Charlottetown Vacations and Luxury Travel Packages
Urbane rather than urban, PEI's largest "metropolis" is the small and tidy provincial capital of Charlottetown (population 15,000). Although the smallest of all provincial capitals, it played a major role in Canadian history, hosting the conference that resulted in Canadian nationhood. The building where the historic meeting of the Fathers of Confederation took place, Province House, is a threestory Georgian-style structure completed in 1847. The articles that officially formed a united Canadian nation in 1867 were signed in the high-ceilinged "Confederation Chamber."
The preservation ethic is strongly adhered to on PEI, and this is especially evident along Charlottetown's side streets where numerous wooden houses fin gingerbread style remain intact. In Victoria Park adjacent to Charlottetown harbor are several stately 19th-century structures including Government House, a white colonial building erected in 1834, and the Victorian mansion known as Beaconsfield, built in 1877 and which today houses the historical exhibits of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation. Also situated in the park facing the harbor are remnants of Fort Edward, constructed in 1805 as part of a series of fortifications to safeguard the harbor.
The most impressive of the city's contemporary buildings is the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Completed in 1964 as a national memorial to the Fathers of Confederation, it functions as the capital's cultural hub. The Centre houses a 1100-seat theater plus a library, art gallery with more than 1500 works and a collection of Canadian crafts. It hosts the annual Charlottetown Festival held from late June through mid September. Thousands flock yearly from all across Canada to the Centre theater during festival time to see performances of Anne of Green Gables and other Canadian musicals. The harness races held at Charlottetown Driving Park are another popular summer pastime. One of Canada's premier rural fairs, Old Home Week, takes place here in August.
After leaving Charlottetown, Blue Heron Drive winds around a peninsula south of the Capital, passing the small town of Rocky Point. Nearby is Fort Amherst / Port-La-Joye National Historic Park, the place where 300 French colonists came ashore in 1720 and established Port La Joie - the first white, nonIndian settlement on the island.
The British, who drove the French out in 1758, built Fort Amherst on the same spot. Only the earthworks remain visible today, and a small museum on the site explains the significance of the historical events that occurred here through an interpretive slide show and other exhibits. Nearby, a reconstructed 16th-century Micmac village illustrates how the Indians lived before the Europeans. On display are birchbark wigwams and canoes.
Moving further along down to PEI's south-central coast, the drive provides some excellent vantage points from which to observe the striking red sandstone seascapes. At the tiny fishing port of Victoria-by-the-Sea, the historic Victoria Playhouse stages live theater performances during the summer. This is also a good place to hunt for antiques and handicrafts or go for a sail out of Victoria harbor in an old rigged schooner.
Note: The hotel and resort prices listed in this guide are published fares - we often have specials at substantially lower rates. Please use our "Vacation Planner" and our agents will tell you about all available specials.
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During this time of price volatility in the travel and cruise industry, please be advised the pricing can fluctuate within the same day. All of our promotions are subject to change without notice. As a result, prices will not be guaranteed until you make a deposit.
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During this time of price volatility in the Charlottetown vacations, travel, tour and cruise industry, please be advised the pricing can fluctuate within the same day. All of our promotions are subject to change without notice. As a result, prices will not be guaranteed until booked.
Disclaimer: We've worked hard to make all the Charlottetown vacations, cruise and travel packages information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.
