PEI
5
Day Itinerary •
Canada
Five days on Prince Edward Island gives you the complete extraordinary character of Canada's smallest and most distinctive province, from the birthplace of Confederation and the world's most famous fictional farmhouse through the singing sands of Basin Head and the tidal rip at East Point to the Ceilidh Trail music heritage and the finest artisan food trail in Atlantic Canada. PEI's red cliffs, red roads and warm red-sand beaches are unlike anywhere else in the country. This route covers every corner of the Island from the Charlottetown Confederation heritage and Cavendish's literary landscape through the western oyster beds and the Confederation Bridge view to the remote eastern shore singing sands and the extraordinary community food and music culture of the south. Five days that reveal why PEI is the most beloved small province in Canada.
Best Time To Visit
June to September
Getting There
Fly into Charlottetown (YYG)
Getting Around
Car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 155 to 390 CAD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat Island walking
DAY 1
CHARLOTTETOWN AND THE CRADLE OF CONFEDERATION
MORNING
CHARLOTTETOWN, THE BIRTHPLACE OF CANADA
Charlottetown is the most extraordinary small capital city in Canada, the birthplace of Confederation where the Fathers of Canada met in 1864 to plan the country, its extraordinary Province House National Historic Site with the Confederation Chamber preserved exactly as it was, the remarkable Great George Street of Victorian heritage buildings and the extraordinary waterfront boardwalk making it the finest small city in Atlantic Canada. Province House entry free. Drive/Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
VICTORIA ROW AND THE CHARLOTTETOWN FESTIVAL
Victoria Row on Richmond Street is the most extraordinary pedestrian arts street in Atlantic Canada, its extraordinary brick heritage buildings housing the finest restaurants and galleries in Charlottetown, the remarkable Confederation Centre of the Arts with the finest Anne of Green Gables musical in Canada and the extraordinary summer street performers making it the finest afternoon experience in the city. Theatre tickets approx 50 CAD. Drive/Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE CHARLOTTETOWN FARMERS MARKET AND THE RED CLAY ROADS
The Charlottetown Farmers Market on Saturday mornings is the finest farmers market in Atlantic Canada, its extraordinary local Malpeque oysters, the remarkable PEI potato products and the extraordinary Island honey and cheese making it the finest food market east of Montreal. The red clay roads of the surrounding countryside are the finest photography subject in PEI. Market entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Confederation Trail cycling route crosses the entire island from Tignish to Elmira on a converted railway bed, 273km of flat gravel trail through extraordinary PEI farmland and red clay country. The section between Charlottetown and Mount Stewart along the Hillsborough River is the finest 30km. Bicycle hire in Charlottetown
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Receiver Coffee, Charlottetown The finest specialty coffee shop in PEI. Outstanding local breakfast and the finest espresso on the Island. | Lunch: The Merchantman, Charlottetown The finest pub lunch in Charlottetown. Outstanding PEI oysters and local craft beer. | Dinner: Gio, Charlottetown The finest restaurant in PEI. Outstanding Island seafood tasting menu. Book weeks ahead.
DAY 2
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES COUNTRY AND THE NORTH SHORE
MORNING
GREEN GABLES HERITAGE PLACE, THE MOST FAMOUS HOUSE IN CANADA
Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish is the most extraordinary literary heritage site in Canada, the farmhouse that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery's 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables, its extraordinary green-gabled rooms preserved as described in the novel, the Haunted Wood trail and the extraordinary Lovers Lane path through the Cavendish woods. The novel has sold 50 million copies. Entry approx 8 CAD. Drive/Travel: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
CAVENDISH BEACH AND THE FINEST SAND IN EASTERN CANADA
Cavendish Beach in Prince Edward Island National Park is the most extraordinary beach in eastern Canada, its extraordinary red sand dunes and warm Gulf of St Lawrence water averaging 20 degrees in July, the remarkable sandstone sea caves carved into the red cliffs and the extraordinary dune ecosystem with piping plovers nesting in the beach grass. Park day pass approx 8 CAD. Drive/Travel: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE NORTH SHORE RED CLIFFS AND THE BRACKLEY BEACH
The North Shore red sandstone cliffs between Cavendish and Rustico are the most extraordinary coastal landscape in PEI, their extraordinary deep red colour from iron oxide in the sandstone, the remarkable sea caves and arches carved by the Gulf of St Lawrence and the extraordinary Brackley Beach with its fine red sand making it the finest afternoon coastal walk in Atlantic Canada. Entirely free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Greenwich dunes in PEI National Park east of Cavendish contain the finest parabolic dune system in Atlantic Canada, their extraordinary inland-migrating sand dunes accessible by a 4.5km return boardwalk trail through extraordinary wetlands and coastal forest. The floating boardwalk section over the lagoon is extraordinary. Entry with park pass
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Landmark Cafe, Victoria-by-the-Sea Outstanding PEI breakfast at the finest independent cafe on the south shore. | Lunch: New Glasgow Lobster Suppers The finest community lobster supper in PEI since 1958. Outstanding fresh lobster from approx 40 CAD. | Dinner: The Inn at Bay Fortune, Fortune Outstanding Fire Works dinner at Michael Smith's finest estate restaurant. Book months ahead.
DAY 3
THE WEST AND SOUTH SHORES
MORNING
VICTORIA-BY-THE-SEA, THE FINEST HIDDEN VILLAGE IN PEI
Victoria-by-the-Sea is the most extraordinary and least visited heritage village in PEI, its extraordinary 19th-century streetscape of painted wooden buildings, the remarkable Victoria Playhouse theatre in a converted community hall and the outstanding chocolate shop with extraordinary handmade Island chocolates making it the finest undiscovered village on the Island. The harbour with its lobster boats and the extraordinary red cliff walk are both remarkable. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
THE CEDAR DUNES AND WEST POINT LIGHTHOUSE
West Point Lighthouse Provincial Park on the western tip of PEI is the most extraordinary lighthouse heritage site in the province, its extraordinary striped lighthouse built in 1875 now operating as the finest lighthouse inn in Canada, the remarkable Cedar Dunes beach and the extraordinary view across the Northumberland Strait to New Brunswick giving the finest west coast experience in PEI. Lighthouse museum entry approx 5 CAD. Drive/Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE MALPEQUE BAY OYSTER BEDS AND THE FINEST OYSTERS IN THE WORLD
Malpeque Bay on the north shore of western PEI is the most extraordinary oyster growing area in the world, its extraordinary cold, clean water and particular mineral content producing the finest oysters in Canada. The extraordinary oyster lease tours by boat through the growing beds and the roadside stands selling fresh Malpeque oysters give the finest shellfish experience in Atlantic Canada. Oyster boat tour approx 25 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Confederation Bridge viewed from the Borden-Carleton Observation Tower at dusk is the finest view of the 12.9km crossing, the longest bridge over ice-covered water in the world. The Cape Traverse red sand beach below the bridge approach is the finest hidden beach on the south shore. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Sim's Corner, Summerside Outstanding western PEI breakfast at the finest steakhouse and bar in the second city. | Lunch: The Dunes Studio Gallery Cafe, Brackley Outstanding PEI garden cafe lunch at the finest arts and craft gallery on the Island. | Dinner: The Lobster Barn, Victoria-by-the-Sea Outstanding traditional PEI lobster dinner at the finest harbourside restaurant in the village.
DAY 4
THE EASTERN SHORE AND POINTS EAST
MORNING
BASIN HEAD AND THE SINGING SANDS OF EASTERN PEI
Basin Head Provincial Park in eastern PEI is the most extraordinary beach phenomenon in Canada, its extraordinary singing sands that squeak underfoot due to the high quartz content of the sand, the remarkable fishtrap harbour and the extraordinary Basin Head Fisheries Museum giving the finest experience in eastern PEI. The lagoon behind the barrier beach is the warmest swimming in Atlantic Canada. Museum approx 5 CAD. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
EAST POINT LIGHTHOUSE AND THE TWO-TIDES PHENOMENON
East Point Lighthouse at the extreme eastern tip of PEI is the most extraordinary lighthouse position in Atlantic Canada, the point where the tidal currents of the Gulf of St Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait meet creating a remarkable visible tidal rip line in the ocean. The extraordinary lighthouse built in 1867 and the remarkable whale watching from the headland make it the finest tip of land in the Maritime provinces. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
SOURIS AND THE MAGDALEN ISLANDS FERRY
Souris on the eastern shore of PEI is the most extraordinary ferry port in Atlantic Canada, the departure point for the extraordinary CTMA ferry to the Iles de la Madeleine 215km into the Gulf of St Lawrence, one of the finest archipelagos in Canada. The Souris harbour with its lobster boats and the extraordinary red cliff beach at Rollo Bay are both remarkable. Ferry to Magdalens approx 110 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Red Point Provincial Park beach east of Souris is the finest and least visited red sand beach in PEI, its extraordinary iron-red sand cliffs, the complete absence of facilities and the remarkable seal haul-out on the point visible from the beach at low tide making it the finest hidden
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Inn at Spry Point, Little Pond Outstanding eastern PEI breakfast at the finest inn on the remote eastern shore. | Lunch: Singing Sands beach cafe, Basin Head Outstanding PEI beach lunch. Fresh lobster rolls and the finest clam chowder on the Island. | Dinner: Sheltered Harbour Cafe, Souris Outstanding eastern shore dinner at the finest small restaurant in the most remote town in PEI.
DAY 5
THE SOUTH SHORE CEILIDH TRAIL AND CHARLOTTETOWN
MORNING
ORWELL CORNER HISTORIC VILLAGE AND THE FINEST HERITAGE FARM IN PEI
Orwell Corner Historic Village is the most extraordinary agricultural heritage site in PEI, its extraordinary collection of 1890s farm buildings including the finest general store, church, school and farmhouse in Atlantic Canada staffed by interpreters in period costume. The remarkable Orwell Corner ceilidh on Wednesday evenings is the finest traditional Cape Breton and Scottish music event in PEI. Entry approx 8 CAD. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
THE PEI FOOD ISLAND TRAIL AND THE FINEST LOCAL PRODUCE IN CANADA
PEI's Food Island Trail connects the finest local food producers in the province, its extraordinary Rossignol Estate Winery producing the finest fruit wines in Atlantic Canada, the remarkable Glasgow Glen Farm goat cheese and the extraordinary Receiver Coffee roastery making it the finest agricultural food trail in eastern Canada. The PEI potato, the finest in the world, is sold fresh from farm stands throughout the Island. Winery tour approx 10 CAD. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE CHARLOTTETOWN HARBOURFRONT AND THE CONFEDERATION LANDING
The Charlottetown Harbourfront boardwalk is the finest waterfront promenade in Atlantic Canada, its extraordinary Peake's Wharf with craft shops and restaurants, the remarkable Confederation Landing Park where the Fathers of Canada arrived by steamship in 1864 and the extraordinary sunset over the Hillsborough Bay from the wharf giving the finest evening experience in PEI. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The PEI Preserve Company at New Glasgow is the finest artisan jam and preserve producer in Canada, its extraordinary Victorian tea room serving the finest cream tea east of England with local berry preserves. The preserve shop stocks the finest Island strawberry, wild blueberry and gooseberry jams. Tea room approx
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Claddagh Oyster House, Charlottetown Outstanding PEI seafood breakfast. Freshly shucked Malpeque oysters and Bloody Caesar cocktail. | Lunch: Terre Rouge, Charlottetown The finest bistro lunch in Charlottetown. Outstanding farm-to-table using the finest PEI ingredients. | Dinner: The Pilot House, Charlottetown The finest traditional PEI dinner. Outstanding Island lobster and Malpeque oysters on the waterfront.
Where To Stay
Charlottetown, Nights 1 and 5 The Holman Grand. Approx 150 to 300 CAD per night. Cavendish, Night 2 Inn at Bay Fortune or Stanley Bridge Inn. Approx 150 to 350 CAD per night. Victoria-by-the-Sea, Night 3 Landmark B&B or Orient Hotel. Approx 100 to 180 CAD per night. Souris or Inn at Spry Point, Night 4 Inn at Spry Point. Approx 150 to 300 CAD per night.
Top Tips
1. Basin Head singing sands: the squeak is loudest when the sand is dry. Go mid-afternoon after it has dried.
2. East Point tidal rip: the meeting of two tidal currents is visible as a line in the water. Best at mid-tide.
3. Inn at Bay Fortune Fire Works dinner: book 2 to 3 months ahead. The finest dinner experience in PEI.
4. Greenwich dunes boardwalk: the floating section over the lagoon is extraordinary. Take bug spray in summer.
5. Orwell Corner ceilidh: Wednesday evenings in summer only. The finest traditional music in Atlantic Canada.
6. Souris red cliffs at Rollo Bay: the finest red sandstone coastal photography in PEI. Go at golden hour.
Total Budget
155 to 385 CAD/day