OVERVIEW

Maximize your time in three characteristic towns on Nova Scotia’s southern shore by independently exploring the attractions that sound most intriguing to you. Founded in 1811, the village of Peggy’s Cove originally thrived on fishing and has evolved into a beautifully rustic artist’s community. While there, you might browse the art galleries and admire the classic red-and-white lighthouse that marks the entrance to St. Margaret’s Bay. Lunenburg is renowned for being North America’s best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement, the reason UNESCO designated it a World Heritage site. As you stroll the historical streets, be sure to notice the rectangular grid layout, which was drawn up in England. More free time awaits you in the nearby town of Mahone Bay, which was settled a year after Lunenburg to support shipbuilding and logging. It is extraordinarily picturesque, and its three waterfront churches are among the most photographed places in Canada.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend hours of free time independently explore three classic towns on Nova Scotia’s southern shore.
• Meander about Peggy’s Cove, an extraordinarily artistic community known for its classic lighthouse.
• Explore the continent’s best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement in Lunenburg.
• Stroll along the waterfront of Mahone Bay, a town known for its three photogenic churches.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Experience a narrated excursion of Halifax, including a drive by Citadel Hill and the beautiful public gardens before heading out to Peggy’s Cove. On this tour you’ll travel along the scenic coastal highway to the tiny village of Peggy’s Cove, where less than 40 residents live year round. See the brightly colored houses nestled close to the water’s edge in this working rustic fishing village. As you enter the cove, drive by the monument carved by local artist William deGarthe from a massive slab of granite and a tribute to the people of Peggy’s Cove. Your guide will also tell you about the cove, explain how it got its name, tell you the story of the lighthouse and talk about the lobster fishery, which is the backbone of the local economy. Explore the village on your own and if you choose, there is plenty of time to visit a few of the shops and galleries before you return to your ship.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy commentary filled with local stories and history.
• Take in Atlantic Ocean views, rugged shorelines, and charming rural communities along the way.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

When people think of Canada, they think of maple syrup. When people think of Nova Scotia, they think of Peggy’s Cove. On this tour you’ll get a chance to experience both! Board your coach for the scenic drive to Peggy’s Cove – one of the most popular and visited lighthouses in Atlantic Canada. Enjoy some free time here to take some breathtaking pictures and explore the village with its galleries and souvenir shops. Continue your journey to Acadian Maple Products, started as a family hobby over 30 years ago, today they are the largest purchaser and processor of maple syrup produced in Nova Scotia. Their high-quality products are now enjoyed worldwide and their shop welcomes over 30,000 visitors a year. Browse the shop, enjoy tastings of maple syrup samples and get your taste of Canada!

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the picturesque village of Peggy’s Cove, home to one of Atlantic Canada's most iconic lighthouses, with free time for breathtaking photos and local shopping.
• Enjoy a scenic drive to Peggy’s Cove, taking in the stunning coastal views along the way.
• Experience the Acadian Maple Factory, sampling delicious maple syrup.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Watch a maritime influenced céilidh performance that combines Celtic music and step dancing and then join the fun by learning a few dances moves yourself. After a short walk to the Westin Nova Scotian hotel, you will settle in for an electrifying performance that will bring the Irish and Scottish cultures to life. A céilidh – pronounced kay-lee – is Gaelic for a party or any social gathering with music, dancing, and storytelling, and this one will live up to its promise. The music will be cheerful and stir the emotions as the musicians play traditional instruments such as fiddles, flutes and tin whistles. Other performers will step dance, a style in which the arms remain somewhat motionless compared to the feet. Watch carefully as you will have the opportunity to participate by learning a simple jig or a series of hop backs. To complement the festivities, relax with tea, coffee, and a light snack as you soak in the vibrant culture and warm maritime hospitality.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an emotionally stirring céilidh show that celebrates the Celtic culture.
• Be awed by the soulful musicians playing traditional instruments.
• Marvel at the dynamic step dancing that stresses footwork over arm movements.
• Learn a few simple dance steps from the performers who will happily instruct you.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a tasting of spirits aged in oak barrels at the Halifax Citadel, an atmospheric setting that will enhance this pleasurable experience. The British built the star-shaped citadel – officially named Fort George – atop a large hill in 1856 and it has been a fixture ever since. Dressed in a military uniform like the ones worn by the 78th Highlanders that first guarded the citadel, your guide will show you around the fortification, which is Canada’s most visited National Historic Site. The citadel has been meticulously restored literally brick by brick since 1931, when it was no longer used for defensive purposes. During the tasting that follows, you will sample the three spirits. They include an amber rum like one 19th-century solders were given as a daily ration, a barrel-aged gin and a whisky made with Nova Scotia-grown grains.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample three spirits at Halifax Citadel, the 19th-century fortification.
• Learn how the spirits are produced from Nova Scotian ingredients.
• Receive an explanation of each spirit and its tasting notes.
• Tour the citadel with a guide dressed like a 19th-century 78th Highlander soldier.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a walking tour through Halifax as an appetizer of sorts to your immersion into the city’s culinary scene with a focus on the local seafood. Enlightening commentary will describe the significance of Halifax’s landmarks, strolling along the Halifax waterfront, passing by historic piers, bustling shops, and lively restaurants. As you walk from restaurant to restaurant, know how the city’s culinary traditions have evolved over time. Halifax is especially known for seafood-based dishes, and depending on the restaurant, these may vary from succulent crustacean to savory mollusks, subject to availability. Each dish showcases the best of Nova Scotia’s coastal flavors.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See highlights of Halifax on a walk through the city.
• Sample local specialties at different restaurants as their staff describes the dishes.
• Gain insight into how seafood reigns supreme in Halifax and influences the cuisine.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Halifax and Dartmouth, many of them iconic attractions that define the cities. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie tutor will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting, and composition for every shot. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways. As you walk through Halifax and Dartmouth, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Halifax and Dartmouth.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Pose with the waterfront district in the background on the ferry ride to Dartmouth.
• Stand before the whimsical Wave statue and the freeform sculpture The Way Things Are.
• Visit the Last Steps Memorial Arch that honors Nova Scotia’s World War I soldiers.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a short but scenic ferry ride to Georges Island for an enlightening tour of this National Historic Site in the middle of Halifax Harbour. The indigenous Mi’kmaq people were the first inhabitants of the area, which they called Kjipuktuk, meaning “the great harbour.” Your guide, dressed in a period military uniform, will describe how French trappers arrived in the 17th century, followed by the British who built Fort Charlotte there. As you will discover, the fort played a strategic role in the War of 1812 and through the end of the 19th century, when its weapons became obsolete. As you walk through the brick-lined tunnels that were built beneath the fort, you will see how ammunition was stored in the underground bomb-proof shelters and hear tales of the soldiers that manned Fort Charlotte. The fort was upgraded with Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft guns in World War II, the last time it was used for military purposes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride the ferry through Halifax Harbour to and from Georges Island.
• Enjoy an enlightening tour of Fort Charlotte, which protected Halifax for two centuries.
• Hear tales of the fort’s military history while walking through the tunnels beneath the fort.
• Gain an understanding of the strategic importance of this National Historic Site.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Sample a selection of premium wines produced in the fertile Annapolis Valley, a small but impressive wine-producing region near the Bay of Fundy. You will first pause at the Grand-Pré National Historic Site, a memorial to the Acadians that lived in the area until their forced deportation that began in 1755. UNESCO declared the surrounding area a World Heritage site for the innovative flood control that the Arcadians developed to manage one of the world’s most extreme tidal ranges. Those conditions also affect the terroirs of the vineyards in the Annapolis Valley. While touring one of the premier wineries in the valley, you will learn how the cooling summer breezes encourage the grapes to thrive. Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir grapes do particularly well as you will discover while sampling several wines, which likely will be a mix of varietals and blends.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a tasting of Annapolis Valley wines at an award-winning winery.
• Gain insight into the valley’s terroirs and how the extreme tides affect them.
• Stop at a historical memorial that recognizes the Acadians that were forced from the valley.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover how Halifax responded to the sinking of the Titanic by visiting sites that associated with the tragedy. More than 120 mostly unidentified victims of the disaster are buried at Fairview Lawn Cemetery, their small black granite tombstones engraved with the date of the sinking – April 15, 1912. This cemetery stands as a solemn memorial to the tragedy, offering a poignant reminder of the loss felt worldwide. Services for many of the victims of the sinking were conducted at the Cathedral Church of All Saints. After admiring the façade of the church, you will continue to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which holds the world’s largest collection of wooden artifacts from the Titanic., which houses the world's largest collection of wooden artifacts from the Titanic, including an intricate deck chair and part of the ship's grand staircase, offering a poignant glimpse into the tragic voyage.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See different landmarks in Halifax with ties to the aftermath of the sinking of the Titanic.
• Visit a cemetery for victims of the tragedy and a church that held services for them.
• Admire the historic architecture of the Cathedral Church of All Saints, a landmark where services for many of the Titanic victims were held.
• Browse a collection of artifacts from the Titanic in the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Gain an understanding of how Halifax’s past and evolution through significant architectural landmarks on this immersive walking tour. After Moving through the city in chronological order, you’ll see how its buildings reflect different eras of history and transformation. You will visit Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica; the impressive façade of this neo-Gothic masterpiece has defined the city’s skyline for centuries. It is a fine example of early 19th-century urban planning, much like the Government House, an elegant Georgian residence that offers a glimpse into Halifax’s colonial heritage. you will see, the Halifax Waterfront’s historic charm meets modern vibrancy. Here, enjoys free time to explore, take in harbor views, and experience the city’s dynamic blend of old and new.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the neo-Gothic exterior of Saint Mary’s Cathedral, completed in 1899.
• Visit the façade of the Halifax Central Library, renowned for its bold design, sustainability, and community role.
• Enjoy free time at the Halifax Waterfront, a vibrant harbor front with scenic views and local shops.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Delve into the history of Halifax through iconic attractions that reflect events that shaped the city since its founding in 1749. Camp Hill takes its name from the military troops that were camped there during the 1834 cholera epidemic. Military graves from both world wars are scattered throughout the Camp Hill Cemetery, as well as the graves of two of Canada’s founding fathers. The Halifax Public Gardens are noteworthy for being a rare example of a Victorian garden that has changed little since opening in 1867. Its setting is extraordinarily tranquil. Star-shaped Halifax Citadel – the fourth fort to perch on the hilltop – was built in 1856 to keep the peace. It still looks impenetrable, a reason why this National Historic Site was never attacked. You will also drop by the Halifax waterfront, where you can browse local shops, discover unique artisanal goods, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of this historic harbor area.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit a historical cemetery where prominent local citizens and soldiers are buried.
• Meander through Halifax Public Gardens, an urban oasis of Victorian design.
• See the imposing Halifax Citadel, a 19th-century star-shaped fortress.
• Enjoy some shopping time at the Halifax waterfront, where you can explore local boutiques, artisanal shops, and unique markets.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.