Getting Around Province of Nova Scotia

We hired a car here in the U.K. before going to Nova Scotia through Enterprise. Everything went smoothly, the car was ready and waiting at Halifax International Airport and we were ready to drive Trans Canadian Highways. Car hire is widely available in Halifax if you don't book from home, there are lots of the usual car hire companies at the Airport.

We were visiting relatives living near Saint John, New Brunswick and we wanted to take the Bay Ferries, Princess of Acadia, across the Bay of Fundy from Digby, Nova Scotia to save more travelling time on the road.
I had booked our hire car onto the ferry via the internet before we left our home in the UK and we knew the sailing times. On arrival I was asked to collect our tickets from the main box office which all worked out well and within a short space of time we were boarding the ferry. It was all very smooth and painless.

Once on board my kids all made for the self service restaurant and were keen to sample the rather unexciting food - mostly Burgers and chips/fries. I recall it seemed quite expensive but hey they had the monopoly on food.

The trip takes about 3 hours and to help while away the time there is a small cinema style screen on board ship. For me however the highlight of the journey came when we went up on deck. There were several people up there with binoculars and a couple with a telescope. It didn't take long to work out what they were looking at - we saw Dolphins following the boat and way off in the distance through binoculars we could see whales, probably Humpbacks, surfacing, blowing spouts of water and then up ending in the way all whales are supposed to do. Shame they were too far off for any photos. On top of that we saw Giant Shearwaters swarming over a shoal of fish, swooping into the surf and guzzling them down. This was much more fun than watching an old film on the cinema screen.

So if you want to take the short cut across the Bay - go prepared with binoculars and you could be in for a fantastic whaling treat.
The photo was taken from the Bay of Fundy tourist board website .

I really can't see making a Halifax a must. If you take in the western and southern shore as suggested you'll be able to take in Kejimkujik, Bay of Fundy, Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg, and the lighthouse route. Along with whale watching and relaxing smaller drives you've filled up a week with great photos and breathtaking scenery without going broke at the gas-punp. An inch on the map along the coast can take longer than expected.

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Northumberland Ferries offers what is simply the best way for you and your car to travel between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The Confederation and the Holiday Island Ferries proudly ply the waters between Caribou and Wood Islands in just 75 minutes-and, in the process, offers you a unique opportunity to park the car, relax and enjoy the beauty of the sea and the sky. Best of all, no matter how many passengers are in your car, you pay just one great rate.

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We took an interesting and enjoyable tour of Halifax streets and harbour with Harbour Hopper Tours in an amphibious vehicle. The tour is a good way to get to know the city of Halifax and its huge harbour. We learned a lot on the tour, the guide was entertaining delivering his information in a light hearted way. We booked the tickets at the booth on the waterfront, the Harbour Hopper runs daily from 9.00am to 6.00pm from May 22nd. to October 17th. I can't remember how much it costs but the brochure says pricesless!

We took a horse and carriage ride around lovely Lunenburg with Bud the horse and his friend Suzanna. The horse didn't need any instructions - he had done it all before and he took us slowly through the little streets. Suzanna our guide was great, giving us all the history of the town in an enchanting, friendly and funny manner. We shared the ride with a couple from Quebec who were also great company. If you want to travel by yourself it costs double. Sharing and meeting with new people is always such a pleasure.

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I flew from Toronto to Halifax on Royal Airlines Boeing 727 and returned to Toronto on Canada 3000 Airbus 320. Both airlines no longer exist and niether does the terminal 1 in Toronto which I used then. I will mention that the distance between Halifax airport and the city Halifax was about double than between Toronto's airport and the city Toronto. The drive between the airport and the city was also different. Driving to Toronto airport is built up the entire way. Going to Halifax airport, I saw trees and forest the entire way. I saw the same from my aircraft window. Approaching Halifax, I saw trees, trees, trees, trees, trees, .....and eventually a runway!

I always use the same agent when I travel because I think she is excellent. This was one time when paradoxically, the best deal she could find, was going and returning on different airlines! I flew Toronto -> Halifax on Royal airlines (Boeing 727). My return flight Halifax -> Toronto was Canada 3000 (Airbus 320). Both airlines no longer exist and niether does that terminal!

The first picture is of my Royal Airlines Boeing 727 before boarding. This picture is outdated in 3 ways.
1)Royal Airline no longer exists.
2) 727s are seldom used these days.
3)That airport terminal no longer exists.

The other picture is of another Royal Airlines (Lockheed Tristar L1011). I took that picture the same day.

It is also worth mentioning that Halifax airport has won awards for being among the nicest airports in the world.

We spent the day in Portland and then used the Scotia Prince to get to Nova Scotia.

We waited in line for three hours and then the ferry left an hour late, so we don't have great opinions of the Scotia Prince.

It was also quite rundown and the ocean was very wild that night, so we didn't get a decent night's sleep.

We paid around $400 for our room for two adults. Too much for what we had.

In contrast, we took the Cat Ferry back to Bar Harbor and that experience was completely opposite the Scotia Prince.

The Cat left on time, the ride was smooth and the time flew by.

I would definitely recommend the Cat.