Arrive into Halifax on Canada’s Atlantic Coast and head to The Sutton Place Hotel for a two night stay. The gateway to Nova Scotia, and indeed Canada, Halifax is a wonderful little city located on one of the world’s great natural harbours, it is the perfect mix of old and new with Georgian homes alongside modern skyscrapers. Take a stroll along the waterfront boardwalk, explore Victorian parks or the 19th Century Citadel, standing watch over the city. A delightful destination to explore on foot.

Hit the road and head out of the city to visit Nova Scotia's south shore, a mecca for sailing enthusiasts and home to the famous lighthouse at Peggy's Cove. As with all of the Maritime Provinces, Nova Scotia is proud of the excellent, fresh local seafood, while the south shore offers some perfect white sand beaches. While here, spend one night at the luxury boutique Ivy House Inn located in the centre of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town of Lunenburg. Home to colorful waterfront buildings and narrow streets, Lunenburg is a real highlight.

Head south and explore more of what the south shore has to offer. Pass tiny fishing villages and hidden coves, check out stunning beaches and dip your toes in the Atlantic Ocean as you head off the beaten track for two nights at Trout Point Lodge, a luxury retreat within Nova Scotia's South West Biosphere Reserve. Enjoy the peace and serenity at this eco-friendly destination within the vast Canadian backwoods. Spend a couple of days here to experience some of the activities offered by the lodge including guided star-gazing, canoeing and kayaking or relax with an outdoor barrel sauna and wood-fired hot tub.

Heading out of the wilderness, travel north through farmland and pass little towns and villages, including Digby and Annapolis Royal which are well worth a visit to break up the drive. Today’s destination of Grand Pré is located in the southern Minas Basin, an inlet of the Bay of Fundy, famous for having the highest tides in the world. Stay for two nights at The Inn at Grand Pré Winery, located at the heart of the Annapolis Valley Wine country. Sample the fine vintages, dine at the excellent restaurant and enjoy a few days in this stunning part of Nova Scotia, with a winery tour & tasting included during your stay.

The final night on the Nova Scotia peninsula will be on the majestic Northumberland coast, at the Antigonish Evergreen Inn. En-route and well worth a visit would be Burntcoat Head Provincial Park, a great spot to experience the high tidal movements of the Bay of Fundy and the mud flats the waters leave behind. Once in Antigonish county, you will find a famous coastline overlooking Northumberland Strait, offering more stunning beaches, the warmest waters in Atlantic Canada and more quaint towns and villages to explore.

Cross the Strait of Canso today and enter Cape Breton Island, the northern part of Nova Scotia and home to one of the most spectacular drives in all of Canada, the Cabot Trail. Head for Igonish Beach, on the eastern side of the northern peninsula and a two night stay at Lantern Hill & Hollow. Here is your base to explore the spectacular scenery and amazing hiking trails of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. From mid-June to the end of October, experience the thrill of a whale watching trip on a fast zodiac boat included during the stop at Igonish Beach.

Depart Igonish and the Highlands heading south on Cape Breton, skirting around the edges of the massive Bras d’Or Lake, actually an estuary where the rivers of Nova Scotia meet the Atlantic Ocean. Larger towns to visit include Baddeck and Sydney, but there is an abundance of smaller villages to explore as you head to Isle Madame, a small island off the southern eastern tip of Cape Breton. Spend a night in Arichat, a quaint village on the coast, at The Clairestone Inn.
The following day, head on the final leg of the drive, back across the Casno Causeway with a chance to explore some of the Eastern Shore before dropping the car back off at Halifax airport and catching a flight home.