1

We did this trip in August a few years ago. Road reports and photos here: http://www.lifewellspent.com/TRAVEL/CANADA/Maritimes.htm

Highlights for me were driving around Cape Breton, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island. There are lots of B&Bs and small hotels. If you contact the provincial tourism offices they will send you directories.

2

My family did a trip quite like this when I was 12 and it is one of my favourite family vacation memories! It was my mother, my younger sister and I in the family minivan and our objectives were the same -- we wanted to see history, culture, and some nice scenery. We mostly stayed in B&Bs which was a good choice as Maritimers are very friendly and hospitable and our hosts were always very warm and congenial.

If I can recommend one must-do, it is to visit Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Drive the Cabot Trail for some great scenery and visit the Fortress of Louisbourg for some great history. Of all the (many!) national historic sites I've seen across Canada, the Fortress of Louisbourg is my favourite. In addition to museum-style displays, it is extensively animated to represent the fortress as it was under French occupation in the 1700s, a bustling town and port complete with restaurants.

Another must-see is the Bay of Fundy, ideally from Fundy National Park in New Brunswick. You can enjoy the BoF in many ways but the easiest/most accessible is to go for the easy hike to the tall rocks there. Rubber boots are ideal! The Bay of Fundy however is quite large and you can see its high tides from anywhere (Fundy National Park simply being the place where the difference is most dramatic).

Good museums and points of interest are the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax and the Anne of Green Gables House in Cavendish, PEI. If you are interested in Canadian history, Pier 21, the primary landing port for immigrants before 1971, in Halifax is an important Canadian destination and an excellent museum as far as museums go. Confederation House in Charlottetown, PEI is another history destination. I have always been a fan of the "Royal" series of museums which are located in each provincial capital. I don't think I've been to any of the Royal museum in the maritimes, but these are typically decently-funded museums that give one a good sense of a province in an afternoon, highlighting its most important natural, cultural, and historical features.

3

heck out GASPE for sure especialy if you like birds. short cheap ferry ride to an island where they nest in there hundreds. also the hole in the rock tour is nice.