I would like to say that this is the best tour I have ever been on! Our guide was amazing and gave us so much history on the over 50 sites we visited. We were never bored and always excited about what the next day would bring. It was such a treat to have a guide who not only new the history of the area, the history of the Acadians, but knew a lot about our individual families who once lived in Acadian!! Our driver, Richard was also first class. I can't wait to take another trip with Novacadie Tours!!
Lisa Talbot Daggett
Karen and David Cordell, Louisiana
2018-08-17, 17:49
Richard:
I cannot say enough about how much David and I enjoyed our trip with you in Acadie! We saw so much, learned so much and experienced so much. We saw some of the most beautiful country of anywhere we’ve been, from the breathtaking sea coast to the rich green farmlands. We learned so much about the Acadian history and people, both from you and from the places we visited. We experienced the Acadian culture – the food, the fun, and the music – much of which is like ours in south Louisiana in spite of all the years and distance that separate us. We often felt like we’d never left home. David and I have traveled to a number of places. While we’ve enjoyed them all, most we’ll probably never revisit. We will return to Acadie – more than once. You do a wonderful job of providing a complete Acadian experience.
Thank you for everything,
David and Karen Cordell
Doris and Irving Thibodeaux, Morse, Louisiana
2018-08-17, 17:47
Bonjour Richard,
Irving and I would like to comment on our tour with you. As was the tour to France and this tour of Acadie you have given us information of our forefathers in an informative and fun adventure. You gave us the opportunity to feel the presents of our ancestors who walked and lived in Acadie. Seeing the land where dykes and aboiteaux were built near the bodies of water where tides would come in and out.The places where our forefathers settled and their hardships with the turmoil of fighting to keep their land they had worked years to acommplished successfully'. Also able to visit with Mi'kmaw and learn of their stories helping and surving along with Acadians. Also the feel of the Acadians still in Acadie how they are so happy for us to visit.
Thank you for all you do for our learning of our ForeFathers!
Till next time!!
Irving and Doris
Henry Lorette & wife Judy
2018-05-31, 18:23
"My wife and I recently traveled on a 2 week bus tour of France with Novacadie Tours. Owner and chief guide, Richard Laurin and his assistant Dominique, smoothly and professionally took us on a whirlwind ride through France including Paris, La Rochelle, Mont St Michel, Normandy, Bayeux and many parts in between. The focus of our tour was our Acadian connections and I was very impressed with the awareness of the Acadian story by many French citizens.
We also focused on historical sites that go back many hundreds of years. And, we witnessed the reality of the German occupation of France in WWII. A walk through a war cemetery near the Normandy beaches proved to be a very emotional experience.
Putting together a successful 14 day tour in a foreign country takes a huge amount of planning, organization and local knowledge. Richard Laurin knows his business and clearly knows what he is doing. The tour, which included 22 participants, came off without a hitch. Our local destinations, our hotels and our meals all happened smoothly and delightfully. Richard is a kind, understanding and extremely patient man. He is willing to go above and beyond the norm to help ensure a great trip for his customers.
If you ever have the opportunity to travel with Novacadie Tours, don't hesitate. You will be pleasantly surprised."
Henry Lorette
Anne Eiland
2017-06-09, 15:05
Saying "Thank You" does not begin to express how much we appreciate all that you did to make our trip such a wonderful experience. Not only was it all I had wanted it to be; it was even more!
You opened our eyes to our past in a way that brought our ancestors to life - no longer will they be just "names on a paper."
All the places you had arranged for us to stay were perfect, and we both loved all the wonderful seafood and special Acadian dishes we had. Wonderful! Meeting your friends and discovering how welcoming and friendly everyone we meet was to us was such a joy.
We were both impressed by that. So, you not only opened our past to us, you gave us a relationship with Nova Scotia of today.
Billy Hébert
2017-05-29, 16:02
Just finished the best tour I've ever taken! Traveling through France with Novacadie Tours was a wonderful and unique experience. Richard is a terrific guide, and his many tours through France have garnered valuable contacts and resources which helped to enrich our experience. Our "Acadian Heritage Tour" was personalized as much as possible, and our stops were relevant, historical, informative, entertaining, and interesting. Traveling to the exact villages, cities, and towns of my forefathers was moving and unforgettable. On top of being knowledgeable about Acadian history and knowing all of the best places to travel to, Richard and Dominique did something very few tour directors and guides can accomplish - they turned a group of strangers into a cohesive "family", with no dissention, disagreements, arguements or hassles! If you are looking for the experience of a lifetime, look no farther - you can't do better than Novacadie Tours!"
Thank you !
Mike Hebert
2017-05-21, 20:07
The 2017 tour in France exceeded all of my expectations! Once again, Richard put us in the footsteps of our Acadian ancestors -- both the original 17th century pioneers and the 18th century refugees. His passion and energy is boundless, and it permeated our very convivial and entertaining group. It was a special treat to meet French cousins whose ancestors chose not to depart to Louisiana in 1785. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Mary Ellen Stinski
2017-05-16, 18:59
This was an action packed tour that covered so much of our Acadian history. I was not previously aware of the suffering of those who were deported from Nova Scotia to France and England. It is a heart breaking story. Richard provided a wonderful trip full of history, mayors, dignitaries and experts, as well as an opportunity to have fun, see beautiful France, and meet lots of new friends. The bond of Acadia is still strong!.
Margaret Canella
2017-05-15, 02:47
Novacadie Tours - owner/operator Richard Laurin - home base is Woodville, Nova Scotia, Canada. Just another tour operator; just one more of the many tours I have been on all over the world???????? ABSOLUTELY NOT! This man and his passion for the Acadian story, history and progenitors excels in every way! I have dabbled in my family's genealogy for about 10 years and never dreamed that it was possible to see, feel and touch my roots like this! Over eight generations removed and spanning three countries, Novacadie Tours brought my roots to life in a way that I did not think possible. We enjoyed delicious meals and met with mayors, newspapers, locals and genealogical experts on many of our stops. Have you heard of the "Trail of Tears" in reference to the American Cherokee Indians? If you are Acadian, our story bears an overall similarity. I strongly urge anyone interested in travel, history and family genealogical research to strongly consider this very profound journey!
Margaret Safford Canella
Laurie Wilkerson
2017-01-25, 21:59
My mom, Lois CLOUATE Vial, always wondered where her family was from. Months before her death I completed the research and was able to share with her that she was a true Acadian, she was so pleased!
It's been a long journey from Dauphine, France to Grand Pre, Acadie (Nova Scotia) in the 1600's. Then the forced expulsion from Grand Pré in 1755 to near enslavement in Port Tobacco, Maryland for the next 10 years.
Lastly to find their way to beautiful Louisiana (St. Gabriel to St. James Parish to St. Charles Parish). A weary odyssey for a very devout and determined people seeking independence and a better quality of life. The very same goal that drives us all today!
Shortly before my mom's death I completed research that proved she was of direct Acadian decent. I knew then that I had to visit my ancestral home in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia. Through the expert services of Richard Laurin of Novacadie Tours, we traced the steps of the devout and determined Acadian people.
To honour my mom, I placed a few mementos in a small glass vial with the intention of burying it somewhere in Grand Pre. Richard generously offered his property adjacent to the Acadian Memorial site. I selected a peaceful spot beside a brook and under a French Willow tree (brought to the New World by the Acadians). I've returned a piece of the present to the past; the cycle is now complete! Thank you Richard!
Your personal tour director Richard Laurin will build a fantastic and educational tour to suit your specific needs. His vast knowledge of the great history and culture of these lands and peoples will truly impress every traveler.
Lisa Talbot Daggett
I cannot say enough about how much David and I enjoyed our trip with you in Acadie! We saw so much, learned so much and experienced so much. We saw some of the most beautiful country of anywhere we’ve been, from the breathtaking sea coast to the rich green farmlands. We learned so much about the Acadian history and people, both from you and from the places we visited. We experienced the Acadian culture – the food, the fun, and the music – much of which is like ours in south Louisiana in spite of all the years and distance that separate us. We often felt like we’d never left home. David and I have traveled to a number of places. While we’ve enjoyed them all, most we’ll probably never revisit. We will return to Acadie – more than once. You do a wonderful job of providing a complete Acadian experience.
Thank you for everything,
David and Karen Cordell
Irving and I would like to comment on our tour with you. As was the tour to France and this tour of Acadie you have given us information of our forefathers in an informative and fun adventure. You gave us the opportunity to feel the presents of our ancestors who walked and lived in Acadie. Seeing the land where dykes and aboiteaux were built near the bodies of water where tides would come in and out.The places where our forefathers settled and their hardships with the turmoil of fighting to keep their land they had worked years to acommplished successfully'. Also able to visit with Mi'kmaw and learn of their stories helping and surving along with Acadians. Also the feel of the Acadians still in Acadie how they are so happy for us to visit.
Thank you for all you do for our learning of our ForeFathers!
Till next time!!
Irving and Doris
We also focused on historical sites that go back many hundreds of years. And, we witnessed the reality of the German occupation of France in WWII. A walk through a war cemetery near the Normandy beaches proved to be a very emotional experience.
Putting together a successful 14 day tour in a foreign country takes a huge amount of planning, organization and local knowledge. Richard Laurin knows his business and clearly knows what he is doing. The tour, which included 22 participants, came off without a hitch. Our local destinations, our hotels and our meals all happened smoothly and delightfully. Richard is a kind, understanding and extremely patient man. He is willing to go above and beyond the norm to help ensure a great trip for his customers.
If you ever have the opportunity to travel with Novacadie Tours, don't hesitate. You will be pleasantly surprised."
Henry Lorette
You opened our eyes to our past in a way that brought our ancestors to life - no longer will they be just "names on a paper."
All the places you had arranged for us to stay were perfect, and we both loved all the wonderful seafood and special Acadian dishes we had. Wonderful! Meeting your friends and discovering how welcoming and friendly everyone we meet was to us was such a joy.
We were both impressed by that. So, you not only opened our past to us, you gave us a relationship with Nova Scotia of today.
Thank you !
Margaret Safford Canella
It's been a long journey from Dauphine, France to Grand Pre, Acadie (Nova Scotia) in the 1600's. Then the forced expulsion from Grand Pré in 1755 to near enslavement in Port Tobacco, Maryland for the next 10 years.
Lastly to find their way to beautiful Louisiana (St. Gabriel to St. James Parish to St. Charles Parish). A weary odyssey for a very devout and determined people seeking independence and a better quality of life. The very same goal that drives us all today!
Shortly before my mom's death I completed research that proved she was of direct Acadian decent. I knew then that I had to visit my ancestral home in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia. Through the expert services of Richard Laurin of Novacadie Tours, we traced the steps of the devout and determined Acadian people.
To honour my mom, I placed a few mementos in a small glass vial with the intention of burying it somewhere in Grand Pre. Richard generously offered his property adjacent to the Acadian Memorial site. I selected a peaceful spot beside a brook and under a French Willow tree (brought to the New World by the Acadians). I've returned a piece of the present to the past; the cycle is now complete! Thank you Richard!