Located on the east coast of Canada, Prince Edward Island (PEI)
produces about 80% of North America’s mussels, but that’s far from all.
As
well as being Canada’s greenest provice, PEI, also known as the Island,
is Canada’s smallest, with a population of 142,000. The island’s fresh
air, clean Atlantic waters and all-around natural beauty give a whole
new meaning to unspoilt.
For British visitors, the charms of PEI
are not hard to discover – as William and Kate found on their summer
2011 post-wedding tour. First of all, the flight is a short one and as
it’s about a quarter of the size of Wales, it’s easy to get around. The
food is fresh and fabulous, plus there are endless outdoor pursuits,
museums, spas and opportunities for family fun. And when it comes to
souvenirs and presents, the island abounds in unique arts and craft
outlets.
Moreover, the island makes great sense as part of a
wider tour of Atlantic Canada and/or New England. PEI is connected to
the mainland by the Confederation Bridge, and New Brunswick, Nova Scotia
(75 minutes by ferry), Quebec and Maine are all within easy driving
distance.
Tourism PEI reports that in terms of room nights sold,
the British market was up 3% at the end of August. That’s not to
suggest, however, that it’s all plain sailing. Frontier Canada, while
noting strong requests for 2012, blames the weak pound and high air
fares for a difficult market.
On the other hand, Bridge &
Wickers reports that the Maritimes (that’s PEI, Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick) accounts for a growing proportion of its business to Canada.
This is particularly true of second-time Canada visitors who have
already been to British Columbia and Alberta. Operators agree that PEI’s
general appeal is to the 50-plus market, and families during the summer
holidays – especially those who don’t do well under Caribbean
conditions. The season runs from May to the middle of October, and the
island’s spectacular fall foliage is an increasing draw.
Highlights
Golf
PEI
was named the ‘Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year 2011’ by the
International Association of Golf Operators (IAGTO), and the myriad
opportunities to tee-off play a major part in the island’s appeal.
Despite its modest size, one in 20 of North America’s top golf courses
is on the island. Each of the 34 courses, several of which are newly
opened, has their own distinctive character, layout and design. And
they’re all within 30 minutes’ drive of Charlottetown.
Cuisine
Prince
Edward Island is one of the best places in the world to enjoy lobster,
oysters, clams and mussels. Lobster fishing trips, learning to shuck
(open) oysters and digging for clams are all popular pastimes. In
September there’s a three-day international shellfish festival packed
with mussels, oysters, music and shucking competitions.
Later in
the month, more than 100 events make up the Fall Flavours festival where
foodies can go from smoking and pickling workshops to oyster gathering
and potato picking, before finishing the day with a nine-course
fine-dining extravaganza. What’s more, PEI’s Culinary Institute of
Canada, arguably the nation’s leading cookery school, offers cookery
courses lasting anything from a half a day to four days. And last but
not least, The Culinary Trail is a series of itineraries, complete with
guidebook and map, that’s designed around PEI’s many food-related
highlights. For more info see peiflavours.ca
Family fun
The island has a wide range of activities for the
outdoor family. Cycling is a popular pastime – the island is relatively
flat with a maximum elevation of 142 metres. Cycle routes like the
221-mile Confederation Trail criss-cross the island, and the coastal
boardwalks with their spectacular seascapes also make for happy
pedalling. All of which explains PEI’s 25 bike rental shops. And the
walking isn’t bad either.
In terms of beaches, the island’s north
shore has miles of unspoiled sand as well as PEI’s own national park.
In the water, options include canoeing, kayaking, fishing, snorkelling,
seal-watching, parasailing and good old floating on your back. Lovers of
Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables will find related
attractions all over the island.
AccommodationThe
island has a range of lodging options but its charming country inns
(innsofpei.com) offer B&B accommodation with a personal touch. The
inns vary in style and amenities, ranging from quaint country hideaways
to historic guest houses in old Charlottetown – handy for theatres,
restaurants and the waterfront – and from simply rustic to
ultra-luxurious. Different inns have tailor-made packages for active
visitors, Anne of Green Gables fans, and of course romantic getaways.
Many combine the inn experience with a culinary tour de force. It’s hard
to beat the personal welcome and insider knowledge you get from a
dedicated local innkeeper.One resort certain to be popular in 2012
is Dalvay by the Sea where William and Kate stayed as part of their
Canada tour. The resort is a historic site, situated on the island’s
north shore at the eastern end of Prince Edward Island National Park.
Dalvay’s accommodation highlight is a Queen Anne Revival-style hotel
that featured in the Anne of Green Gables films.