SusanInToronto

We're going to drive from Toronto to PEI and Cape Breton in September. We'll probably have 2 weeks in total, and I'm not sure how long we should plan to stay on PEI. Although I loved Anne of Green Gables when I was a child, I really don't have interest now! I know it's a small island - would we be advised to spend a couple of nights in 1 spot, then move elsewhere for a couple of nights? Or base ourselves in 1 place and take day trips?

We are trying to keep costs down on this trip - Inn at Bay Fortune looks amazing, but definitely more than what I want to spend. I'm seeing lots of B&B's with lots of great period details - but my taste right now is running to something that less 'flowery'.

I know these are really general questions - I'm just starting to plan this trip.

constantcruiser

September is beautiful in PEI, and a wonderful relief after a blazing summer of Texas heat! We were there 2 days & wished we could have stayed longer. We found the B&B's there to be much less "flowery" than the ones we're used to in the Southern U.S. In fact, many accommodations are simply one room in a private home. We stayed on a working farm and really felt like we got a taste of local culture. And speaking of "taste," everything we ate for 2 days was grown on their farm or caught in their lobster traps--very simply prepared & delicious.

ltt

i'd allow 4 nights in pei and at least 4 nights on cape breton. pei is pretty small. if you don't like moving, stay in one spot and do day trips. if you want to split it up, i'd consider 2 nights in charlotte town and 2 nights around cavindish beach/north rustico area.

SusanInToronto

Thanks for the replies. 4 nights on PEI and 4 or 5 in Cape Breton certainly sounds doable. That would give us about 5 days travel time.

Cavendish Beach - isn't that Anne of Green Gables territory? Is there another reason to stay in that area?

I have ordered the PEI Tourist info, but it hasn't arrived yet.

BAK

There's a lot to be said for enjoying the travel to and from PEI.

When I do this kind of trip, I head from Toroto toward Maine (I like to cross into the USA at the Ivy Lea Bridge east of Kingston) and then travel along the shoreline up through Maine.

I think four nights in PEI is September might be two nights too much -- as you do more research, try to figure out how you'd spend these evenings once tourist season is, if not over, greatly reduced.

Same for Cape Breton.

If you want to put on a sweater (big difference between September 3 and September 23 most years, too) and sit out in the fall sunshine with a book and gret scenery, well... lots of people like that.
Others get bored, or, in my cheapskate case, start thinking about wasted travel time. I could read at home.

With this in mind, allow a day in Quebec City on the way back home. I've done this trip via Ottawa once, because there were things going on there I wanted to see.

BAK

SusanInToronto

Thanks BAK for the advice. I was wondering what route we'd take to get there. Last time we went east, we stopped in Quebec City on our way there - it had been years since we had been there and we really enjoyed it. We definitely wouldn't mind spending a night or 2 there on our way back. Going through Maine might be a good way to get there.

We actually enjoy some periods of 'inactivity' when we're on vacation. We really don't like to be on the move all the time, but we'll consider the timing of our stay. We are not adverse to going back to Halifax for a night or so. Maybe stopping somewhere in Maine as well. Although when I started at look at the cost of accommodation at places like Bar Harbor, yikes!

irecommend

There is so much to do in both PEI and Cape Breton that Im surprised the other posters say you could be bored. Cavendish area has lots of great hikes and it is in easy driving distance to lots of craft galleries etc. We rented a cottage there and were able to cook our own seafood and enjoy strolling on the shore. Cape Breton has great hiking as well. Im sure you will wish you had more time in both places.

cmcfong

irecommend, do you know of any particularly good craft galleries on PEI?

canuck99

irecommend,

Which property did you stay at on PEI? We're looking at some cottages in the Cavendish area as well and are hoping for waterfront and water view for those gorgeous sunsets or sunrises and for long beach walks! Kitchen facilities would be perfect for cooking the local seafood.

Thanks!

irecommend

Its been a few years but we went to the gallery at The Dunes in Brackley Beach and it had a lot of beautiful artwork and pottery. You can check out their website.
As far as where we stayed I believe it was called White Eagle by the Sea. It was not fancy but had cooking facilities. The cottages next door looked better as they had lovely decks and barbecues but I cant recall the name of them (may have been Cavendish Cottages) They are in the national park and have full ocean views. Dont get a cottage on the main road in Cavendish as it is a bit touristyl.

lucyp

Hi, The Dunes is quite famous for it's crafts and is on the main road near to Brackley Beach. Pottery By The Sea in North Rustico has beautiful pottery and the P.E.I. Arts Guild has their own shop on Victoria Row in Charlottetown. There are lots of others as well but in my opinion just not quite as nice.

cmcfong

Thank you for your suggestions.

On our last visit to the Cavendish Beach area we stayed at Kindred Spirits bed and breakfast. Very nice. On this trip we are staying at Dalvay House. Three years ago we stayed at Inn at Bay Fortune, elegant, lovely accomodations.