Page 135 - Travel Guide to Canada 2019
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PE
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Park Pick
ARDGOWAN NATIONAL HISTORIC
SITE, CHARLOTTETOWN
th
Ardgowan, a gracious 19 century
Gothic revival residence not far from
downtown Charlottetown, was the
home of William Henry Pope, one of
the Fathers of Confederation. It’s an
example of a large rural “cottage” from
the Victorian era and was the scene of
lavish entertaining in 1864 during the
historic Charlottetown Conference.
The interior—which now houses Parks
Canada’s administrative offi ces for all
P.E.I. holdings—isn’t open for public
tours, but visitors are encouraged to
stroll around the gorgeous grounds
and perhaps pause for a picnic. Pope
was an avid gardener and the sprawl-
CHARLOTTETOWN • DESTINATION CANADA/DISCOVER CHARLOTTETOWN
ing property refl ects his passion
(www.parkscanada.gc.ca/ardgowan).
ones, drawn from the eponymous bay, have SCENIC DRIVES
set the gold standard for more than a The 350-km (217-mi.) North Cape Coastal National Parks and Historic Sites:
www.parkscanada.gc.ca
century. Sample them waterside or slurp Drive is full of contrasts. It’s quickly getting 1-888-773-8888
some back at the Fall Flavours Festival a reputation as the Canadian Oyster Coast.
(www.fallfl avours.ca). There is everything here from Mi’kmaq and
Acadian communities to secluded beaches Corner Historic Village and Roma at Three
Conceived by celebrity chef Michael Smith, and towering wind turbines (www. Rivers National Historic Site (www.points
The Inn at Bay Fortune’s FireWorks Feast northcapedrive.com). eastcoastaldrive.com).
features multiple courses cooked in a
7.5-m-long (25-ft.) wood-burning, The 253-km (157-mi.) Central Coastal FAMILY FUN
fi re-breathing stove that has an integrated Drive—which includes Green Gables Shore Kids of all ages love making sandcastles,
smokehouse, hearth, grill, plancha, rotisserie and Red Sands Shore—covers key Anne and Maurice Bernard is the expert in
and oven (www.innatbayfortune.com). sites and much of PEI National Park, plus residence at PEI National Park. You can
communities ranging from commercial sign up for Experience PEI’s “Sensational
The entire world seems to know about Cavendish to quaint Victoria-by-the-Sea Sandcastles” program to get a lesson from
COWS ice cream. Its 36 varieties are (www.centralcoastalpei.com). the master. If you just want to admire the
available at several locations in P.E.I., but creations, drop by the third Saturday of
you can get the inside scoop at COWS The 475-km (295-mi.) Points East Coastal July for the park’s annual Great Island
Creamery on the outskirts of Charlottetown. Drive is dotted with lighthouses and lined Sandcastle Competition (www.parks
Sign up for a tour which is educational, with 50-odd beaches. There are timely canada.gc.ca/pei; www.experience
fun and delicious (www.cows.ca). attractions, too—among them Orwell pei.ca/sensational-sandcastles).
• Atlantic Canada Receptive Service Specialists
• Multi-lingual Step-on Guides
• Self-Drive Getaways
• Custom Group Tour Planning
• Cruise Ship Shore Excursions
53 Silver Terrace, Bedford, Nova Scotia Tel: 902-422-2861 / 1-800-565-8296 www.taymactours.com

