Blue Diamond tours Halifax & Don Blackwood in Sydney nova scotia

I am looking for anyone out there that have used these companies service either in halifax, nova scotia or Sydney nova scotia. Would like to know whats good about them or bad if any? Also would like to know what vechiles you traveled in and what tours you did? I would love to hear from you you can either message me here or email me at lizusatravel@gmail.com. thanks............

Blue Diamond Tours is probably the best tour company we have dealt with in all of our travels. Our excursion in Nova Scotia was amazing -- we had an incredibly interesting and knowledgeable tour guide who brought the past to life for us.

Sydney's tour was also very good . . . but, IMO, Sydney did not have much to offer compared to Nova Scotia. Blue Diamond showed us what was of interest of Sydney -- but, they didn't have much to work with.

If you have questions, I suggest you email them directly. We found them very responsive and happy to answer our questions.

In sydney, go to fort louisburg. It is worth a whole day.

Blue Diamond Tours is probably the best tour company we have dealt with in all of our travels. Our excursion in Nova Scotia was amazing -- we had an incredibly interesting and knowledgeable tour guide who brought the past to life for us.

 

Sydney's tour was also very good . . . but, IMO, Sydney did not have much to offer compared to Nova Scotia. Blue Diamond showed us what was of interest of Sydney -- but, they didn't have much to work with.

 

If you have questions, I suggest you email them directly. We found them very responsive and happy to answer our questions.

Can you please tell me what vechiles you traveled in was it comfortable for 5 large people, What vechile in halifax what vechile in sydney????

Thanks

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1687976

The above thread outlines my thoughts on what to do in Sydney (which is part of Nova Scotia, by the way).

This thread takes you to Tom's Port guide for Sydney. He has not been to Louisbourg, which is my #1 choice in season, but it is a good guide and he toured with Don Blackburn. http://www.**************.com/SydneyNS-10-05-2011.pdf

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=828325&page=4

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-g154967-i326-k5456035-Cabot_trail_shore_excursion-Nova_Scotia.html

I have a full page of notes for Halifax, gleaned from posts here on Trip Advisor. You can do a search here to find previous posts, or find me on TA, Nova Scotia forums (same name and avatar) and send me a message.

We used Paul at Halifax Titanic Tours. We had a LARGE GMC Yukon. That, by far, was the most comfortable vehicle we had ever been in. Paul wore s suit, had speakers in the back and drop-down screens (each row) for a video about the explosion in the harbor. He was very knowledgeable, polite and fascinating. We also were lucky enough to walk thru the public gardens (where there is a mini Titanic in the lake) and got free ice cream 'cuz it was the end of the season. I most say, every tour we did on our 11 day cruise, Quebec to NJ was outstanding. We were very lucky with the weather also. I would recommend Paul.

Thanks for this review which I have added to my notes. It sounds like you had a great day.

maryann ns,

If we are going to be in Sydney in early October, during the shoulder season. Will there be enough to do at Fortress Louisbourg for us to spend our day there? We are looking at Blue Diamond tours and they have a 6 hour tour there with an optional return via the Marconi trail which they say adds an hour and 15 minutes to the tour.

Do you have any thoughts on this?

Thanks.

http://www.bbb.org/maritime-provinces/business-reviews/tours-operators-and-promoters/blue-diamond-tours-in-halifax-ns-21288

There is no listing for Don Blackwood with the BBB.

Alaalaska I will answer tomorrow.

I have been lucky to go to Louisbourg quite a few times, always with animators. To me they add greatly to the experience. I like the feeling of being immersed into 1744. I try to avoid using the modern washrooms because opening the door to florescent lights is very jarring.

However, if you think you will never be back and are interested in history, Louisbourg is top notch. All the plans for it were archived in France, so the reconstruction is very accurate.

Another great way to spend a day from Sydney is to rent a car and go to Baddeck, including the Alexander Graham Bell Museum. The carry on to Iona and if it is open go to the Highland village (It was open til Octo 14 this year). Even if it is not open, this is a beautiful drive. Here is the route to take:

https://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=60+Esplanade,+Sydney,+NS&daddr=Baddeck,+NS+to:Iona,+NS+to:Christmas+Island,+NS+to:60+Esplanade,+Sydney,+NS&hl=en&sll=46.143263,-60.199435&sspn=0.007538,0.021136&geocode=FR8XwAId9W1p_CmbH50ALPtnSzFfpTDOnDd2Jw%3BFc1tvwIdDPVg_CnPkSNJLGJdSzHz0SeXSM56XA%3BFZJPvQIdijBg_Cl3_U_XX2hdSzG-umoFiqZDow%3BFRVTvQIdPNpg_CmLNVmJ_mddSzHgrABkv7cAyg%3BFR8XwAId9W1p_CmbH50ALPtnSzFfpTDOnDd2Jw&oq=sy&mra=ls&t=m&z=10

http://museum.gov.ns.ca/hv/en/home/default.aspx

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/grahambell/index.aspx

We have just returned on Ncl Gem Canada cruise....we used Brucetours in Halifax.......Bruce gave a great tour of Halifax,Titanic cemetry,Peggys cove.....pay at the end of tour....he has a six passenger van.

We went with Ncl in Cornerbrook,Sydney.

"Live" Review of cruise

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1719987&page=4

We will be in Sydney, Canada 9/4/13 on HAL Veendam. Looking for tours.

Does anyone know what kind of vehicles this comapny uses and how many people are on them?:confused:

We will be in Sydney, Canada 9/4/13 on HAL Veendam. Looking for tours.

Does anyone know what kind of vehicles this comapny uses and how many people are on them?:confused:

We used Don Blackwood through our reservation with Blue Diamond Tours last fall and thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Be aware of rain and fog in the fall which we experienced in the am. You will have to pick the tour you desire. We did the Cabot Trail.

Dave

We will be in Sydney, Canada 9/4/13 on HAL Veendam. Looking for tours.

Does anyone know what kind of vehicles this comapny uses and how many people are on them?:confused:

Here you go link from novascotia.com, he uses vans with up to 7 passengers. Most of the small tour companies use regular vans, only the larger ones have 15 seat buses and limo's etc. You can check tours by going to above website click on things to do then tour operators.

http://www.novascotia.com/en/home/thingstoseeanddo/listingdetails.aspx/blackwood-tours/2230

For more information do a search here and on Trip Advisor. Toms port guide for Sydney has been updated and he has great information for driving part of the Cabot Trail. I would just say that if you get going soon enough you may be able to get as far as Neils Harbour. The drive from Ingonish to Neil's Harbour is great and may be worth skipping lunch for (just get a sandwich).

https://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Esplanade,+Sydney,+NS&daddr=Ingonish,+NS+to:Neils+Harbour,+NS+to:Esplanade,+Sydney,+NS&hl=en&sll=46.141238,-60.196969&sspn=0.030152,0.084543&geocode=FTYPwAIdl3dp_CmH2p5VKftnSzGi1NYfQuHwCg%3BFfC6yAIdIttm_Cl5yCvys1RmSzFvNuIPCctS8w%3BFUo_ygIdypJn_CnRl4vg0ldmSzGQGjYJE8iOlQ%3BFTYPwAIdl3dp_CmH2p5VKftnSzGi1NYfQuHwCg&oq=esp&mra=ls&t=m&z=9

The problem with Sydney is a lot the ships don't even dock and allow you off until 10 and then the rental car office is not convenient to the port. They drive to pick you up and then only have like 2 people in the little office to get your car to you. We didn't even get on the road until like 11:15. Had to be back to board around 4:30 which means plan to be AT the rental car office at 4.

Just not enough time...

I agree that many ships skimp on their port time in Sydney, which is a real shame. The places of interest (Cabot Trail, Baddeck, Louisbourg) are all a distance away. But your cruise seemed worse than many. I know a Celebrity cruise last year has ten hours, giving time to go around the entire Cabot Trail.

There are ships which dock in Sydney but I think there is only room for one.

For tours in Sydney I'd recommend Don Blackwood. He's a retired tourism officer and offers a very good tour. His vehicles are comfortable, brand new and clean (often a Caravan or large SUV).