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Quebec City, Nova Scotia, & Prince Edward Island

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You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
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10 days From $2,374 per person
4.5 stars(31 reviews)
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From French-influenced Quebec City to the maritime beauty of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, you have 10 days to explore the best sites Canada's East has to offer.

Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary

2024 Tour code: AR-QNPE-24

About the tour

Your tour begins in French-speaking Quebec City, where the European influence of this historic city full of cobblestone streets awaits. You'll receive a guided tour to visit the city's most famous sights, then a free afternoon to explore the cosmopolitan city on your own.

Next, travel through New Brunswick and into Nova Scotia with first-class accommodations onboard VIA Rail's Ocean. When you arrive in Halifax, you have time to explore the area's museums, galleries, and restaurants. The next day takes you to the maritime areas of Nova Scotia including time to explore the charm of these seaside towns on your own.

Next, it's time for a road trip to Cape Breton, where you can visit Alexander Graham Park and might even spot a bald eagle! You'll have an entire day free to explore this island. Spend your time driving scenic routes and visiting historic sites and museums at your leisure.

Then make the lovely drive to the uniquely beautiful Prince Edward Island, the smallest of Canada's provinces. This land has miles of sandy beaches, stunning cliffs, a welcoming community, and some of the best seafood around. After your two-night stay in Prince Edward Island, you'll take a scenic ferryboat ride back to Halifax, where you'll have the remainder of the day to explore more of the area.

This itinerary is also available from Halifax to Quebec City based on your travel preference.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Quebec City

Quebec City is the start of your 10-day rail-drive adventure. Upon arrival, today, check into your hotel and then hit the town. Stroll the streets and visit the city's many shops and boutiques, all just steps away from your hotel. Overnight in Quebec City.

Day 2 - Quebec City Sightseeing

This morning, embark on a city sightseeing tour that takes you to some of the most important landmarks including the Plaines of Abraham, the Place d'Armes, the Fortifications, the Parliament Building and Place Royal. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure. 

This evening transfer on your own from your hotel to the Ste. Foy rail station to board VIA Rail's Ocean train to Halifax. Settle into your first-class accommodations and prepare for your night aboard the train. Your onboard accommodations include comfortable upper and lower sleeping berths. Overnight train.

Day 3 - VIA Rail's Ocean to Halifax

Awake this morning and enjoy a hot breakfast in the Dining Car. Afterward, visit the Park Car for panoramic views of the passing scenery from the observation dome as well as entertaining and informative presentations about the Maritimes region from the onboard Learning Coordinator (Learning Coordinator is seasonal). This afternoon, the Ocean pulls into Moncton, an outdoor lover's paradise, for a 15-minute stop. Stretch your legs and get a glimpse of the town. Because Moncton is well-situated to both the ocean and woodlands, it is ideal for visitors interested in kayaking, hiking, and birdwatching. Admire the passing scenery as you continue the last leg of your journey.

Upon arrival in Halifax, drop your bags at your hotel and venture out for dinner this evening. Argyle Street, located in the heart of downtown Halifax, will have an array of options to choose from. You may also opt for a meal by the water along the boardwalk. Enjoy the fresh Nova Scotian seafood the local cuisine has to offer and enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight Halifax.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 - Exploring Halifax

Today's half day excursion will take you on a narrated tour of Halifax and a journey to the fishing village of Peggy's Cove. Your day begins with a drive to Peggy's Cove known for it's most photographed lighthouse. There will be time to explore the small shops and enjoy the ocean views. The tour continues with a return back to Halifax to see some of the city's top sites including the Citadel, Titantic cemetary, City Gardens, and Pier 21. Spend the remainder of your day visiting one of the many museums in the area, such as the Canadian Museum of Immigration or the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, or opt to enjoy a leisurely stroll and shop your way down Spring Garden Road. Overnight in Halifax.

Day 5 - Drive to Cape Breton

Pick up your rental car this morning (included) and enjoy the leisurely scenic drive to Cape Breton. Upon arrival, plan a stop at Alexander Graham Park in Baddeck. The complex houses the largest collection of Bell's artifacts and inventions including replicas of the first telephone. Climb to the rooftop gardens to get a glimpse of Bell's Canadian estate, Beinn Breagh. As you walk back to the car, admire the beautiful views overlooking the Bras d'Or Lakes. Keep an eye out for bald eagles! Overnight in Baddeck.

Day 6 - Cape Breton at Leisure

Take the day to explore Cape Breton Island. Your hotel is centrally located in Baddeck, near many of the island's popular attractions. You may wish to travel the Cabot Trail, a breathtakingly beautiful roadway carved into the island's northern highlands. You may opt to add admission to the Cape Smokey Gondola about an hour north of Baddeck. The Gondola takes you to the summit of Cape Smokey for expansive views of Cape Breton Highland National Park. Choose to visit the Fortress of Louisbourg, a National Historic Site where you can relive history in 1744-era New France. Perhaps the Miner's Museum, which gives underground tours of the Ocean Deeps Colliery; or, add a cruise to learn the rich history and tour Cape Breton's UNESCO Biosphere, Bras d'Or Lakes. After the cruise, drive to St. Peter's Canal, a highlight of the Bras d'Or Lakes scenic drive and the only national historic canal in Atlantic Canada. Overnight in Baddeck.

*Please note the Gondola does not begin operation until June 15.*

Day 7 - Drive to Prince Edward Island

This morning set off for Prince Edward Island, the location that inspired Anne of Green Gables and the place where Canada's confederacy was solidified. Take the ferry (not included) over to shorten the drive and enjoy stunning views of the area. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and set off to explore Charlottetown. The harbor area offers several boutiques worth browsing, and the downtown area includes beautiful Victorian homes and buildings. Overnight in Charlottetown.

Day 8 - Prince Edward Island at Leisure

Take the day to explore the Island's offerings. Visit fabulous beaches such as the north shore, which boasts 60-foot dunes, and the south shore with red sand and calm waters. Explore popular attractions including Province House, which hosted the Charlottetown Confederation in 1864, and the Confederation Centre of the Arts, which is home to live theater, an art gallery, and the Charlottetown Festival during summer months. For departures in July and August, you may wish to add a Morning or Evening Lobster Cruise. The cruise will take you to a lobster trap where you will have the opportunity to help haul in the catch of the day and add fresh bait to put back. The evening Lobster cruise will include a lobster dinner. Overnight in Charlottetown.

Day 9 - Prince Edward Island to Halifax

Today return to Nova Scotia by ferry (not included). The day is at your leisure so you can determine your schedule and any stops you make. Along the way, stop for a pint at one of the many local breweries or enjoy a meal in a vintage train car at Train Station Inn. Upon arrival in Halifax, you may wish to visit Citadel Hill or explore some of the town's unique shops and pubs. Overnight Halifax.

Day 10 - Halifax

Your tour comes to a close this morning. You may wish to extend your stay or transfer to the airport for your return trip home. Return your rental car to the Halifax International Airport.

Additional information

Please note

Getting to/from Prince Edward Island:

Fees are only assessed when leaving the island

From Nova Scotia:

Northumberland Ferries; 75 mins

Total trip appx 4.5 hours (from Baddeck)

$78/vehicle including passengers

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Inverary Resort,  Baddeck

Inverary Resort, Baddeck

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The Great George, Charlottetown

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Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites, Halifax

Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites, Halifax

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Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Quebec City

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Quebec City

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Trains

The Ocean Train
VIA Rail's Ocean

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Reviews

4.5 stars4.5 / 5 · 31 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (21)
  2. 4 stars
    (6)
  3. 3 stars
    (3)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Constance Holden

5 stars

Submitted 04 Oct 2023

This was our second VBR Canadian trip and both have been excellent and modestly-priced. The hotels were interesting. Enjoyed having a car and finding our own eateries and activities. Discovered that it is possible to customize a trip. We added a day to each of the stops and were glad that we did. Staff was always available and responsive.

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ANGELIQUE MARIE GRZESKOWIAK

3 stars

Submitted 12 Sep 2023

The train advertised a viewing car where we would have a slotted time to sit and look... upon arrival we were told by the staff that hasn't been a part of their run for about four years... and the only other car we were able to sit in had only about 8-10 seats available except for the fact that the same 8-10 people were always sitting in them. So we were essentially stuck in our sleeper room..which honestly hasn't seen any updates in probably the last 20 years.. The staff in the dining car and on the rest of the train were outstanding.. but the quality of the trains was shocking it didn't even resemble the photos you see on line. The hotels were very good, except for the one in Baddeck... if this would have been just myself and my husband we would have just left but because it was my mother and brother and we didn't know where else we could get two rooms. Again I want to say the staff was outstanding.. but the facility itself was awful.. the rooms both smelled of mildew, cleaning supplies, and various chemicals. To follow the theme of the train falling below what would seem as minor standards when we were calling ahead to the hotel in Baddeck 'Vacation by Rail' didn't even have the correct phone number on the paperwork they send you. So when calling the hotel we were told we didn't have the right number and that the number we were given was the company that used to own it but had sold it some years ago. There are many more issues I could go into but as with many things I am guessing this will go nowhere... I want to finish this by saying in general I am not a complainer but someone at Trains by Rail' need to look into this experience and give it a makeover. definitely not worth the money.

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EDWARD GRIFFITH KELLY JR.

5 stars

Submitted 06 Jul 2023

Great trip. All segments were very nice and easy to work through. The only item we were a little disappointed with was the Quebec City Tour. While knowledgeable, the guide spoke heavily accented English and was often hard to understand. Otherwise the entire trip was Great.

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DIANNE & MARK

5 stars

Submitted 04 Jul 2023

Nice hotels, great locations

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LYNN MILLS

5 stars

Submitted 03 Jul 2023

It was a very enjoyable trip. Comfortable lodging and easy access to the local sights.

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SCOTT GODEFROY

4 stars

Submitted 27 Oct 2022

With the exception of one lodging accommodations, they were all very good. The solution to the poor accommodations was handled promptly and with great care by Eric, and I greatly appreciate his help. The main concern I had with regard to the train portion of the trip was the size of the sleeping berth. As I am 6’-5”, I was not prepared for the close quarters. For two people and carry on bags, it was very tight and uncomfortable. However, the train personnel were very accommodating and cheerful and did much to make our trip pleasurable. It was helpful having a dining car and lounge area available as well. We did have several delays (2-3 hours) during the train trip which made for a long ride but delays I am sure are expected. Overall, the trip was enjoyable for both my wife and me. If I do consider another rail vacation, like the cross Canadian trip, I will have to take a close look at the sleeping accommodations and other amenities.

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