Educate me on Nova Scotia ...

[sm70911]

Im thinking of a trip in the Porsche to Nova Scotia, what should I know / look out for. Any great roads, and how are the LEOs with regard to a spirited driving style ?

[tabs]

Anyway you want to cut it, Nova Scotia is a scenic paradise It just depends upon your point of entry from the USA.

If ya come by ferry from Boston to Halifax ..The Southern coast road from Halifax to Sydney, see the fortress at Louisberg...In Sydney find out where a Lobster fishermen is selling fresh Lobster outa his garage...they will even cook it for ya.

Or if ya come across by ferry from St Johns to Digby...or the land route through Moncton...it is all good and enjoyable scenery.

[oldE]

I think I'm in a pretty good position to handle this one.

For general information about what to see and do, go to novascotia.com

Roads: Most folks who visit can't believe there are so few people on our roads, even in the height of summer tourist season. The amount of police coverage is also light with the exception of the four lanes within an hour or so of Halifax. Note: Radar detectors are illegal in all Eastern provinces.
You will find the 'old highways' #s 1, 2,3,4 etc to be classic rural roads which go through each little town along the way. #s 8, 10, 12, 14 go from the south shore to the Annapolis Valley and each is worth a drive as they are in good shape and entertaining. Then there are some smaller roads which, while they are great to drive when freshly paved, they are testements to the fact that we have frost here in the winter.
The Cabot Trail, the road which winds along the western Cape Breton Highlands is a must for every driver. There is a smaller version from Parrsboro to Advocate which many call the "Mini Cabot Trail".

The ferry to Yarmouth does not come from Boston, but rather from Maine.
When you're in Western Nova Scotia, near Annapolis Royal, either PM me or stop in to the Tidal Power Interpretive Centre in Annapolis Royal.
Have a great Summer.
Best
Les

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by oldE

... The Cabot Trail, the road which winds along the western Cape Breton Highlands is a must for every driver...

+1, and on your next visit, you do it in reverse.

Also Digby & Peggy's Cove

[mikesride]

I have only been there once....and dream of going back often!!!! We rented an open top Jeep and camped our way across it as a young family! Take the time to meet the people....we actually got invited to somebodies wedding! They served the meal by just dumping big pots of boiled seafood and potatoes right on the table!!!! It was so much fun!!!! After a wet night thru a storm a couple invited us back home to shower and rinse and dry our camping gear...they even showed us the sights around Digby and took us out to their favorite clam restaurant!!!!
The driving was always beautiful not always smooth....and the locals are well know for taking their time!!!! GO... have a great time and then tell us all about it!!!!!
( make sure to take in the brewery tour in Halifax....Halifax is a town that should be on everybody's must visit list!!!)

[sm70911]

Thanks for the great feedback.
What is the distance between the scenic drives, and how much of Nova Scotia can you cover in a day ?
I see on Google it takes about seven hours to get from Yarmouth to the Cabot Trail area. Then Im guessing the 182 miles of the trail its self is a three hour run ?

[Ferraripete]

be a bit mindful that the car ferry's will at times be tough to get on and off due to front end ground clearance for your car...especially if lowered.

consider PEI as well. have a lovely time!!!

[Billbo]

check out "Trailer Park Boys"

[oldE]

Originally Posted by sm70911

Thanks for the great feedback.
What is the distance between the scenic drives, and how much of Nova Scotia can you cover in a day ?
I see on Google it takes about seven hours to get from Yarmouth to the Cabot Trail area. Then Im guessing the 182 miles of the trail its self is a three hour run ?

You might conceivable make it around the Cabot Trail in three hours, but more likely, you are going to be standing on the brakes about every mile or so, getting out of the car and saying, "Oh my God, look at that!" and forgetting to take pictures.
(Your experience may vary) I haven't been over the trail since the 60s, but keep thinking I will re-visit one day.
Things to see: Firefighters Museum in Yarmouth, the Acadian Village in West Pubnico, Port Royal Habitation and Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal, The Tidal Power plant in Annapolis Royal, Wineries in the Annapolis Valley, Tidal Bore and the world's highest tides in the Minas Basin, The Citadel in Halifax, HMCS Sackville (last WWII corvette), Sherbrook Village, Louisburg, a re-creation of what was once the largest fortified town in North America. Keltic colors (music), Acadian Soirees, live music here and there
Give us a few weeks, you might see enough.
Best
Les

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by oldE

You might conceivable make it around the Cabot Trail in three hours, but more likely, you are going to be standing on the brakes about every mile or so, getting out of the car and saying, "Oh my God, look at that!" and forgetting to take pictures.
(Your experience may vary) I haven't been over the trail since the 60s, but keep thinking I will re-visit one day.
Things to see: Firefighters Museum in Yarmouth, the Acadian Village in West Pubnico, Port Royal Habitation and Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal, The Tidal Power plant in Annapolis Royal, Wineries in the Annapolis Valley, Tidal Bore and the world's highest tides in the Minas Basin, The Citadel in Halifax, HMCS Sackville (last WWII corvette), Sherbrook Village, Louisburg, a re-creation of what was once the largest fortified town in North America. Keltic colors (music), Acadian Soirees, live music here and there
Give us a few weeks, you might see enough.
Best
Les

Was the same in the 70/80's

Took my girlfriend there in 95 (and married her in 96). It was the further East on Ottawa she has ever been. She love it and the rest is history...

[sm70911]

https://plus.google.com/115410066173413330728/posts/3KbUSg5ehur

https://plus.google.com/115410066173413330728/posts/3sonSaNKBCP

https://plus.google.com/115410066173413330728/posts/LtavKuwAyTd

So we have our routes worked out. Anyone local on NS who can offer advice on the plan or anything we haven't included that is a 'must do'.
At the moment we are traveling up the north side of NS THEN making Port Hawkesmore the base for our trip to the Cabot Trail, then taking the south side back down to Yarmouth to catch the ferry back.
Cheers

[yellowperil]

You should make Baddeck, NS your base for the roundtrip of The Cabot trail IMO. Port Hawkesbury is not as cozy as Baddeck, again IMO

[JJ 911SC]

As per my post on the other thread;

Since I don't have a Google account (and will never get one ) I can not see your routes.

In addition to the Cabot trail, you want to do Nova Scotia South Shore;

Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg, Digby on your way to Yarmouth.

[yellowperil]

Originally Posted by JJ 911SC

As per my post on the other thread;

Since I don't have a Google account (and will never get one ) I can not see your routes.

In addition to the Cabot trail, you want to do Nova Scotia South Shore;

Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg, Digby on your way to Yarmouth.

Well, all great places to visit, but Digby's on the Bay of Fundy coast.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by yellowperil

Well, as great places to visit, but Digby's on the Bay of Fundy coast.

Yes, but once you hit Liverpool there is not much left to see on the South shore, via the #8 its a 2 hour drive to Digby and another 75 minutes to Yarmouth

Town of Digby, Nova Scotia | Ferry Information | Resorts | Restaurants | novascotia.com

[sm70911]

https://goo.gl/maps/O1VGT
https://goo.gl/maps/cgFI8
https://goo.gl/maps/LqjRo

Sorry some people couldn't open the previous links. Thank you very much for all the feedback and help thus far. We hope to meet some local Pelicans up there
Cheers