Lantern Hill and Hollow

Winter Wonderland in Western Canada

Family Wildlife & Nature + 1 more + 2 more

Because nowhere does winter quite like Canada.

14 days

from £2,915 pp

including flights

Newfoundland and Labrador Grand Tour

Walking Off-the-beaten-track + 1 more + 2 more

Drive Newfoundland’s wild coastline from St. John’s to Quirpon.

20 days

from £3,995 pp

including flights

Canada Fall Colours Road Trip

Romantic Wildlife & Nature + 1 more + 2 more

Autumn colours, scenic drives and coastal charm in eastern Canada.

14 days

from £2,995 pp

including flights

Journey to the Polar Bears

Wildlife & Nature Off-the-beaten-track + 1 more + 2 more

Polar bears, sledge dogs & tundra rides through Canada’s north.

7 days

from £7,195 pp

including flights

Canadian Cowboy Adventure

Go Local Off-the-beaten-track + 3 more + 3 more

Exploring the cowboy ranches & wheat fields of Alberta.

15 days

from £3,390 pp

including flights

Mountains, Wine & Wildlife

Wildlife & Nature Foodie + 1 more + 2 more

Bears, wines & turquoise lakes in Canada’s great outdoors.

14 days

from £3,990 pp

including flights

Quirky excursions

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Northumberland Shore - Ideas for Free Time

The main street of Pictou is lined with handsome old stone buildings and interesting boutique shops. A replica of the ship – Hector - that carried the first Scots to Nova Scotia is moored in the harbour and houses a collection of artefacts and displays which give an insight the experience of those settlers. Nearby Tatamagouche is home to the historic waterfront development of Creamery Square, which now houses a slightly twee, but award-winning heritage centre that combines several community museums to depict the history of the area, from the early Mi’kmaq settlements to the heyday of 20th century ship-building. The town is also home to the famous Train Station Inn where you can enjoy a meal, or even stay overnight in an old railway carriage. There are many walking trails to be explored along the shores, leading to scenic lookouts or long stretches of white sand, such as at Caribou Provincial Park or Waterside Beach Provincial Park. Any of these spots are a great place to while away an afternoon; information and maps can be found in one of the various local visitor information centres.

Nova Scotia Eastern Shore - Ideas for Free Time

The key to enjoying the Eastern Shores is to take a few detours, stretch your legs, explore a little, and just enjoy the journey. From Canso at the eastern end of Marine Drive, all the way to Halifax, discover the story of Nova Scotia’s settlers and their sometimes troubled relationship with the sea, through historic sites and museums such as the Fisherman’s Life Museum, in Jedore Oyster Pond, the Acadian House Museum at West Chezzetcook, or the Living History Village in Sherbrooke; hike one of the many coastal trails, for example at the often overlooked Taylor Head Provincial Park; or go beachcombing on one of the beautiful sandy stretches, such as at Martinique Beach Provincial Park. At the far eastern end, the small settlement of Canso overlooks Chedabucto Bay and has historic importance in Nova Scotia as one of only two British settlements prior to establishment of Halifax and you can learn a little about its past at the National Historic Site. Along with Guysborough and Charlos Cove/Larry's River, the town creates a nice triangular driving route around the Canso Peninsula, which is a lovely way to spend the day.

Halifax - Ideas for Free Time

The Halifax waterfront is a good place to start if you have a day here; Pier 21 is where one million immigrants from Europe arrived between 1928 and 1971 looking for a new life in ‘New Scotland’. The Canadian Museum of Immigration examines this influx, as well as the broader story of movement of people in to and around this area. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic tells the story of Halifax’s rich maritime heritage, from small craft boatbuilding to World War convoys, and you can also step aboard the CSS Acadia, Canada’s longest serving hydrographic vessel. Once you’ve had your fill of history, spend some time just wandering around the old timber-framed properties, or browsing the boutique shops and cafes along the boardwalk. Away from the water, the Halifax Citadel dominates the skyline. Originally built as a military fortification to protect the city it is now a National Historic Site and visitors can explore the fortress whilst enjoying panoramic views over the city and Atlantic Ocean beyond. Just below the cemetery the Halifax Public Gardens is one of the finest surviving examples of a Victorian gardens in North America, with statues, fountains and a bandstand tucked amongst colourful flowerbeds and other water features.

Cape Breton – Ideas for Free Time

The Cabot Trail is the main attraction on Cape Breton, and it’s a journey full of picture-perfect vistas, friendly locals, and one that should certainly be taken at a leisurely pace. The section around the Highlands National Park is particularly scenic and can be explored further by venturing onto the many walking trails here. The Skyline Trail is a particularly popular walk, offering beautiful views along the rugged coastline. Access is from the western side of the Cabot Trail, halfway between Chéticamp and Pleasant Bay, and the return walk is approximately 7.5 kilometres in length. Aside from the obvious natural beauty, there are several cultural attractions on Cape Breton as well. The Highland Village Museum, which sits on the shores of Bras d'Or Lake, is a living history museum offering insight into the roots of Gaelic Nova Scotia, how the first Scottish settlers lived, and how the culture remains vibrant today. With costumed interpreters greeting you in Gaelic and a number of restored historic buildings, this attraction truly brings to life the culture, heritage, and hospitality of the area. Louisbourg Fortress is a reconstruction of part of a huge French fortress as it was in 1744. The site, once the focus of several struggles between the English and French, served as both a defensive structure and a centre of administration for the province. Although the original fortress was burned to the ground, today you can enjoy guided tours led by workers in period dress, several interpretive walks around the site, and buildings that recreate typical life for the fort's inhabitants.