Christmas Vacation (or how not to buy presents)

Christmas is now roughly six weeks away, and if you are like me, you are racking your brain thinking of how you can avoid buying gifts. It's not that I am averse to gift gifting when someone has their heart set on something special; but I am not keen to waste money on gifts that the 14 year old neither needs nor wants just for the sake of putting wrapped boxes under the tree. Nor will I remortgage the house to fulfill the wish list of the 18 year old. What's the solution? A Christmas vacation of course!!

 If the days are growing cooler and the sun is setting earlier, you may be dreaming of a tropical getaway. Sand beats snow any day; consider an all-inclusive trip to a Caribbean island. There is something to be said for waking up Christmas morning to the sound of the waves crashing and the birds singing, particularly if it is followed by an all you can eat breakfast buffet. In years past, we have watched Santa zoom by on a motorboat, and seen him arrive by donkey, and even one year with camels in tow. You never know what surprises your hotel might have dreamt up. 

Of course it is expensive to travel over the Christmas holidays. Any time the kids are out of school is high season. Try travelling right on Christmas day for somewhat cheaper packages, and if you are giving in to the temptation of bringing gifts with you (Why? Is the vacation not enough?), remember to leave all packages unwrapped for customs. Over the years, we have begun to cheat a little. Instead of travelling right over Christmas, we make sure we have the trip planned in time for Christmas. Wrap up some e-tickets, throw some goggles and sunscreen in the stockings, gum for the plane and a trashy magazine or two, and you are good to go! My favourite Christmas was the year I wrapped trip clues for Christmas. The first child was mystified to unwrap a wooden letter "U". The next child unwrapped an "R". The next gift was a small toy plane, then a number "2" and the last gift was luggage tags for Disney World. "U R flying 2 Disney World!" Hokey but fun!

This year, we are really pushing it. Merry Christmas kids, you are going to Italy! In July. Well, some things are worth waiting for, aren't they?

94 things to do in Toronto, Canada!

In honour of the Blue Jays 94 wins to date, here are 94 things to do in Toronto, Canada's largest and most populous city. In absolutely no particular order:
1. Ride an elevator up the CN Tower, the tallest free standing structure in the Western Hemisphere.
2. Touch a stingray at Ripley's Aquarium.
3. See pandas at the Toronto Zoo.
4. Discover secret passageways inside Toronto's castle, Casa Loma.
5. Take a ferry ride to Centre Island.
6. Check out the dinosaurs at the Royal Ontario Museum.
7. Catch an improve show at Second City.
8. Indulge your inner foodie at the St Lawrence Market.
9. Score a goal at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
10. Sample beer at the Steam Whistle Brewery.
11. See what's hanging at the Art Gallery of Toronto.
12. Tour the Rogers Centre (formerly known as the Skydome) and admire the world's first fully retractable roof.
13. Listen to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra inside Roy Thompson Hall.
14. Stop and smell the roses in Edwards Gardens.

Ross Petty in Peter Pan

15. Spend some money in the Eaton Centre.
16. Buy something vintage in Kensington Market.
17. Enjoy lunch in Chinatown.
18. Try your hand at Segway, in the Distillery District.
19. Check out a Broadway hit in a Mirvish Theatre.
20. Boo Ross Petty during his annual holiday pantomime.
21. Tour the Winter Gardens Theatre, the oldest collection of vaudeville memorabilia in North America.
22. Go nude at Hanlan's Point beach.
23. Explore the history of footwear at the Bata Shoe Museum.
24. Go back in time at Pioneer Village.
25. Rent a bicycle made for two (or four) and bike Ward's Island.
26. Laugh it up at Yuk Yuks.

Gargoyles at Old City Hall, Tour Guys

27. Join the Tour Guys for a free walking tour.
28. Visit the Ontario Science Centre.
29. Watch a movie in the Imax dome.
30. Challenge your wits at a Great Escape game.
31. Hoist the sails on a tall ship.
32. Hike the Scarborough Bluffs.
33. Go swimming in the Beaches.
34. Explore Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
35. Watch Shakespeare in High Park.
36. Join a ghost tour. Boo!
37. Wander through the University of Toronto.
38. Watch a movie at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

The Distillery District

39. Stalk movie stars in Yorkville.
40. Walk the red carpet at the Toronto Film Festival.
41. Tour Ontario's Legislative Assembly.
42. Visit the barnyard at Riverdale Farm.
43. Seal your love with a lock in the Distillery District.
44. Cheer on the Leafs at the Air Canada Centre.
45. Step back in time at Spadina House.
46. Take a clay class at the Gardiner Museum.
47. Eat Greek at the Taste of the Danforth.
48. Keep warm and dry in the PATH, 30 kilometres of underground shops and restaurants. Largest in the world!
49. Visit the Police Museum.
50. Place your bets at the Woodbine race track.
51. Explore themed gardens at the Toronto Botanical Gardens.
52. See a ballet at the Four Seasons Centre, or listen to the opera.
53. Hear the firing of the cannons at Fort York.
54. Wander through Graffiti Alley.


Graffiti Alley

55. Take in a Toronto FC game at the BMO stadium.
56. Look for Drake at a Raptors game.
57. Ride the train at the Toronto Railway Museum.
58. Get messy at Colour Me Rad.
59. Dare to do the Edge Walk at the CN Tower.
60. Skate by the lake down at Harbourfront.
70. Dance at Caribana.
71. Join the Pride parade.
72. Kayak the Humber River.
73. Learn some Canadian history at the McKenzie House.
74. Cheer on your knight at Medieval Feast, Toronto.
75. Play the Midway at the Canadian National Exhibition.
76. Ride a helicopter.

Humber River

77. Join a chocolate tour.
78. Try your hand at ax throwing.
79. Grab some bait and go fishing.
80. Rent some skis and grab a lift.
81. Join a scavenger hunt with Urban Capers
82. Play archery tag with Archery District, a tag game that combines foam tipped arrows and paintball.
83. Shop at the One of a Kind show, the largest consumer craft show in North America.
84. Head to a club in the Entertainment District and dance the night away.
85. Visit an indoor amusement park at the Woodbine Centre.
86. Play some laser tag.
87. Head out to the Greater Toronto area to do some Tree Top Trekking in Brampton.
88. Visit Vaughan and Canada's Wonderland
89. Get chased by zombies at Halloween Haunt.
90. Build something at the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre.
91. Visit Playdium in nearby Mississauga. Try over 200 interactive games, Go-Karting, batting cages, bungee trampoline, rock climbing and mini golf.
92. Dine at Winterlicious.
93. Explore Nuit Blanche.
94. And last but not least, GO TO A BLUE JAYS GAME. Go JAYS go!

Roger Stadium

Witches, Authors and Wharfs, Oh My!

My very favourite time of the year is approaching. There are pumpkins on porches and a chill in the air, and soon it will be time to strike a little terror into the hearts of neighbourhood children. We have long prided ourselves on having the scariest home on the block come Halloween, and this year like many before it, there will be zombies and coffins, skeletons and witches, and of course gravestones. I have long held a certain affection for graveyards, and all things that go bump in the night, and for many years I dreamed of visiting Salem, Massachusetts at Halloween. In my mind's eye, I always imagined darkened streets and candlelight, and the smell of something burning...

A mere 16 miles north of Boston, Salem makes for an easy and enjoyable day trip. We rode the orange subway line of the MBTA to North Station and from there caught a commuter train. For less than $10 and in only 49 minutes time, we found ourselves disembarking at Salem Station, only a five minute walk into the heart of Salem. We headed straight to the Salem Witch Museum. There, based on actual court documents, the museum brings to life the witch trials of 1692 for which Salem is famous. Using life sized stage sets and a chilling narration, the events that finally led to the deaths of twenty people are recounted. While none were actually burned, nineteen people were hanged, and one man was crushed to death. The combination of a belief in the devil, an outbreak of small pox and  accusations by a number of teenage girls culminated in widespread suspicion and hysteria. More than 150 people were jailed and awaiting execution before calmer heads prevailed.

Today, Salem is a bustling tourist town, with pedestrian only thoroughfares, intriguing shops and tourist traps. It is a little like Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls with its houses of horror, but Salem has a more dignified side as well. We walked through the town, stopping to tour the Old Burying Point Cemetery and pay our respects at the Salem Witch Trials memorial. Statues also commemorate Salem's two most famous "residents" - Elizabeth  Montgomery of "Bewitched" fame and author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Next stop was Wynott's Wand shop for a look at Harry's wand and a butterbeer. A truly remarkable wand shop for all aspiring wizards, Wynott's is like stepping in to a Potter book. Along the same street, there are a number of magic/witchcraft shops - and if you're looking for a psychic, Salem offers more per capita than any other place.

We continued walking toward the harbour and passed the Customs House. Though famous for its dark history, Salem was actually once America's sixth largest city with a bustling waterfront and busy privateering trade. Fortunes were made in international trade, and many houses remain, built originally for wealthy sea captains. Nathaniel Hawthorne once worked as the port's overseer at Pickering Wharf, the setting for his future novel, the Scarlet Letter. Today the wharf is almost abandoned, but near it is a house worth investigating - the House of the Seven Gables, the oldest surviving example of a 17th century wooden mansion in New England.
Guided tours of the house and gardens are $12.50, From there, we continued on to the ferry
docks, passing a fire truck adorned with Salem's logo, a flying witch on her broomstick. The ferry runs between Boston and Salem five times daily. The cost is a hefty $45 return, $25 one way for the hour's trip. These high prices do subsidize residents' rates making the ferry a more affordable commuter option. It can be a rough voyage, so if you suffer from seasickness, consider returning to Salem Station. Of course if you plan on visiting for Halloween, you may wish to book accommodations and enjoy all the season has to offer. Perhaps a ghost tour or two!

Tour Guide Jack's Mother Knows Best Package

Tour Guide Jack is excited to announce that our website - TourGuideJack.com is now open! Check out our great customized travel itineraries, including this one - Mother Knows Best. Why is it called Mother Knows Best? Because sometimes we all need a hand to hold. You give us the particulars and we plan everything right down to the clean underwear. Okay, maybe not the underwear. But we will tell you where to stay, where to go and what time, what it's going to cost, and we'll provide the maps so you don't get lost. We'll provide you with a more detailed description of each activity, to make sure you are learning a little something too. If there are tours or tickets you need to pre-book, we will provide you with all the contact information you need to complete the booking. We will provide you with all the options for local transportation with the costs for you to consider. There will also be lots of advice and helpful tips, and you can email us on the go, because your mother always wants to know where you are and what you are up to! Here's an excerpt:

Tour Guide Jack’s Mother Knows Best Package

7 Night Road Trip, Nova Scotia, Canada

This package assumes an early afternoon, post lunch air-travel arrival, for two adults. Accommodations have been suggested by Tour Guide Jack, and pre-booked by the traveller. Prices are provided prior to booking.
Accommodations and suggested itinerary: 1 night Halifax at the Waverley Inn, 1 night Maitland at Foley House, 2 nights Annapolis Royal at the King George Inn, 1 night Lunenburg at the Boscawen Inn, 2 nights Halifax at the Atlantica Hotel. All of these hotels, with the exception of the Atlantica, include parking and breakfast. The Atlantica offers a pool, sundeck and sauna. Parking is $20 Ca. per night. All of these accommodations offer free WIFI, and average about $110 per night.
So you’ve chosen Nova Scotia, Canada’s second smallest province, one of its most scenic and truly it’s most historic. Home of the first European settlement in North America, Nova Scotia has been Mi’kmaq, French, English, Acadian, Scottish, Loyalist and Canadian. For much of Canada’s history it has been the gateway through which thousands of immigrants have travelled.  A Maritime province, Nova Scotia is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. Known for its lobster, foot stamping music and friendly people, Nova Scotia delights visitors. Just remember to pack some rain gear, and a warm sweater.
Day 1 Halifax, Nova ScotiaWelcome to Halifax and the Stanfield International Airport! Grab your bags, and head downstairs to the Budget Car Rental desk. Now set that GPS for the Waverley Inn, 1266 Barrington Street, Halifax (902) 423-9346. You’ve made a great choice – built in 1866, the Inn has hosted such famous guests as Oscar Wilde, P.T. Barnum and George Vanderbilt. The trip is 35 km and should take about 32 minutes. Get yourself parked, checked in and settled, and then it’s time for some fun!First stop: Alexander Keith’s Brewery, at 1496 Lower Water Street. Come out of the Inn and proceed north on Barrington Street. Turn right on Morris and proceed 2 blocks. Turn left at Lower Water Street and continue on 1 ½ blocks. The Brewery will be just past Bishop Street on your left hand side.  Look for a massive ironstone and granite building, c 1820. Costumed actors will bring Keith’s brewery of 1863 to life with music, dancing, comedy and of course samples! Expect time for two beer, if you drink up; lemonade for the young ones/teetotalers. Admission is $22.95, the site is open from 12-8, with tours starting every half hour. Tour lasts one hour.Now that you are refreshed, Nova Scotian style, cross Lower Water Street and head to the water’s edge. Explore the harbourfront area – there are buskers, ace cream shops and funky street art. Be sure to check out Chris Hanson and Hendrika Sonnenberg’s “Got drunk. Fell down” public art of three seemingly inebriated lamp posts. The sculptures are located at the South Battery Pier, near Bishop’s Landing.
To find the lamp posts, face the water and head to your right. Did you smell that delicious garlicy smell? You walked right past The Bicycle Thief” and the pasta is to die for.  If you are ready for dinner, it is an excellent choice. If you’d rather do more exploring, head south to Pier 21, about a ten minute walk along the water’s edge.This is also where the cruise ships dock. Look out across the water and you are looking at Georges Island, a National Historic Site, and a place of Acadian imprisonment during the deportation years. Have a peek, then head into Pier 21 for the history of Canadian immigration. Hours are 9:30-5:30, admission is $10. Take a rest and watch “In Canada”, a 20 minute film, take a guided tour or explore on your own. Be sure to write the Canadian immigration exam to see if you can pass! If you are feeling hungry, grab a sandwich, muffin or coffee at the downstairs café.Now let’s give you some choices. If you have had dinner already, and are putting off Pier 21 until tomorrow/return to Halifax, you may wish to continue walking. Head north along the water’s edge toward Cable Wharf. You will pass the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic on your left. Look for another piece of public art called The Wave. It used to be fenced off but the city gave up on trying to keep kids off it and instead installed rubber matting around the base. At Cable Wharf there are many cruises to choose from. Catch the 6pm Captain’s Cocktail cruise on the Tall Ship Silva or the evening cruise at 8. Tickets are $30. Bar and washrooms aboard. Help hoist the sails, steer from the helm or just enjoy the view. Call ahead (902-420-1015) and reserve or buy on the spot. Ticket pick up is inside Murphy’s gift shop by the dock. Alternately, walk past Cable Wharf to Chebucto Landing and ride the Halifax-Dartmouth ferry for $2.50. Ferries run every half hour until 11:30pm. It is the oldest, continuous salt water passenger ferry service in North America.Or perhaps you are starving. If I’ve left you at Pier 21, you may choose to walk back to the Bicycle Thief, or perhaps you’d rather return to the Waverley to freshen up. Walk north, either along the Water’s Edge (to the Bicycle Thief) or along the street (Marginal Rd will become Lower Water Street). Continue along Lower Water to Morris, hang a left and you will find the Inn at Barrington (2 blocks west). If you’re more up for pub fare and perhaps some local musical talent, take a taxi, or walk (about 20 minutes) to the Old Triangle on Prince Street (take Barrington north to Prince and then turn right. The Old Triangle will be just east of Hollis).If you have time for a sunset cruise, the wharf is directly east of you. Proceed east on Prince to the Water’s Edge (tucked in behind the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic).If it’s raining, never fear! Call Grafton Street Dinner Theatre (902-425-1961) or Halifax Feast (902)-420-1840. Cost is $54 per person or less, (depending on entree), and that includes dinner and show. Drinks are reasonable, food is excellent and the shows are very entertaining. Take a taxi - hey it's raining, right? Seating begins at 6pm. Either way, it's been a great day, eh? Tomorrow, after breakfast, you're heading to Maitland to ride the tide! 
Day 2 Maitland, Nova ScotiaGood morning! If you’re up early, there’s time to visit Pier 21 before your 12:00 check out. Eat well at breakfast, or grab a snack at the Pier; lunch options are limited in Maitland. Turn east on Morris, turn right at Lower Water and follow the street all the way to the museum (it will change names; don’t be alarmed). Be back in time to leave by noon. The tide today comes in at 2:00. Once you reach Maitland, you will be looking for a big blue house on the river’s edge. Maitland is tiny. It has one main store that also serves hamburgers, grilled cheese and ice cream. Set your GPS for 8681 Glooscap Trail, Route 215 Maitland, NS.  It’s going to be about an hour’s ride. Make sure you have your bathing suit, sunglasses, waterproof shoes (that fasten – not flip flops) and a change of clothes handy. There are both change rooms (with heated floors!) and showers on site. Check your map (maps included) and you’ll see we are headed north to the Bay of Fundy, home of the world’s highest tides! Maitland is located on the Shubenacadie River. It’s nicknamed the Chocolate River and you’ll soon see why. As the tide goes in and out twice each day, the sediment never has time to settle. 

Hiking Signal Hill, St. John's, Newfoundland

Prior to visiting Signal Hill in St John's, Newfoundland, Canada, I searched the internet in vain for the lowdown on hiking. I'm neither the most athletic nor the bravest when it comes to heights. Combine that with a middle-aged tendency to worry, and a fierce case of vertigo, and I wasn't sure hiking Signal Hill was for me. Particularly when I discovered a raging argument exists online between those who hiked with children and hold Parks Canada responsible for the lack of safety precautions, and those who feel children have no business on the trails in the first place. I'm a firm believer in "if a six year old can do it, so can I". But what if a six year old can't do it? That left me in a serious quandary.
A friend of mine, fellow teacher and serious hiker, assured me that I would have no problems. Still...
Well the day came, and there we stood, high above the city of St. John's, Newfoundland. on top of  Signal Hill, and we had to choose a way down.

There are actually several trails that begin at the National Historic Site - all offer amazing views of St. John's Bay, and the capital city itself. We had taken a taxi to Cabot Tower, right at the hill's summit, and there, buffeted by strong winds, we chose Lookout Trail. An easy 300 metre loop around the summit, Lookout Trail provides breathtaking views of both city and ocean. A second easy trail heads north towards Cuckold Cove. Known as Ladies Lookout, this 650 metre trail begins at the upper parking lot and crosses the summit, heading away from the city. We chose a third trail, Queen's Battery Barracks, that leads 500 metres down to the Visitor Interpretation Centre. It is rated by Parks Canada as an intermediate trail. Each trail was both gravel and dirt under foot with some rocky parts or scrubby brush to navigate around. Unfortunately for us, the rain chose at that moment to pour down and we returned to the greater safety of the roadway. This left two trails - the easy Burma Road trail, leading 1.2 kilometres toward Quidi Vidi Village, and the most challenging trail - North Head Trail for another day.
The following morning dawned sunny and dry and we chose to postpone our hike in favour of a boat tour on the Iceberg Quest. Leaving from Pier 6 on the St. John's harbourfront, Iceberg Quest takes visitors on scenic tours in search of puffins, whales, dolphins and, of course, icebergs. At a cost of $50 per person, it provides a fabulous view of North Head Trail from the ocean. And that beautiful summer's day, the trail was busy! This was the information I had been seeking! There seemed to be a ton of people, of all ages, fearlessly making their way along the trail, seemingly in no great danger. I was hooked and couldn't wait.

The tour itself was well worth the money. In addition to incredible views, we saw a humpback whale swim under our boat - apparently they are attracted to the colour orange, and Iceberg Quest accordingly paints all its boats orange. Fast on its heels was an entire pod of dolphins which amused themselves no end swimming under and around the poor whale. Then we saw the iceberg. Four stories high (and that's the portion we could see), and in more shades of white than I had realized existed, it floated serenely by. The captain sailed our boat around the iceberg and the crew reeled in floating chunks for us to touch and taste. In that moment there was nothing finer than a Coke and Screech over 12 000 year old ice cubes!

Our two hour cruise had stretched to 3 1/2, worth every minute - but that left us no time to return to Signal Hill. Our entire trip to St. John's had been shortened by fog delays and airport closures - though I am happy to report that as of 2016, St John's will have the necessary technology in place to land planes in fog. While disappointed - it is another reason to return to St. John's. In the meanwhile I have discovered Google Street Views now cover many of Canada's best hiking trails. I have enjoyed a virtual hike of North Head Trail and this is what I have learned:
1. North Head Trail is reported to be 3.7 kilometres and is classified as a loop by Parks Canada. I wouldn't say it's a loop, unless you include Signal Hill Road. People seemed to be evenly divided between those who chose to walk up, and those who chose to walk down. 2. The actual trail portion is 1.7 kilometres, and descends almost 500 feet. The average hiker takes 90 minutes to complete the trail portion - I imagine if you're heading up, it depends on your stamina for stairs!
3. It is not recommended to complete this trail in fog, rain or high winds. There will be times when you will be precariously close to the edge, with nothing but ocean far below you. For this reason, the trail is not recommended for young children. It is occasionally steep, the ground in places is loose dirt and gravel, and the paths are, at times, quite narrow.
4. There are many stairs - about 750 of them, so consider your own level of fitness before beginning.
5. In many places, boardwalks with railings have been installed. In other places, a chain has been attached to the side of the cliff as a handhold when the going is at its most precarious. You do not have to hold on - the trail is not wide, but more than adequate, though those going in opposite directions do well to take turns.

6. Stay on the trail - the terrain is rocky and you could find yourself on loose ground. You could also dislodge stones and cause others difficulties.
7. If you begin at the top, your starting area is behind Cabot Tower. If you begin at the bottom, follow Lower Battery Road. This is best reached from the foot of  Signal Hill Road, not far past the Sheraton Hotel.
8. Wear sturdy footwear, bring water and take tons of pictures!
9. Leave dogs at home, but enjoy meeting many happy tourists and friendly locals.
10. Reward yourself with Quidi Vidi's own brew - an ice-cold iceberg beer!


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Tour Guide Jack's Best Friend Package

Ready to share with you - excerpts of our sample itinerary for Tour Guide Jack's Best Friend Package! Why is it called the Best Friend Package? Because maybe you need more  direction than the Teacher's Package, and besides, it's always good to travel with a buddy! It's a daily itinerary complete with recommended accommodation, an organized list of must-see activities for each day of the trip with hours and admission prices, and advice on how to get from place to place. Of course it's organized so the itinerary flows - we wouldn't want you racing from one end of the city to the other - you're on vacation, right?

Tour Guide Jack’s Best Friend Package

7 Night Road Trip, Nova Scotia, Canada

Suggested accommodation: the Waverley Hotel, $129-159 double bed/queen size bed, standard room. Breakfast and parking included. Complimentary evening coffee/tea and snacks.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

·         Welcome to Halifax and the Waverley Inn, 1266 Barrington Street, Halifax (902) 423-9346. You’ve made a great choice – built in 1866, the Inn is about a ten minute walk to the Harbourfront, with buskers, cool public art, restaurants and patios, museums and boat cruises.

Samples of suggested activities:

·         After breakfast, head to Pier 21, Canada’s museum of immigration, 1055 Marginal Road. Hours are 9:30-5:30, admission is $10. About a 15 minute walk from your hotel.

·         Walking along the water’s edge, explore the waterfront and take in the scenery.

·         Find bikes to rent at I love bikes 902-406-7774, or try a Segway$29-$89, 40 minutes to 3 hours, 902 880-6630

·         A 20-25 minute walk (from Pier 21) will bring you to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, 1675 Lower Water Street, 902-424-7490, 9:30-5:30, $10

·         Enjoy a late lunch at the Old Triangle, an Irish Alehouse on Prince Street, just north of the Maritime Museum, or return to one of the many patio restaurants along the waterfront. Recommended: The Bicycle Thief

·         Or, use the app streetfoodapp.com/Halifax to fins some incredible food truck offerings – Panini, tacos, yum!

OR

·         Grab a cab to the Citadel (you can walk but it’s all uphill), hours 9-6, $9, daily cannon firing at noon

·         Visit the Grand Parade and St Paul’s Church, 1749 Argyle Street, the oldest building in Halifax, guided tours Monday – Friday 9-4

·         Lunch at the Economy Shoe Shop, 1663 Argyle

·         Continue along Argyle St. to see the road paintings – it’s not called Argyle for nothing!

·         Head down to 1496 Lower Water Street, and tour Alexander Keith’s Brewery. Open from 12-8, tours are every half hour and last one hour. Cost is $22.95 per person. Tour includes full size samples

·         Head to Cable Wharf. Catch the 6pm Captain’s Cocktail cruise on the Tall Ship Silva or the evening cruise at 8. Tickets are $30. Call ahead (902-420-1015) and reserve or buy on the spot. Ticket pick up is inside Murphy’s gift shop by the dock. Alternately, walk past Cable Wharf to Chebucto Landing and ride the Halifax-Dartmouth ferry for $2.50. Ferries run every half hour until 11:30pm.

Evening Activities:

·         Dinner and show at the Grafton Street Dinner Theatre (902-425-1961) or Halifax Feast (902) 420-1840). Cost is $54 per person or less (depends on entrée). Seating begins at 6pm. OR Tattle Tours Ghost Walk - no pre-booking required- meet at the Town Clock (near the Citadel) 7:30. Tour ends at Keith's Brewery. $15.

Tour Guide Jack's Teacher Package

Ready to share with you - excerpts of our sample itinerary for Tour Guide Jack's Teacher Package! Why is it called the Teacher Package? Because we can't help but give you thoughtful recommendations, suggestions for accommodations, lists of must-see activities, advice about local transportation, and helpful travel tips. You can take the tour guide out of the teacher but you'll never take the teacher out of Tour Guide Jack!

 

Tour Guide Jack’s Teacher Package

7 Night Road Trip, Nova Scotia, Canada

Accommodations and suggested itinerary: 1 night Halifax at the Waverley Inn, 1 night Maitland at Foley House, 2 nights Annapolis at the Royal King George Inn, 1 night Lunenburg at the Boscawen Inn, 2 nights Halifax at the Atlantica Hotel. All of these hotels, with the exception of the Atlantica, include parking and breakfast. The Atlantica offers a pool, sundeck and sauna. Parking is $20 Ca. per night. All of these accommodations offer free WIFI, and average about $110 C. per night.

Suggested Activities

Halifax: the capital of Nova Scotia

·       Waverley Inn puts you in walking distance of the harbourfront area, with many restaurants/patios, shops and boat tours/cruises

·       Visit Pier 21 for the history of immigration in Canada. See if you can pass Canada’s citizenship exam!

·       Tour Alexander Keith’s Brewery. Tour includes entertainment and refreshments.

·       The Maritime Museum of the Atlantica, includes Titanic memorabilia, and displays about the great explosion of 1917

·       Visit Fairview Cemetery, the final resting place for many of the bodies recovered from the Titanic

·       Dinner and Show at Grafton Street Dinner Theatre

·       Visit the Citadel

·       Join a ghost tour

Maitland: an hour’s drive north, to the mouth of the Shubenacadie River

·       Ride the tidal bore, an experience unique to the Bay of Fundy

·       Visit the Blue Beach Fossil Museum, home of the world’s oldest tetrapod footprints

·        Tour the National Historic Site of Grand Pre, a former Acadian settlement

Annapolis Royal: a 2 ½ hour drive west from Maitland, with Grand Pre and Blue Beach on route

·       Explore the Historic Gardens

·       See history come to life at Port Royal, the site of Champlain’s trading post, dating from 1605

·       Visit Fort Anne, the most hotly contested piece of property in all of North America

·       Tour the Annapolis Tidal Generating Station, the only tidal generating station in North America

·       Join a guided tour of the Annapolis graveyard by candlelight

·       Visit nearby Digby for a peek into the tidal pools with Gael Tours, or join Greg for the walking tour Stones, Steeples, Ships and Seafood

·       Zip line at Upper Clements Amusement and Tree Topper Adventure Park

·       Explore the haunted Sinclair Inn if you dare

·       Watch live theatre at the King’s Theatre

·       Take a walking tour and “stroll through the centuries”

·       Tour and taste at the Annapolis Highland Vineyards

Lunenburg: 1 hour and 45 minutes south from Annapolis Royal

·       Visit the home of the Bluenose, Canada’s most famous schooner

·       Explore the Fisheries Museum

·       Take a horse and buggy ride

·       Join a Lunenburg walking tour

·       Visit the Blacksmith’s Shop and sample the products of the Ironworks Distillery

·       Visit the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove – an hour and 15 minutes east/south

·       Peggy’s Cove is less than an hour from Halifax

Helpful hints and things worth knowing:

·       The currency is Canadian, banks are plentiful, Visa/MC/Amex are widely accepted

·       There are many car rental agencies inside the airport. Driving is on the right-hand side. Right hand turns are permitted at a red light after coming to a complete stop first.

·       The Halifax airport is quite far from the downtown area. Give yourself at least 45 minutes travelling time

·       English is the language most widely spoken, with some French, particularly around Annapolis Royal

·       Summer is tourist season, with late spring and early fall offering most of the same activities

·       The roads are paved, mostly one lane in either direction with opportunities to pass. The highway speed limit varies from 80-110 km/hour. Traffic is generally light and gas stations plentiful. Gas stations accept cash, debit and most major credit cards

·       Bed and Breakfasts are a great way to meet the locals as well as other travellers. Most offer either a queen/king size bed or two twins. Most suitable for two people sharing a room

·       Many activities depend on tide times. Be sure to check ahead of time, particularly for tidal bore rafting which leaves on high tide

·       River Runners, one of the tidal bore rafting companies offers a steak dinner with their three hour tour – particularly handy in a town too small for restaurants

·       River Runners provides boots and raincoats – your own waterproof shoes may be more comfortable but be sure they will stay fastened – this is a wild ride

·       If it’s too wild, bail and sit in the emergency boat and watch the show – no shame!

·       Ghost tours are an excellent (though seldom scary) way to get your bearings. Then revisit areas of interest later

·       Take bug spray; evenings are buggy

·       Be prepared for bus tours at Peggy’s Cove – it will be crowded. There is a restaurant and enormous gift shop on site.

·       The people are friendly and the seafood chowder is out of this world!!