Prince Edward Island/Nova Scotia/New Brunswick
The Best of the Canadian Maritimes
Program No. 3788RJ
Explore Cape Breton Highlands National Park, learn about maritime history at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and discover the dynamic coastal sand dunes of Prince Edward Island.
Participant Reviews
Based on 55 Reviews
SHOWING
Varied experiences (waterfront shops, Louisburg Fortress re-enactors, bog guided tour, hooked rug demo, Celtic music by local performers, small maritime museums, 15 million yr old fossil cliff, watch the tidal bore the night before Bay of Fundy trip, maple syrup farm, dinner cruise is a fishing boat ride to crack your own lobster for dinner). Luxury bus rides - with periodic stops to stretch legs. Mix of local and chain hotels with queen beds. Yummy local food and no “busses welcome” vibes. Pack for casual trip, plan to wear layers, sneakers/walking shoes, rain jacket, a small backpack for day is helpful. 1 carry-on is moved to hotel for you. The program instructors provided local history.
— Review left October 25, 2024
The postcard-like scenery of the Novia Scotian bays and the Prince Edward Island history make the Canadian Maritime Road Scholar program a must experience.
— Review left October 25, 2024
We were happy with the tour stops and very pleased to make new friends. Our tour leader was knowledgeable, personable, helpful, and lots of fun. However, we were surprised and disappointed that Road Scholar does not have a better policy for addressing COVID, and apparently NO policy for informing the rest of the group when someone becomes ill. We would love to take another RS tour after this has been addressed.
— Review left October 12, 2024
A great introduction to an area most US residents don’t know well. Many cultural insights, local activities, good food and beautiful locations. Heartily recommend to anyone who wants to know more.
— Review left October 5, 2024
This Canadian Maritimes tour mmight be the lighthouse tour of eastern Canada. You will experience a pristine and scenic bit of our northern neighbor with the sea always nearby, and a phare on virtually every rocky cove or windswept point. And, the people are all "Canadian nice!" But you knew that.
— Review left September 30, 2024
As our first Road Scholar trip, we enjoyed the places we visited and the informative experts we heard. The weather in the Maritimes in September was excellent! Be aware that there is a lot of time on the bus and it is not very active (no long walks). We would prefer smaller groups and more flexibility in scheduling.
— Review left September 29, 2024
Nova Scotia and the Maritime Provinces--Definitely worth your participation. We went in mid-Sept and found every component of the trip worthwhile. I would not recommend going during the summer due to very heavy tourist traffic by Canadians and visitors from other countries. We were very fortunate to have great weather.
Tour director and guides were fantastic. You'll see a lot as the tour really covers a lot of territory. Cabot Trail is a singular joy to take in.
— Review left September 21, 2024
This was a superb experience in every way. Our leader, Tammy, was truly exceptional, a superstar! Highly recommended. And, yes, lots of lobster!
— Review left September 20, 2024
Had a great time with the beauty of the country.Tammy our leader was one of the finest and loved to show off her country and friendliness. She had special treats and cd's to help the bus times.
— Review left September 19, 2024
This is an extraordinary program that will highlight for participants a part of Canada that many do not know about nor appreciate. Those with interests as broad as biology, geology, politics, history, geography, and culture will find this program of great interest.
— Review left September 15, 2024
This was a very enriching trip providing new knowledge of Canadian culture and history combined with varied and beautiful geography, and just a lot of fun.
— Review left September 9, 2024
This was a wonderfully broad and deeply engaging experience. It is remarkable how much I learned and how much life was enriched by this great program and the people we traveled with.
— Review left September 8, 2024
This was a well-organized & enjoyable trip. I was able to see all I had anticipated seeing & so much more. My fellow travelers were congenial & interesting.
— Review left September 6, 2024
I went on this trip out of curiosity about Nova Scotia and little did I know how much I would gain in knowledge of the history of all of the provinces; how little I knew about Alexander Graham Bell, his wife Mabel, and his rich life that was so much more than the telephone; what fun I would have with Annie The Musical and then seeing the place that inspired the stories. Visually this area is stunning and the pride locals have for history and heritage are heartwarming. The guides were excellent with great knowledge and local stories and our leader, Tammy Pickering, exuded enthusiasm, warmth, kindness, genuine interest and care for all of us. Walking on the ocean floor at the Bay of Fundy was exhilarating!
— Review left August 31, 2024
This program had a nice variety of activities and sites to visit.
— Review left August 19, 2024
The Maritime Provinces of Canada trip was an excellent introduction to the human and natural histories and cultural influences that have shaped the Maritimes and their contributions to Canada and the world.
— Review left August 13, 2024
The Best of the Canadian Maritimes is a wonderful adventure in an area of the globe that many are unfamiliar with. We could not have been happier with our tour guide Tammy and with our group, and highly recommend this trip for those who would like to visit an area that is somewhat out of the mainstream.
— Review left August 12, 2024
There had always been an interest to visit the Lucy Maude Mongtgomery homeplace and museum and I was not disappointed especially when I was able to see "Anne of Green Gables" the musical. But the Canadian Maritimes was so much more and I was delightfully surprized. I was amazed at the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, fascinated by the Fossil Museum, Hopewell Rocks and Sugar Moon Maple Syrup Farm, and appreciative of the beauty of Lunenburg, Peggy's Cove and Mahone Bay. I would have overlooked many of these without this tour.
— Review left August 11, 2024
Our Canadian Maritimes trip was exceptional in every way..natural beauty, delicious meals, knowledgeable instructors who made the information they were sharing interesting and fun, comfortable accommodations and a guide who was professional, warm, fun and a joy to have as our tour guide for the duration of the trip.
— Review left July 22, 2024
I thoughly enjoyed visiting Canadian Mairitimes. The time passed very quickly with our very-well organized group leader, Tammy. Our bus driver, Charles help keep on time.
— Review left July 18, 2024
What a wonderful trip! and Tammy our guide made it run smoothly regardless of unexpected changes. The three provinces - each with their own character- complemented each other. Charles, our driver, was a major asset.
A map makes it look compact, but it’s not. Many days involved long bus rides. Tammy provided relevant DVDs, music, lecture presentations and orientation, and her sense of humor so, with washroom breaks and meals every couple hours, the time passed without feeling wasted.
High points: the maritime museum, seeing the Art Gallery in Halifax with Maud’s folk art collection (watch the Maudie DVD from 2017 before you come), the Alexander Graham Bell museum, the Ceilidt -Scottish influenced , not Irish with a very different character, Louisbourg, all the Anne of Green Gables tie ins, including the play and tour (reread the book before the trip), the bay of Fundy at Hopewell Rocks, followed by the lobster cruise and cooking and eating lesson, and the walk to and along the fossil cliffs, and Lunenburg and lobster again.
The final point - the cool, refreshing weather, perfect!
— Review left July 8, 2024
Best of the Maritimes truly did offer the best. We enjoyed good accommodations, lots of local foods, very knowledgeable local guides and learned much from them and from our wonderful Group Leader. There was such a variety of experiences we had never encountered - ceilidh on Cape Breton, the moody cliffs, the history of French Acadians, the Gaelic/Scottish presence in the Maritimes, fossils, giant tides on the Bay of Fundy, techniques of lobster fishing (and eating) - so much to learn about and appreciate. Good mix of group-led and free time and the program is very accurately described in the promotion literature. We had a pretty small group (14) so really got to know and enjoy each other. I think we all had great fun and a gained a newfound love for this part of Canada. Couldn't have been happier with this trip! Well done, Road Scholar!
— Review left September 28, 2023
Well planned and implemented to create an interesting, engaging and fun time.
— Review left September 27, 2023
Could not have been better! The beauty of the countryside is breath taking! Learning so much history was outstanding. Of course, the seafood was amazing and delicious! Our group leader was beyond extraordinary and we made new friends. We had such a wonderful trip!! We recommend this trip highly ane are so impressed with Road Scholar! Sue and Jack Wagner
— Review left September 14, 2023
This stunning program far exceeded my expectations! It was a joy, start to finish.
— Review left September 9, 2023
A fascinating and highly educational trip, especially for those interested in the history of this area of Canada and the world. Outstanding lectures and local guides. Do be prepared for long bus rides given the vastness of this beautiful and sometimes remote area, The tour also enhanced my aoorecaiation of the reality of Climate Change and its consequences. Kudos!
— Review left September 5, 2023
"The Best of the Canadian Maritimes" highlights the fascinating and varied history and geology of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. I enjoyed learning about the indigenous people of the area and how they interacted with the various European settlers. As a fan of "Anne of Green Gables", I enjoyed learning more about the author and her love of Prince Edward Island. History, geology, and contemporary local customs - plus lots of good food - made for a very enjoyable trip.
— Review left August 13, 2023
What an interesting program! So much variety, and the group leader (Tammy) and local experts (especially Cameron) were outstanding! The accommodations and meals were terrific, and the cultural events (local theater, Celtic music, and on-boat lobster-eating tutorial) added so much. I want to stress about being prepared for various types of weather. We had some sunshine but also rain, and always very high humidity. I wish I'd brought a hand-held fan with me! Also, be sure to bring hiking boots or sturdy shoes that you won't mind getting wet and muddy at the Bay of Fundy.
— Review left July 25, 2023
Wonderful trip with Tammy Pickering as our trip leader. She has an upbeat personality, has great organizational skills and was so prepared with fabulous resources to share during our times on the bus. These resources just added to my appreciation of the maritime provinces. - i.e. books, pamphlets, a movie about a Canadian folk artist, a movie about a famous ship, music by Canadians of the maritime area. I appreciated Tammy reaching out to us prior to the trip - it set a wonderful tone. I did think that some of her information on COVID protocols did need to be revised and that protocols for entering Canada may have needed to be reviewed. This, however was also when Road Scholar was revising their approach to COVID precautions. Tammy also went above and beyond by making sure that those people who were leaving early on the last day were all set with food to go and taxis that were ready to get them to the airport. (like a mother hen making sure her flock was all set to depart).
Mark, our bus driver was amazing. He maneuvered that bus with great skill and was so helpful in assisting people as they got off the bus..
I felt that the presenter on the first day was very knowledgeable but went on for too long about the history of Nova Scotia. The guide for our PEI tour was terrific - fabulously engaging and entertaining - really knew how to hold my interest - everyone was so impressed with his skill.
My major suggestion is to have the last dinner back at the hotel or in a room that lends itself to more intermingling - an opportunity for us to say goodbye to each other
Thanks for another great trip
— Review left July 24, 2023
The Maritimes tour was my first with Road Scholar. I knew that the itinerary sounded good, but I was not sure how the overall experience would be. It turned out to be a superb tour. Our group leader, Tammy, was excellent at smoothing out many logistic details, as well as providing a wealth of educational tidbits between expert-led activities. Our bus driver, Charles, also took good care of us throughout the trip. Everyone in our group of 23 participants got along very well together. A key attraction of the program was the variety of activities, from urban museums, to listening to Celtic music, to walks in the wilds of Cape Breton and by the Bay of Fundy. With guidance from various experts, we learned a lot about the complex history and cultures of the region, and the natural history of the region’s lands and waters. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who seeks to experience the Maritime region.
— Review left July 8, 2023
The entirety of the program was excellent -- lots of iconic places to visit and learn about, exposure to the culture and ethos of the three provinces and their Celtic and Acadian elements, history, historic sites and structures, scenery, geology, crafts, food. Even during the bus drives, Group Leader Tammy made a real effort to entertain and inform us with music by Maritimes singers and musicians, with films relevant to the program, and with comments of her own.
— Review left July 8, 2023
5* FABULOUS... and Tammy was the BEST despite HURRICANE FIONA!!
Hope you can view pics.... D & C, the Sista's-
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RBq1xBcDdknxd3jS7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/29us1AhLSmCxdo24A
— Review left December 5, 2022
Enjoyed our trip. Accommodations were nice. Food was mostly fine but not great. Fellow tourists were the best group out of our group experiences! A lot of issues due to it being the end of the tourist season and due to the recent hurricane Fiona. We understand the latter issue but not the former. Perhaps scheduling the trip a little earlier would be better. Several times we went somewhere and it was closed, to the surprise of our guide. Guide Derrick was adequate but did not teach us much about Canada. He talked a lot on our drives, but was not informative. Told corny jokes instead. He was mostly organized but had challenges managing the numerous changes necessary. He had no direct experience in the area in which he was guiding us. All of the local tour guides were excellent. We really enjoyed them. We missed the one in Charlottetown. Peggy’s Cove was a tourist trap and should be skipped. Some of us would rather have had the last night dinner at the hotel.
The most significant part of our experience was that I broke my foot on the trip and the guide did nothing to advise us about how to access the Canadian healthcare system. We had to figure it all out on our own. We attempted to locate an urgent care, or walk in clinic and finally called the hospital. We took a cab there and back. The next day my partner walked through the town where we had a late lunch to buy a wheelchair, after calling a dozen stores that looked like they would be on our route to the next destination. The guide never expressed any concern or assistance. This was extremely disappointing. We would have been better off on our own instead of being with a guide on a tour. At least when we figured it out we could have adapted our itinerary. He claimed he reported the incident also, but no insurance claim was opened. The bus driver Ed was a huge help. He was very cheerful about storing and getting out the wheelchair, and was very thoughtful. Too bad he retired!
— Review left November 4, 2022
Because our program was scheduled less than a week after Hurrican Fiona, Road Scholar should have cancelled the program or at the very least, allowed travelers to apply the funds to another Road Scholar program. The company did neither. Tammy Pickering was a spectacular group leader.
— Review left October 22, 2022
Even with Hurricane Fiona, gorgeous, gorgeous area!
— Review left October 6, 2022
Outstanding tour. Just the right mix of education, fascinating (sometimes quirky) sites, fellowship, and fun. Even saw a surfer ride the Bay of Fundy tidal bore. How cool is that?!
— Review left October 2, 2022
Quite an adventure being on this tour, learning about the early settlers, and experiencing Hurricane Fiona. It gave me an insight into how people live without electricity. It was a pleasure to share the experiences with a great group of people, our coach driver Ray, who became part of the group, and our fantastic group leader, Derrick. He rose to the challenge, rearranging tour highlights around the interruption of Fiona, and kept everything and everyone moving smoothly.
— Review left October 1, 2022
A wonderful introduction to an area of the world I knew nothing about. Derrick Higgins, the tour leader, was the perfect person to guide us through with insight and humor. What a fun way to learn!
— Review left September 12, 2022
A comprehensive trip to a beautiful part of the world, with friendly people, glorious scenery, and engaging maritime culture and experiences.
— Review left September 11, 2022
An amazing area of Canada rich in history and scenery. It is a big area so a lot of time in the bus and you need to ‘Keep the Pace’ on stops which allow only quick exploration. As I’ve always experienced, Canadians are warm and gracious. Leader Derrick Higgins did a wonderful job herding his group and dealing with the pandemic environment. Kudos to driver Marc; loved his Quebecois manner and humor which enriched my trip.
— Review left September 10, 2022
This was an amazing experience. The itinerary was very varied with something for everyone, from birdwatcher, photographer, history buff and music lover. The Anne of Green Gables musical was a delight. I really enjoyed St. Louisburg and hiking to the waterfall on the Cabot Trail. 5 stars.
— Review left August 31, 2022
A great trip with a variety of interesting activities, excellent tour director & local experts sharing their knowledge, and some of the most beautiful scenery you can imagine. Highly recommend!
— Review left August 13, 2022
So much of the evaluation form sent to us contained inaccurate, outdated information. Some of the daily guides were replacements, not the people listed in the evaluation so my feedback was not as complete as I would have liked. I want to emphasize how lucky we were to have Deanna Curtis as our replacement leader, and Remi as our driver. This was Deanna's first time leading a tour for Road Scholar and she is a gem: professional, attentive, personable, funny, and a joy to spend 13 days with. You were lucky to find her and hope she will enjoy a future with Road Scholar to this beautiful area of Canada.
— Review left August 10, 2022
Very active, interesting program that covers many things. Most suitable for active, mobile people. I liked the small group format. Bay of Fundy and Cabot Trail were highlights.
— Review left August 5, 2022
Not knowing what to expect, we were pleasantly surprised by how good this program was. I feel a true connection to the Maritimes, and I understand why the people are so faithful to their native lands.
— Review left July 25, 2022
A new insight into an unknown part of the world not familiar with me
— Review left July 25, 2022
Road Scholar catalogue descriptions effectively and accurately characterize what one is going to experience, what one has the right to expect when participating in one of their many, many programs.
— Review left July 25, 2022
I find listing ethnicity not only unnecessary but inappropriate to the whole experience of a program like Road Scholar. Checking off ethnicity does not affect a persons learning, nir should it reflect the content,
— Review left July 11, 2022
I am so glad that we finally got to do this program after several delays due to COVID. The Maritimes are relatively close to where we live in northern New England, yet their history is quite different from ours. The scenery is outstanding, and we got to see a lot of it as we traveled throughout Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. I took advantage of the seafood at every opportunity since it is so much a part of the area. I enjoyed learning so much about the culture and history of the Canadian Maritimes. Our bus driver, who lives in Halifax, had a nice summary of his experience. He told us that he now has a different impression of Americans, in a good way. Overall, it was a wonderful experience.
— Review left July 3, 2022
With the exception of a few hotel glitches this trip was a delight from beginning to end
— Review left December 16, 2019
The Canadian Maritimes is a fascinating study of the history and foundation that the United States and Canada shares. It is rich also in unique culture, art, and natural geological features.
— Review left October 23, 2019
This program provided me with a lot of information about the area that we visited. I was also pleased that it was not too strenuous for me as a senior with some limited abilities. I had always wanted to tour the Canadian Maritimes and this program was very enjoyable and comprehensive.
— Review left September 28, 2019
Wonderful mixture of history, culture and scenery. A few long days on the bus, but the interesting documentaries and movies shown on the bus helped pass the time. Highly recommended.
— Review left July 2, 2019
If you are considering a trip to the Canadian Maritimes, I highly recommend this one! It is informative, active, and fun! It may be a bit more expensive than some other tours, but the value you receive more than makes up the difference!
— Review left July 1, 2019
This wonderful program features the beautiful scenery, history and culture of the Canadian Maritimes. Weather can be changeable and having a warm sweater or fleece and rain gear can be helpful. Be prepared to enjoy delicious fish & seafood, a ceilidh, fun musical theater and much more!
— Review left June 30, 2019