Our group meets in Halifax, one of Canada’s first English settlements, and we limber up on a get-acquainted walk from the harbor to the citadel. Later, we’re welcomed to the Victorian village of Wolfville (1 night) with a festive dinner in the private dining room of our beautiful inn, a former 19th century sea captain's mansion.

At Grand Pré we pay a fascinating visit to the cultural center of the French Acadians, the first European settlers. Then, it's on to the hamlet of Halls Harbour with its awesome 45-foot tides…a lobster boil overlooking the Bay of Fundy…and a visit with a master printmaker and storyteller. Annapolis Royal (2 nights)—known as Canada’s birthplace—is our base for a wildlife walk on remote Briar Island (known for its orchids and migratory birds) and whale watching in waters that attract humpback, minke and right whales.

We’ll explore Kejimkujik National Park, the traditional home of the native Mi'kmaq tribe. Then we settle into 350-year-old Lunenburg (2 nights), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A friend takes us by lobster boat to his private island offering us colorful stories of privateers and rum-runners, plus a home-cooked lunch. And there's time for an afternoon walk to the weathered fishing village of Blue Rocks. On our final day, we visit an artist's colony before returning to Halifax.