Daily Itinerary for Prince Edward Island Tour
August 3-6, 2020
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
Day 1
Departure Time: 7:45 a.m. EDT
Our departure time from Old Town is at 7:45 a.m. Please plan to arrive by 7:15 a.m. for check-in. From there, it’s a leisurely drive through Bradley and along the Penobscot River to The Airline (Route 9), then to Calais, where we’ll cross the International Border into St. Stephen, New Brunswick. There will be a short stop at Canada Customs (we will be “pre-screened” to minimize time with Canada Border Protection). Remember at the border to set your watches AHEAD one hour as the next four days we’ll be on Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT). From there, it’s a short drive along scenic Provincial Route 1 and down along the St. Croix River. We’ll see historic St. Croix Island, which sits on the international boundary. This tiny spit of land was the site of the first French settlement in North America in the summer of 1604. We’ll continue to St. Andrews-by-the-Sea where we’ll have an included lunch on historic Water Street at the Harbourfront Restaurant. After lunch, remind your tour director to take you past a special house and tell you the story about it! We’ll also pass the Loyalist Cemetery and see historic buildings including the Algonquin Hotel. We’ll make our way back to Route 1 and enjoy a drive through Saint John (look for cruise ships in port!) to Salisbury where we’ll have a short break to stretch the legs. We’ll be excited as we approach and cross Confederation Bridge connecting New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. It’s one of the construction marvels of the world, an eight mile (12.9 kilometer) bridge over open ocean! It’s the longest bridge over ice-covered water in the world, and the view from the motorcoach is unparalleled. Watch for whales as we cross this historic bridge, which is part of the Trans-Canada Highway. Tonight, dinner is included as a welcome and get-acquainted time. We’ll settle in at the Quality Inn & Suites, Garden of the Gulf in downtown Summerside. This will be our “home away from home” for the next three nights, so no luggage out until Thursday! Supper is next door at the Brothers2 Restaurant.
Included meals today: LUNCH, SUPPER
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4
Day 2
Departure Time: 8:30 a.m. ADT
Breakfast is included at the hotel this morning. Today is our day to explore the rugged and spectacularly beautiful western end of PEI and North Cape. We’ll first stop at the Acadien Museé (Acadian Museum) in Miscouche where we’ll learn about the Acadian heritage of the island. From there, we head along the coast to Cap-Egmont, where we’ll stop to see one of the “oddest” things you’ll see on PEI — bottle houses! Yup, it’s just what the name implies! From there it’s on to Abrams Village where we’ll stop for live entertainment and an included lunch at Village Musical Acadien. Following that, it’s straight up the middle of the western end of the island to North Cape where we’ll view the huge windmills and explore the dunes before heading back south along the north shore of PEI. From there, it’s back east to Indian River for a photo opportunity at the historic St. Mary’s Church. Then it’s back to Summerside where we’ll stop for supper on your own at the shopping center on north end of town. Finally, we’ll head a short distance back to the Quality Inn & Suites, Garden of the Gulf in downtown Summerside for the night.
Included meals today: BREAKFAST, LUNCH
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5
Day 3
Departure Time: 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast is included this morning at the Quality Inn & Suites, Garden of the Gulf. We’ll leave and head to Cavendish Beach on Prince Edward Island’s historic north shore. Here we will have a short interpretive tour of the sand dunes and marshes. From there, it’s on to Green Gables, one of the most-visited sites in the Maritimes. This is the home of “Anne of Green Gables,” the Lucy Maud Montgomery tale that has delighted millions of readers, and the subject of many movies and TV shows such as “Avonlea,” “Emily of New Moon” and others. We’ll tour the house where LMM stayed and learn more about this wonderful site. We’ll also stop at the nearby gravesite of Lucy Maud Montgomery. Then it’s off to Charlottetown, the provincial capital. After lunch (on your own), it’s off to the beautiful Confederation Centre of the Arts and The Charlottetown Festival. We’ll have prime seating for “Anne of Green Gables: The Musical.” This is an outstanding professional music event you’ll remember for a long time! But the day is far from over — after the musical performance, we’ll head north to Fisherman’s Wharf Lobster Suppers in North Rustico where we will enjoy an included lobster supper with all the trimmings, including the 60 foot salad bar with PEI mussels, seafood chowder and much more. Then it’s a short hop over to New Glasgow where we’ll visit the PEI Preserve Company and enjoy the gift shop. Finally, we’ll head back to the Quality Inn & Suites, Garden of the Gulf in downtown Summerside for the night.
Included meals today: BREAKFAST, SUPPER
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Day 4
Departure Time: 8:30 a.m.Please have your bags out by 8:15 a.m.
Breakfast is included this morning at the hotel, and we’ll be heading home today. Once again we’ll cross the historic Confederation Bridge, then stop in Salisbury for a break. We’ll stop for lunch (on your own) at the Burger King in Saint John. Then it’s on tothe St. Stephen border crossing. Remember it is vital that you have your Passport for re-entry into the United States. Please have your Passport ready when we cross into Calais. And don’t forget to set your watches BACK one hour as we enter the Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) zone! We’ll then have a short break at the Irving service center on the outskirts of Calais. Then it’s back along The Airline (Route 9) to Old Town. Depending on how long it takes to clear U.S. Customs, we anticipate return to our departure points before the supper hour. We’ll all be tired after several days of beautiful scenery and great activities, but what a trip it was!
Included meals today: BREAKFAST