Shore Excursion J: Halifax to Luneburg

This is a long excursion time-wise approaching seven hours +.

Halifax

We’ll begin with a tour through historic Halifax taking a route that will, among other sites, let us pass by the Public Gardens and the Halifax Citadel.  It will take you through the historic core of the city, along the shores of Halifax Harbour, passing the Naval Dockyard, the site of the 1917 Explosion, Bedford Basin and the Titanic Cemetery. 

Peggy's Cove

Then we’re off to pick up Route 333, the road to Peggy’s Cove.  Our visit to this picturesque cove will take approximately 45 minutes.  Continuing along Route 333 and the shore of St. Margaret’s Bay, we’ll see the numerous small villages that make up this historic community.  We’ll also see and learn the story behind “Whale Rock“ which is near one of the memorials to Swiss Air Flight 111.  We will also be able to drive through a modern up-scale community that is currently being developed on this coastline.

Chester 

We tell the story of Chester during our drive through this charming seaside town.  We’ll pass by Oak Island and hear the tale of it’s buried treasure while we drive to our next destination, the town of Mahone Bay. 

Mahone Bay

Once in Mahone Bay, there will be time to take photos and perhaps hunt for local retail treasures.   It is a picture-perfect postcard town noted for it’s Three Churches, it’s extremely fine harbour that leads out into the Atlantic, and also for its specialty shops and eateries.  Some say it is the romantic weekend get-a-way spot in Nova Scotia.  

Lunenburg  

Our last major stop is the Town of Lunenburg,  founded in 1753 and is known as the fishing capital of the world as well as the home port of both the original, world famous fishing schooner, The Bluenose and it’s replica, The Bluenose II. The town has been designated a United Nations World Heritage Site, and was once visited by ABC’s Good Morning America.  Noted for it’s unique architecture, Lunenburg has also served as the backdrop in the popular Jesse Stone CBS movies of the week. It is also home to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. 

Upon our arrival, we’ll have a brief orientation tour of the town including a stop to view the historic, 250 year old Gothic Revival style St. John’s Anglican Church.  This lovely church was almost completely destroyed by a Halloween prank fire in 2001, but has since been completely and lovingly restored to it’s former grandeur.  If you visit the church you will be able to view the church’s copy of the Vinegar Bible, so called because it contains a typographical error, substituting vinegar for vineyard in the Gospel of Luke.  Printed in 1717 by John Baskett, this particular Bible - one of three with the typo - is older than Halifax. 

Following our orientation, you will have time to explore this unique port on your own (approximately 1.5  hours +/-).   Then we return to your ship in Halifax. 

This Private Pre-BookeD excursion tour is fully narrated by your guide and will take an estimated 6.0 hours (+/-) to complete.