The Eastern Shore is one of the most beautiful coastal routes in Nova
Scotia, stretching from Halifax along the Eastern Shore to the causeway
which traverses the Straits of Canso and so connects the Nova Scotia
mainland to the island of Cape Breton. I recommend this lovely route
but do take your time because the coastal road winds its way along the
shoreline.
From Halifax it is about a five hour drive and it is best
to have time to enjoy the many interesting and picturesque areas along
the route as well as to savour the wonderful seafood!
From Halifax take
the route to Dartmouth and then Hwy 7 and Hwy 107/7 to Musquodoboit Harbour.
Just past Musquodoboit Harbour is a lovely restaurant The
Lobster Shack (let
me know if you would like me to make lunch reservations or phone 902-889-3353/1-800-565-3353).
The next good eating area is in Sherbrooke where a visit to Sherbrooke
Village in the afternoon and afternoon tea or an early evening meal would
work well.
There are several Provincial Parks on route. Taylor Head
and Tor Bay in particular are nice if you enjoy walking.
At Port Bickerton,
not far from Sherbrooke Village, there is a lighthouse museum and also
a small walking trail.
From Sherbrooke to Canso it is about a two hour
drive. Though there is little in the way of refreshment between Canso
and Sherbrooke, a couple of small places only, there is the charm of
taking the small ferry which crosses at Country Harbour, about thirty
minutes north of Sherbrooke. It runs every half hour and I always
forget the timings which differ depending on the direction you are travelling,
but you can check that at Sherbrooke. I think it is on the quarter
past and a quarter to the hour coming northwards!
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Driving from Cape Breton or Prince Edward Island
We are located approximately
1 hr 15 mins driving time from Cape Breton (Causeway) on the Eastern
Shore and approximately 2 hours 30 minutes from Pictou if travelling
by ferry from Prince Edward Island, PEI. [top of page]
Air travel from the UK
This information is based on our own local knowledge and is not intended
to be a definitive compilation, but to provide a quick and easy reference.
The following airlines fly direct from the UK to Halifax International
Airport (Robert L. Stanfield International Airport), Nova Scotia:
From LONDON HEATHROW to Halifax:
From LONDON GATWICK to Halifax:
- Zoom Airlines
Tel:
1-866-359-9666 in North America
0870-240-0055 in the UK
Outward flights
from London Gatwick to Halifax are on Mondays.
Return flights from Halifax
to London Gatwick are on Saturdays.
From GLASGOW to Halifax:
- Zoom Airlines
Outward flights from Glasgow
to Halifax are on Saturdays.
Return flights from Halifax to Glasgow are
on Saturdays.
Best prices:
- Air Canada and British Airways offer special prices for bookings made
at specific times in the year. Check with the airlines for deals.
- Zoom
Airlines is a new airline which started up in May 2004. It is owned and
operated by a Glaswegian, and is based in Ottawa, Canada.
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Air travel in North America
WestJet
and Air Canada are the main North
American carriers flying into
Halifax International Airport (Robert L. Stanfield International Airport).
Car rentals at Halifax International Airport
Best value car hire in our experience has
generally been from either Dollar or Budget Rentals. Avis and Hertz are
also available. View
comparative charges online.
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Ferries to Nova Scotia
2010 Update: There is no ferry running from Bar Harbor or Portland, Maine,
to Nova Scotia this year.
Travel from the US or from Canada via Saint John (New Brunswick) by Ferry:
Saint John to Digby (Nova Scotia).
1-888-249-7245
902-566-3838
www.nfl-bay.com
Daily service year round
Travel from the US or from Canada via Wood Islands (Prince Edward Island)
by FERRY: Wood Islands to Pictou (Nova Scotia).
1-800-565-0201
902-566-3838
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How
to get to Canso, NS 
Right:
partial map of Nova Scotia showing Halifax, with Halifax airport and
Canso highlighted in red rectangles.
