Prince Edward Island General Information Area: 5660 sq km (2185 sq miles). Population: 134,557 (1998). Population Density: 24.3 per sq km. Capital: Charlottetown. Population: 32,531 (1999). GEOGRAPHY: Prince Edward Island is a crescent-shaped island in the Gulf of St Lawrence comprising red farm fields, northern evergreen forests and white sand beaches. It is 224km (139 miles) long and between 6km (4 miles) and 65km (40 miles) wide. Language: English and some French are spoken. Time: GMT - 4 (GMT - 3 in summer). Note: Summer officially lasts from the first Sunday in April to the Saturday before the last Sunday in October. Public Holidays Public holidays as for the rest of Canada (see general Canada section). Travel - International AIR: Charlottetown (YYG) airport is 3km (2 miles) from the city. Air Canada (AC), Royal Airlines and Air Nova operate here. There are no local internal flights. SEA: Northumberland Ferries sail from Wood Islands on the southeast coast to Caribou in Nova Scotia from May to mid-December (travel time – 75 minutes). Advance reservations are not accepted. CTMA Ferry sails to Souris on the east coast from the Magdalen Islands in Québec from early April to the end of January (travel time – 5 hours). Advance reservations are recommended during the summer schedule from mid-June to early September (tel: (418) 986 3278). RAIL: There are no passenger services on the island. ROAD: The Confederation Bridge connects Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island with Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick. The bridge, which is 13km (8 miles) long, takes approximately 10-12 minutes to cross and is open 24 hours a day. Ferry services no longer operate on this route. There are three scenic drives following the coast of the Island: Lady Slipper Drive (west), Blue Heron Drive (central) and King’s Byway (east). Seatbelts for adults and children are mandatory on Prince Edward Island. Accommodation HOTELS: Prince Edward Island offers a wide range of quality accommodation, from conventional hotels to lodges and family farms. Most of the towns have excellent hotels and one is never far from the sea. BED & BREAKFAST: Standards for Bed & Breakfast and Country Inn accommodation is overseen by the Bed & Breakfast and Country Inns Association. For further information, contact Visitor Information Services, PO Box 940, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 7M5 (tel: (902) 368 4444; fax: (902) 368 6613; e-mail: viccharlottetown@gov.pe.ca; website: www.peiplay.com). Grading: Owners of accommodations in Prince Edward Island are invited to participate in the Canada Select Rating Program. Participation in the grading system is voluntary. For further information, contact the Canada Select Rating Program, Quality Tourism Services, 375 University Avenue, Unit 1, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 6W5 (tel: (902) 566 3501; fax: (902) 566 3575; e-mail: qts@qts.pe.ca). The star ratings are based on the extent of facilities, quality of facilities, extent of services and amenities. 1-star: Basic, clean, comfortable accommodation; 2-star: Basic, clean and comfortable with some amenities; 3-star: Better quality accommodation; greater range of facilities and services; 4-star: High-quality accommodation; extended range of facilities, amenities and guest services; 5-star: Exceptional quality accommodation; among the best in the country with outstanding facilities, amenities and guest services. CAMPING/CARAVANNING: There are over 65 travel parks for camping near sandy beaches or in the interior. Camping fees vary, depending on the facilities offered. Most private sites accept reservations. For rates, reservations and other information on provincial parks, contact the Department of Tourism, Parks Division, PO Box 2000, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 7N8 (tel: (902) 368 5540 or (888) 734 7529; fax: (902) 368 5922; e-mail: tourpei@gov.pe.ca; website: www.peiplay.com); for rates and information on the National Parks, contact Parks Canada, 2 Palmers Lane, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 5V6. For general information, contact Canadian Heritage (tel: (819) 997 0055; website: www.pch.gc.ca). A number of companies can arrange motor camper rentals, with a range of fully equipped vehicles. For further information, contact Canadream Campers (website: www.canadream.com). Full details can be obtained from the Tourism Prince Edward Island (see Contact Addresses section). Introduction Charlottetown, the provincial capital, is a well-designed colonial seaport with tree-lined streets and rows of woodframe houses. Main places of interest are Province House, a fine Georgian building of Nova Scotia sandstone, the site of the 1864 discussions which led to the Canadian Confederation, and the Confederation Centre of the Arts, which houses art galleries, theatres, a restaurant and a museum. Founders’ Hall, located on Charlottetown waterfront, is a newly opened attraction which tells the story of Canada from the 1864 Charlottetown Conference to the present day. A tourist route known as the Blue Heron Drive heads westwards from Charlottetown to Port-la-Joye-Fort Amherst, the original French settlement on the Island, and on to Prince Edward Island National Park, 45km (25 miles) of fine white sand beaches and red sandstone capes on the north coast. Green Gables, the farmhouse immortalised in the book Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, is now a museum in Cavendish, located within the park. Further along the route, through Stanley Bridge where there is a large marine aquarium, is New London, where the author was born and wrote; there is now a museum in the house where she lived. Dunstaffnage, halfway between Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island National Park has a car museum worth visiting. A second tourist route, the Lady Slipper Drive, circles Prince County, home to most of the province’s French-speaking residents. The route passes through Miscouche, which has an Acadian Museum, and Mont Carmel, which has an Acadian Pioneer Village. West Point, on the western tip of Prince Edward Island, has Cedar Dunes Provincial Park, with a century-old wooden lighthouse and a connecting complex housing a museum, restaurant, handicraft shop and guest-rooms. A third route, the King’s Byway, traverses the hilly farming region of the eastern interior. It passes through Souris, where ferries depart regularly for the Québecois Magdalen Islands; and North Lake, where boats can be chartered for what is claimed to be some of the best tuna fishing in the world. Seal-watching tours have become very popular in the King’s Byway region. Point Prim, located on a long promontory to the southeast, has the oldest lighthouse on the Island, built in 1846 and still in use. In the interior of the Island, accessible by this route, is Milltown Cross, offering the Buffaloland Provincial Park, home of bison and white-tailed deer, and the Harvey Moore Migratory Bird Sanctuary, home to many varieties of duck and geese. Sport & Activities Watersports: Prince Edward Island has a 805km-long (500 miles) shoreline with numerous bays and sandy beaches, the best and prettiest of which can be found in the Prince Edward Island National Park. The park’s northern shore (situated in Queen’s County), where the beaches are protected by cliffs and sand dunes, is particularly well suited for swimming, and attracts thousands of visitors during the summer. Deep-sea fishing is a popular sport and chartered boats are widely available from July to September. Although the most common type of charters are for cod, mackerel and flounder, the waters around Prince Edward Island are particularly renowned for tuna. The tuna season begins in mid-August, and many tuna charters are available. Fishing equipment and bait are provided by the captain, but anglers are reminded that if they catch large fish such as tuna, the catch belongs to the captain. Those bringing in tuna may be offered a free charter for one day. Sea kayaking in one- and two-seater kayaks around the island’s coast offers good views and an opportunity to observe some of the local wildlife which includes seals, porpoises, eagles, osprey and cormorants. Several operators on the islands offer guided kayaking tours. Other: Cycling has become increasingly popular in recent years and Tourism Prince Edward Island (see Contact Addresses section) can offer advice about recommended cycling routes, which include trails along heritage roads and the 275-km (170-mile) Confederation Trail. The warm waters of the Gulf of St Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait have a moderating influence on the island’s climate and help to create one of the longest autumn foliage viewing periods in northeastern North America. The best time to go on these scenic forest walks is from mid-September until late October. There are excellent facilities for skiing and cross-country skiing at Brookvale Provincial Ski Park, which hosted the 1991 Canada Winter Games. Prince Edward Island has over 1000km (625 miles) of snowmobiling trails. The main line, the Confederation Trail, runs from Tignish in the west to Souris in the east, with several interconnecting lines branching off to virtually every corner of the province. Service stations can be found along the way. Prince Edward Island has excellent golfing facilities. There are 26 courses, designed to challenge golfers of varying skill, which include the Links at Crowbush Cove and Brudenell River Resort. For general information about sport and activities in Canada, see the main Canada section. Social Profile Food & Drink: Shellfish – lobster in particular – is a mainstay of the dinner table. Lobsters are steamed or boiled and included in casseroles and salads. Lobster suppers are a tradition on Prince Edward Island and they are often held in church basements or community halls where fresh lobster is served, along with home-made chowder, rolls, cakes and pies. ‘Seconds’ are available of everything except lobster. Oysters are also popular; they may be served with tangy sauce, deep-fried, in pies, scalloped, in soufflés, soups and stews. Prince Edward Island is famous for its new potatoes – small, round early potatoes – and a favourite with locals are new potatoes boiled with their skins, then mashed and served with lots of butter, salt and pepper. The Island offers plenty of plain, wholesome, home-cooked food in restaurants. Service is informal and friendly. There are also many seafood outlets where fresh fish and shellfish can be bought in season and taken away for cooking on barbecues or camp fires. Waiters expect a ten to 15 per cent tip. Most dining rooms are licensed to sell alcohol. Licensed premises are open until 0200. Off-licences (liquor stores) are open six days a week from 1000-2200 during the summer months. Hours of operation vary in winter. Only persons over 19 years of age may buy alcohol. Nightlife: Lounges on the Island usually have some live entertainment for all or part of the week. Theatres, located mainly in Charlottetown, Victoria, Georgetown, Mont Carmel and Summerside, offer cultural, musical or light entertainment. Shopping: The Island’s crafts include highly original pottery, weaving, leatherwork, woodwork, quilting, hand-painted silk and jewellery. Various guilds preserve the standards of production. There are also several antique dealers, second-hand stores, auctions, yard sales and flea markets. Main shopping centres can be found in Charlottetown, Summerside, Montague and Cavendish. Shopping hours: Mon-Thurs and Sat 0900-1700, Fri 900-2100 (although these may vary depending on the area and the time of year). Special Events: For a more complete list, contact Tourism Prince Edward Island (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events and festivals celebrated on Prince Edward Island during 2003: Late May – mid-Oct The Charlottetown Festival. Jun 28-Jul 1 Festival of Lights (Charlottetown). Late Jun – Sep Victoria Playhouse Festival. Jul 1-Aug 31 Fun through Learning (at Prince Edward Island National Park). Jul 2-Aug 31 Celtic Festival (Summerside). Jul 4-6 PEI Bluegrass and Oldtime Music Festival (Rollo Bay). Jul 5-Aug 24 Woodleigh Medieval Faire (Burlington). Jul 6-Aug 24 Indian River Festival (fine music series). Jul 11-20 Summerside Lobster Carnival. Jul 21-27 PEI Potato Blossom Festival (O’Leary). Jul 25-27 Festival Rendez-Vous Rustico (Rustico). Jul 31-Aug 2 Prince County Exhibition (Alberton). Aug 1-3 Atlantic Fiddlers Festival (Abram Village). Aug 7-10 200th Anniversary of the Selkirk Settlers (Eldon). Aug 9-10 LM Montgomery Festival (Cavendish). Aug 30-31 Festival of the Fathers (Charlottetown). Sep 11-14 Cornwall Cornfest. Sep 19-21 PEI International Shellfish Festival (Charlottetown). Sep 20-21 Annual 70-mile (112km) Coastal Yard Sale (southeastern PEI). Oct 4-5 Storms, Shipwrecks and Sailcloth (Tracadie Bay). Business Profile Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce, Suite 21, 236 St George Street, Moncton, New Brunswick E1C 1W1 (tel: (506) 857 3980; fax: (506) 859 6131; e-mail: apcc@atcon.com or info@apcc.ca; website: www.apcc.ca). Conferences/Conventions: For information on conferences and conventions on Prince Edward Island, contact the Visit Canada Centre (see main Canada Contact Addresses section) or Meetings Prince Edward Island, 129 Queen Street, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4B3 (tel: (902) 368 3688; fax: (902) 368 3108; e-mail: info@meetingspei.com; website: www.meetingspei.com). Climate Temperate climate with cold winters (mean January/February daytime high of -3ºC/26ºF) and warm summers (mean July/August daytime high of 23ºC/73ºF). Required clothing: Light- to mediumweights in warmer months, heavyweights in winter. Waterproof wear is advisable all year. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.