PEI VASTLY OVERRATED, SKIP IT
 

Just returned from a two-week visit to Atlantic Canada. For those planning itinaries for trips that include children, I would recommend that you seriously consider skipping PEI. It was extremely buggy (worse than Alaska when we were there last summer), the beaches are bad, the water is freezing, and most of the attractions make you think that's what Myrtle Beach would have been like in the 1950s. Our boys, 11 and 14, hated it and couldn't wait to leave and they're pretty seasoned and fair travelers. It is beautiful, slow, friendly and "quaint" but definitely the beneficiary of an over-the-top marketing campaign.

Strange the different things that people enjoy.<BR><BR>If you wanted Disneyland, that is where you should have gone. What did you really expect from PEI? All it would have taken is a little research to determine that your children might not enjoy it.

"It is beautiful, slow, friendly"<BR><BR>Sounds wonderful-just how my friend described PEI after returning from a 10 day cycling trip-the photos were lovely.<BR><BR>I suggest you do some more research as to what's suitable for 11&14 year olds and keep them away from the TV as much as possible.<BR><BR>Also-typing all in capitals is considered SHOUTING-very bad form.<BR>

We just returned from PEI as well. Indeed there were a lot of sand flies at the beaches. We did not spend much time at the beaches though because the biking trails are world class. As for the Myrtle Beach atmosphere--it does exist in certain areas of central PEI(Ann of Green Gables, etc.) but the rest of the island is unspoiled and has much to offer in terms of natural beauty.

My wife and I went on our honeymoon to PEI. It was one of the most beautiful, friendly, peaceful paces we've ever visited. Perhaps your boys appreciation for beauty is what is vastly overated. Just a thought.<BR><BR>Chris

My 13 year old daughter and I spent close to a week in PEI last summer - we were so busy, we never even had time to see the Anne of Grenn Gables bit - but we absolutely had a fantastic time exploring the rest of the island! She wasn't bored at all - we went seal watching, saw seaweed harvesting (and ate seaweed pie), visited the acadian region, and enjoyed an Irish festival complete with dancers and bagpipers to name just of few of the things we found to do. If anything, PEI is underrated - we can't wait to go back!

I have to agree with the OP. PEI is probably more suited to a retirement crowd or people with very young kids. There's not much to keep older kids amused and the tacky Ann of Green Gables attractions are really annoying. <BR>

<BR>What IS PEI?

It's IPE in English.

Prince Edward Island in English. Ile Prince Edouard in French.

I have to mention that Jan also though Cape Breton should be "skipped". There are lots of things to do in both places if you want to do something - but if you're looking for roller coasters and Nike outlets, forget it! You should do your research and see if a place is right for you. Like I know Vegas is not right for me so why would I go there expecting a beach or quiet evenings in a sidewalk cafe?

Thank goodness we aren't all the same. We're planning a trip to Atlantic Canada in September and I'm not going to either PEI or Cape Breton. When I was coming up with an itinerary, I heard from fans of both places - I was told "you have to go there". My sister, who lived in Nova Scotia for a few years, told me to go to PEI. A co-worker told me to skip PEI, but I had to see Cape Breton. We finally decided to skip both - we've got a fairly full itinerary as it is and if we really like it, we'll go back.

We are leaving next week for a week in Nova Scotia and two days in PEI. My six year old is a great fan of Anne of Green Gables and can't wait to see where the story took place. My 15 year old will find the seaweed harvesting fascinating. He is a great fan of fiddle music so I planned an evening outing that includes that for him. It's always work to take children on vacation, especially with ages and interests as diverse as ours. I always plan special things for both of them and spend time educating them about a place before we go. They have travelled all over and have yet to be bored for a moment.

Cold water along Canadian beaches? Wow, that's surprising!

I agree Susan the reality does not live up to the marketing hype. Good for Senior Citizen bus tours !

I have lived on PEI for the last 10 years of my life and am insulted by what you have said. There are a lot of non-buggy beaches to visit. Just ask a local which beach to go to. I know lots that have warmer water (hello, south shore). You probably just went to Cavendish or Brackley - two of the worst beaches, in my opinion, to what you could have seen. <BR>There are many options to entertain your children...from deep sea fishing, to sea kayaking tours to bridge jumping. And I've never met a kid who didn't enjoy Rainbow Valley.

My husband and I took our two kids a couple of years ago (then ages 8 and 11 to PEI). We all loved it! There was so much to do, but it really helped that we did our research ahead of time. It is a very special place.

Kristamac: What beaches would you recommend? We'll be there the last few days of the month and so far our only &quot;real&quot; plan is taking in a comedy play at Victoria Theatre. Both my kids (13 and 9) want to hit the beach. We are planning 3 full days. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. wd

It's the Atlantic Ocean - of course its going to be cold!!

Uh, the original post is a year old.