Fundy Spectacular Self-drive

Day 1. Depart London

Depart for Halifax, Nova Scotia where you pick-up your vehicle and drive to Truro and your first view of the spectacular Bay of Fundy. The long straight sides of the bay mark a highway 'corridor' for migrating birds on the Atlantic coast and its huge tidal movements bring a rich larder of food for summering whales. Overnight at Foley House.

Days 2 to 5. Cape Breton Island [B (Day 2 only)]

Cape Breton Island in the Gulf of St Lawrence is your next stop (approximately 266 kilometres). The island boasts the highest density of Bald Eagles in eastern North America, and you should be on the lookout here for Moose also. Whale-watching in the Gulf may produce Pilot, Fin, Humpback, and Minke Whales, as well as White-sided Dolphins, Harbour Porpoise and both Grey, and Harbour Seals. Spend one night at Telegraph House in Baddeck and three nights at Laurie's Motor Inn in Cheticamp (approximately 206 kilometres apart).

Day 6. Prince Edward Island

A drive along the spectacular Cabot Trail with its winding cliff-side views takes you off Cape Breton and ultimately on to Prince Edward Island via a short ferry ride across Northumberland Strait (approximately 300 kilometres.) Spend a night at Lakeview Inn in New Perth.

Days 7 & 8. Fundy National Park [B]

A shortish drive (approximately 292 kilometres) over Prince Edward Island and across one of the longest bridge's in the world (Confederation Bridge) brings you to New Brunswick's wonderfully varied habitats - wide sandy beaches, tidal marshes, steep cliffs and a moist coastal forest of spruce and fir. You should see a host of waders, warblers and numerous raptors including a healthy population of Osprey. Visit Hopewell Rocks (strange rock formations shaped by the highest tides in the world) and Cape Enrage, with its lighthouse and lighthouse keeper's cottage (where you can have tea) and 400 million year old forest preserved in stone. Comfortable accommodation is provided at Florentine Manor for two nights.

Days 9 to 12. Grand Manan [B]

Heading west along the coastal road you travel by ferry to Grand Manan, made famous by John James Audubon who frequented the island (approximately 247 kilometres) Your ferry journey may provide sightings of Atlantic Puffin, Greater, and Sooty Shearwater, Northern Gannet and Black-legged Kittiwake. There will be plenty of time to explore the island's spectacular basalt cliff-line (home to numerous species of nesting seabirds) and with a further full day's whale-watching you may see the endangered Northern Right Whale. A visit to the Grand Manan Museum is also recommended as is a visit to White Head Island. (A free ferry shuttles cars and passengers between Grand Manan and White Head Island on a regular basis.) There are isolated beaches to explore, together with quaint wooden houses and wonderful scenery to admire. You spend four nights at Shorecrest Lodge.

Day 13. Digby [B]

Return to the mainland by ferry (approximately 74 kilometres) perhaps spotting Fin, and Minke Whales as you go. Spend your final night at the Ocean Hillside Inn in Digby.

Days 14 & 15. Homeward [B (Day 14 only)]

Drive over the central hills of peninsula Nova Scotia to Halifax, in time to return your hire car and board your flight to the UK, where you arrive the next day.