Compare On the Road: New England and the Canadian Maritimes by Road Scholar

Day 1 Arrivals and Welcome to Portland, Maine Portland, Maine

Program Registration: After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to meet the Group Leader and confirm orientation time and place. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. On the Road programs are journeys that take participants to multiple study sites in a region with a number of overnight stays. Lectures, talks, discussions, field trips, and on-board commentary amplify the program theme. Some journeys involve great distances and may take hours, others are much shorter. Long or short, On the Road journeys are learning experiences that make the most of our time together. “America the Beautiful” passes cover entrance fees at national parks and wildlife refuges for up to 4 adults. If you have one of these national park passes, please bring it with you to the program and on our field trips to benefit other members of the group.

At leisure. Get acquainted with fellow Road Scholars!

At the hotel.

Day 2 Old Port District Walking Field Trip Portland, Maine

Walking on cobblestone and paved streets and standing on a guided visit, beginning at the hotel, through the Old Port district, with listening devices, for 1.5 hours over a total of approximately one mile.

At the hotel, we’ll be joined by a local expert who will provide an overview of Portland's history. Originally called Machigonne (Great Neck) by the Native Americans who first inhabited it, the Portland peninsula was established by the British in 1632 as a trading and fishing settlement. Industry grew and Portland's waterfront became a mecca for shipping and trading companies. The Phoenix, the mythical bird that rises from the ashes, aptly symbolizes Portland's legendary rebirth after the Great Fire of 1866 leveled the city for the fourth time. Almost completely rebuilt during the Victorian era, Portland has maintained much of its 19th century architecture and flavor. We’ll then depart the hotel for a walking field trip to the historic waterfront known as Old Port and learn why this is one of the most successful revitalized warehouse districts in the country.

Free time to explore Portland independently. Suggestions provided by your group leader.

At leisure. Go out to explore more of this charming small city at your own pace. Stroll down to the water and watch the boats venture in and out of the harbor or simply relax.

At the hotel

At a restaurant in the Old Port district along Portland Harbor, we will have a plated meal.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Fresh seafood, farm to table, classic New England, the options are plentiful at Portland’s “foodie” scene.

Day 3 Maine Maritime History Bucksport, Maine

After breakfast, hotel check-out and transfer to Bucksport with stops along the way. Total mileage traveled by motorcoach is 120 miles. Walking and standing on unpaved terrain for 1 hour at the Maine Maritime Museum. Check-in to hotel in Bucksport with time to freshen up before dinner.

Depart Portland to view the oldest lighthouse in Maine, the Portland Headlight in Cape Elizabeth. We'll then continue up Maine’s scenic coastline, to Bath, renowned for shipbuilding since 1743. More than 5,000 vessels have been launched in the area, which at one time had more than 200 shipbuilding firms. At the Maine Maritime Museum, learn how Bath became the nation's fifth largest seaport by the mid-19th century, producing clipper ships that sailed to ports around the world.

Continue to “Downeast Maine” where you will stop en route to visit the Penobscot Narrows Bridge & Observatory at historic Fort Knox. Experience the thrill of the tallest bridge observatory in the world!

Enjoy the water views from your balcony or stroll along the river at your leisure.

At the hotel.

At the Maine Maritime Museum, we'll have boxed lunches.

At a local restaurant

Day 4 Castine and The Settlement of St. Andrews, NB St. Andrews, New Brunswick

After breakfast, hotel check-out and transfer to St. Andrews, NB with stops along the way. Total mileage traveled by motorcoach is 165 miles. Cross the border into Canada at Calais, Maine. Time moves ahead 1 hour to Atlantic Time. Standing and walking on paved terrain with some small inclines, up to 1 mile over 1.5 hours on the visit of Castine.

Depart to Castine, one of the oldest communities in North America and listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to its 18th century architecture. Begin with a lecture at the Castine Historical Society and then take a step back in time on an exploration of this iconic New England coastal village.

Depart Castine and drive to the border in Calais, Maine. Cross the Canadian border and continue to St. Andrews.

Enjoy a lecture from a local historian.

In a local restaurant across the street from the hotel.

At a local restaurant

Enjoy the hospitality of town residents by sharing in a typical Martime Saturday evening meal prepared by a local restaurant.

Day 5 The Bay of Fundy Tides Hopewell Cape, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick

After breakfast, hotel check-out and transfer to Hopwell, NB after lunch. Total mileage traveled by motorcoach is 178 miles. Standing and walking on paved paths in Kingsbrae Botanical Gardens. Descend stairs to sea floor. Walk and stand on packed sand for approximately 1 hour on a guided walk of Hopewell Rocks. *Day 5 & 6 schedule may be adjusted based on tides at Hopewell Rocks, depending on tides we may see the Rocks at low tide and high tide or only low tide*

We will explore St. Andrews more expansively on a guided walk with a local expert. This walk will conclude at Kingsbrae Gardens, one of North America’s premier botanical gardens. Here we will enjoy a guided visit of the 27-acre horticultural masterpiece that is home to over 2,500 species of perennials, as well as, a wide variety of trees and shrubs. Fauna such as peacocks, pygmy goats, and alpacas may be wandering around. The grounds are also home to Canada's first Jurassic living fossil Wollemi pine!

We will head up the coast of New Brunswick to experience the Bay of Fundy’s phenomenal tidal changes at Hopewell Rocks. At low tide, we will walk on the ocean floor with a naturalist, around the towering “flower pots”.

At leisure.

At a nearby inn.

At a local restaurant.

At the hotel

Day 6 Prince Edward Island and Green Gables Heritage Place Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

After breakfast, hotel check-out and transfer to Charlottetown, PEI with stops along the way. Total mileage traveled by motorcoach is 125 miles. Walking on unpaved terrain on self-guided visit of Green Gables. Stairs are unavoidable to access the second floor of the house.

We will return to Hopewell Rocks Interpretive Center to view the bay during high tide. Depart to Prince Edward Island.

Cross the Confederation Bridge onto Prince Edward Island. Since 1997, the bridge has joined the eastern Canadian provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. At eight miles in length, it is the longest bridge in the world to cross ice-covered waters! Once on PEI, we'll make our way across the province to stop at Green Gables Heritage Place. This National Historic Site was an inspiration for Lucy Maud Montgomery’s famous tale, “Anne of Green Gables”. Here we will learn about Canada's most beloved fictional character and relive her youthful adventures and shenanigans within the memory-filled rooms of her Victorian home. Later, we will continue southeast to Charlottetown, the largest city on and the provincial capital of Prince Edward Island.

At leisure.

At the hotel

At a local restaurant

On your own to enjoy what you like. Explore Charlottetown's local fare with suggestions provided by the group leader.

Day 7 Beaconsfield Carriage House, Great George Street, Scenic PEI Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Walking up to 0.5 Mile & standing on paved side walks, stopping at historic sites during walk of Great George St.

We will visit the Beaconsfield Carriage House, built in 1877. This home is the perfect example of the Victorian architecture of the time. Many of it's original features are still in tact, so we will see what home life was like on PEI in the 19th century. We will continue to explore Charlottetown on a guided walking tour of Great George Street. One of only two national historic streets in Canada, a costumed historical interpreter will lead us through history up to the Province House National Historic Site.*Please note that the Province House is closed for conservation work at this time. We will have the opportunity to visit an exact replica of the Confederation Chamber, found in the Province House.*

Experience North Rustico, a small fishing community on the north shore of PEI. Visit the Stanley Bridge Marine Aquarium to learn about some of the unique species that call these shores home. Sample a freshly shucked oyster from Carr's Seafood. Enjoy free time to explore Rustico on your own. You may want to stroll the picturesque boardwalk in the tiny village of North Rustico before we transfer back to Charlottetown.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Enjoy the products of Prince Edward Island, at a local restaurant.

Your choice to explore local fare.

Day 8 Hector Heritage Quay, Welcome to Nova Scotia Baddeck, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

After breakfast, hotel check-out and transfer to Baddeck, NS with stops along the way. Total mileage traveled by motorcoach is 280 miles. 75-minute ferry crossing. Walking and standing at Hector Quay Museum, including walking aboard a docked tall ship for 1 hour. Arrive in Baddeck with time to freshen up before dinner.

We'll travel across Prince Edward Island to take the ferry to Pictou, Nova Scotia. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, whales or dolphins along the way! Learn the story of the Scottish settlement at Hector Heritage Quay and aboard the docked replica of the ship Hector. The Hector, a three-masted cargo vessel, was the first ship to directly transport passengers from Scotland to Nova Scotia. This historic voyage marked the beginning of a massive wave of immigration that would shape the future of North America and gave Pictou the honor of being called “the birthplace of New Scotland”.

Via motorcoach, we will arrive in Baddeck, on the shores of Bras d’Or Lake, on Cape Breton Island.

Join in on a local favorite the "Baddeck Gathering Ceilidh" performance. Performers from the nearby Gaelic College stop in for this town tradition of song, dance, storytelling, and bagpipes.

At the hotel

At a local restaurant.

At the hotel.

Day 9 The Beautiful Cabot Trail Baddeck, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

The drive along the Cabot Trail is 189 miles, with frequent stops that include short walks and visits.

We will behold the gorgeous coastal views and tiny villages of Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail. Since the completion of the initial route in 1932, the Cabot Trail has served as one of Canada's most famous drives and encompasses many cultural heritage sites, scenic overlooks and whale watching hiking trails.

We will stop at Les Trois Pignons for an expert-led visit of the Museum of Antiques, which depicts the early life of Acadian ancestors who settled in the village of Cheticamp over 200 years ago. We will also see the Elizabeth LeFort Gallery of Hooked Tapestries at this site.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Box lunch en route.

At the hotel

Day 10 Alexander Graham Bell Museum Halifax, Nova Scotia

After breakfast, hotel check-out and transfer to Halifax, NS with stops along the way. Total mileage traveled by motorcoach is 218 miles. Walking and standing on self-guided visit at Alexander Graham Bell Historic Site Museum. Ramp is available to access second floor.

We will visit a National Historic Site, the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, which contains the largest collection of Bell’s artifacts and inventions. Bell is well remembered for the telephone, but he worked on many different inventions throughout his lifetime. He first came to Baddeck in 1885 and returned a year later to establish a vacation home for his family. When Bell arrived in Baddeck, he had plenty of free time, due to his success of patenting the first telephone in the United States. In his spare time, he was able to delve into other areas of expertise such as marine engineering, medicine, aeronautics and space-frame construction. Discover Bell's significant impact on the Baddeck economy during his residency at Beinn Bhreagh.

We will continue on via motorcoach to the hotel in Halifax, NS.

At leisure.

At the hotel

At a local restaurant.

On your own.

Day 11 Peggy's Cove, Discover Halifax Halifax, Nova Scotia

Walking and standing on unpaved terrain and rock at Peggy’s Cove on a self-guided exploration. Walking and standing for short distances during the visit of Halifax. Walking and standing for 1 hour at the Museum.

We will explore the picturesque, rocky coast of Nova Scotia on an excursion to Peggy’s Cove. This small community, known for its iconic light house, brings in hundreds of artists and photographers every year to capture this village's authentic beauty.

On a guided visit of Halifax, we will view the graves of those lost on the Titanic, learn about the importance of the Citadel to the city’s origins, and stroll through the Botanical Gardens. We will learn about the ties between Halifax and New England. At the Pier 21 Immigration Museum, we will learn of the city’s importance as the gateway to Canada. Halifax was an ocean liner terminal and immigration shed from 1928 to 1971.

At leisure.

At the hotel

At a local restaurant.

On your own to explore local fare.

Day 12 Grand Pré National Historic Site, Acadian History St. John, New Brunswick

After breakfast, hotel check-out and transfer to New Brunswick with stops along the way. Total mileage traveled by motorcoach is 195 miles. Walking and standing on grass for up to 1 hour on a visit of Grand Pré. 2 hour ferry crossing.

We will head to the Grand-Pré National Historic Site to learn about the fate of the Acadians. Made famous by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem "Evangeline," we will explore this vibrant site filled with multimedia presentations to learn more about the life of the 17th & 18th century Acadians.

En route to the ferry we will stop at the Annapolis Royal Visitor Center to see the tidal stations and power station. We'll then cross the Bay of Fundy on the ferry to St. John, arriving early evening.

At leisure.

At the hotel

At a local restaurant.

On board the ferry.

Day 13 Visit St. John, New Brunswick Bar Harbor, Maine

After breakfast, hotel check-out and transfer to Bar Harbor, ME with stops along the way. Total mileage traveled by motorcoach is 173 miles. Cross the border from Canada to the U.S. at Calais, Maine. Move back one hour to Eastern Standard Time.

We'll discover St. John on a guided visit with local author and folklorist, David Goss. The only city on the Bay of Fundy, we will discover what's booming from bands on the boardwalk to contemporary fine dining, and, of course, magnificent tides. After, cross the border from Canada to the U.S. at Calais, Maine.

We will continue to picturesque Bar Harbor. Home to the largest parts of Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain, Bar Harbor is internationally known for its natural beauty.

At leisure.

At the hotel

At a local restaurant

On your own.

Day 14 Acadia National Park Bar Harbor, Maine

Full-day motorcoach exploration of Acadia National Park with frequent stops and short walks.

We will discover Acadia National Park on a full-day field-trip. The oldest American National Park east of the Mississippi River was established in 1916 in congruence with the National Park Service. Today, the park protects more than 47,000 acres of Maine's beauty. View some of the most beautiful mountains, shorelines, and lakes of this over 100 year old national treasure.

We will further explore Acadia National Park.

At leisure.

At the hotel

At a local restaurant.

At the hotel, we will celebrate our journey together, featuring Maine Lobster.

Day 15 Departures from Portland, Maine Portland, Maine

The transfer from Bar Harbor to Portland International Jetport is 170 miles, and takes approximately 4 hours with one rest stop. Arriving at approximately 12:30 p.m. Please do not schedule flights before 2:30 p.m.

We will transfer to Portland International Jetport, arriving at approximately 12:30 p.m. Please do not schedule flights before 2:30 p.m. The motor coach will also drop off at the Portland Transportation Center and the first hotel of program. This concludes our program. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

At the hotel