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 Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, "Gateway to Canada," which features exhibits chronicling 20th-century Canadian immigration and the poignant multimedia production, Oceans of Hope.

From Halifax, 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. Return to Halifax for an evening at leisure.

Begin the day with a scenic drive along Nova Scotia's northeastern coast to Pictou, where a visit to the Hector Heritage Quay reveals the enduring spirit of Scottish settlers who crossed the Atlantic aboard the Hector in 1773. Step aboard the full-scale replica of the ship and explore exhibits that illuminate the hardships and hopes of those early immigrants. Continue onward to Port Hastings for a group lunch at a local favorite overlooking the Strait of Canso, then travel deeper into Cape Breton to visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site in Baddeck. Overlooking the Bras d'Or Lake, the museum offers a fascinating look into Bell's life and innovations—from the telephone to experimental kites and hydrofoils—all set within the landscape that inspired his later years. Arrive at your lakeside hotel with time to settle in before dinner, served at your leisure, surrounded by the quiet beauty of Cape Breton.

Today's journey takes you deep into the living traditions of Nova Scotia's First Nations and Gaelic communities. After breakfast at your hotel, travel to Eskasoni for a unique opportunity to walk the 2.4-kilometer trail guided by Mi'kmaq cultural interpreters. Along the way, visit a series of villages that invite you to experience traditional life firsthand – take part in a smudging ceremony, learn the rhythm of Pow Wow drumming, try your hand at basket-making, cook four cents cake over an open fire, and hear stories of trading, fishing, and dance. A snack of luskinigan and tea offers a flavorful glimpse into Mi'kmaq culinary tradition. 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.

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 free time to wander the site at your own pace before returning to Baddeck. This evening, gather for a "Taste of Nova Scotia" dinner at the hotel, featuring regional favorites and local flavors. 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 breakfast, travel south through the Annapolis Valley, a region steeped in agricultural heritage and Acadian roots. Later, continue to your hotel in Digby, where dinner is at your leisure. Set above the Bay of Fundy in the town of Digby, Digby Pines is a beloved icon of Atlantic Canada. Originally built in 1905 and rebuilt in grand style by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1929, the hotel has long welcomed travelers drawn by the region's natural beauty and legendary tides. Surrounded by landscaped gardens and forested hills, the resort overlooks the Annapolis Basin and is just minutes from Digby's famous scallop fleet. With its distinctive Norman-style architecture and deep ties to local history, Digby Pines has earned its place as a cherished landmark on Nova Scotia's Evangeline Trail.

Set off with a naturalist for a whale watching cruise off Digby Neck on the Bay of Fundy, offering world-renowned whale and bird watching in one of the most dynamic marine environments on Earth. Keep an eye peeled for finback, minke, and humpback whales – often seen breaching or fluking – as well as playful seals and porpoises, all drawn to the bay's abundant plankton-rich waters. The Bay of Fundy is also a migratory corridor for seabirds and a feeding ground for bald eagles, so binoculars are a must. Your naturalist guide brings the experience to life with insights that might include the ecology of the region, the behaviors of the marine mammals you spot, and the geological forces that shaped this extraordinary tidal landscape. Whether you're watching a whale surface beside the boat or simply feeling the salt breeze on your face, it's a memorable encounter with nature at its most awe-inspiring. Back at your resort in Digby your afternoon is free to enjoy as you please; join us at this evening's farewell reception and dinner at the hotel.

As you head back to Halifax for your journey home, wind your way through Nova Scotia's rich Annapolis Valley farmland to visit Grand-Pré National Historic Site, where the British deported the French Acadians in 1755; the incident inspired Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous poem, Evangeline. Tour ends: 12:00 PM, Halifax International Airport. 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. Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.