N OVA SCOTI A CYCLING 7 DAYS

Transcription

1 N OVA SCOTI A S O U T H CYCLING 7 DAYS S H O R E

2 RANDONNÉE TOURS CANADA 2 NOVA SCOTIA SOUTH SHORE Cycling Tour 7 Days Discover the unexpected in Canada s Atlantic playground. Nova Scotia combines a European level of hospitality, quality inns and superb food, with Canadian natural wonders. Starting from Halifax, pedal past peaceful coves, winking lighthouses, rugged headlands and authentic fishing villages. Relax each night in historic inns or cozy B&Bs. Discover unique history and heritage, relax on perfect white sand beaches and find an excellent souvenir among the craft and antique shops. We re betting that a favourite memory will be the warmth and friendliness of the Maritimers you meet. ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival to Halifax Our Area Manager will give you the bikes and a briefing for your South Shore experience. Halifax is a wonderful city to explore on foot, filled with vibrant cafes and shops. We will provide you with a selection of our favourite restaurants for you to choose from. Day 2 Hubbards On your first cycling day, ride the Rumrunners Trail, which departs from Halifax itself. Initially paved, it follows an old railgrade, making for a gentle grade without any motorized traffic! Your destination on this day is the town of Hubbards and the Surfside Inn. Distance: 54 km, elevation gain 395 m.* Day 3 Chester Depart Hubbards to pedal around the ruggedly beautiful coastline of the Aspotogan Peninsula. Pass through picturesque fishing villages like Northwest Cove and Aspotogan. At Bayswater look for the Peggy s Cove light across the head of the bay. The route along the western side of the Aspotogan Peninsula provides magnificent views of the Tancook Islands. Not far along you will arrive at the charming summer resort of Chester with a stunning harbour filled with pleasure yachts. Distance: 56 km, elevation gain 553 m.* Day 4 Begin your day by exploring this classical Nova Scotian village that has been a New England-like boating resort since the mid-1800 s. Wind your way along the coast of Mahone Bay to the beautiful town of that DATES You can start any day between May 15th and October 15th. LEVEL Moderate: Nova Scotia has a verdant, rolling topography providing a mix of flat and hilly cycling routes. There s nothing too challenging for every ability of cyclist but there will be hills on most routes. Cycling average 55k/33miles COST Classic Accommodation CAD $2,250* Single supplement CAD $560* * Price before tax. Canada applies a 15% HST WHAT S INCLUDED? Six nights lodging Bike rental (comes complete with handlebar bag, pump and a flat-tire kit) All breakfasts, one dinner Detailed maps and route instructions GPS data of the route (on request) All baggage transportation Personal meet & greet with our local Area Manager as well as their services throughout the tour All luggage transfers * Note: We require that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons

3 RANDONNÉE TOURS CANADA 3 WEATHER (HALIFAX) Annapolis Royal KEJIMKUJIK NATIONAL PARK LAKE ROSSIGNOL Kempt Liverpool Chester Hubbards FINISH Halifax START Average Daily High C F May June July August September October HALIFAX name. Along the way pass by the mysterious Oak Island (which has inspired two centuries of treasure hunters, including American President Franklin D. Roosevelt. At Mahone Bay explore the studios, galleries and unique shops that line the narrow streets of the village, and to view one of the most photographed scenes in Nova Scotia the three waterfront churches. From here continue on to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of, which will be your base for the next two nights. Distance: 65 km, elevation gain 602 m.* Day 5 Enjoy a full day in the area. Take the opportunity to explore one of Nova Scotia s oldest communities and certainly one of its most colourful. Visit the booming sea caves at the Ovens Natural Park, or cycle around the scenic and Riverport Peninsula s. If you want a day off your bike, take a walking tour of the old town (be sure to watch for the bump!) and then hop on a boat to go whale-watching or try your hand at sea-kayaking. Distance: 51 up to 57 km, elevation gain up to 453 m.* Day 6 Cycle from to the LaHave River where a river ferry will carry you to the other side to continue your day s ride. Enjoy the untouched coastal scenery you will encounter along the route; pine and spruce forests, lichen-crusted rocks and sparkling clean beaches. You can turn around at any point today so if you wish a short easy ride, you have that option if your goal is to finish with a century ride, you can make it all the way to Liverpool and back. Distance: 58 km, elevation gain 453 m.* Day 7 Departure Day Take a final stroll or ride through the village of before heading off on your next adventure. We can arrange a transfer at your convenience between and Halifax - the cost is approximately $125.

4 RANDONNÉE TOURS CANADA 4 OUR BICYCLES The majority of our bicycle fleet are Cannondale bikes; Cannondale is one of the premier bicycle manufacturers in North America and in Europe. Our hybrid bikes are typically Cannondale Quick model. Racing bikes are available in many, but not all destinations. Please state your preference on the registration form. Our hybrid bikes are Cannondale Quick with specs as follows: Aluminum frame with carbon seat stays Carbon fork Crank 30/39/50 Rear cogs 9 speed: Rear Derailleur Shimano 105 Tires 700 x 32C The bikes come fully equipped with handlebar bag, seat bag, rear rack, water bottle cage, pump, spare inner tube, tire repair kit and a multi-tool. For safety and hygiene reasons, we ask that you bring your own helmet. Depending on the seat you are used to riding at home, you may wish to bring yours with you; Area Manager will switch over for you. Same goes for clipless pedals- bring these if you prefer over flat pedals, but only if you have experience using them.

5 RANDONNÉE TOURS CANADA 5 CLASSIC ACCOMMODATIONS The Halliburton Mecklenburgh Inn Surfside Inn The Halliburton Halifax This property is a trio of old town houses reconfigured into a boutique hotel in the historical district of Halifax. NY Times recommended. Mecklenburgh Inn Chester This secluded Inn boasts an idyllic location in its own private cove with beautiful gardens and peaceful surroundings. Relax in the outdoor hot tub, cozy library, or classical music lounge before savouring a meal in the award-winning restaurant. Surfside Inn Hubbards Originally built by a sea captain in the late 1800 s, this Country Inn has been restored keeping the Victorian elegance and antiques, while providing all of the modern amenities. Arms In the centre of this historic village, with views of the harbour, this inn has rooms with plush duvets, and bathrobes. Rissers restaurant offers fabulous seafood and live jazz on some evenings. Arms The itinerary information may vary for your specific departure as we continuously research and develop each trip. Hotel availabilities may also necessitate alterations. Randonnee Tours Inc. Revised January, 2013.

6 RANDONNÉE TOURS CANADA 6 HOW TO GET THERE? It is possible to reach Nova Scotia by both air and sea. Halifax is Nova Scotia s capital and major entry point for most travel. There is scheduled air service to Halifax from all major Canadian and US cities with non-stop flights to Nova Scotia from Boston, Newark, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Ferry services link Nova Scotia and Maine. A high-speed catamaran operates between Bar Harbor, Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and an overnight luxury cruise can be taken between Portland, Maine and Yarmouth. At the end of the trip, there are private transfers available for approximately $125 for up to 6 people. Again, we provide contact information in your confirmation package so you can book according to your flight plans. DID YOU KNOW? BON APPÉTIT Nova Scotia has a rich culinary culture dating back centuries and is intimately connected to the surrounding waters; if you want to learn more about the Nova Scotia culture, eat its food. Seafood is always available here with specialties of lobster, Digby scallops and mussels. Traditional Nova Scotian fare can be found in abundance in Halifax restaurants infused with the popular Slow Food movement; you ve never had a blueberry until you ve had a Nova Scotian wild blueberry! It s small wonder that the motto of Halifax is Riches from the Sea. Champlain s settlers first planted vines in Nova Scotia in 1611 and today six distinct winegrowing regions are flourishing. From the temperate coast to the fertile valleys Nova Scotia is enjoying international success with varietals such as Marechal Foch, Baco Noir and L Acadie Blanc to name just a few. The Bluenose, a fishing and racing schooner built in 1921, is a provincial icon still today. One story of how it got it name is from an 18th century nickname derived from the blue potato pickers. These potato pickers would have a blue mark left on their noses after wiping their noses with their mitts. People from Halifax are called Haligonians. Nova Scotia is located almost exactly half way between the Equator and the North Pole; maybe this is why it has the distinction of being Canada s warmest province.

7 RANDONNÉE TOURS CANADA 7 ACCOLADES We loved this vacation Randonnée did a great job setting up wonderful accommodations and scenic rides; the trip exceeded our expectations. Philip & Mary Anne M. - Ponte Vedra Beach, FL We enjoyed everything about the trip. The hotels were distinctive, routes great. It was nice not to have to worry about any of the details. We have taken many trips with you and look forward to many more. John M. - Boston, MA Great people in Nova Scotia. One of the highlights was the fresh seafood. We loved your suggestions for dining. The trip was flawless in every way. Cindy D. - New York, NY Randonnee Tours Since 1989 Randonnee Tours offers exceptional self-guided active vacations in Canada, the United States, Europe and throughout the world. Our tours are meticulously designed and operated by us; this ensures a consistency in everything we offer, from route planning and bicycles to the services provided by our on-the-ground personnel. Each trip is customized to provide you with exactly what you need to ensure a memorable active vacation. For regions where self-guided tours may not be possible, we also offer guided trips under Great Explorations to places such as Turkey, Morocco, Vietnam, and many other countries. Robbin McKinney, founder and owner of Great Explorations (and Randonnee Tours) has been designing and guiding cycling and walking trips for over 25 years.