Nova Scotia, Canada
DAY 1
Saturday, August 17
Our journey begins... First stop historic Portland, Maine including free time for lunch and shopping in the Old Port Neighborhood. Many enjoyed a taste of New England at some of the local waterfront restaurants including Gilbert’s Chowder House and the Old Port Sea Grill.
Afterwards, we enjoyed visits to two picturesque lighthouses, Portland Harbor ‘s Bug Light and Maine’s oldest, the 1791 Portland Head Lighthouse in nearby Cape Elizabeth.
DAY 2
Sunday, August 18
Today, we continue north. After crossing the Canadian border in St. Stephens, New Brunswick, we travel onto St. John, NB to board the Bay Ferry (bus and our driver Jim in tow) for a 2 1/4 hour cruise across the Bay of Fundy and onto our day’s destination, Yarmouth, NS and our hotel the Rodd Grand for dinner and a good night’s rest.
DAY 3
Monday, August 19
Today, our first full day in Nova Scotia, the group enjoyed a morning visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The day began with a guided walking tour by our very knowledgeable guide, Ashlee and included exquisite 18th c. and Victorian homes including the 1893-95 Lunenburg Academy, the Wedding Cake House and stops inside the Zion Lutheran Church and St. John’s Church. This afternoon the group enjoyed a visit to the picturesque fishing village of Peggy’s Cove and it’s famed lighthouse, prior to our arrival in Halifax, Nova Scotia; our home for the next two days. Everyone is really enjoying their time here in Atlantic.
DAY 4
Tuesday, August 20
Today, we enjoyed a tour of the Atlantic port city of Halifax, Nova Scotia with Carolyn, our super knowledgeable tour guide. The sights visited include the Port of Halifax, Victorian Gardens, Fairview Lawn Cemetery (Titanic and 1917 Halifax Explosion Burial Site) and the Halifax Citadel. An evening of laughter fulfilled the day’s events with a visit to the Grafton Street Dinner Theatre.
DAY 5
Wednesday, August 21
Today, our journey took us west and into Nova Scotia’s lush green valley of King’s County for a visit to the Grand Pre National Historic Site; a place dedicated to telling the tragic story of the expulsion of the French Acadians. Our visit included an introductory film and an opportunity to visit the 17th century church and stroll its beautiful grounds and gardens. This afternoon, we visited historic Annapolis Royal (est. 1605) for a guided village tour with our costumed host, Darlene including viewing numerous historic homes, Port Royal Historic Site, Annapolis Tidal Generating Station and a stop at the Fort Anne National Historic Site for a brief talk on village history and the important role of Fort Anne by her husband and Acadian ancestor, Alan. Next stop, the Digby Ferry for our 2 ¼ hour Bay of Fundy crossing back to St. John, NB and our overnight accommodations.
DAY 6
Thursday, August 22
Today, we depart St. John, NB after a stop at Reversing Falls, to view a series of cascading tidal pools where the St. John River meets with the highest tides in the world at the Bay of Fundy. Next, we visited the Roosevelt Campobello International Park on Campobello Island, the summer home of Franklin D. Roosevelt. While here, guests enjoyed a short introductory film highlighting the family’s time spend on this beautiful island, a guided tour of the Roosevelt family home and free time to explore the beautiful gardens, walking trails, beautiful ocean vistas and the adjoining cottages. Our journey continues as we return back into the U.S., with a visit to Lubec, Maine’s candy-stripped West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, located on the most eastern point of the continental United States. Although a blanket of deep fog rolled in as we approached, everyone really enjoyed the scenic view of this iconic light and the lighthouse exhibits in the first floor of the Light keeper’s cottage. Prior to arriving at our overnight accommodations in Waterville, Maine, our group enjoyed a lobster choice dinner and some of New England’s best homemade pie at Helen’s Restaurant in Machias, Maine. What a great way to close out a great day of touring!
DAY 7
Friday, August 23
Today, as we departed for home from northern Maine, we made a stop in the seaside village of Kennebunkport, Maine for shopping and dining. No stop into Kennebunkport would be complete without trip out to scenic Ocean Drive to view the Bush Family Estate, on Walker's Point, which served as the Summer White House of George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States. A great tour comes to a close, but be assured, AAA will be returning to this wonderful destination and other areas of Atlantic Canada many more times in the future. So long for now. Happy Travels to all.
