Prince Edward Island
Description: a more rural destination and slower pace of life with countryside reminiscent of Ireland but tinged with red sandstone beaches and cliffs. It is described as having changed little from the descriptions in the novel Anne of Green Gables at the turn of the century. Also known as The Island or PEI, capital Charlottetown was where the concept of a national union was first discussed in 1864 which led to the formation of Canada. Lying in the Gulf of St Lawrence and straddling New Brunswick and Novia Scotia, PEI also has miles of unspoilt coastal headland.
Activities: sea kayaking, heritage-trail hiking, birdwatching, game fishing, biking, golf.
Attractions: in Charlottetown, the Province House National Historic Site, Confederation Centre of the Arts and the old waterfront; historic Georgetown; PEI National Park; Greenwich; the Blue Heron Drive to Malpeque; St Mary’s Church at Indian River; House of Green Gables near Cavendish. The latter destination is also a good spot for the beach and some reputable lobster ‘supper houses’.
Tours: one to six-day walking tours along the coast and national trails; photography workshops; aerial tours; cycling; classic golf tours; camp-based guided itineraries.
Accommodation: hotels, motels, inns, cottages and resort accommodation.
Sample product: included in a number of Atlantic Canada self-drive itineraries – with overnights in Charlottletown – by Travelpack, Travel 4 and Bluebird Holidays, among others. Travel 4’s Inns, Whales and Wilderness 11-day self-drive itinerary costs from £688 per person, including accommodation and car. Flights to and from Halifax are extra.
Comment: “PEI is small and easy to add on to Halifax or New Brunswick, and we work well together as a region. But as close as we are geographically, we are all unique and different. We offer a very relaxed way of life but promote soft-adventure activities and the natural environment, and are well suited to flydrives. The new Confederation Bridge – one of the world’s longest marine span bridges – links Charlottetown with New Brunswick and has really opened us up to tourism.”
Robert Ferguson, manager trade and sales, PEI Department of Fisheries and Tourism.
Contact: Tourism PEI. Tel: 001 902 368 5522.
Internet site: www.gov.pe.ca/info