August/September: This photography tour is not currently in the schedule, but can be added by request

  12 nights/13 inclusive days  |  Maximum of 6 participants, and a minimum of 4 participants

Photography Tour Overview:  Historic and photogenic lighthouses to magnificent coastal landscapes . . . all this and more in this Atlantic province that owes much to its Scottish and French heritage. Europeans sailing west over the centuries fought hard over this Atlantic province in eastern Canada, but today all is harmony. Those adversaries of old, primarily French and Scottish, combine for the unique culture that makes Nova Scotia what it is today. It is a distinctly maritime nation, and our mainly coastal jaunt will provide many a lasting image to treasure. As with all of our photography tours, early and late shooting is scheduled for each day.

Our itinerary . . .
But first things first! We suggest that you set your camera's clock to the local time, as your images will then synchronize with the times in our included photo tour field notes.

Day 1  |  Halifax Citadel and Peggy's Cove Lighthouse
We kick off our Nova Scotia photo tour with the included lunch, plus a digital orientation of images you'll shoot during the next nine days. We start the photography at the historic Citadel that overlooks Halifax. The fort was established by the British in 1856, and the pictures here will include the color of the resident regiments. Then on south to a small peninsula containing the community of Prospect. Quality maritime scenes are to be had there, and we'll move on to the famed Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, which is the only one in North America containing a post office. The harbor nearby is particularly picturesque. On to Indian Harbor for our first night.
Near Peggy's Cove, 1 night

Day 2  |  The Lighthouse Route: Mahone Bay, Lunenburg and Blue Rocks
Indian Harbor is particularly photogenic, and after time amid the fish crates, et cetera, we'll round St. Margaret's Bay and move on to frame Mahone Bay's three wooden churches from a couple of different angles. Via Lunenburg to the Blue Rocks area, and south to Kingsburg . . . both are quality photo locations. Western Head and Moose Harbor near Liverpool will also get our attention before moving on to Shelburne.
Shelburne, 1 night

Day 3  |  The Lighthouse Route: Shelburne and Yarmouth
Shelburne is steeped in a turbulent history, and we'll learn of this on the harbor at the Dory Shop, and at the Ross-Thomson House. On route to Yarmouth, stops at Ingomar and Barrington, where the land-locked Seal Island Light [house] is a visual oddity.
Yarmouth, 1 night

Day 4  |  The Lower Evangeline Trail: Yarmouth Bar and Belliveau Cove
A potpourri of images will greet us on Yarmouth Bar this morning, and will be topped by the 1840 Yarmouth Lighthouse. Heading north we'll take in the largest wooden church in North America at Church Point, the little lighthouse sitting on the harbor at Belliveau Cove, and explore the Point Prim area.
Annapolis Royal, 1 night

Day 5  |  The Upper Evangeline Trail: Fort Anne, Port Royal, Bay of Fundy and Halls Harbour
Fort Anne National Historic Site in Annapolis Royal was a British stronghold from 1710 to 1749, and it will get our morning attention, as will the Port Royal National Historic Site where the first Europeans settled in 1605. Moving over to the Bay of Fundy, we'll take in the quiet harbors of Parkers Cove and Hampton, et cetera, as we go northeast to another coastal gem, Halls Harbor. Light permitting, our day will close with the late light on the Bay of Fundy and the rural scenes viewed from the Blomidon Lookoff.
New Minas, 1 night

Day 6  |  Grand Pré National Historic Site, Windsor and Waterfalls
Following early light photography and breakfast our first stop will be at the Grand Pré National Historic Site to photograph the monument to Evangeline, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's fictional character in the poem about the Acadian expulsions of 1755. In Windsor the historic Shand House is always worth a visit if only for a taste of the old Nova Scotia. Via Five Mile River and a detour for a waterfall, and on to the Loch Broom area, specifically Green Hill, which provides panoramas of lush Nova Scotia farmland. On to Pictou for the night where the Scots originally landed in 1773 to create this 'new Scotland'.
Pictou, 1 night

Day 7  |  Pictou, Margaree Harbour and Cap Rouge
If they have the time, we'll take breakfast with our hosts who hail from the same spot in England as John does. Then on departure from Pictou, shots back towards the town from the causeway with Cormorants perched on old pier pilings (our 1995 group also enjoyed a Bald Eagle at the same spot). On east to Cape Breton Island via highway 104, and the Canso Causeway . . . the deepest on the planet. On the Cabot Trail we'll join the coast at Margaree Harbor and find more to shoot  at Cheticamp, Cap Rouge, and more as we head for our overnight stop.
Pleasant Bay, 1 night

Days 8, 9 + 10  |  Cabot Trail: Mabou, Bird Islands, Iona, Fort Louisbourg and Baddeck
Early on day 8 we re-join the Cabot Trail, and move along Aspy Bay to Bay St. Lawrence for gulls and working boat scenes. Then back down the east side of the island taking in delights such as Neil's Harbor, the Ingonish area and Kings Point et cetera.
On days 9 and 10 we'll take a loop trip to photograph the Mabou/Mabou Harbor region, and rendezvous with a Scottish bagpiper and Scotian 'old salt'. Fort Louisbourg, a replica of an original French Fort and Iona's 'Highland Village' will constitute our other loop trip and take us briefly to 'France' and 'Scotland' respectively! Long lenses will be needed for our trip to Bird Islands, with, hopefully, Bald Eagles diving for fish. Our village home, Baddeck, is worthy of photo exploration, and will include a trip to the Alexander Graham Bell museum.
Baddeck, 3 nights

Day 11  |  The Marine Drive: Sherbrooke and Wine Head
We'll leave Cape Breton island and get on the Marine Drive today. On route to Sherbrooke we'll explore the Strait of Canso, photograph the lighthouse on Rock Island, the Boylston area, and indulge in Port Felix vistas et cetera, et cetera. A trip to Wine Head is also scheduled while we are in the Sherbrooke area.
Sherbrooke, 1 night

Day 12  |  The Marine Drive: Sherbrooke to Lake Thomas
Historic Sherbrooke is a real treat if you enjoy stepping back in time with your camera. Lots of costumed docents are on the streets early, and a potpourri of still life images are to be composed. As we journey back towards the Halifax area our photo opportunities will include an abundance of lilies (if the season holds), fishermen and clam gatherers, et cetera. The included dinner on the last night of our photography tour will feature an 'It's You!' presentation of clients in action on this tour by John.
Near the Halifax airport, 1 night

Day 13  |  Departure day
As there isn't any photography scheduled for the day of departure on this trip, your flight home can be arranged for any time today. Transport to the airport is included unless you’re staying on for a day or more.

Photo Tour Photographer/Leader: John Baker, Travel Images Photography Tours
The preceding itinerary is a copyrighted work by John Baker Photographer LLC, and Travel Images Photography Tours

Enhancing Your Photography Skills
Describing the assistance you'll receive on one of our photography tours takes more than a few words, so for greater detail please go here.

Exertion level: This photography tour is classified as 'non strenuous' to 'mildly strenuous'

A majority of images are found in close proximity to our vehicle

In every other respect this photography tour is considered non-strenuous to mildly strenuous

Do you need a Visa for travel to Canada?
Travelers from all countries can do a quick check of visa requirements here or here
Our international clients may need to contact the embassy of their intended destination in their own country for a visa. Go here or here

Photography Tour Cost, Deposit, Cancellation Policy and Enrollment Guidance

Trip Cost: $5,736 USD per person not including airfare. A 5% discount is applied to all double occupancies. A single room supplement is required for single occupancy

Single Supplement: 14% of the base cost of the trip

The deposit for this photography tour is $400. Make a deposit, or pay your tour balance here

Cancellation policy: Go here

Enrollment guidance: Go here

Included in the Trip Cost: The following items are included in the trip cost . . .

• Photography instruction throughout the trip by John

• All accommodations with private facilities [en-suite]

• All breakfasts

• Lunch on day one of the trip

• Dinner on the last night of the trip

• On-vehicle snacks and bottled water

• All ground transportation

• Airport pick-up on day 1, and drop-off on departure day. Arrival prior to day 1 is not included

• Entrance fees for sites and activities listed below under ‘Admissions Included’

• Following the trip you'll receive detailed field notes describing the time, place and subject of each photo stop, plus image uploads to a private web page of clients 'in action' on the trip

Not Included in the Trip Cost: The costs for these items are the responsibility of each participant . . .

• Airfare

• Travel costs between your home and the gateway airport and return

• Any transportation or travel costs incurred prior to or after the tour’s inclusive dates

• Pre-tour and/or post-tour accommodation

• Lunches and dinners except for lunch on day one of the trip, and dinner on the last night of the trip

• Alcoholic beverages

• Entrance fees or costs related to optional sites or activities not included in the itinerary

• Baggage fees

• Medical expenses

• Personal items such as the hotel mini-bar, laundry et cetera

• Incidental charges incurred at our accommodations such as movie rentals, internet and phone

• Travel insurance

• Passport or visa expenses

• Airport departure taxes, if applicable

Admissions Included in the Trip Cost:

• Halifax Citadel

• Boat trip to Bird Islands

• Whale watching trip

• Historic Sherbrooke village

• Iona highland village

• Fort Louisbourg

• Ross-Thomson House Museum

• Fort Anne National Historic Site

• Port Royal National Historic Site

• Grand Pré National Historic Site

• Shand House

• Hector Heritage Quay