VG09_In Brief Art_Dec 30 1/7/09 3:51 PM Page 42 THIS SECTION is full of things The Confederation Bridge you need to know or might A 13-kilometre engineering like to know about Prince marvel, the Confederation Edward Island. You will find Bridge is a quick, convenient details about our environment, and fascinating way to arrive taxes, health information and on the Island. Connecting so on, plus our “Nice to Know” from New Brunswick, the toll feature with fun insider info. bridge brings you to the town Being surrounded by water of Borden-Carleton and the is no deterrent to visiting the Gateway Village visitor centre Island. It actually makes the and shopping complex. Find trip that much more fun. Confederation Bridge more information about the Photo by BRIAN MCINNIS You have three exciting Confederation Bridge by transportation choices when visiting their website at travelling to PEI. Refer to our only on departure or, as we By Air www.confederationbridge.com. full-size highway map for like to say, “only if you decide Air Canada offers direct suggestions on getting here. to leave!” Have fun and happy flights from Halifax, Montréal, By Train touring! Ottawa and Toronto on a Try out the Easterly Class LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE year-round basis. These cities and immerse yourself in CROSSING THE STRAIT Northumberland Ferries have daily flights throughout Maritime culture along the Whichever mode of travel you Departing from Caribou, Nova the year with additional flights way! Travel by train as far choose, you will notice that Scotia and Wood Islands, added during the summer. as Moncton, New Brunswick Prince Edward Island’s Prince Edward Island, on a See www.aircanada.com for and continue on to Prince crescent shape is perfect for a schedule of about every hour current schedules, bookings, Edward Island by bus or rental grand circuit tour. Start in the and a half from May to late or more information. car. See www.viarail.ca. east arriving by ferry at Wood December, the car ferries offer WestJet Airlines provides Islands, loop your way around a pleasant respite. The 75- direct flights from Toronto By Cruise East Point, then all the way minute trip, spent casually on a year-round basis. Daily Several major cruise lines stop to North Cape in the west, enjoying a chat and a snack, flights are offered from May to in the port of Charlottetown before departing by the lounging on the deck soaking November. Visit westjet.com each year, so consider arriving dramatic Confederation Bridge up the sunshine and sea air, for more details. by sea! Visit www.historic (see everything in between). and enjoying some traditional Sunwing Airlines offers charlottetownseaport.com. Wood Islands is the gateway “music on deck,” is often direct flights from Toronto two community to scenic and considered a holiday highlight. days per week on a seasonal lively eastern PEI. Or, reverse For details and additional basis. For the most up-to-date the procedure and begin at the information, check online information and schedules OUR ONLINE Confederation Bridge. In either www.peiferry.com. For detailed see www.flysunwing.com. RESERVATIONS SERVICE case, keep in mind that the sailing schedules, call 1-888- Delta Air Lines and You can conveniently book bridge and ferry tolls are paid 249-7245. Northwest Airlines offer direct accommodations online at seasonal service from three gentleisland.com/bookonline. cities in the United States. Or call direct to the operators Delta provides service from listed in this Guide; many have Boston and New York toll-free numbers, emails and between June and September. websites to help with bookings. Northwest has direct flights Our website gentleisland.com from Detroit July to September. provides detailed searches that More details and current can select property lists by schedules can be found at price range, star rating, www.delta.com and category or other features. www.nwa.com. And of course you can call For more information about day or night 1-800-463-4PEI flying to PEI, please visit the to talk with an operator about accommodations in PEI. Northumberland Ferries Charlottetown Airport on the 42 Photo by BARRETT & MACKAY web at www.flypei.com. VG09_In Brief Art_Dec 30 1/7/09 3:40 PM Page 43 43 VG09_In Brief Art_Dec 30 1/7/09 4:02 PM Page 44 BE BEACH SAFE not panic if this happens to On our Island province you you; relax and swim parallel are never far from the ocean to the shore to get out of the and one of our numerous current; then swim back to spectacular beaches. From shore. Do not attempt to the red sand beaches on the swim back to shore against south shore to the white sand the current; it is too strong. beaches on the north shore, Ask your lifeguard for more Prince Edward Island offers information when you arrive a variety of unique and at the beach. enjoyable beach experiences. PEI National Park beaches Enjoying the warm waters provide lifeguard service. surrounding the Island is a Supervised Provincial Park very popular activity. To fully a properly-sized life jacket or Rip currents are powerful beaches include: Jacques enjoy your beach experience personal flotation device and can pull people away Cartier, Cedar Dunes, Chelton please follow these tips: (PFD) at all times. from shore. Even the strongest Beach, Northumberland, Cabot • always swim in supervised • pay close attention to swimmers can get into trouble Beach, Basin Head, Red Point, beach areas. surf conditions. Waves and if caught in a rip current. Do and Panmure Island. • ensure your children are currents can make water more supervised at all times. dangerous than usual. • never swim alone. Always Swimming in the ocean is swim with a buddy and watch very different from swimming out for each other. in a pool or lake. The strength • do not consume alcohol and force of even small ocean or drugs before or while waves can surprise beach swimming. Alcohol and drugs goers who are unfamiliar with impair your abilities and the power of the sea. When judgement. particular surf conditions are • weaker swimmers and present at some of our beaches, young children should wear rip currents can occur. 44 VG09_In Brief Art_Dec 30 1/7/09 4:03 PM Page 45 go to www.peicaps.org. not approach or intervene. Using the computers at the Child Find PEI can be CAP sites is either free or very reached at 1-800-387-7962. affordable. Access to other business services such as EMERGENCY CALLS faxing, scanning or rentals The Island’s province-wide is also available. 911 Emergency Response System is capable of linking HEALTH INFORMATION visitors with translators in Non-Canadian citizens should 140 different languages. obtain or extend their health It is important that you can insurance coverage before identify your location when Central Bedeque Photo by JOHN SYLVESTER leaving home. Hospitals are calling 911 from a cell located in Alberton, O’Leary, phone. For emergency OUR FRAGILE DUNES stunning natural resource Tyne Valley, Summerside, service, dial 911 anywhere Whenever possible, stay on intact, clearly marked access Montague, Charlottetown in Prince Edward Island. designated paths and stair- points to the beach have been and Souris. Health clinics ways to the beach to help designated. Please don’t play can be found in O’Leary, protect the fragile dune on the dunes; there are plenty Summerside, Charlottetown, systems. Our white sand of places to play on the Kensington, Hunter River beaches are known for their beach and the eco-system and Montague. spectacular natural sand will thank you. dunes. But they are as fragile CHILD FIND as they are beautiful. Over GETTING CONNECTED The PEI Amber Missing Child the years, we have come to Prince Edward Island has 41 Alert was implemented in PEI understand the need to Community Access Program in 2003. When an Amber respect these natural habitats (CAP) sites where you can Alert is activated, any for rare plants and wildlife connect to the internet or sightings can be reported by by not disturbing the dunes. check your email while on calling the number provided. Charlottetown In an effort to keep this vacation. For a list of sites For the safety of the child, do Photo by GREG VAUGHN 45 VG09_In Brief Art_Dec 30 1/7/09 4:56 PM Page 46 HOSTELLING HOW’S THE WEATHER? PEI has two hostels. For more Spring is comfortable. Late information check The Index May and June are alive with (page 201) under the heading colour, and temperatures range Accommodations, or at PEI from 8 to 22ºC (46 to 71ºF). Visitor Information Centres. Summer is hot, but rarely very humid. The daytime AGRI-TOURISM temperatures are usually in the Get to know a bit more 20s (70s) and can go as high about our thriving agricultural as 32ºC (90ºF). The water at industry by visiting some of the beach is nice for our markets and farm B&Bs, swimming in July and August. individual operators for infor- late May to the end of or challenge yourself in a corn Autumn is clear and bright. mation on bilingual service. December). maze or try a hay ride! See September afternoons can be We also publish a French- When purchasing Anne of gentleisland.com/agritourism quite warm, evenings are cool. language Island Guide; just Green Gables souvenirs, look for information on visiting Temperatures usually range phone 1-800-887-L’ÎLE or visit for the trademark logo which farms on the Island. from 8 to 22ºC (46 to 71ºF). us at www.douceurdelile.com. shows that the product has Winter is crisp and clean.