of the Maritimes & Scenic Cape Breton by Globus

Day 1 Start Vancouver

The adventure begins in Vancouver on Canada's west coast. If you have time, we recommend a stroll around this cosmopolitan city to get a feel for it. Treat yourself to moreish maple cookies in Stanley Park, a 990-acre (400ha) green wonderland where you can see authentic totem poles put up in the 1920s or sit in one of the cafes and enjoy a spot of people watching. A welcome briefing may be held this evening or tomorrow morning, in which we gather as a group and meet our tour leader. Accommodation: Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown (or similar)

Day 2 Morning ferry to Vancouver Island

In the morning, we head to the port for a ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, a 1hr 30min journey across the Strait of Georgia. On arrival in Nanaimo, we continue by road, stopping for a walk and picnic lunch at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park. Rathtrevor is known for its majestic old-growth woodland, beautiful ocean sunsets and a wide, sandy beach with picnic areas nestled amongst the trees. We then continue our drive to Ucluelet, our base for the next three nights. Today's travel time is approximately six hours. Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)

Day 3 Pacific Rim National Park Reserve; boat excursion to observe grey and humpback whales

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is nestled between the mountains of the Vancouver Island range and the Pacific coastline. We walk inside the park this morning to admire the rich natural heritage of the west coast of Canada. The reserve has almost 10mi (16km) of sand and a huge collection of driftwood, while the next stop is Japan! We usually take the Nuu-Chah-Nulth trail to the beach and visit during low tide to explore some of the intertidal pools and rocky islands. You may see lime-green anemones and purple, brown and orange starfish. In the afternoon, we board Zodiacs with a naturalist guide who leads a 2hr 30min to three hour whale-observation excursion (depending on the low-tide schedule, this activity may take place earlier in the day). Our goal is to see humpback and grey whales, but it is also common to come across orcas, seals and sea lions among the rocky headlands. Today’s driving time should not exceed two hours. Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)

Day 4 Rainforest Figure Eight trail; boat excursion to observe black bears

Today our leader will take us on an easy hike on the Rainforest Figure Eight trail, an hour-long walk along wooden boardwalks through the majestic forest. This is a peaceful trail and we will be surrounded by a dense foliage of ferns, Western Red Cedar and Western Hemlock trees. Keep your eyes peeled for birdlife - our tour leaders have reported sightings of Steller's jays and Rufous hummingbirds! Late this afternoon, we board Zodiacs for a 2hr 30min expedition to observe black bears and bald eagles (depending on the low-tide schedule, this activity may take place earlier in the day). In the wilderness of Clayoquot Sound, black bears search for crabs and clams on the rocky beaches. We travel the fjord inlet by Zodiac, looking in sheltered bays and stopping to see any black bears we find from the comfort of our vessel. Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)

Day 5 To Campbell River and Cathedral Grove Provincial Park

Depart Ucluelet and drive for four hours to Campbell River on the north shore of Vancouver Island. Campbell River is known as the salmon capital of the world for its hugely impressive salmon runs, where five species of Pacific salmon swim the river. It has been designated a Heritage River for its importance in British Columbia; following the fish are bears, seals, kingfishers and eagles. This afternoon, we stop at Cathedral Grove Provincial Park to see the last remains of the temperate rainforest that covered the island more than a 1,000 years ago. This is one of the most accessible areas of giant Douglas fir trees in the province and there are many trails enabling us to meander through Douglas fir, western hemlock, grand fir and western red cedar trees. Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)

Day 6 Boat excursion to Orford River to observe grizzly bears

Board a covered boat for a full-day excursion to the Orford River area (on the mainland of British Columbia) to observe grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Conservative estimates suggest there are 10,000 grizzly (brown) bears in British Columbia, with 92 percent of the original habitat of grizzlies still occupied. The abundance of spawning salmon in the Orford River at this time of year brings grizzlies down to feast. A two-hour journey by boat with a spectacular backdrop of mountainous scenery brings us to the mouth of the Orford River. From here, we take a short bus journey inland, where there are five viewing platforms from which to spot the bears. We visit one or sometimes two of these platforms, where we hope to observe the bears catching and feeding on salmon, sometimes with cubs in tow. On the boat journey to and from the Orford River, we may also see black bears, orcas, humpback and grey whales, dolphins, porpoises and sea lions. Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)

Day 7 Quadra Island for hiking or optional sea kayaking

Board a ferry for a 10-minute journey across the Discovery Passage to Quadra Island, where we spend the day exploring the island trails and beaches by foot. Our leader will determine the best trail based on the group's preference and ability, but options include the Shallaligan Pass Trail along Quadra Island's coastline, which offers panoramic ocean views, or the Heriot Ridge Trail that passes through the bush and out onto a ridge for coastal views galore. There is also an optional three-hour sea kayaking excursion from Quadra Island. Accompanied by kayak and marine life observation guides, there is never a dull moment as we paddle by kayak around Quadra Island – we could see soaring eagles, oystercatchers, herons, cormorants, gulls and, if lucky, seals, sea lions, dolphins and porpoises. The mountain views offer a stunning backdrop to this excursion, which is suitable for beginners. Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)

Day 8 Transfer to Victoria; whale-watching in the Salish Sea

We drive for around four hours to Victoria, capital of British Columbia. Victoria is well-known for its colourful gardens, British architecture and arts scene. In the afternoon, we have one final wildlife-viewing opportunity as we embark on a whale-watching excursion from Victoria, where orcas, humpback whales and sea lions are often spotted in the waters of the Salish Sea. A certified marine naturalist will accompany us in the Zodiac boat, helping to spot wildlife and providing background information on the species we observe. Accommodation: Huntingdon Manor (or similar)

Day 9 Ferry to Vancouver; orientation tour and end Vancouver

It's an early start on our final day in British Columbia as we take the ferry (approximately 1.5 hours) across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver. Our leader will take us on a guided orientation tour of the city then there's free time to explore Vancouver at your leisure. Those on Land Only arrangements may choose stay longer in the vibrant city of Victoria. Please speak to your sales representative if you'd like to add post-tour nights in Victoria or Vancouver.

Day 1: ARRIVE IN HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA

Welcome to Halifax! At 6 pm, meet your travel companions for a welcome drink.

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Day 2: HALIFAX. EXCURSION TO PEGGY’S COVE & LUNENBURG

Lighthouse Beams, Bites & Brews Visit Peggy’s Cove, one of Canada’s most charming fishing villages. Enjoy a traditional [LF] Nova Scotian Breakfast. We then venture to Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a walking tour with a Local Guide. During your free time, explore the quaint Main Street, shop for souvenirs, or spend time at the Fisheries Museum to learn more about this major fishing port. The rest of the day is at leisure. Maybe visit the Maritimes Museum, which explains the area’s seafaring past, or perhaps tour Alexander Keith’s Brewery, which has been making the home-grown favorite since the early 1880s. (Breakfast)

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES & TRADITIONS Discover the tastes and traditions in the charming fishing village of Peggy’s Cove to select from local specialties of fish cakes and a traditional Nova Scotian breakfast. You’ll find many magnificent views for taking photos of the famous lighthouse and panoramic sea views.

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Day 3: HALIFAX–SUGAR MOON FARM–MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK

Nova Scotia Treats & Treasures Take an orientation tour of Halifax, including the public gardens and harbor area. Before arriving in New Brunswick, we’ll stop at [LF] Sugar Moon Farm to enjoy a Maritime sugar camp lunch, along with a guided tour and traditional sugar camp treat. Spend the evening in Moncton, originally founded by a group of Acadians and then Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants from Philadelphia. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for the best way to spend your evening. (Breakfast,Lunch)

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Indulge in the sweet tradition of Nova Scotian sugar shacks! Each year when maple syrup is produced, locals frequent “sugar shacks” for sweet treats and hearty meals that really stick to the ribs! Join a Maritime sugar camp lunch at Sugar Moon Farm in the woods of Nova Scotia and see why locals love it. True comfort food!

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Day 4: MONCTON–HOPEWELL ROCKS–CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI

Low Tides & Local Treats Travel to Hopewell Rocks to explore the dramatic sculpted landscape on the sea. Then, drive across 8-mile-long Confederation Bridge, the longest of its kind. Cross onto Prince Edward Island, stopping for a local treat at Cow’s Ice Cream Factory before continuing to Charlottetown. Tonight, enjoy a [LF] lobster supper at a local restaurant this evening. (Breakfast,Dinner)

LOCAL FAVORITE
SEA TREASURE For more than 150 years, Prince Edward Island lobster fishers have been waking up before the dawn to set their traps and haul in the sea’s bounty of delicious, red-shelled crustaceans to share with customers around the world. More than one thousand hearty island lobster fishers continue the tradition today out of more than 40 ports to share these sea treasures as they have for generations. Put on your lobster bib and get your butter ready to dive into a cracking good feast!

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Discover the ever-changing seascape on the beaches of Hopewell Rocks. Learn about the highest and wildest tides in the world, which rise and fall up to 52 feet each day. Time and tide have carved from the cliffs and coves distinctive sandstone formations topped with trees.

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Day 5: CHARLOTTETOWN

Folk Songs & Sand Dunes A tour of the island includes a drive to the fishing port of North Rustico Harbour to learn about lobster fishing, the sand dunes and lovely beaches of Prince Edward Island National Park and a visit to the Green Gables Heritage Place with a Local Guide. Later, enjoy lunch at Prince Edward Island Preserve Company. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own, do some shopping, or relax in one of Charlottetown’s fine restaurants. (Breakfast,Lunch)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE Visit the world of a red-headed girl in a straw hat and braids to meet one of Canada’s most loved fictional characters, Anne of Green Gables. Relive her mischievous escapades and mishaps within the nostalgic rooms of her home at Green Gables – where local author Lucy Maud Montgomery drew inspiration from the idyllic woodland farmstead.

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Day 6: CHARLOTTETOWN–BADDECK, NOVA SCOTIA

Inventions of New Scotland This morning, board a ferry that whisks you across the Northumberland Strait, known as the “Birthplace of New Scotland.” It was here that the first ship of Scottish Highlanders landed in Nova Scotia in 1773. Visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site to learn about the famous inventor. (Breakfast)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES Explore the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, where fascinating exhibits trace the life and achievements of the iconic inventor of the telephone who spent his last years on Cape Breton.

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Day 7: BADDECK. EXCURSION TO CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK

Legendary Landscapes Travel along the Cabot Trail, considered one of the most scenic drives in the world. Proceed along the coast, savoring magnificent vistas of the rocky shoreline and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Enter Cape Breton Highlands National Park, a landscape that strikingly resembles Scottish coastal regions. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Discover one of Canada’s most enchanting natural landscapes by the sea, where the mountains meet the ocean in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. As you hug the world-famous Cabot Trail coastline you'll wind through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where lush, forested river canyons carve into the ancient plateau, edged by rust-hued cliffs. Keep an eye out for wonderful wildlife that lives here, including moose, bald eagles, minks, or even pilot whales breaking the surface of the Gulf of St. Lawrence!

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Day 8: BADDECK–HALIFAX

Strongholds & Celebrations Cross over the Canso Causeway and continue across Nova Scotia to Halifax and visit the Citadel Hill National Historic Site. Tonight, join your Tour Director and new friends at a festive farewell dinner—the perfect finale to your Maritimes vacation. (Breakfast,Dinner)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Visit the Citadel National Historic Site in Halifax with its early 19th-century, star shaped fort, majestically commanding an expansive hill overlooking the city. A series of forts highlight an evolution of defensive designs that protected Halifax Harbour from 1749 to 1906 - and never once attacked! Get a fascinating look into the region’s colonial past where the 78th Highlanders keep watch in their period uniforms of the day. The call of the bagpipes and rhythm of the drums harken back to a spirited Scottish tradition.

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Day 9: HALIFAX

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

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