Agent guide to Prince Edward Island

Travel Counsellor Julia Lynch has a tale to tell of her famil experience in the land of Anne of Green Gables.

Known as the Jewel in Canada’s Crown, Prince Edward Island (PEI as it is called locally) was renamed “a real pearl” by Maxine Adams during our stay on this wonderful island.

We travelled here as part of a group of thirteen from the UK, Germany and Australia in September. We were guests of the Delta Prince Edward for six nights.

Travelling from Australia with Air Canada via Vancouver and Montreal we arrived into the capital, Charlottetown late in the evening and began our first day with a morning tour to get our bearings. Visiting Red Shores Racetrack, the home of harness racing on the island, Cows Creamery (for the best ice cream in the world) and the lovely Victoria Park.

Chocolate Covered Chips

The afternoon was devoted to a culinary walking tour of historic Charlottetown known as “Taste the Town”. We tasted Malpeque oysters, learnt how to tell the sex of a lobster then on to the olive oil specialist for a tasting followed by a craft brewery, mussels and hand cut potato chips using local Russet- Burbank potatoes.

It was time for some exercise on Saturday so we were off to PEI National Park, firstly visiting the Greenwich Interpretation Centre before a hike to see the Greenwich Dunes guided by a staff member of Parks Canada. The afternoon gave us a chance to visit a different area of the national Park – Dalvay, Covehead Wharf and Lighthouse.

Sunday included a trip to Georgetown on the way to Tranquillity Cove, for a Canadian Signature Experience. A cruise with Captain Perry Gotell and his crew to see some mussel socks and have the life cycle explained, haul in a lobster pot and hear about the industry have a look at the local seals and finally fish for mackerel which were then barbecued on board it doesn’t get any fresher !

Monday was a highlight for me, after a very special breakfast hosted by the management team at the Delta Prince Edward we were off to Culinary Boot Camp at the Culinary Institute of Canada, part of Holland College.

After signing waivers, a tour of the commercial kitchen and outfitted with aprons and hats we were allocated recipes and set loose to prepare two dishes per team. This then became our lunch served with wine in the dining room. We prepared lobster and white fish chowder, meatloaf, vegetables, lemon curd, blueberry compote, biscuits (or scones) and potato chocolate cake (don’t knock it till you try it!).

Lobster Anyone?

The afternoon was devoted to Anne of Green Gables, PEI’s best known “resident” and a major drawcard for tourists. The house is administered by Parks Canada and we were joined by our guide from Greenwich, Mike Critchley to meet “Anne” and tour the property. Finally we visited the Prince Edward Island Preserve Company to do some souvenir shopping and pick up those essential supplies of local maple syrup.

The food was a very special part of the trip, we ate lobster at least once a day if not more often and it was very good lobster. There were a couple of cringe worthy moments, among them the chocolate dipped potato chips (I kid you not).

Close friendships were formed and that is probably something that will always remind us of what a special place PEI is and as with any destination the fonder your memories the easier it is to sell.

Prince Edward Island – Canada Specialist Mega Famil 2015 Australian participants

Helen Reynolds – Landmark Travel

Maxine Adams – MTA Travel

Kirby Saunders – Jamison Travel

Julia Lynch – Travel Counsellors

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Prince Edward Island – Canada Specialist Mega Famil 2015 Australian participants

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au