Monday, April 16, 2018
Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) 2018 delegates will explore Halifax and its surrounding regions on 11 tours during the first day of RVC 2018, Sunday, May 13. These tours will give delegates a quick taste of our culture, cityscapes, landscapes, and culinary scene, while ensuring they can get back the Halifax Convention Centre in time for RVC’s opening reception!
RVC 2018 City Day Tour Descriptions
#1 Iconic Lighthouses and Majestic Seascapes (Sightseeing Peggy’s Cove)
Join your local kilted tour guide and travel along the Lighthouse Route to Peggy’s Cove, an artists’ and explorers’ paradise. The coastline is famous for pirates, shipwrecks, and one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world. Choose between a walking tour of the cove with your guide or free time to explore on your own. En route back to Halifax, stop into Acadian Maple Products to learn all about how pure maple syrup comes from Nova Scotia’s forests and the many different flavours it may impart, with an opportunity to sample some unique sweet products.
#2 Wooden Boats and UNESCO Splendour (Sightseeing Mahone Bay & Lunenburg)
Join your local kilted tour guide and head to Nova Scotia’s delightful South Shore where you will experience Lunenburg, one of the prettiest towns in Canada and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town’s distinctive architecture and extraordinary scenic beauty is a colourful reminder of our maritime heritage. Upon arrival, join your guide for a walking tour of the original town plan followed by a visit to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic to learn about the town’s famous seafaring heritage. Before returning to Halifax, a picture stop will be made of the well-known scene of three centuries old waterfront churches in Mahone Bay.
#3 Eat Halifax (Culinary Tour)
Experience Halifax’s exploding foodie scene as we travel from North to South to eat and drink true local flavors. This tasty tour will visit local culinary hot spots for scrumptious local food, beer, cider and wine. Learn about the history of Halifax on a food and drink adventure that combines Halifax sightseeing at iconic Citadel Hill and the historic Hydrostone neighbourhood.
#4 Annapolis Valley Winery Tour
Travel to the beautiful Annapolis Valley wine country. Upon arrival in Wolfville, guests will board the Magic Winery Bus, an authentic 1968 British Double Decker. The Wolfville Magic Winery Bus will whisk you away for a tasteful adventure in the heart of Nova Scotia wine country. This North American one-of-a-kind excursion will visit three of the most storied and beautiful local wineries. Experience firsthand the unique terroir that creates some of the most memorable wines in the world; learn a little about the region’s history and rooted connection with food; and best of all, get a taste for why this region has a reputation as the centre of wine country in Atlantic Canada.
#5&6 Harbour Hopper
A 55 minute, fully-narrated tour aboard an amphibious vehicle that brings you through Halifax’s scenic streets and into its historic harbour! The first half of the tour explores historical points of interest such as St. Paul’s Church, Citadel Hill, and the Public Gardens. Then it casts off into the harbour and guests learn about the Halifax Explosion, and the rich history of the Halifax navy.
#7&8 Historic Halifax City Tour
Join your local kilted tour guide for an informative and fun-filled ride through the streets of Halifax which will immerse you in the history and culture of our city. Highlights will include the site of the Halifax Explosion and a visit to Citadel National Historic Site to learn about the origins of our city. Also learn about the local connections to the Titanic Disaster with visits to Fairview Lawn Cemetery and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. From tales of disaster and triumph to remarkable stories of everyday life, discover the people and places that have made Halifax one of the most unique and captivating cities in North America! *This tour is offered in Mandarin as well as English.
#9 Sea Kayaking Excursion (or Coastal Hiking Alternate)
Travel just 30 minutes from downtown to the picturesque coastal community of Lower Prospect. Here you will head out in a kayak to explore protected bays, secluded beaches, and the rugged coastline at a comfortable pace with a skilled guide. For guests preferring to experience the coast while on land, a concurrent alternate option is a coastal hiking tour with Great E.A.R.T.H. Expeditions to the neighbouring village of Prospect to hike the beautiful High Head Trail.
#10 Eastern Shore Photography Tour
Absorb the remote beauty of ‘Canada’s Ocean Playground.’ Journey along the edge of the Atlantic Ocean along the historic Eastern Shore with its mesmerizing coastal landscapes, historic Acadian villages, fishermen at work throughout the morning, and cool weather surfers dancing on waves. Travel and learn with local tour guide and professional surf photographer Scotty Sherin to a number of his favourite photo spots. A few of the spots for photo ops may include Martinique Beach, the Acadian Village of Grand Desert, the Fisherman’s Reserve, Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park, the beautiful Flag Pond Municipal Park, Fisherman’s Cove and a few other hidden gems in between.
#11 Gardens and Garrisons: A Relaxed Walking Tour
Come explore this beautiful coastal city with your local guide as they share details of Halifax’s historic past and highlights as you make your way through the streets on foot. Your tour begins at the Halifax Convention Centre and makes its way down to the Halifax Harbour Walk. Follow the board walk to the Halifax Seaport Farmer’s Market where time will be provided to explore this unique venue. From the market, we stroll through tree-lined streets to Spring Garden Road where you can walk through the beautiful Halifax Public Gardens. From the Gardens, proceed to Citadel Hill and then to the heart of Downtown Halifax.
These city day tours proved so popular that they reached registration capacity within one week!
For information about the RVC Halifax day tours, please contact:
Michele Bourgeois
Travel Trade and Meeting Services Specialist
Discover Halifax
Tel: 902-422-7637
Email: mbourgeois@discoverhalifaxns.com
For more information on RVC, please visit rendezvouscanada.travel