Nova Scotia: South Shore Family Frolic
Five days of cycling, hiking, swimming, and play, at a pace comfortable for families with children 4-14 years old. This coast was rated one of the top ten coastal destinations in the world by National Geographic! See details here.
If you dream of a perfect holiday with your young children, this adventure, born from a combined background of adventure touring, parenting, and an intimate knowledge of the area, can turn that dream into reality! By day you will explore fascinating new places by bicycle and on foot. You will enjoy boat trips, island visits, tall ships, sea caves, buried treasure, and osprey nests, making frequent stops for swimming and playing on the shore. You will visit a park where footpaths connect with tunnels to sea caves. By night you will lodge at places chosen for their high level of service, their beautiful and spacious grounds, and their abundance of distractions for people of all ages. You will spend two nights near the seaport of Lunenburg to enjoy the timeless charm of this well preserved historic town, declared a UNESCO world heritage site, and two nights at a lodge on the beach. For the cycling sections, options for children not yet riding independently include Burley trailers, tag-along bikes, and tandem bicycles. The roads we follow are far quieter than most, and the support van is always nearby in case anyone loses their inclination to pedal. If children are part of your travelling plans, this is a logical winner!
Day 1: 14km/9 miles - 32km/20 miles. Distances are flexible
Your guides will pick you up in Halifax at approximately 09:00. Transfer to Mahone Bay, an hour's drive down the South Shore. After a snack/early lunch and an exploration of this pretty town, you will cycle to Lunenburg along exceptionally quiet roads, stopping to dip your toes at one of several beaches, if you wish. In Lunenburg, visit the Fisheries Museum, the Bluenose II, and many craft shops and historic sites. LD
Smuggler's Cove Inn; or
Alicion B&B, Lunenburg
Day 2: 20km/12 miles - 50km/30 miles. Distances are flexible
Cycle to the subterranean sea-caves at the Ovens Natural Park. Then ride to Kingsburg and Hirtles Beaches before an afternoon van transfer back to Lunenburg in time for a walking tour. BLD
Same lodging
Day 3: 30km/18 miles - 75km/45 miles. Distances are flexible
A short van transfer takes you to the LaHave cable ferry, where you will commence exploration of the La Have Islands, Crescent Beach, Broad Cove, Vogler's Cove, Little Harbour, and Cherry Hill Beach, all before lunch in Port Medway with supplies from the delicious LaHave Bakery. Spend some of the afternoon lingering in the fishing town of Liverpool, where you can blow the foghorn at the lighthouse, on your way to White Point Beach Lodge. BLD
White Point Beach Lodge and Resort, Liverpool
Day 4: 6km/4 miles - 10km/6 miles hike
A day of hiking to a secluded beach to fly a kite. Alternative options include off-road riding, on-road riding, golfing, surfing, and kayaking. If you choose one of these activities instead of the hike, you can choose from several options for an independent lunch, including a place nearby that advertises the best fried clams in the world! BLD
Same lodging
Day 5:
Relaxed morning at White Point Beach before a 10:00 departure for Halifax via the Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse. You can expect to be in Halifax by about 14:00. B
| Start: | Mahone Bay at 10:00, or Halifax at 09:00, day one |
| Finish: | Mahone Bay at 11:00, or Halifax at 14:00, day five |
| Guided Cost: | $1695 (per person, includes 5 days, 4 nights, 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, admission fees to Fisheries Museum, the Ovens Natural Park, and Kejimkujik National Park, luggage handling, van support, guides). Children sharing with 2 adults 20% discount. If children are under 3 years old, this becomes 50% |
| Self-Guided Cost: | Not yet available |
| Single Occupancy: | $345 |
| Bicycle Rental: | Hybrid: $145; Racing: $195; Children’s bikes/tagalongs/trailers: $95; Tandems: $295 |
| 2011-12 Guided Dates: | Add your own dates (learn more) |
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice. 15% sales tax applies, but a 50% refund will be applied for non-Canadian residents.
