Compare A Cycling Journey: Red Cliffs, Blue Waters and Green Gables by Road Scholar vs Canada (Western): See & Experience it ALL in 10 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: The Hotel on Pownal

Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Meet your Group Leader in the hotel lobby between 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. and pick up your program packet. If you arrive after 5:00, please ask for your packet when you check-in.

Dinner: Enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Evening: Orientation. Your Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and introductions and review the program schedule. You may wish to explore what the city has to offer or continue to get to know your fellow Road Scholars. If you’d like to go out on your own, the hotel is in downtown Charlottetown, surrounded by shopping, restaurants, and within walking distance to the Farmer’s Market, Confederation Centre of the Arts, and Charlottetown’s City Hall.

Day 2

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Loyalist Country Inn

PEI Introduction, Cycling Victoria to Summerside

Activity note: Hybrid bikes (21 speed), helmet and bike rack included in cost; standard pedals and caliper brake system. Van support available. Cycling approximately 30 miles on paved roads and trails. Mostly flat terrain, some gentle slopes. Cycling on the Confederation trail is on rolled stone dust trails with gentle gradients which never exceed 2% (up or down). Van transfer from Charlottetown to Victoria approximately 45 minutes.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Our morning presentation will provide an introduction to Prince Edward Island and its history. Discover stories of the past with a local historian who will bring the early history of the Island alive using stories of the people who have made Prince Edward Island their home: native Mi’kmaq, French explorers, Acadian farmers, and British military. While Charlottetown is best recognized for its role in the founding of our nation. We transfer by van to Victoria, PEI (45 minutes) where we will be fitted for our bikes and spend some time cycling. Part of our route will be on the Confederation Trail. With beautiful rolling hill scenery, quaint villages and broad bay seascapes, it is PEI's portion of the Trans Canada Trail.

Lunch: Boxed lunch.

Afternoon: Our cycling continues in the Red Sands Shore region of PEI. Bike through scenic towns including Victoria, an historic fishing village that has become an art hub; and Bedeque, a former settlement for a large number of United Empire Loyalists who landed following the American Revolution. The rolling terrain of the region is ideal for cycling - a great way to enjoy the Island’s pastoral landscape. Red sand beaches, red jutting cliffs and red clay roads disappear over hills and beckon you to follow. Stop at the Confederation Bridge then continue cycling to Summerside, where we will check into the hotel for the next two nights.

Dinner: At the inn.

Evening: At leisure. Relax at the hotel or set out to explore the evening activities in Summerside, the Island’s second-largest city. Stroll along the lively boardwalk or take in some local entertainment.

Day 3

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Loyalist Country Inn

Cycling Mont-Carmel, Acadian Region, Agriculture

Activity note: Cycling approximately 35 miles on a looped route on paved roads; support van available. Mostly flat terrain, some gentle slopes.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast.

Morning: Today we will be journeying through Mont-Carmel, and Wellington. Nestled in the heart of Prince Edward Islands Acadian region, Mont-Carmel exudes the best of the coastal, French-speaking culture. This small region is comprised of a number of Acadian communities, where their vibrant culture can still be seen. The town's heritage can be seen at Our Lady of Mont Carmel Church, among the island’s oldest church’s, displaying traditional Acadian architecture and craftsmanship.

Lunch: Boxed lunch to be eaten at a scenic spot en route.

Afternoon: Continue our ride, passing through the towns we did not reach during the morning. This region is known as the North Cape Coastal route - where pie is made from seaweed, houses are made from bottles and Acadian and native Mi’kmaq cultures thrive. We will stop at Abram's Village for a musical experience and at the Acadian Museum in Miscouche. Then we ride our bikes back to the hotel in Summerside.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 4

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Stanley Bridge Country Resort

Cycling Summerside, French River, Green Gables, Brackley

Activity note: Cycling approximately 35 miles; on paved roads, mostly flat terrain, some rolling hills near New London Bay.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast.

Morning: Joined by a local expert, we will have a fascinating lecture about the history of agriculture on Prince Edward Island. Learn how the province’s unique geology and topography have affected not just the types of produce grown, but also influence the local culture and cuisine. Our expert will talk about the famed PEI potatoes, the red soil and its influence on plants, as well as how agriculture on the island first started. Next, we will be cycling a beautiful loop from Summerside to Malpeque - famous the world over for its delicious oysters; to French River - one of the most painted panoramas on Prince Edward Island; and then on to Stanley Beach. We will stop in Malpeque for a taste at a local oyster market. The region boasts miles of shoreline and we will have an opportunity to see the pristine beaches that greeted English, French, Scottish, and Irish settlers when their first arrived in the 1800s.

Lunch: Boxed lunch to be eaten at a scenic spot en route.

Afternoon: Continue cycling through the region known as Green Gables shores - millions of readers from all over the world have come to know and love Anne of Green Gables, and this is where devotees come to celebrate her. While Anne may be the main attraction for many, Green Gables Shore has more beauty and mystique to offer. The region is a spectacular example of Prince Edward Island’s classic landscape composed of red sandstone cliffs, white sand beaches and rolling farm fields. Some of the coastline has been protected in PEI National Park, which hugs the north shore in this area. Check into the hotel at Stanley Bridge then transfer to dinner.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: Van transfer to our hotel in Stanley Bridge after dinner; check-in and the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 5

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: North Winds Inn & Suites

Cycling New Glasgow, Rusticoville, North Rustico

Activity note: Cycling approximately 30 miles; mostly paved roads; level terrain.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast.

Morning: Our cycling adventure continues on the north shore as we travel through New Glasgow, Rusticoville, and North Rustico. The residents of North Rustico are proud of their heritage and closeness to both land and sea from their long fishing tradition. The nearby Prince Edward Island National Park is renowned for miles of sandy beaches while neighboring Cavendish is Prince Edward Islands largest summer resort area.

Lunch: Boxed lunch to be eaten at a scenic spot en route.

Afternoon: We will continue cycling to Green Gables National Historic Site. Parks Canada staff will present the history of this site and its significance to Canadian literary history. Spend time at Green Gables, the famed fictional home of red-haired Anne Shirley, the heroine of Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic 1908 novel, "Anne of Green Gables." Discover the history of the house as well as biographical information about Montgomery. Green Gables, part of Lucy Maud Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site, was home to the cousins of Montgomery’s grandfather, David Jr. and Margaret Macneill. Our day of cycling continues in P.E.I. National Park and the Rustico area.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: Van transfer and then check into hotel; the rest of the evening is at leisure.

Day 6

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: North Winds Inn & Suites

Cycling PEI National Park, Stanley Bridge

Activity note: Cycling approximately 25 miles; on mostly paved roads and bike paths within the park. Mostly level terrain.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast.

Morning: Our adventure continues this morning as we cycle to spectacular Prince Edward Island National Park. Encompassing a vast distance along Prince Edward Island’s northern coast, the park is home to salt marshes, sandstone cliffs, beaches, sand dunes, and the remnants of an Acadian forest. Along the way, learn about the ecology, history, and culture of PEI and take an expert-led walk on the beach and the dunes at Stanhope. Within the park are a number of Historic Sites including Green Gables and Dalvay-by-the-Sea, elegant Victorian homes inspired by the natural beauty of the park.

Lunch: Lunch on your own at a shore market.

Afternoon: After lunch there will be time to independently explore the fascinating background of this National Historic Site of Canada. This elegant Queen Anne Revival home was built in 1895 by a Scottish-American oil tycoon. We continue cycling in the area, a region of rolling hills and farmland, making our way back to Brackley Beach and our hotel.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 7

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: The Hotel on Pownal

Cycling, Confederation Trail, Charlottetown

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island  B,L,D The Hotel on Pownal

Activity note: Cycling approximately 25 miles on paved roads and paths. Mostly level terrain.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast.

Morning: For our last full day of cycling, we will return to Charlottetown. We will ride from Brackley to our final destination of Charlottetown.

Lunch: Boxed lunch to be eaten at a scenic spot en route.

Afternoon: Our cycling continues after lunch as we make our way back to Charlottetown, travelling on parts of the Confederation Trail. The capital of PEI is an amazing city, enjoy some leisure time to explore boasting sites such as Beaconsfield Historic House, Great George Street, and of course, it is the birthplace of confederation. Charlottetown is home to a network of trails and waterside boardwalks; a vibrant music scene and tasty morsels from land and sea.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Charlottetown.

Evening: Evening wrap-up session.

Day 8

Meals: Breakfast

Program Concludes

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast.

Morning: The program concludes with breakfast. Independent departures per individual travel plans. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Day 1: Welcome to the Rocky Mountains

Through the city of Edmonton, we reach our first destination. This is none other than the resort town of Jasper. It is home to the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Jasper National Park attracts those seeking vast wilderness, majestic peaks and lots of wildlife.

Note that if you cannot arrive at the Edmonton Airport by 2:00pm, you will need a ‘pre-tour’ day. You would sleep in Downtown Edmonton for that evening and would start our tour the following day. We would make all arrangements for you in the event you need to sleep in Edmonton.

Day 2: A Fantasy Boat Ride & Abundant Wildlife

As a daytrip from Jasper, we visit Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake as well as do a boat cruise from Maligne Lake to Spirit Island. Maligne Canyon contains waterfalls, underground stream outlets, birds and plant life. Wildlife is surprisingly abundant along Medicine Lake. Grizzly bear, black bear, mule deer, wolves, moose, mountain sheep and bald eagles are some of the animals which frequent the lake area during the summer season. The lake cruise is scenic and is arguably the highlight of the day.

Day 3: A Monster Bus on a Glacier & One of the Most Scenic Drives on Earth

Although we are relocating from Jasper to the resort town of Banff, a lot of important stops are made along the way: Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefield (ride on the actual glacier with a specially designed, stretched out monster bus!), Weeping Wall Waterfalls, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier and Peyto Lake. Today is best described as one of the most scenic drives on Earth! Note that lunch is included on today’s tour.

Day 4: A Pilot’s View of Paradise & a Canyon Deservedly Displayed on Postcards

As a daytrip from Banff, our morning starts with a visit to the town of Canmore. It is from there we take a helicopter ride. The mountainous scenery is like no other. In the latter part of the day, after returning to Banff, we visit the nearby Johnston Canyon. Limestone rock eroding over thousands of years led to a picture-perfect creation combining sheer canyon walls, waterfalls, tunnels and natural pools.

Day 5: Instagram-Famous Photo Stops, a Lake Cruise & Thundering Waterfalls

As another daytrip from Banff, today we visit Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, Hoodoos Viewpoint, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. We also go on an enjoyable boat cruise at Lake Minnewanka. The evening ends with a ride on Banff Gondola. We ascend Sulphur Mountain (2,281 meters or 7,484 feet) and then follow the well-designed skywalk.

Day 6: The Ultimate Seaplane Tour & an Ice Bar

After relocating by both land and air from Banff to the resort town of Whistler, we go on a seaplane ride: rugged peaks, majestic glaciers, lush alpine meadows and turquoise glacial waters. After this flightseeing tour, we return to town. Over two million people visit Whistler annually. Its pedestrian village has won numerous design awards. Whistler has been voted among the top destinations in North America by major magazines since the mid-1990s.

We encourage you to end the day with a visit to the town’s most famous ice bar. It is fascinating even to those who do not drink.

Day 7: The Outdoor Adventurist’s Favorite Day of All

As excursions from Whistler, we go off-roading, whitewater rafting and ziplining. These are three of the very most popular activities in Whistler…and we are doing them all in one day! Even if we ignore the thrill aspect, the nature we see today gives enough reason why not to miss out.

Day 8: Walking a Suspension Bridge, Touching Peak to Peak by Cable Car & Nightlife

Before relocating by land to the city of Vancouver, we go on the so-called ‘Peak 2 Peak’ Gondola. Until 2017, it held the world record for the longest free span between ropeway towers. Adding to the overall experience is the ski lift ride and a 425-foot suspension bridge called Cloudraker Skybridge.

Once in Vancouver, we head to another suspension bridge. It is called Capilano. It is 140 meters (460 feet) long and 70 meters (230 feet) above the river. Capilano draws over 1.2 million visitors per year. We recommend you end your evening in Downtown Vancouver, specifically in an area called Gastown. There you will find lots of restaurants, galleries, shops and places to party.

Day 9: Whales, Islands, Beaches & a Food Market

Before making a daytrip by seaplane to the village of Tofino, we visit Vancouver’s most famous public market. It is located on Granville Island. Established in 1979, Granville Island Public Market is located in an enclosed facility where customers can purchase fresh produce, meat, seafood, cheeses and other products, many of which are locally sourced. There are approximately 50 vendors in the market, some of which are food vendors. They sell a range of items from Mexican, Asian, Greek and deli food to candy and snacks. The market attracts both local residents and tourists.

The seaplane ride between Vancouver and Tofino is quite scenic. On a clear day, we can see whales as well as Clayoquot Sound. This is a body of water with many inlets and islands. While in Tofino, we have time to walk around town. A visit to Chesterman Beach is recommended for those who wish to swim.

Day 10: Our Tour Ends This Morning

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport or port in Vancouver.