Itinerary

DAY 1     Charlottetown, PE
Arrival and registration at the hotel. Afternoon: Program orientation and introductions. Dinner: Welcome dinner at the hotel. Evening: Orientation to the program and participant introductions are followed by a lecture entitled “Introduction to Prince Edward Island.” A local historian will bring the early history of the Island alive using stories of the peoples who have made Prince Edward Island home: native Mi’kmaq, French explorers, Acadian farmers, British military, and Scottish and Irish immigrants.
Accommodations: Hotel on Pownal

DAY 2     Charlottetown, PE
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning: Following breakfast, listen to the lecture “Stories of Islanders” as a local historian continues the story of Prince Edward Island. Learn about the period leading up to Confederation and through the Victorian era. Discover why Prince Edward Island is known as the “Cradle of Canadian Confederation” and how it was here that the Confederation Conference was held in 1864. On your first field trip of the program, you will take a guided historical walking tour of historic Charlottetown, exploring the history of this town so significant in Canadian history. Discover Charlottetown’s historic district with the Founders’ Hall Confederation Players, guides in 1860s dress acting as living Fathers and Ladies of Confederation. The walk is about one mile (1.6 km) long along city sidewalks and along the waterfront on relatively flat terrain. With a population of just over 35,000, Charlottetown is the largest community on Prince Edward Island. It has the comfortable ambiance of a small town rich in history. The Victorian era is alive in its architecture, well-maintained historic homes and heritage streetscapes. Lunch: Lunch will be buffet-style at Mavor’s, the new bistro in the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown. This facility was built in 1964 as Canada’s National Memorial to the Fathers of Confederation. Covering an entire city block, the Centre stands on what was the site of the old Charlottetown market. The Centre houses several theatres and an art gallery. It showcases the best in the Canadian visual and performing arts. In an unusual arrangement, each province and the federal government committed 15 cents per capita toward construction, or 30 cents per person. This was the first time that all the provinces agreed to give money for an institution outside their boundaries. Afternoon: On a field trip to Province House National Historic Site, professional Parks Canada staff will describe the significant role this building has played in the history of Canada. You will learn about the events leading up to the first conference on confederation. Province House was officially proclaimed a National Historic Site on July 1, 1983. The Legislative Assembly still meets in the assembly chamber first used in 1847. With 27 members, Prince Edward Island has the smallest Provincial Assembly in Canada. You will take a coach excursion to the beautiful north shore region of Prince Edward Island and learn about PEI’s rich natural and cultural heritage. The onboard guide will provide commentary and answer questions. In Prince Edward Island National Park, you will walk along Cavendish beach and enjoy scenic overlooks. The park is an area of diverse habitats. It is known for its wetlands and forests, which provide a home for a variety of plants and animals, but probably more for its beaches, sandstone cliffs sand dunes, barrier islands and sand pits. The coastal area is inhabited by the endangered Piping Plover, whose nesting sites are protected. The park contains heritage cultural sites, notably Green Gables and Dalvay-by-the-Sea National Historic Site. In 1998, 10 miles (6 km) of the Greenwich Peninsula were added to the Park to protect unique dune formations, rare plants and animals as well as archaeological findings dating back 10,000 years. From there, you will visit Green Gables National Historic Site, where a Parks Canada guide will showcase the fictional home of red-haired Anne Shirley, the heroine of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic novel, Anne of Green Gables. After watching an introductory video, walk through the house and learn about household life in early 20th-century Canada. Afterwards, rediscover the charm of Lover’s Lane, Haunted Wood and Balsam Hollow first experienced by Montgomery during her childhood. Dinner: Enjoy dinner at a restaurant in downtown Charlottetown. Evening: Participate in an evening of traditional Scottish music and dancing, called a ceilidh. The word “ceilidh” derives from the Gaelic word meaning “visit.” Enjoy lively music provided by local musicians.
Accommodations: Hotel on Pownal

DAY 3     Charlottetown, PE
Accompanied by a local historian, you will explore the eastern region of Prince Edward Island. On a morning field trip, your first stop will be Point Prim Lighthouse, the oldest in PEI. You will learn how it was designed and built in 1845 by Isaac Smith, the same architect who designed Province House in Charlottetown. This lighthouse is unique in that it is round and made of brick. The view of the Northumberland Strait from here is magnificent. Continuing on to Orwell Corner Historic Site and PEI Agricultural Museum, you will learn the history of agriculture on the Island and its significance to the Island economy. Discover how the heart of Prince Edward Island is its agricultural heritage. In Orwell, experience life in a rural crossroads community of the 1890s – a setting not unlike that described in L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. Marvel at the restored general store, house, barns, church, school and community hall. The Orwell Corner Historic Village re-creates an entire 1890s PEI village. Orwell was founded in the early 19th century by Scots who arrived on the Island with the Glenaladale Settlers, brought out by Captain John MacDonald, as well as families from the Isle of Skye and County Monaghan in Ireland and United Empire Loyalists. Many of the residents of Orwell are descended from these early settlers. The buildings are furnished with artifacts from the Provincial Collection. Lunch: Enjoy a tasty lunch at the MacPhail Homestead. Lunch is served in the Homestead dining room and will feature homemade soup and desserts as well as a choice of sandwiches. This beautiful National Historic Site is the former home of Sir Andrew MacPhail, a famous author, professor, social critic, doctor and soldier. The home has been restored to its 1912 appearance on 140 acres (57 hectares) and features beautiful gardens, walking trail and a nature center. It is used as a local community centre with many events devoted to the arts. Following lunch, on a field trip to Rossignol Winery, you will learn that grapes can grow – indeed, thrive on Prince Edward Island. This winery produces a variety of premium fruit and table wines. The vineyard and farm winery overlook the Northumberland Strait. Enjoy a presentation about the winery along with an opportunity to do some wine-tasting. Rossignol is the first commercial winery on the Island; the first wines were bottled in the fall of 1994. Rossignol refrains from using pesticides, operating as an ecologically friendly vineyard in strip-crop fashion. Their grapes are grown with ample green space between the rows, and with the nearby Northumberland Strait, a fresh breeze is never too far away. About a hectare of grapes are grown in greenhouses – perhaps the only greenhouse grapes grown in Canada. Until recently, Rossignol was prevented from selling his award-winning wine off-Island because of regulations dating back to Prohibition days. Afternoon: As you travel on to Montague, your on-board guide will continue a guided discussion of the area. At the Cape Bear Lighthouse, learn how the lighthouse, built in 1881, still helps navigate ships in these waters. Visiting the Marconi Museum, you will marvel at its place in history. It was here that the first distress signals from the ship the Titanic were received on the night of April 14, 1912. The lighthouse is a square, four-storied structure with gabled windows. In clear weather, its light can be seen for over 12 miles (20 km). You can climb to the lantern room, enjoy the view of the adjoining red banks and coves, and see the coastline of Nova Scotia in the distance. In 1901, Guglielmo Marconi sent a message across the Atlantic from Poldhu in Cornwall, England, to St. John’s, Newfoundland. By 1907, wireless telegraph service was in public use. In 1905-06, the Marconi Station at Cape Bear was one of seven in operation. Its main purpose was to communicate with ice-breaking ships that plied the waters of the Northumberland Strait between Pictou, Nova Scotia, and Georgetown and Charlottetown, PEI. The station was an important link for these vessels, especially in the winter months, when they could be trapped in the ice for days and even weeks. The Cape Bear station closed in 1922. Your next field trip will be a seal-watching cruise on a beautiful, sheltered tidal estuary. Learn how mussels are farmed and taste steamed mussels fresh from the sea. Sail to where gray and harbor seals play in the water and “haul out” to sun themselves. You will also see many types of seabirds and perhaps dolphins. Sightings cannot be guaranteed but are 90 percent likely. Admire historic homes and other significant sites along the way. The boat is comfortable, weatherproof and equipped for safety. Bring your binoculars and cameras! Dinner: Enjoy a traditional lobster supper at a local restaurant where these suppers are a specialty. The meal includes all-you-can-eat seafood chowder, mussels, salads and a single-entrée choice of lobster (in the shell!), scallops, ham or roast beef. Of course, there will be lots of potatoes and yummy desserts to round out the meal. Evening: Enjoy a free evening in Charlottetown.
Accommodations: Hotel on Pownal

DAY 4     Iles de la Madeleine, QC
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning: A lecture on “Prince Edward Island Education and Politics” will be a primer on local and national politics, with a special focus on comparisons to U.S. politics. The presenter, a local teacher and historian, will also discuss the unique history of the Island’s school system and briefly discuss the religious makeup of the Island. There are 273 churches on PEI serving a population of 139,000! During some free time in Charlottetown, take advantage of its wonderful galleries and cafés. Stroll along the scenic waterfront and through its quiet streets and parks. Relax and enjoy the small-town atmosphere, where residents almost invariably say hello as they pass. Lunch: Picnic lunch en route. Afternoon: Depart by coach for Souris, where you will embark by ferry for the Îles-de-la-Madeleine (Magdalen Islands). The ride takes five hours. The Islands are a small archipelago with an area of 75,213 square miles (194,803 square kilometers) located in the heart of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Although they are closer to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, they belong to Québec. Secluded, beautiful and as yet undiscovered, they offer unspoiled white beaches and fragile dunes as far as the eye can see. You will also marvel at the capes and lagoons, green valleys, red cliffs and brightly painted houses. You will arrive in the early evening at Cap-aux-Meules and depart by coach for Grand Entrée. Cap-aux-Meules is a busy port, and each wharf is devoted to a specific sector. A commercial wharf handles provisions to the Islands, while an oil wharf handles deliveries of oil products and bulk dry cargoes. The ferry wharf is used by the ferries between the Islands and the Québec mainland and from Cap aux Meules to Souris, PEI. It is also used by islanders, tourists and trucks. The two fishing wharves are owned by Transport Canada. They serve both offshore and inshore fishing boats as well as a vessel of Coast Guard Search and Rescue. Dinner: Enjoy a light supper after you settle in at La Salicorne. Evening: Welcome presentation on the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Island musicians will thrill you with authentic Island music. You will learn typical Island songs and dances. On the Magdalens, musical evenings featuring violins and guitars are an important part of the culture, and everyone has a good time. This evening will make you feel like a real “Madelinot”!
Accommodations: La Salicorne

DAY 5     Iles de la Madeleine, QC
Breakfast at La Salicorne. Morning: On a field trip to Grande-Entrée, you will learn about the history of lobster fishing in the Islands, the facilities at Grande-Entrée and the local people. This is a typical fishing village and the most important lobster-fishing port in Québec. In fact, it is called the “Lobster Capital” of the Islands. Lunch: Lunch at La Salicorne. Afternoon: Take a field trip to Old Harry and Grosse Ile, two English-speaking communities in the Magdalen Islands. You will learn the history of the first settlers and about the wildlife on the Islands. Most of the people in these fishing villages are descended from shipwrecked Irish and Scottish sailors. Both villages have lovely ports, which you will enjoy visiting. At Old Harry, there is a magnificent beach called Grande-Échouerie. It is 14 miles (22 km) long and, according to National Geographic magazine, one of the five most beautiful beaches in the world. The village church is another must-see. Its sculpted doors were created to honor a young man who lost his life trying to save two young girls from drowning. An excursion to the Seal Interpretation Centre will allow you to enter the fascinating environment of seals using interactive activities and films.Opened to the public in 1994, the Seal Interpretive Centre was created as a result of the efforts of the Willie Deraspe Foundation. Deraspe was an infamous local captain. You'll travel with the seals from the depths of the ocean to the brilliant white ice floes that you can actually hear drifting and thunderously breaking apart. You will learn how the different needs of the seals dictate their migrational or sedentary behaviours. Witness the birth of baby seals that take place on the ice around the Magdalen Islands. In the island's history, seals have always held, and always will hold, an important cultural and economic existence. Dinner: Dinner at La Salicorne. Enjoy a traditional Island supper (seafood pot-en-pot). Evening: Hear stories of traditional fishing skills. On the Magdalens, the lobster fishery is the most important part of the economy. And a fisherman is the best person to show you how lobster traps are made and how they work – the fishermen did not buy their traps, they built them! Our fisherman-storyteller will explain how fishermen set their lobster traps for the first time every year and what it is like when they have wind storms. Have your questions ready; he will answer them all!
Accommodations: La Salicorne

DAY 6     At Sea
Breakfast at La Salicorne. Morning: Enjoy a field trip to the island of Havre-aux-Maisons and learn some of the stories and legends of the Islands. Havre-aux-Maisons is known as “Treasure Island” because local legend has it that pirates buried their treasure in the round hill (la butte ronde). People from this island are recognized by their last names – Arseneau, Thériault, Cyr, Poirier –and by their accent – their pronunciation completely excludes the letter “r.” This island is an expanse of rolling, conical hills and is one of the most beautiful in the archipelago. You will also visit the beautiful beach of Dune du Sud and the lighthouse at Échouerie. You'll also visit a smokehouse, cheesemaker and a winery en route. Lunch: Lunch at Café de la Grave on Havre-Aubert Island. Afternoon: Your field trip continues around Havre-Aubert. Stopping at “La Grave” is an old fishermen’s site and one of the places where the Acadians lived when they first colonized the Islands. Today, La Grave is the location of a maritime museum and many interesting boutiques. One of these is les Artisans du Sable, where local artists create art and other objects from white and black sand. Bassin, where the average temperature is a little higher, is the best place on the Islands for agriculture. The hills here still support some forest, reminding us that in the past, 70 percent of the Islands were treed. At Musée de la Mer (maritime museum) explore the history of the Islands. Ship and lighthouse models, photographs and maritime objects demonstrate the development of navigation, stories of seal fishing, seal hunting and shipwrecks and collections of minerals, shells and rocks from the Islands. Discover the Church of Saint-Pierre in Lavernière. First built in 1876, this is the second largest wooden church in North America. It was struck several times by lightning: first in 1900, then in 1945, 1947 and 1980. The wood used in its construction was retrieved from shipwrecks and had to be blessed before the building could be rebuilt. It is an important element of the Madelinot heritage. Dinner: Dinner at Chez Gaspard. Evening: Depart for the ferry dock and board the CTMA Vacancier to travel to Québec City.
Accommodations: CTMA Vacancier

DAY 7     At Sea
Breakfast onboard the ship. Morning: Take an excursion to the Quebec mainland at Chandler in the Bay of Chaleur, Gaspé Region. Excursions will be arranged to Percé Rock, Chandler and other areas. Lunch: Lunch onboard the ship. Afternoon: Lectures this afternoon focus on the historical uniqueness of French Canada and the early explorers of the St. Lawrence River. As the ship sails toward Bonaventure Island, watch as the ship passes the island and Percé Rock. You will see colonies of gannets, seals and whales. A nature guide will interpret this environment. The ship will continue along the Gaspé coast and into the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. Engage in onboard activities. There will be music on the decks and cocktails with accompanying music in the salon. Dinner: Dinner onboard the ship. Evening: After a delicious dinner, enjoy an evening on your own or in the company of new friends. After 9:00 pm., enjoy music, dancing, games, and other entertainment. There will be a light meal at the end of the evening.
Accommodations: CTMA Vacancier

DAY 8     Vieux-Quebec, QC
Breakfast onboard the ship. Morning: Lectures this morning will highlight the role of the church and seigneurial system in French Canada, and the battle of the Plains of Abraham. The ship continues along the St. Lawrence River and travels through the Saguenay Region, passing Tadoussac and the Charlevoix region. The Island of Orleans then comes into sight. Onboard activities include music on deck. There will be a final discussion and/or interactive animation. Watch as the ship enters the harbor to Quebec City and docks at the wharf. Spread over Cap Diamant and the banks of the St. Lawrence, Quebec City was established in the 1600s as a fur-trading post. Settlement and expansion occurred with the building of solid fortifications. As the city developed into a major inland trade gateway, the French, English and Americans coveted this valuable site. Today, Quebec City represents the elegance and grace of its French heritage as a designated World Heritage City. Old Quebec is the only walled city in North America, and its narrow cobblestone streets are graced with 17th- and 18th- century homes, churches, parks, squares and monuments. A wide boardwalk (the Governor’s Walkway, or Dufferin Terrace) runs alongside the Château Frontenac and gives magnificent views of the St. Lawrence River. The massive Citadel reminds visitors of the strategic value of Quebec City in its early years. Quebec City is also known for its Winter Carnival and its Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations on June 24. Lunch: Lunch onboard the ship. Afternoon: Following lunch, disembark from the ship. A walking field trip through Old Québec gives an opportunity to learn the history of this heritage area, which dates from the mid-1700s. The city was awarded its World Heritage designation in 1985 based partly on the preservation of the fortifications around the Old Town, which date from 1745. This area has a distinct European feel with its stone buildings and winding streets lined with shops and restaurants. Dinner: Dinner at the hotel. Evening: The remainder of the evening is free to explore Québec City on your own.
Accommodations: Hotel Manoir Victoria

DAY 9     Vieux-Quebec, QC
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning: A slide lecture entitled "The History of Québec City" will give you an excellent overview of Québec City from its founding to the present day. Learn about the principal historical events that occurred here. The city was awarded its World Heritage City designation in 1985 based partially on the preservation of the fortifications around the Old Town, which date from 1745. This area has a distinct European feel with its stone buildings and winding streets lined with shops and restaurants. In the morning's second lecture, you will discover Québec's transition from a tradtional to a modern society. On a walking field trip to the Ursulines Convent and Museum, learn about the educational mission of the Ursuline nuns and their way of life. The Ursulines landed in New France in 1639 and concerned themselves with the education of girls, both French and Native. The Convent is the oldest institution of its kind in North America. It is housed in buildings erected at various times during the monastery's three and a half centuries of existence. The Chapel dates from the early 20th century and preserves the interior decor of the original 1730s chapel. Much of the carving is the work of Québec's master-sculptor Pierre-Noël Levasseur. There are also paintings by French masters of the 17th and 18th centuries. The Ursulines museum contains one of the richest ethnographic and artistic collections passed down from the early days of New France, including exquisite embroidery worked by the nuns. Lunch: Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon: After lunch, enjoy some free time to continue exploring Québec City on your own. Visit the Farmers Market, stroll through the Antiques District and the many art galleries. Dinner: Dinner in Québec City. Evening: Following dinner, enjoy program farewell activities.
Accommodations: Hotel Manoir Victoria

DAY 10     Vieux-Quebec, QC
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning: Independent departures.
Accommodations: Hotel Manoir Victoria

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