About Terry MacDonald Expertise I can answer questions about Halifax and the surrounding areas. I can help with questions and general questions about history and attractions of the Halifax area and Nova Scotia in general.
Experience I was born and raised in Nova Scotia and have lived in Halifax for 25+ years. I have 25 years experience in the hotel industry in Halifax and other parts of Nova Scotia.
Organizations I am a volunteer in the Hotels Category of Allexperts.com
Expert: Terry MacDonald Date: 7/28/2004 Subject: Nova Scotia
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Followup To
Question -
Hi, we are planning a 10 day tour of Nova Scotia, starting in Yarmouth (arrivng by Ferry). We have tenatively laid out a plan and was wondering what you think of it (is it possible and are we trying to do too much, suggestions).
Day 1, Drive from Yarmouth to Digby, then on to Brier Is. stay for 2 nights.
Day 3, Drive to Parrsboro with possibly a couple stops along the way (meeting friends there, will see a play). Stay 2 nights.
Day 5 Drive to Baddeck, stay somewhere in that area for 2 nights (or 3?)
Day 7 Drive to Halifax stay one night?
Day 8 Drive to Peggys Cove/Lunenburg area
Day 9 Make our way back to Yarmouth, see more of Lighthouse route, stay somewhere between Lunenburg and Yarmouth
Day 10 Leave on 1:00 Ferry from Yarmouth.
Answer -
Joanna
Sorry to take so long answering your question.
The drive from Yarmouth to Digby is 1 hour and then another hour to Brier Island. I suggest you spend some time in Digby on the way to Brier Island for the night.I assume you are going Whale watching on the Island if not I suggest you do as it is the best in the Province.Also exploring the Island will take up the rest of the day if you are into the nature things.
Depending upon your route the drive to Parrsboro will be 3-5 hours. Since you are meeting friends I will not suggest anything for that area.
I would suggest you go to Sydney on day 5 and stop in Baddeck for a couple of hours on the way.Try to get to Sydney early enough to see the Miners Miseum on day 5.
Day 6 can be spent mostly at Fortress Louisburg and then a 1 & 1/2 hr drive to the Port Hawkesbury area to spend the night. This will enable you to arrive in Halifax ( 2 Hour-21/2 hour drive ) in the morning. I suggest you spend day 7 & 8 in Halifax.
Day 9 do Peggy's Cove (1/2 hr from Halifax ) and Lunenburg and drive to your nights stay between Lunenburg and Yarmouth.I suggest closer to Yarmouth.
On day 10 you can spend a couple of hours in Yarmouth before getting the Ferry.
I hope this help and again I am sorry for the delay in responding to you.
Terry MacDonald
Hi Terry,
Thanks so much for your detailed answer! I really appreciate all the thought you put into it. Just curious about a couple things. The reason we were going to Baddeck was to drive and see part of the Cabot Trail, as several people had recommended we do. Do you feel like seeing the Museum in Sydney and the Fortress would be better, or do you think it would be a better use of our time? In other words, would trying to do the Cabot Trail be to much.
Also, If we were to stop some places on our way to Parrsboro what would you recommend? I was thinking about Annapolis Royal, or possibly a side trip to Cape Blomindon? We will probably have to stop for lunch somewhere anyway.
Since you have been so helpful, I'm going to be bold and ask some more questions.
Do you think 2 days on Brier Island is too much? What whale watching company would you recommend?
Any particular things you would recommend seeing in Halifax?
Thanks again for your help. If possible a reply by Saturday some time would be greatly appreciated.
Answer Joanna
OK if you leave parrsboro early you can drive to the Canso Causeway and then take the shore route to meet the Cabot trail ( route 19 ) and spent the night on the trail. I would suggest Ingonish area . The drive from Port Hastings to Sydney taking route 19 is approx 8 hrs and then 2 hrs from Parrsboro to Port Hastings . If you stop some where near Ingonish area you can do the drive in approx 7-8 hrs plus stops.The next day you can see Louisburg (and the miners museum if that interests you) ( Louisburg is almost a must see) Then back to Port Hawkesbury by Trans Canada Hwy.
Annapolis Royal has Historic Gardens, Fort Anne and Port Royal , Anne and Royal are old forts.
Any whale watching company on the island will be good.Check your guide book . If exploring some nature trails is not what you want to do then Brier Island is only a 1 night stay. Get a morning wale watching tour and in the Afternoon drive to Annapolis Royal or Bridgetown for the night . This will cut down on your drive the next day and give you some rest.
Let me back track here The Cabot Trail is a Must see and then the settlement at Louisburg is next . I just wanted to clear that up.
Get some brochures on Halifax when you get to N.S.
Off hand a couple of things are Maritime Museum ( Titanic exhibit and items from the ship) Historic Properties ( the whole water front area)Citidal Hill, There are water tours,city tours and a dozen things. It will all depend on your interests
I hope this is helpful and am glad I was able to further be of assistance
Enjoy your trip , It is a beautiful and calming place to visit
