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In search of someplace that oozes pure magnificence, tradition and an important meals scene? It’s time to disclose among the wonderful locations to go to in Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province.
Anybody else feeling just a little bit giddy on the prospect of travelling once more in 2021? Information of vaccination programmes have began to create that little ounce of hope that one thing near normality may very well be again later this 12 months. I’ve obtained my fingers effectively and really crossed.
Even with closed borders and lockdowns thrust upon us, I can really feel a teeny bit of pleasure that we *may* get to see some new locations. One space I’d love to go to this 12 months is the Atlantic coast of Canada, particularly Prince Edward Island. It seems to be unbelievable!
I’ve provide you with a bucket listing of locations to go to in Prince Edward Island, so the second I can get away, I’ll be off! I can’t wait to discover the spectacular pink clifftops, run down the sand dunes, go to the buzzy capital of Charlottetown and naturally EAT. Being on an island means I’ll be capable to feast on the freshest fish and seafood, together with lobster and oysters. WOW!
So, in case you’re on the lookout for post-lockdown journey inspiration and fancy a visit to Canada, hear up! Listed below are a couple of wonderful locations in Prince Edward Island that I’m including to my bucket listing for, … when the time is true.
The place is Prince Edward Island?
When you’re not aware of the place Prince Edward Island is situated, right here’s a fast geography lesson. The small island sits contained in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, off the jap coast of Canada, a couple of miles from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Tips on how to get to Prince Edward Island from the UK
The Atlantic Canada area as an entire is nice for UK guests because it’s so fast to achieve by air. Are you able to consider it’s solely 5 hours by air to Newfoundland and Labrador, and 6 hours to Halifax?
With a lot time on my palms, I’ve been busy trying up how I’d attain Prince Edward Island. Fortunately, it’s good and simple. You possibly can fly from London to Montreal and catch a connecting flight to the island’s capital Charlottetown. Alternatively, you possibly can catch that 6 hour flight to Halifax after which drive or catch a connecting flight to the island.
There are some helpful routes from mainland Canada too. You possibly can drive to the island from New Brunswick, crossing the spectacular Confederation Bridge. Alternatively, there are ferries from Nova Scotia to Wooden Islands on the south of PEI. Sure, I’ve obtained to understand it so effectively now, that I’m calling it PEI, identical to the locals do!
Climate in Prince Edward Island
I’d advocate planning a visit for the summer time months. From June to September you may anticipate beautiful, heat temperatures, between 20-28°C – excellent for out of doors adventures. There are many daytime, plus beautiful heat sunshine to actually profit from all that the island has to supply.
As with a lot of Canada, the winters are chilly, with temperatures dropping under freezing between December and February. Being an island, be careful for the wind too!
Locations to go to in Prince Edward Island
So, with logistics out of the best way, let’s get into full wanderlust mode. Don’t blame me if after studying about these lovely spots you begin your very personal Prince Edward Island bucket listing!
Kayak across the island’s dramatic pink sandstone cliffs
Prince Edward Island has some fairly dramatic landscapes to discover. Those which have caught my consideration most are the island’s putting pink clifftops and seashores. Take a look at these colors!
The deep pink sandstone types the island’s bedrock, and over time has eroded to depart spectacular seashores, vibrant soil and several other iconic pink sandstone cliffs. When you’ll see the great thing about the stone all around the island, I’ve obtained massive plans to discover it from a distinct angle – from the water!
I’d like to make a journey to Cavendish in Prince Edward Island Nationwide Park and kayak or paddleboard alongside the sting of the cliffs, taking within the pure magnificence from the water. I’ve heard Cape Turner and Orby Head provide among the most putting views. Alternatively, Thunder Cove close to Darnley has some wonderful rock formations to absorb too.
Feast your manner by way of Prince Edward Island’s meals scene in Charlottetown
Charlottetown is PEI’s buzzy capital, the place you’ll discover essential cultural buildings such because the Confederation Centre of the Arts, authorities places of work and a wide range of outlets and eating places on tree-lined Victoria Row.
One of many massive causes to go to Charlottetown? For the meals! Prince Edward Island has the nickname ‘Canada’s meals island’ and is synonymous with a couple of delicacies – oysters, potatoes and ice cream! The town is house to loads of nice eating places, together with Claddagh Oyster Home, Sims Nook Steakhouse & Oyster Bar and Merchantman Contemporary Seafood & Oyster Bar.
Oh, so you’ll have seen a theme there!
PEI is the main oyster producing province in Canada, with Raspberry Level and Malpeque oysters being essentially the most well-known varieties. You’ll see them on menus around the globe, from North America to Europe and Asia.
As a self-declared carboholic, I used to be joyful to study that the island is famed for its potatoes too. Potato farming has been one of many island’s prime industries because the 1700s, with the iron wealthy soil excellent for rising spuds. As you drive round you’ll see farms dotted throughout… and loads of really carbtastic choices on the menus throughout Charlottetown too.
And for dessert? I’d head straight to Cows – PEI’s hottest ice cream model. There are a number of branches throughout the island (in addition to in a couple of different Canadian provinces) together with 3 shops in Charlottetown itself.
The high-quality ice cream is made utilizing conventional strategies, with a lot of elements grown on the island, together with contemporary berries. Plus, simply studying the menu will put a smile in your face, with puntastic cow-themed names like Wowie Cowie, Moo York Cheesecake and Fluff ‘N Udder!
When you’re a complete foodie, I’d advocate timing your journey to PEI for September to take pleasure in Fall Flavours, PEI’s annual meals pageant, with occasions held throughout the island.
Step into the footwear of Anne of Inexperienced Gables at Green Gables Heritage Place
Many people grew up with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s traditional novel, Anne of Inexperienced Gables. The story is about an orphan lady with vivid pink hair, who is distributed to the home of two ageing siblings to work on their farm. They had been anticipating a boy, however resolve to provide her an opportunity. It’s a heart-warming and shifting story, and sure, it’s set in Prince Edward Island, the place the writer lived.
When you’ll see inspiration for the ebook throughout PEI, undoubtedly pay a go to to Inexperienced Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish. There’s a lot to discover together with a brand new customer centre, museum, the unique home, nineteenth century gardens, farmyard, strolling trails (which you may be aware of in case you’ve learn the ebook) and a café.
Discover the island’s lighthouses
Accompanying PEI’s rugged shoreline are 63 spectacular lighthouses, serving to ships navigate the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait. Most are in a traditional architectural model, painted white and pink. When you might spend a number of days visiting all 63, you’ll quickly uncover that not all are in use at present, and a few are even privately owned.
On the final rely 35 had been nonetheless in use, and seven have been particularly designated as historic websites. The one which caught my consideration and is prime of my bucket listing for after I go to the island is West Point Lighthouse. This black and white striped lighthouse is likely one of the icons of Prince Edward Island.
It’s the tallest standing at present, and has an enchanting maritime historical past, courting again to 1875. I’d like to wander the gentle sand of Cedar Dunes Provincial Park with West Level as its backdrop, then go to the museum contained in the lighthouse to study all about its previous.
However then, and that is the place the expertise will get much more distinctive… I’d like to test in and keep in a single day contained in the lighthouse! The Keeper’s Quarters and The Tower Room are situated on the second ground of the lighthouse itself. I’m already dreaming concerning the magical expertise of falling asleep to the sound of the waves.
Drive the North Cape Coastal Drive
How about heading to the north-western tip of PEI and taking a drive by way of lovable fishing villages, passing spectacular pink cliffs at Kildare Capes and even seeing the purpose the place the Gulf of St. Lawrence meets the Northumberland Strait – part of the longest pure rock reef in North America.
The North Cape Coastal Drive stretches for a whopping 350km, so it may be higher to decide on a couple of highlights alongside the route somewhat than attempt to do the whole factor. There are a lot to select from!
For instance, head to the Tyne Valley for the freshest finest Malpeque oysters, cease by the magical village made from glass bottles in Cape Egmont or stroll below the large wind generators on the Black Marsh Nature Path.
Hearken to the sand at Basin Head Provincial Park
In search of distinctive issues to do in PEI? Effectively, there’s sand on Prince Edward Island that ‘sings’! Head to Basin Head Provincial Park on the east of the island and you may hear the singing sand for your self.
The pure white sands are a geographic phenomenon. The sand comprises a excessive silica content material that squeaks when walked on. I can’t wait to listen to this for myself! The seaside seems to be lovely there too, excellent for a day journey in the summertime.
I can’t look ahead to worldwide journey restrictions to elevate so I could make my Prince Edward Island desires a actuality. For now although, I’ll rely down the times as I slurp my previous few Raspberry Level Oysters and gaze in awe at images of the pink cliffs.
A giant due to Atlantic Canada for commissioning this content material. You will discover out extra about visiting Prince Edward Island here.
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