Page 77 - 2024-2025 Travel Guide to Canada

176,162
Charlottetown
www.tourismpei.com
Charlottetown Airport,
8 km (5 mi.) from downtown
PE
75
PRINCE EDWARD
ISLAND
KILDARE CAPES • ©TOURISM PEI / SANDER MEURS
Spoiled for Choice
BY SUSAN MACCALLUM-WHITCOMB
Canada’s smallest province is certainly a colourful
place. Ringed by clear blue water, PEI includes
emerald-green fields, iconic red cliffs and beaches
blessed with white or pink sand. Like the palette,
the vacation possibilities here are varied and, as a
result, the Island attracts people with many
different interests.
CANADA’S FOOD ISLAND
Without a doubt, Prince Edward Island has
become an international culinary destina-
tion. This year, starting in late September
through mid-October expect to sample island
flavours in the annual “Fall Flavours” festival.
Hardly a month goes by without new restau-
rants, food tours and culinary experiences
sprouting on the scene. There are also places
to learn how to cook like a pro. Culinary Boot
Camps—including one for kids—are a big
hit at Holland College, regarded by many as
Canada’s premier culinary institute. Another
foodie favourite is the new experience at the
Old General Catering House where you can
cook, learn recipe secrets and gather around
the table with new friends. Need something
to wash down all that fab food? The
province’s craft breweries, wineries and
distilleries have you covered (www.tourism
pei.com/what-to-do/culinary).
NIRVANA FOR ANNE FANS
Anne of Green Gables author Lucy Maud
Montgomery, who was born and buried in
PEI, introduced her title character in 1908; in
print ever since, her beloved book has sold
more than 50 million copies. But it is not only
readers who adore the feisty red-haired
heroine. Playgoers have given Anne of Green
Gables—The Musical a record-breaking run at
the Charlottetown Festival. Moving forward,
the musical will only be produced every two
years and will return to the stage in 2024, just
in time to mark the 150th anniversary of Lucy
Maude Montgomery’s birth. Fans also flock to
the Cavendish area to visit themed attractions
such as Montgomery’s Cavendish home, the
recreated Avonlea Village and, of course,
Green Gables Heritage Place, which features
the bucolic 19th century farm that inspired her
setting (www.tourismpei.com/what-to-do/
anne-of-green-gables).
A FANTASYLAND FOR FAMILIES
Anne sites aside, the Island has a lot to
offer families. Beach babies, for example,
could spend their entire trip on Island
strands, although there are also
lighthouses to climb, bike and boat trips to
take, plus enough enjoyable festivals to fill
any calendar. PEI’s national park and 21
provincial parks offer family-oriented
activities. Classic vacation venues have
their own appeal: Shining Waters Family
Fun Park, Sandspit Amusement Park, and
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! are all perennial
favourites. As if that isn’t enough, Experi-
ence PEI runs cool hands-on programs that
combine entertainment and education
(www.tourismpei.com/what-to-do).
MORE IN STORE
And that’s just the beginning . . . Pretty, compa-
ratively flat terrain, coupled with top-notch