Hafen
Sydney (CA)

OVERVIEW

Discover inventor Alexander Graham Bell’s many remarkable contributions to the world in his namesake museum in Baddeck, a lovely village on the shores of Bras d’Or Lake. You will drive there along the spectacularly scenic and circuitous Trans-Canada Highway. Upon arriving at the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, you will be struck by its unusual design, which is based on the tetrahedron form that the inventor used in his flight test kites. Although Bell is renowned for inventing the telephone, that groundbreaking accomplishment only touches upon the Scotsman’s scientific achievements. Bell earned 18 patents on his own and collaborated on another 12 in areas as diverse as medicine, genetics, electricity, sound, speech, aeronautics and marine engineering. You can learn more about the principles of drag, lift and weight as you explore the exhibits at the museum. On the return to Sydney, you will enjoy extraordinary views of Boulanderie Island and Kelly’s Mountain.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn about inventions by Alexander Graham Bell that go far beyond the telephone.
• See models of some of his co-inventions in aeronautics and watercraft.
• Recognize how the museum’s design evokes the look of Bell’s innovative kites.
• Enjoy ever-changing views of Nova Scotia’s natural beauty during the panoramic drives.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Delve into Cape Breton’s history by browsing two museums in the island’s Bras d’Or Lakes region, one focusing on the Gaelic culture, the other on the island’s most famous resident. While meandering about the Highland Village Museum, you will begin to understand what island life what like in the 18th and 19th centuries. This outdoor museum boasts a collection of historical buildings with costumed guides that will demonstrate traditional skills such as quilting and wool dying. It offers an entertaining way to learn about the once prominent Gaelic lifestyle. After lunch at a local restaurant, explore the village of Baddeck .The area’s most celebrated resident was Alexander Graham Bell, a Scotsman who lived in nearby Baddeck. At his namesake museum, you will learn about some of his inventions, which go far beyond the telephone. Bell held or co-held 30 patents in fields as diverse as medicine and marine engineering. Inside, you will find full-scale replicas of his co-inventions, including the Silver Dart airplane.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Get a glimpse of the island’s early Gaelic culture at the outdoor Highland Village Museum.
• Browse historical buildings and watch costumed guides perform traditional chores.
• Tour Alexander Graham Bell’s namesake museum for a look into his life and inventions.
• See models of some of his co-inventions in fields such as aeronautics and electricity.
• Spend free time independently exploring Bell’s hometown of Baddeck.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Savor some of Sydney’s most characteristic foods and beverages and gain historical insight into the town while walking between venues. While sampling a selection of locally brewed craft drinks, you will learn about the brewing process step by step and how it affects the taste. The exact ones chosen for the sampling will depend on what’s freshest and seasonal, but you can be sure that they will reflect the locally sourced ingredients. You will also be served some of Sydney’s most popular, local sourced and representative foods.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Taste a selection of locally brewed craft drinks in a downtown brewery.
• Sample local foods.
• Receive a recipe for one of the dishes so you can prepare it later at home.
• Learn a bit about Sydney’s history while passing key landmarks downtown and North End.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Walk through the historical district of Sydney with a guide dressed in a period costume and see landmarks that reflect how the city has evolved since its founding in 1785. Taking shape around the coal & steel industries, many buildings from that time still remain, although they serve different purposes. See the oldest church in town, St. Patrick’s Church, which is now a museum,housing artifacts from Sydney’s earliest years. You will visit & browse Jost House – the town’s oldest wooden building – which now holds a museum with items such as a beehive bake oven, models of ships and an apothecary. Pausing outside the Cossit House, the oldest residence in Sydney, you will gain great insight into the life of Reverend Ranna Cossit and his wife, who died there at age 47 while giving birth to their 13th child. Visiting St. George’s Anglican will also be enlightening as it is Sydney’s oldest building.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through Sydney’s historical downtown, which dates to the late 1700s.
• Hear stories of Sydney earliest years from a guide dressed in a period costume.
• See the oldest church, oldest residence and oldest wooden building in Sydney.
• Browse the artifacts in historical buildings that are now museums.
• Remain in Sydney after the walking tour and explore on your own if you wish.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Sydney, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie expert guide will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.

As you walk through Sydney, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Sydney sign
• Cape Breton Centre
• Merchant Mariner Monument
• Waterfront Boardwalk
• Saint George’s Anglican Church
• A Land of Our Own statue
• Big Fiddle Statue

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Sydney.
• Follow tips from your selfie expert guide to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Pose before the world’s largest fiddle, a 60-foot-high solid-steel musical instrument.
• Walk along a boardwalk with the sea as a backdrop.
• See works from local artisans at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design.
• Behold a late 18th-century stone Anglican church built in the Gothic Revival style.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Watch a captivating performance of live music and storytelling while dining on mussels, one of the most characteristic dishes served on Cape Breton Island. The stage is just a few steps away in the Royal Cape Breton Room in the cruise pavilion overlooking the dock. How fitting that Sydney’s iconic 50-foot-high Celtic fiddle is right outside as Buddy MacDonald, a renowned Celtic singer and musician, will provide the entertainment. Sydney is known as a hotbed of Celtic music and Cape Breton Island-born MacDonald one of the genre’s most celebrated artists. He has toured all over the world but performing on the island is among his favorite venues. While listening to his original music and entertaining stories, you will learn about the local history, coal mining and fishing. During the performance, you will dine on steamed mussels and garlic toast accompanied by a flight of local craft beers and hard ciders.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a performance by celebrated Celtic musician and storyteller Buddy MacDonald.
• Gain insight into the local history and culture through MacDonald’s music and stories.
• Dine on native Cape Breton Island mussels and a flight of beers and cider during the show.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Drive along the phenomenally scenic Cabot Trail into Cape Breton Highlands National Park – the largest protected wilderness area in Nova Scotia – and stop along the way at landmark attractions. As an introduction to the island’s natural beauty, you will first pause at St. Anns Overlook to snap photos of the sweeping panorama. Other brief stops will be made at The Gaelic College, where traditional Gaelic arts are taught, and at the Keltic Lodge, a premier hilltop resort with a highlands link golf course. Lunch follows at a popular restaurant in the nearby town of Ingonish, which was founded as a fishing port perhaps in the early 1500s. Free time follows on Ingonish Beach, a narrow strip of land that borders the ocean on one side and a large freshwater lake on the other. It was the favorite beach of Alexander Graham Bell, the famed Scottish that lived in nearby Baddeck.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a scenic drive along Cabot Trail, which loops through the island’s northern half.
• Behold the island’s natural beauty from atop St. Anns Overlook.
• Pause at historical landmarks such as The Gaelic College and the Keltic Lodge.
• Dine in the town of Ingonish and spend free time exploring its namesake beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Watch a performance that celebrates the Celtic musical heritage of Cape Breton and the fiddle, its most iconic instrument. Although steel and coal production once drove the economy, Sydney is now known as a hotbed of Celtic music. A 50-foot-high Celtic fiddle at the cruise terminal honors that history and will provide an ideal setting for a piper to play a tune that will introduce you to the island’s iconic music. After taking a seat in the pavilion’s Kavanaugh Room, you will see a lenghtier performance of traditional music that reflects the island’s Scottish, Irish and Acadian influences. Cape Breton supposedly has more fiddlers per capita than anywhere else in the world, so it is only fitting that a fiddle will be featured. The performance will also include singers and a unique form of step-dancing in which the movement of the upper body is more limited than in other forms of step-dancing.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Listen to a piper play a Celtic tune at the 50-foot-high fiddle statue at the cruise terminal.
• Watch a performance of traditional Celtic music inside a pavilion at the cruise terminal.
• Be awed by the talent of the accomplished fiddle players, singers and step-dancers.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Board your motor coach to explore Sydney, the largest community and commercial center of Cape Breton Island. Begin your tour in the historic north end settled in 1785 by British Loyalists from the New England colonies and pass by Victoria Park, the site of the original garrison camp. Continue to the First Nations community of Membertou where you’ll celebrate the heritage, culture and unique history of these people through educational and interactive experiences.

Your tour guide and/or Elders of Membertou will encourage you to experience their story, learn Mi’kmaq dance and drum as they provide a hands on demonstration. Sample traditional Mi’kmaq food and, or treat as you learn about the history of their food. Enjoy a walk in their garden area and visit Petroglyphs Gift Shop featuring arts and crafts from the Mi’kmaq Nation and other First Nations across Atlantic Canada.

You’ll then proceed to Whitney Pier, the former site of Sydney Steel Mill which dates back to 1900. Visit the Historical Museum and learn about the importance the Sydney Coal Fields have on the local economy. These industries brought immigrants from many parts of the world resulting in multicultural mix of more than 50 ethnic backgrounds. You’ll then board your coach returning to the ship along the waterfront.

Board your motor coach to explore Sydney, the largest community and commercial center of Cape Breton Island. Begin your tour in the historic north end settled in 1785 by British Loyalists from the New England colonies and pass by Victoria Park, the site of the original garrison camp. Continue through downtown Sydney with a brief stop at Wentworth Park for a photo opportunity. You’ll then proceed to Whitney Pier, the former site of Sydney Steel Mill which dates back to 1900. Visit the Historical Museum and learn about the importance the Sydney Coal Fields have on the local economy. These industries brought immigrants from many parts of the world resulting in a multicultural mix of more than 50 ethnic backgrounds. Continue through the First Nations community of Membertou, a modern day blueprint for all aboriginal communities in North America. Return to the pier where you can do some shopping at the cruise terminal, visit the Interpretation Center and The Big Ceilidh Fiddle.

OVERVIEW

Meander through the charming streets of Sydney and discover much about its early history through an array of monuments and architectural gems. Your walking tour will begin at Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design, where the creativity of the local artisans will be on display and you may see jewelers, weavers, dyers and glassblowers working on new pieces. Outdoor monuments nearby include one dedicated to the sailors who served Canada in the merchant navy during the world wars and the Big Fiddle, an oversized steel musical instrument that pays tribute to the folk music of the province’s Celtic community. While browsing Jost House, Sydney’s oldest original wooden building, be sure to notice the more unusual furnishings such as the beehive bake oven. St. George’s Anglican is notable for being the island’s oldest church.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through Sydney’s historical downtown, which dates to the late 1700s.
• View a monument to Canada’s merchant navy and another that celebrates Celtic folk music.
• Visit the island’s oldest church and see the unusual tombstones in the graveyard.
• Purchase fine crafts by local artisans in an acclaimed design center, if you wish.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Sample a beer in three downtown pubs, all of them offering a selection of local brews and imported favorites from Ireland and England. A short walk will bring you to the Old Triangle Irish Alehouse, the first pub where you will sample a beer. It’s only natural that this tour begins at an Irish alehouse, as Sydney has deep Celtic roots. The Old Triangle offers nearly two dozen different brews, ranging from Guinness Irish Stout to an India Pale Ale known simply as Keith’s. Your second stop will be the Crown & Moose Pub. This waterfront pub has an English flair, which is reflected in the selection of beers. The atmosphere is casual and inviting, an ideal setting to sip another brew. Then it’s on to Daniel’s Restaurant & Bar, home to cold beer, great food and good times. Enjoy a beer from a selection of Nova Scotia brews or perhaps one that reminds you of home.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample a selection of distinctive beers at three pubs in Sydney.
• Enjoy locally made brews and others from Ireland and England.
• Revel in the pub life, which is similar that in the British Isles.
• Note the 50-foot-high Celtic fiddle at the cruise terminal that honors Nova Scotia’s roots.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a hearty lobster boil at The Flavor on the Water Beer Garden, a popular outdoor venue that looks out over Sydney’s historical waterfront. Locally caught, ethically and sustainably harvested lobsters are always available on Cape Breton Island. They are among the world’s tastiest lobsters because of the favorable environmental conditions that impact their flavor. These crustaceans are cooked in every way imaginable but as you will discover firsthand boiling them may be the most classic preparation. A chef will demonstrate how it is traditionally done on the island. Afterwards, a local musician and lobster expert will demonstrate how to properly shuck a lobster after it is boiled. He will also regale you with entertaining songs about life along the eastern coast of Canada and how lobstering has changed over the years. Your lobster lunch comes with melted butter, a side of potato salad and a beverage.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Dine on locally caught, freshly boiled lobster at an outdoor waterfront restaurant.
• Watch how a chef prepares the lobster for your meal.
• See how to easily and properly remove the lobster meat from the shell by shucking.
• Listen to entertaining songs by a local musician while dining.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing for an outdoor dining experience.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
• Alternate indoor venue is available in case of inclement weather.

Explore the history and culture of the first native Canadians to meet Europeans during this scenic and informative, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island, Bras d'Or Lake, Eskasoni Island, Mi'kmaq People

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive to Eskasoni Island (Goat Island). En route, take in some of Nova Scotia's most beautiful scenery whilst driving along the shores of Bras d'Or Lake. Canada's only inland sea, Bras d'Or Lake is nestled within the very heartland of Cape Breton Island. Upon arrival at Eskasoni, the largest Mi'kmaq-speaking community in the world, you are greeted and welcomed by the Mi'kmaq people, the first native people to meet Europeans.

Traditional Mi'kmaq Experiences, Snack, and Gift Shop

Your guide will then teach you about the traditions and history of the Mi'kmaq people by taking you to several villages during a guided walking tour. While touring you will get some hands-on experiences in either the craft of basket making, hunting and fishing technique, taking part in a smudging ceremony, playing the ancient game of Waltes, or making traditional bread over the open fire. Watch a traditional dance- The Kouja- and after receiving some instructions, perform it for yourself! The trading post expert will also teach you about some of the traditional products and tools that were made for trading. Storytelling has always been important to the Mi'kmaq people, so while you're here you will enjoy the tales that make up the vibrant culture for a fully rounded experience. Finish with a welcome snack of Luskinigan- a traditional Mi'kmaq quick bread, and tea served by interpreters.

Following the tour you can browse the gift shop for native crafts, jewellery, art and books before re-boarding your coach for the scenic hour drive back to the pier.

Travel back in time to 1740 during this memorable, half-day excursion to the renowned Fortress of Louisbourg. The Fortress of Louisbourg offers an opportunity to imagine life in the toughest of conditions almost 300 years ago with beautiful visuals in static displays, surrounded by the beauty of the architecture of the buildings.

Fortress of Louisbourg

The Fortress is Canada's largest historical reconstruction, where you step back in time to the 18th century when Louisbourg was a thriving seaport - one of the busiest harbours in North America. The site has been meticulously rebuilt to one quarter of the 18th century town on the foundations of the original by following detailed blueprints from Paris archives.

Guided Walking Tour

Depart the pier for approximately 45-minute drive to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site and along the way, cross over the Mira River which is the longest navigable river in Nova Scotia. Upon arrival at the Fortress, and following a brief orientation tour with your guide, you are then free to explore this fascinating historic site on your own, taking in the beauty of the exterior architecture of the buildings and visiting some of the exhibit buildings that will be open for your viewing pleasure.

Site Exploration

Stimulate your senses with workshops that offer opportunities to explore a place that time has forgotten. Rub shoulders with Louisbourg's resilient residents and time travel into their challenging lives. Talk to a Compagnies Franches soldier about life at Louisbourg and witness the smoke and noise during a musket firing demonstration. Visit one of Louisbourg's finest homes where a servant awaits your arrival to give you a glimpse into their life serving the elite. See how hot chocolate, one of the favorite treats of Louisbourg's high society, was prepared.

At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach for the approximate 45-minute drive back to the pier.

Your journey takes you across some of the island's most dynamic landscapes, weaving a route through rugged countryside and along the shores of the famous Bras d'Or Lakes.

Bras d'Or Lakes, Nova Scotia Highland Village Museum

Depart the pier for the approximately one hour drive to the Nova Scotia Highland Village Museum, an open-air museum situated on a stunning 43-acre property overlooking the Bras d'Or Lakes. Established in 1959, the educational and representational Highland Village brings together historic and replica structures, carefully curated collections and artifacts, entertaining activities and tales, and costumed animators passionate about sharing local culture, to compellingly tell the story of Gaelic settlement in Nova Scotia.

Storytelling Tour, Refreshments

Enjoy approximately two hours on this sweeping, scenic site to partake in a special storytelling tour conducted by costumed staff. You will also participate in a "milling frolic," a hands-on textile-working experience that sees you singing Gaelic songs, drinking tea and nibbling on traditional Scottish oatcakes.

At the conclusion of your experience, re-board the vehicle for the approximate one-hour return drive to the pier.

Guided Walking Tour

Discover the colonial town of Old Sydney, the part of town where the Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution settled in 1785. From the pier, your local guide dressed in period costume leads you along the streets where stately buildings have stood for almost as long as the community itself. Along the way you will see St Patrick's Church, the oldest Catholic Church in town. You will visit Jost House the oldest home in Sydney today where you will see 3 centuries of artifacts. Next you will see the oldest part of town and will be entertained by your guide with stories of great love, mayhem, and murder from the past. You will see the old market and firehouse, along the way to Cossit House, where you will be told about the Cossit family and how they lived. Continuing along, you will pause outside St George's Church, the oldest building in Sydney today. Here, you will learn of the church’s history and connection with the Cossit family.

Following the stop at St. George's, you may choose to walk back to the pier or linger in town to do some further exploring on your own or some shopping.

Discover why Alexander Graham Bell made Baddeck his summer home during a half-day excursion to this charming village, and a tour of the museum dedicated to the inventor.

Depart the pier for approximately one-hour scenic drive to Baddeck. En route, pass over the Seal Island Bridge and make a photo stop at Kelly's Mountain (weather permitting). Upon arrival in Baddeck, proceed for a visit to the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, which is located across the bay from Bell's estate.

Alexander Graham Bell Museum

The museum's three exhibition halls contain the largest collection of Bell's artefacts and inventions, including replicas of the first telephones and a full-scale model of the HD-4 hydrofoil craft. In addition to the invention of the telephone, Bell also made remarkable contributions in the fields of medicine, genetics, electricity, sound and speech, aeronautics, and marine engineering. Displays to be seen during your visit include original artefacts, photographs, and exhibits highlighting his extensive research and inventions.

Baddeck

Afterward, re-board your coach for the brief drive to the centre of Baddeck. Upon arrival, some free time is made available to discover the heart of this quaint village. Located on an inlet of the Bras d'Or Lakes, Baddeck is the region's most highly developed tourist centre and is world-renowned as a fine resort community. It was in this attractive setting that Alexander Graham Bell built his home, Beinn Bhreagh, or 'Beautiful Mountain' in Gaelic.

Following your visit, re-board your coach for the approximate one-hour drive back to the pier.

Kommen Sie mit auf einen Spaziergang durch die Natur, bei dem Ihnen die Nachfahren des indigenen Volkes der Mi'kmaq die traditionellen Praktiken und Medizin ihrer Kultur näherbringen. In der Mi'kmaq-Kultur tief verankert ist außerdem der Traumfänger. Legen Sie selbst Hand an und gestalten Sie mit Hilfe der großen Auswahl an Farben und Materialien Ihren eigenen Traumfänger für zuhause.

Der Ausflug, kurz zusammengefasst: 

• Etwa 1-stündiger Spaziergang auf dem Naturlehrpfad der Mi'kmaq mit Erklärungen zu Kräutermedikamenten, Wurzeln, Moosen und Beeren
• Herstellung eines eigenen Traumfängers als Andenken an Ihre Zeit in Membertou
• Währenddessen Verkostung von traditionellem Luskinikn-Brot und Melasse

Bei einem Besuch in das Highland Village, das einen fantastischen Panoramablick auf den Bras-d’Or-See bietet, reisen Sie in die Vergangenheit: Schauen Sie einem Hufschmied und einer Weberin bei ihrer Arbeit über die Schultern, und fühlen Sie sich so in das Leben einer gälischen Siedlung im 19. Jahrhundert zurückversetzt.

Der Ausflug, kurz zusammengefasst:

• Etwa 1-stündige Fahrt entlang landschaftlich reizvoller Strecke
• 2 Stunden Zeit zur individuellen Besichtigung des Highland Village
• Kostümierte Charaktere in 11 restaurierten Gebäuden erzählen die Geschichte der gälischen Besiedlung von 1770 bis 1920

Erleben Sie bei Ihrem Besuch der rekonstruierten, ehemaligen französischen Festungsstadt Louisbourg Geschichte hautnah. Mit den etwa 50 Gebäuden vor Ort wurde rund ein Viertel der ehemaligen Anlage wiederhergestellt - bei einem Spaziergang durch die Stadt und der Interaktion mit kostümierten Schaustellern verschaffen Sie sich einen Einblick in die Geschichte und das Leben im 18. Jahrhundert.

Der Ausflug, kurz zusammengefasst:

• Rund 1-stündige Fahrt nach Louisbourg
• Geführter Spaziergang durch einige der restaurierten Gebäude (ca. 45 Minuten)
• Zeit zur individuellen Erkundung des Areals und Interaktion mit den Schaustellern oder zur Einkehr in einem authentischen Lokal (etwa 1,5 Stunden)

Im idyllisch am Bras-d’Or-See gelegenen Freilichtmuseum Highland Village wird die schottische Vergangenheit der Region zum Leben erweckt: Kostümierte Schausteller erzählen Ihnen die Geschichte der gälischen Besiedlung der Region im 19. Jahrhundert. Im malerischen Örtchen Baddeck im Herzen von Cape Breton tauchen Sie ein in die Erfindungen Alexander Graham Bells, welche die moderne Welt geprägt haben.

Der Ausflug, kurz zusammengefasst:

• Rund 1-stündige Anfahrt zum Freilichtmuseum auf landschaftlich schöner Strecke
• Zeit zur individuellen Besichtigung der 11 restaurierten Gebäuden des Highland Village (etwa 1,5 Stunden)
• Weiterfahrt auf die Nordwest-Seite des Sees nach Baddeck (etwa 1 Stunde)
• Rund 2,5 Stunden Freizeit im Ort inklusive Eintrittsticket für das Alexander-Graham-Bell-Museum (Besichtigung erfolgt auf eigene Faust)