Nova Scotia 2006 Maritime Delights Tour: Seaports, Highlands, Fundy Whales and Maritime Hospitality August 14 to 29, 2006 and August 2007 $2795. CDN

This trip is a holiday sampler of Nova Scotian scenery, history, artistry, nature, recreation and maritime hospitality.You will experience rolling hillsides, classic seaports, historic villages, natural sights and of course the lively capital city of Halifax. Throughout the tour you will find that we have carefully blended all our attractions and events with the music, beverage, food and lifestyles of our Nova Scotian friends. The trip starts with our entry point of Halifax, but quickly progresses out into the seaside preservation village of Peggys Cove, into Mahone Bay then along the coastline to our first port of call, the UNESCO world heritage village of Lunenburg(Nights #1,2,3). Here we will visit the Nova Scotia Fisheries Museum, walk about the seaport and side trip to the Ovens Natural Park. We then proceed inland to Kejimkujik National Park for walks with a naturalist, canoeing and a touch of Mi'Kmaq Native heritage.(Nights #4,5)

From Kejimkujik we travel northward to the Bay of Fundy and historic Annapolis Royal, for a "Stroll Through the Centuries". We take in Fort Anne, Port Royal Habitation, the historic town & Gardens, a Pirates Cove Whale Watching Cruise and a mystical Candlelight Graveyard Walk (Night #6,7,8). Travelling next up the picturesque Annapolis valley we settle in Wolfville, the charming home of Acadia University. Grand Pre National Historic site, the Bay of Fundy highest tides in the world and an opportune time for shopping are the highlights of the area. Wolfville(Nights (#9,10)

Then onto the famous scenery of Cape Breton Highlands, stopping for a mid day visit to Pictou, the Northumberland shores gem of a coastal community.We relax in the Cape Breton Highlands village of Baddeck. The home of Alexander Graham Bell, Baddeck is our base to explore the Cabot trail scenic drive, the Highlands National Park and the historic Fortress of Louisbourg. (Nights # 11,12 13) The final leg of the adventure returns us to Halifax via the Eastern Shore for last two nights of the tour. The Citadel, Historic Properties and a visit to Pier 21 round out the trip.(Nights #14, 15)

Pictorial Travelogue

	Halifax Guides Bruce and Nancy Gurnham greet you at Halifax International Airport eager to take you out to the seacoast and into the countryside of Nova Scotia. We will slip easily into the relaxed seacoast villages of Peggys Cove, Hubbards, Mahone Bay and wind up the day in the seaport of Lunenburg. Halifax, the lively city crowned by the historic Citadel, will be our concluding venue on the tour.
Peggys Cove Peggys Cove and the Lighthouse route to the village of Lunenburg is perhaps one of the most soothing seacoast venues that we travel along. Peggys Cove, the rocky, lighthouse crowned village is a timeless wonder, a mystical drawing card for visitors the world over.
	Mahone Bay & Lunenburg Mahone Bay, one of Canada's best known seascapes, offers us craft shops(hooked rugs, pewter, original-design clothing etc.), scenic walks, and a world of festivals; Wooden Boats, ScareCrows, Antiques and more. Lunenburg is a vibrant fishing village, designated in 1995 a world UNESCO heritage site. We visit the Fisheries Museum and will enjoy the 250th town anniversary in 2003.We will also day trip out to the Ovens Natural Park, and take a leisure walk along several of the South Shores white sand beaches.
Kejimkujik National Park Kejimkujik National Park is Nova Scotia's gentle wilderness, and we will explore this inland wonderland via canoe, walking trail and through the eyes of a naturalist interpreter. We will introduce you to the land of the loon, blandings turtle, mystical bird life as well as the Mi k'Maq native heritage that forms a historical base for this day of soft adventure.
	Annapolis Royal In Annapolis Royal we do a "Stroll Through the Centuries" during our visit to the 1605 village. We visit Ft. Anne National Historic site, Port Royal Habitation, the Historic Gardens and stroll along the town boardwalk taking in the numerous local craft shops, museums and cafes. We also tour the Tidal Power Project; Nova Scotian's harnessing their famous Fundy tides.
Digby Neck We wisit the Romantic town of Digby then spend an afternoon of whale and seabird watching with Pirates Cove adventures. We will also view the geological formation of the Balancing Rock on Long Island
	Wolfville Wolfville is home of classic Acadia Universty; from here we explore Blomidon Provincial Park, walk the cliff tops of Cape Split, visit Longfellow's Evangeline Land at Grand Pre and ride the world famous high tides of the Bay of Fundy in a high power Zodiac raft.
Pictou County Pictou, nestled on the beach laden coastline of the Northumberland Straits, is renowned for its Scottish Heritage; Birthplace of New Scotland. We visit the Hector Heritage Quay, the waterfront home to the ship Hector, and enjoy the quaint shops and museums of the historic site.
	Cape Breton Highlands Utilizing Baddeck as our home, we explore the Cabot Trail, with stops in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Chetticamp and Ingonish Beach. As well we spend time at the Alexander Graham Bell Museum and the classic village of Baddeck on the famous Bras D'Or lakes.
Fortress of Louisbourg We travel back 250 years at the Fortress of Louisbourg, and spend a good portion of the day living the life of residents, soldiers and craftsmen inside one of north Americas most realistic recreated fortified town. From the fortified gates to the taverns, shops and military installations; all aspects of this classic 1750's fortress are brought to you through costumed animators from all walks of life.
	Eastern Shore Travelling from Cape Breton back towards Halifax via St. Peter's Canal, you get a taste for the remote Eastern Shore coastline. We visit the 19th century Sherbrooke Village, experiencing the tranquil setting for weavers, a water powered sawmill, blacksmith, wood workers and Nova Scotian crafts.
Capital City of Halifax A City for all Tastes: Our farewell to Nova Scotia is filled with Public Gardens, museums, art galleries, a harbour cruise, shopping in Historic Properties Shops,the historic Immigration Pier 21, a tour through the cities crowning structure, the Citadel and of course fine international styles of dining.

Visit Hillsdale House

Quality Lodging: Lodging on our Nova Scotia adventure is selected from a range of high quality, comfortable historic country inns, small family run hotels, scenic riverside chalets, and Victorian mansions. We stay most of the tour, either two or three nights in the same place for comfort and relaxation. Travel time and mileage occasionally may require a one night stay.

Visit Waverley Inn

Canada: Best of the West Canadian Rockies, scenic glaciers, lush gardens, fabulous scenery, lively City scapes and the Pacific Coastline July 14 to 30, 2007 $3095 CDN

This trip is a holiday sampler of Rocky Mountain scenery, towering waterfalls, scenic ancient forests, rolling lush valleys, wineries, friendly Canadian villages, lively city scenes, famous woodland and botanical gardens and the spectacular coastline scenery of the Pacific Rim. All our events, activities and attractions are blended with the music, beverage, food and lifestyles of the Canadian people. The trip starts with our entry point of Calgary, Alberta where we visit the Olympic Village, Calgary Tower and the bustling city centre of Calgary. The Calgary Stampede; saddle broncs, trick riders, calf roping, bull riding and steer wrestling entertain us the next day at the Rodeo. (Nights #1, 2)

Our next 4 days are the Canadian Rockies National Parks days; awesome scenery, waterfalls, glaciers, mountain lakes and memorable vistas.(Nights #3, 4, 5, 6)Our touring and day walks encompass such famous sights as Morraine Lake, Columbia Ice fields, Athabasca Falls, Lake Louise, the village of Banff and more, all set in the mountainous home of goats, sheep and Elk. We travel in 5 National Parks; Banff, Kootenay, Yoho, Jasper and Glacier, each with their own distinctive landmarks.
Heading southwest, we enter the famous Okanagan Valley, home of dozens of vineyards and lovely lake side scenery(Nights #7, 8).

Continuing southwestward we pass through the Fraser River Valley, and Ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island and the romantic town of Victoria(Nights #9,10, 11). Butchart and the indoor Botanical Gardens highlight our visit here, with time for exploring the great little city of Victoria. The rocky, wave battered and sandy beached Pacific Rim Coastline (Night #12, 13)offers some of the most spectacular seacoast in Western Canada & the U.S. From here we travel across the northern reaches of the Strait of Georgia and settle in to Vancouver(Nights #14, 15,16). Our farewell city of Vancouver provides us with two busy days of activity including Stanley Park, the Gastown District, Granville Island Markets, the Grouse Mountain Gondola, the Planetarium and so much more. Flights home are from Vancouver International Airport.

Photo Travelogue

Calgary Guides Bruce and Nancy Gurnham greet you at Calgary Airport to take you to our Calgary hotel. We spend the afternoon exploring downtown Calgary, the modern city of towers, cowboy hats and bustling activity. The following day we wrap up our city adventures and settle in at the Calgary Stampede Rodeo, broncing, roping and cowboy entertainment at its best.
	Banff: Capital of the Canadian Rocky Mountains Leaving Calgary via the Olympic Village, we enter Banff on the Bow River, settling in at our village center resort. Our Banff National Park activities include visits to the Hot Springs, a ride up the gondola to Sulpher Mountain, free shopping time in Banff town and a scenic excursion to Norquay Summit.
Land of Rivers, Lakes and Amazing Waterfalls Blended with the awesome lofty mountains are phenominal glacial "blue" lakes, thundering falls and rambling rivers. We will visit a few of the most famous including Lake Louise, Morraine Lake and the Athabaska Falls to the north.
	Columbia Ice Fields The Columbia Ice fields feed the Athabaska Glacier that we take you out on, utilizing the Snocoach to put us on the mid glacier. Six kilometres long and up to 1000 feet thick, the experience is not soon forgotten.
National Parks and Our leisure scenic walks The Canadian Rockies are a walkers and hikers heaven. Your guide will choose several of his favorite leisure walks based on whims of the group, the weather and time available; all located in the five National Parks we visit; Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Glacier and Yoho. Walks may include Sulphur Mountain trail, Parker Ridge trail, Johnston Canyon, Peyto lake or others of equal grandeur.
	Rogers Pass to the Okanagon Valley Rogers Pass, the winding scenic drive through Glacier National Park, represents our farewell to the high mountains, as we enter a varied landscape that takes us through high dessert, wooded terrain and creek strewn landscape, eventually landing us in the lushly irrigated Okanagan valley, home to numerous classic vineyards and resort style lakes.
Okanagan Valley: Lakes & Vineyards The Lake side village of Kelowna is our home in the Okanagan Valley, where we will visit Summerhill Wineries to sample their famous wines and spend a bit of time on the Kelowna Princess, plying the waters of Lake Okanagan.
	Fraser River Valley Vancouver Island Ferry Departing the Okanagan Valley we travel southwest along the Coquihalla Highway passing through the Fraser River Valley to board the grand British Columbia ferry to Vancouver Island and on to Victoria.
Victoria: Garden Paradise Known as the "City of Gardens", Victoria is western Canada's oldest city, and is full of wonderful features. Rhododendrons at Fountain Lake, cobblestone streets, stately stone and brick architecture, seafaring reminders, Beacon Hill Park, the lively seaport of the inner harbour and the famous Butchart Gardens. A day of relaxation and personal exploits is in order for this tour of Victoria.
	Chemainus World Famous Murals Following a leisure stay in Victoria we drive to the Pacific Rim National Park visiting the famous First Nation's murals in the town of Chemainus en route. Our days drive also takes us through the scenic pass of Port Alberni and across the Clayoquot Plateau and down to the Pacific.
Pacific Rim: The West Coast Vancouver Islands west coast is a spectacularly diverse world of natural beauty; white sand beaches with enviable surf, rugged rocky cliffs, a world of sea life from whales, seals, and thousands of seabirds and at the end of the day, unrivaled sunsets. During our time on the island, we walk the sandy ribbon beaches, enjoy a boat excursion in search of whales and finally spend a bit of time in the seaside village of Tofino.
	Vancouver: Life & Times Leaving Vancouver Island we cruise to Vancouver visiting the Capitano River Gorge, travel the Cyprus Mountain Scenic Drive and settle in at City Centre. Our days in Vancouver are filled with a cycle around Stanley Park, one of Canada's most diverse ecosystems. We tour the city on foot, introducing you to many attractions including museums, galleries and shops. .
Vancouver's Districts: Gas Town & More Two classic sites we visit while staying in Vancouver are Gas Town, Old Vancouver's shopping, Bistro and Cafe mecca, and Granville Island Markets, where ethnic markets and international flavours abound in the open air style markets

Quality Lodging: Lodging on our "Best of the West" tour is selected from a range of high quality, classic country retreats, lake shore resorts, and friendly city hotels. We stay most of the tour, either two or three nights in the same place for comfort and relaxation. Travel time and mileage occasionally may require a one night stay.

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