Day 1
Halifax
Fly into Halifax and make your way independently to your hotel in Nova Scotia's compact, walkable capital. Spend the afternoon strolling the Halifax waterfront boardwalk, one of the longest in the world, taking in the historic Privateers' Warehouse and the tall ships moored along the harbour. Round off the evening with a bowl of seafood chowder at one of the boardwalk's restaurants.
Day 2
Halifax
Spend today exploring further afield. Climb up to the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site for panoramic views over the harbour and the daily noon gun ceremony, then visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, home to artefacts from the Titanic and the 1917 Halifax Explosion. In the afternoon, take the coast road out to Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia's most photographed lighthouse, perched on wave-battered granite. Wander the Halifax Public Gardens on your way back into town for the evening.
Day 3
Halifax – Digby (145 miles)
Collect your hire car this morning and drive west through the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia's fruit-growing heartland, towards Digby. En route, consider a stop in the pretty riverside town of Annapolis Royal, home to Fort Anne National Historic Site and some of Canada's oldest streets. Arrive into Digby, self-styled scallop capital of the world, in time to walk the wharf and watch the fleet come in – then order Digby scallops for dinner, caught a few hours before they reach your plate.
Day 4
Digby – Saint John Ferry – St Andrews-By-the-Sea (65 miles)
This morning, board the Fundy Rose ferry for the roughly two-and-a-quarter-hour crossing of the Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tides in the world — keep an eye on the water for whales and porpoises en route. Arrive into Saint John, New Brunswick, and drive on to St Andrews-By-the-Sea, a genteel seaside resort town of clapboard houses and flowering gardens. Spend the afternoon browsing the boutiques along Water Street or visiting Kingsbrae Garden, before a relaxed dinner overlooking Passamaquoddy Bay.
Day 5
St Andrews-By-the-Sea – Bar Harbor (205 miles)
Before you leave, and if the tide allows, drive out to Ministers Island, the former summer estate of Canadian Pacific Railway co-founder Sir William Van Horne, only accessible by a sandbar at low tide. Cross the US border into Maine and continue south to Bar Harbor, gateway to Acadia National Park, for the first of two nights. Take an early evening stroll along the Bar Harbor Shore Path before dinner in town.
Day 6
Bar Harbor – Acadia National Park – Bar Harbor
Spend the day exploring Acadia National Park. Drive the 27-mile Park Loop Road, taking in Sand Beach and the granite cliffs of Thunder Hole, and consider the hike or drive up Cadillac Mountain, from where much of the eastern United States watches the year's first sunrise. Stop at Jordan Pond House for its famous popovers with a view across the water to the Bubbles, before returning to Bar Harbor for a final evening of fresh Maine lobster.
Day 7
Bar Harbor – Kennebunkport (174 miles)
Drive south along the coast to Kennebunkport, a classic New England seaside town of clapboard houses, working harbours and sandy beaches. Spend the afternoon browsing the boutiques around Dock Square, then walk out to Cape Porpoise for a lobster roll with a view of Goat Island Light.
Day 8
Kennebunkport
A free day to enjoy Kennebunkport at your own pace. Walk or cycle the Kennebunkport Bridle Path, spend time on Goose Rocks Beach, or drive the coastal loop past the Bush family's Walker's Point estate. In the evening, book a table at one of the town's harbourside restaurants for a final Maine lobster dinner.
Day 9
Kennebunkport – Portland (25 miles)
A short drive north brings you to Portland, Maine's food capital. Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the cobbled streets of the Old Port district, with its independent shops, galleries and waterfront brewpubs.
Day 10
Portland
Spend today exploring further afield. Drive out to Cape Elizabeth to see Portland Head Light, one of America's most photographed lighthouses, and walk the coastal trails at Fort Williams Park. Back in the city, hop on a Casco Bay Lines ferry out to one of the Calendar Islands for the afternoon, then round off your stay with dinner at one of Portland's well-regarded restaurants.
Day 11
Portland – Freeport – Rockport – Bar Harbor (160 miles)
Departing Portland, travel north along Maine’s picturesque coastline to browse Freeport’s world-famous outlet shopping villages and iconic L.L.Bean Flagship campus. Continue past the tranquil harbour and historic schooners of Rockport before arriving in vibrant Bar Harbour, your gateway to Acadia National Park’s dramatic granite peaks.
Day 12
Bar Harbor to Yarmouth via ferry – Lunenburg
This morning, enjoy an early breakfast and arrive at the ferry port around 08:30am for the 09:30am crossing on the CAT high-speed ferry for the three-and-a-half-hour journey from the Gulf of Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. From Yarmouth, follow Nova Scotia's South Shore to Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage town of brightly painted colonial buildings overlooking a working harbour. Settle in for the evening and, if she's in port, look out for the tall ship Bluenose II moored on the waterfront.
Day 13
Lunenburg – Halifax (56 miles)
Spend the morning wandering Lunenburg's steep, colourful streets and visiting the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic on the waterfront, before the short drive back to Halifax. Drop off your car at the airport and head back home.
