Compare Exploring Maritime Canada, from Southern Nova Scotia to Campobello Island by Road Scholar vs Active West Coast Canada Discovery by G Adventures

Day 1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Halifax, Nova Scotia D Atlantica Hotel Halifax
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Arrive to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Program Registration 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to meet the Group Leader and register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.

Dinner: At the hotel, we’ll have a welcome dinner.

Evening: Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Day 2
Intro to Nova Scotia, City Exploration, Maritime Museum
Halifax, Nova Scotia B,L Atlantica Hotel Halifax
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving 20 miles, about 2 hours.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: We’ll be joined by a local historian for a presentation on the history of Nova Scotia and the city of Halifax. We’ll then depart by motorcoach for an expert-led exploration of the city of Halifax including the Citadel and “Titanic” cemetery.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We’ll visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic for a field trip with local experts including a presentation on the maritime history of Atlantic Canada. The museum is Canada’s oldest and largest maritime museum, first created by a group of Royal Canadian Navy officers who envisioned a place where the nation’s naval past could be preserved. We’ll learn about the age of steamships, local small craft, the Royal Canadian and Merchant Navies, and World War II convoys. The museum also tells the story of famous historical events such as "The Battle of the Atlantic," the Halifax explosion of 1917, Nova Scotia's role in the aftermath of the “Titanic” disaster, various shipwrecks and more.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 3
Pier 21, Farmer's Market, Free Time
Halifax, Nova Scotia B,L,D Atlantica Hotel Halifax
Activity note: Walking 1.5 miles, about 2 hours, on pavement, boardwalks, some uneven terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel, we will enjoy a buffet breakfast.

Morning: Step into the past and experience what it was like to immigrate to Canada through Pier 21. This was the entry point for one in five Canadians between 1928 and 1971. At the Museum of Immigration, discover how different waves of immigration have impacted our global tastes and pastimes. You may also want to take some time to visit the history centre, a free reference service to help you trace your own family's immigration story.

Lunch: At The Halifax Seaport Farmer Market.

Afternoon: After lunch at the seaport there will be some free time to explore independently at the waterfront. Then, we will depart to Chester, NS for dinner and check-in.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 4
Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg Walk, Museum
Chester, Nova Scotia B,L,D Oak Island Resort and Conference Centre
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving 130 miles, about 3 hours. Walking 2 miles, about 3 hours, on pavement, boardwalk, some uneven terrain. Use caution near the shoreline at Peggy’s Cove.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We leave Halifax and head for Peggy's Cove. The town is named after the sole survivor of a schooner shipwrecked on Halibut Rock off Lighthouse Point: Peggy (Margaret) of the Cove. The most well-known lighthouse in Canada, and one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world, was built here in 1914. Positioned on a granite ledge, it served as the local post office until November 2009.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We’ll explore Lunenburg's narrow streets on foot with a local expert, visiting its historic churches and examining the Victorian architecture of the Old Town, the first British colonial settlement in Nova Scotia outside Halifax. Next, we’ll visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. While at the museum, we’ll experience life in a fishing community and discover, up close, life at sea with a local expert, exploring the living fish exhibit and wharf-side vessels.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Take advantage of the on-site amenities such as kayaks, bikes and beach.

Day 5
Windsor, Grand Pre, Wolfville
Chester, Nova Scotia B,L,D Oak Island Resort and Conference Centre
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving 110 miles, about 2 hours. Walking 1.5 miles, some uneven terrain.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: This morning we depart for the north shore to visit Windsor, Grand Pre and Wolfville. We’ll stop at Grand Pré, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated at the north east end of the Annapolis Valley, it borders on the Minas Basin and the tidal lands of the Bay of Fundy. The area was settled in the 1600s by French settlers from Port Royal who reclaimed the lands from the tides and made a fertile land. We’ll be joined by a local expert and learn about this exceptional living agricultural landscape. We’ll also hear the story of the Acadian deportation during the wars between the English and French, and the many villages in the area that were destroyed.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Stroll through the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens. Learn about both the native plant species of the area as well as the plants that have been introduced by the Acadians. This outdoor classroom experience will teach us about the Acadian community and their efforts towards educating about gardening, ecosystems, and the critical relationship between greenery and ecology.

Dinner: At the resort.

Evening: We’ll enjoy a cookout and campfire under the stars, listening to the waves while sitting on the beach.

Day 6
Kejimkujik National Park, Port Royal, Ferry to Saint John
Saint John, New Brunswick B,L Delta Hotels by Marriott Saint John
Activity note: Getting on/off ferry. Ferry ride is about 2.5 hours. Docks may be slippery. Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving 100 miles, about 2 hours. Walking approximately 1 mile, around 1 hour, on some uneven terrain.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: En route to catch the ferry to Saint John, we will make some stops along the way. Visit Kejimkujik National Park to learn about the First Nations who inhabited this area and see evidence of their existence. On a walking field trip with a local expert, we will see some of the park’s petroglyphs. These fascinating stone-carved stories are one of North America’s largest such collections and have been vital clues for reconstructing regional history, some of the only remaining evidence of the ancient Mi’kmaw’s written history. Next, we’ll visit the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens for a self-guided visit before lunch. Named the 2015 Canadian Garden of the Year, the gardens tell the story of Nova Scotian history in this area through its plants. Explore the rich tapestry of heritage in one of the oldest European settlements in North America.

Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon: Our next stop is at Port Royal, France’s first successful settlement in North America. We’ll learn how Port Royal was established in 1605 and served as the capital of Acadia until it was destroyed by the British. It became the first European settlement north of Florida. We’ll hear about the history of the settlement that, while in existence only a few years, proved to be a model for future exploration of the continent. We’ll also learn how the French settled along the shores of the river at Port-Royal and began the distinctive dyke-land agriculture still in use today. Explore a replica village built using original plans, a gateway to the past where costumed interpreters take us back to the 17th century. Resuming our transfer, we’ll arrive in Digby and check in to the ferry terminal in Digby, Nova Scotia for the ferry trip to Saint John, New Brunswick.

Dinner: Dinner on own on the ferry.

Evening: Check-in to the hotel in Saint John, approximately 8:30 p.m.; the rest of evening is at leisure.

Day 7
Fundy Shore, Sea Caves, Fundy Tides & Trail
Saint John, New Brunswick B,L,D Delta Hotels by Marriott Saint John
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving approximately 75 miles, about 2 hours. Walking 2 miles, about 3 hours, on pavement, boardwalk, some slippery and uneven terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel, we will enjoy a breakfast buffet.

Morning: We will drive to the shore to discover quiet beaches, cliffs, sea caves, lighthouses, and covered bridges, while also learning about the tides, geology and history of the area with a local expert. We’ll watch the highest tides in the world sweeping in and out and learn how they carve sea stacks and caves into the rugged red cliffs that surround the village. Our expert will also discuss the legacy of the Loyalists and the shipbuilding history of this area.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: With a local expert, we’ll explore the phenomenon of the Bay of Fundy tides, the highest in the world, and learn about this natural wonder that draws many each year. We will explore on foot the Fundy Trail and breathtaking areas of the Bay of Fundy coastline that were previously unreachable.

Dinner: At a local inn.

Evening: We will return by motorcoach to Saint John after dinner.

Day 8
Campobello Island, Head Harbor Light
Campobello Island, New Brunswick B,L,D Roosevelt Campobello International Park
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving 125 miles, under 2.5 hours. Walking 1 mile, about 2 hours, on some uneven terrain.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: After breakfast, we will depart for Campobello Island. Campobello Island is one of the three Fundy Isles, located in the Bay of Fundy, just offshore of Lubec, ME, in the United States. The fishing industry remains the backbone of this area, including the harvesting of lobster, scallops, clams, herring, cod, pollock, mackerel, and farmed salmon.

Lunch: On Campobello Island.

Afternoon: Enjoy a presentation about life in Campobello Island from a seventh generation Campobello resident. Next, we will set out to explore Roosevelt Campobello International Park, named in honor of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt’s splendid summer home, preserved as a nature park and museum. The park is an extraordinary example of international cooperation, jointly run by the Canada and the United States.

Dinner: On Campobello Island.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 9
Campobello Library & Museum, Whale Watching or Free Time
Campobello Island, New Brunswick B,L,D Roosevelt Campobello International Park
Activity note: Walking 1 mile, about 1.5 hours. Getting on/off whale watching boat, cruising approximately 30 miles over 2.5 hours on board. The group will be divided for the whale watching activity, with free time either Day 9 afternoon, or Day 10 morning.

Breakfast: At one of the cottages in the park, we will enjoy our breakfast.

Morning: The Campobello Public Library and Museum evokes the memories of bygone days, from its construction over a century ago. We will discover why FDR called Campobello his “beloved island” during a presentation at the island’s library and museum by the museum’s historian. We’ll also learn how this became the 19th-century summer retreat of well-to-do families like the Roosevelts. The museum houses many other links to the past, such as the Owen Carriage and a dining room table once owned and used by Captain William Owen himself.

Lunch: On Campobello Island.

Afternoon: One half of our group will then head out into the Bay of Fundy by boat to look for whales. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for minke, finback, humpback, and the endangered North Atlantic right whales as we enjoy the fresh air and blue waters. Our second group with enjoy free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: On Campobello Island.

Evening: An evening presentation from a local expert will focus on marine ecology and whale rescue.

Day 10
Whale Watching or Free Time, Summer Home, Tea with Eleanor
Campobello Island, New Brunswick B,L,D Roosevelt Campobello International Park
Activity note: Walking 1/2 mile, about 1.5 hours. The group will be divided for the whale watching activity on Day 9 & 10, with free time either Day 9 afternoon, or Day 10 morning.

Breakfast: Cottage breakfast.

Morning: Completing yesterday’s activities, the second half of our group will whale watch on the Bay of Fundy, while the other enjoys free time.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We will visit the Roosevelt's summer cottage and have tea with Eleanor. Local experts will tell of Eleanor Roosevelt's life on Campobello Island and her life in activism and public service, accompanied by Eleanor's favorite tea and cookies. We’ll see a special exhibit of rare photos of Eleanor on Campobello Island and a sample of her My Day Columns. Next, we will enjoy a presentation about the Atlantic Charter, a personal victory for FDR and Winston Churchill, in which goals like self-determination, international cooperation, and commitments to peace and disarmament were laid out for the postwar world.

Dinner: At one of the cottages in the park.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 11
Transfer to Portland, Bar Harbor, Farewell Dinner
Portland, Maine B,L,D Holiday Inn by the Bay
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving 215 miles, about 5.5 hours. Walking approximately 2 miles, around 2 hours, on mostly paved roads.

Breakfast: Cottage breakfast.

Morning: Departing Campobello Island by motorcoach, we will cross the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bridge, with stops en route to Bar Harbor in Acadia National Park, home to much diverse flora and fauna, granite peaks, historic carriage roads, and Cadillac Mountain, the tallest mountain on the Atlantic coast in the United States. We’ll explore Bar Harbor on an expert-led walk in what was once the premier summer resort in New England in the 19th century. We’ll see beautiful historic properties and Saint Saviour's Episcopal Church, with its 10 original Tiffany stained glass windows.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Bar Harbor.

Afternoon: Learn about the development of Acadia National Park, spearheaded by wealthy summer residents such as Joseph Kennedy and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. We’ll also learn about the devastating fire of 1947 and its effects on the island. We’ll then transfer to Portland to check into our last hotel.

Dinner: At the hotel, we will have a farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for checkout and departure in the morning.

Day 12
Program Concludes
Portland, Maine B
Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: At the hotel, we will enjoy a buffet breakfast, with coffee, tea, water included. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Day 1 Vancouver/Sooke

Enjoy a morning welcome meeting with your CEO in Vancouver before catching the ferry to Sooke on Vancouver Island. Eat a picnic lunch upon arrival before setting off into East Sooke Regional Park for some hiking. There’s a wide range of trails that have different levels of difficulty, but all of them will offer great views of the dramatic, rocky coastline, and lush Pacific rainforest filled with moss and green ferns. In the evening set up camp, get settled, and have dinner around a fire with the group.

Day 2 Sooke

After fuelling up with a camp breakfast the group will travel to the Juan de Fuca Strait from Sooke to embark on a hike along a section of the impressive trail. You’ll traverse miles of dense coastal forest and walk over beautiful pebble beaches, past gurgling waterfalls, slippery suspension bridges (watch your step) and the occasional pit of mud, but the dramatic views along this hike are well worth the effort. Transfer back to Sooke in the evening to rest up at camp and have dinner as a group.

Day 3 Sooke

Today after breakfast at camp the day is yours to do as you wish. If you need a break from hiking consider one of the many optional activities available like, sea kayaking, whale watching, bicycle rentals, or a visit to the quaint town of Victoria for some people watching and cafe hopping.

Day 4 Sooke/Parksville

In the morning after breakfast the group will transfer to Cowichan Valley where you'll go out on canoes and kayaks in Cowichan Bay. In the afternoon the group will travel to Parksville and walk in Rathtrevor Park along the beach. Feel the sand beneath your feet, hear the waves crashing, see old growth forests along the shoreline, and look for wildlife in the tide pools. In the evening set up camp and relax in the outdoors.

Day 5 Parksville/Squamish

Leave Parksville behind and head to the ferry port in Nanaimo to hop on a ferry to Horseshoe Bay. Once across the water, the group will drive to Squamish and hike The Stawamus Chief trail. This trail is one of the region’s best hikes and will take you up a steep incline to one of its three peaks. The views of the area surrounding Squamish, with the Howe Sound and the Garibaldi Park to the north are incredible. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your hike and in the evening relax at camp and have dinner as a group, refuelling after the day’s adventure.

Day 6 Squamish

Another great day of hiking to discover captivating views and new heights (literally). Set out to trek the Elfin Lake trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Offering amazing views you’ll hike 11km to get to the lakes, but it’s certainly worth it. Go for a dip in the icy water, fill up your bottles in another pond reserved only for drinking water and have lunch as you admire those insane views. After hiking the 11km downhill you’ll be able to have dinner wherever you choose in Squamish before heading back to camp for the night.

Day 7 Squamish/Whistler

In the morning the group will travel from Squamish to Whistler to take the Whistler Gondola up to the peak and hike the High Note trail. This trail offers hikers with the most scenic views of Cheakamus Lake with its vibrant aquamarine waters. The hike begins at the top of Whistler Mountain and takes you around the backside with views of the surrounding mountains and a descent through an alpine area. After the hike you’ll have free time to enjoy Whistler. Consider checking out the ​​Squamish-Lil'wat Cultural Centre, the Cloudraker Skybridge, or find a cozy coffee shop in town. In the evening at camp you’ll have your final dinner as a group around the campfire.

Day 8 Whistler/Vancouver

Travel from Whistler to Vancouver. Tours ends on arrival in Vancouver.

Please book any departing flights no earlier than 4:00pm.