Travel Guides to Canada

2017 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CANADA

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clam digging or out on a lobster boat, helping with farm chores, doing a GPS adventure, or owning a racehorse for an evening ( www.experiencepei.ca ). Throughout the Island there are endless opportunities to get up close and personal with nature. Kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, and birdwatching—to name just a few outdoor activities—are off ered in many regions. No equipment? No problem; the Island has several outfi tters ( www. tourismpei.com). HERITAGE AND CULTURE The Arts & Heritage Trail is an Island-wide guide for authentic Prince Edward Island cultural experiences with elements such as museums and historic sites, performing arts venues, festivals, special events, theatre, galleries, craft shops and artisan studios ( www.artsandheritagepei.ca). To get a taste of Acadian culture, visit Abrams Village or Roma at Three Rivers for festivals, exhibits and tours galore. A trip to The Acadian Museum in Miscouche will also introduce you to the fascinating history of the French pioneers. Music and dance have long been embedded in the culture as evidenced at soirées and concerts all around the Island. Be sure to visit the Lennox Island Mi'kmaq Cultural Centre, as well as the annual Abegweit Pow Wow in August, to learn more about the Island's Aboriginal heritage. Art in the Open highlights Charlottetown's visual arts scene and the Island's diverse cultural traditions. It also engages visitors and the community in the creation and appreciation of art in its various forms ( www.artintheopenpei.com ). MUST SEE, MUST DO The FireWorks Feast at The Inn at Bay Fortune is a seven-course meal where everything is cooked in a 7.5 m-long (25-ft.) wood-burning, fi re-breathing stove that has an integrated smokehouse, hearth, grill, plancha, rotisserie and oven ( www.innatbayfortune.com). Jigs & Reels provides an authentic P.E.I. experience with a world-class musician (J.J. Chaisson—also known as "The Fiddling Fisherman") on his lobster boat. They've even had weddings on board! ( www. fi ddlingfi sherman.com). Deep Roots Distillery in Warren Grove is the fi rst in the province to produce absinthe, a potent green spirit made from carefully selected herbs and produced in small batches. It is shrouded with history and mystery ( www.deeprootsdistillery.com). The entire world seems to know about COWS ice cream. It's available at several locations in P.E.I., but the best place to visit is COWS Creamery on the outskirts of Charlottetown. Sign up for a tour which is educational, fun and delicious ( www.cows.ca). SCENIC DRIVES North Cape Coastal Drive is full of contrasts. It's quickly getting a reputation as the Canadian Oyster Coast. There is everything here from Mi'kmaq and Acadian communi- ties to secluded beaches and towering wind turbines ( www.northcapedrive.com). Central Coastal Drive combines Green Gables Shore and Red Sands Shore. It is home to Victoria-by-the-Sea—a fi shing village with great theatre, lots of charm and a gourmet chocolatier called Island Chocolates ( www.centralcoastalpei.ca). Points East Coastal Drive is more seclud- ed—perhaps because there are 34 beaches, 24 harbours, 12 provincial parks and PEI National Park, Greenwich. Step back in time at Orwell Corner Historic Village ( www.pointseastcoastaldrive.com). FAMILY FUN Kids of all ages love making sandcastles, and Maurice Bernard is the expert in residence at Cavendish Beach. Ask the staff there when Maurice is expected to be around or sign up for Experience PEI's "Sensational Sandcastles." Throughout the Island there are 22 provincial parks, and many have sections geared for kids. Other popular places include Shining Waters Family Fun Park and Sandspit Amusement Park ( www. tourismpei.com/pei-holiday-fun). PARK PICK ARDGOWAN NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, CHARLOTTETOWN Ardgowan is a gracious house from the 19 th century and was the home of William Henry Pope, one of the Fathers of Confederation. It is an example of a picturesque, large rural cottage from the Victorian era and was the scene of lavish entertaining during the historic Charlottetown Conference. The staff is eager to tell stories about this site and its inhabitants. The house and grounds have been restored to the period. Pope was an avid gardener and the property refl ects his passion. Visitors are encouraged to stroll around the grounds and have a picnic. Parks Canada administrative offi ces for all the holdings on P.E.I. are located inside ( www.parkscanada.gc.ca/ardgowan). National Parks and Historic Sites: www.parkscanada.gc.ca 1-888-773-8888 QUICK FACT IN 1864, P.E.I. HOSTED THE CHARLOTTETOWN CONFERENCE, WHICH LED TO THE CREATION OF CANADA IN 1867. DARNLEY SHORE • TOURISM PEI/HEATHER OGG PE 131

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